Wednesday, 13 September - Wes Watkins Reservoir, McLoud, OK

Sun is out again this morning : )  We watched the Hand in Hand Hurricane Relief Telethon on TV last night fundraising for both Harvey and Irma.  They telecast liVe shows from Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Times Square New York, San Antonio Texas and Los Angeles doing very well raising more than $44 million, at last count. They had some big names there, Cher, Blake Shelton, Justin Beiber and George Strait - it was a great show!

This morning we are on the road before 9.30 am and after leaving the hills around Tenkiller Ferry Lake head west along the I40.

Hill country leaving Tenkiller Ferry Lake, OK

We get 100 miles or so under our belt before we stop for supplies and diesel at Shawnee and - lucky me, there is a shopping mall right next door : )

We are obviously in Indian Country, there are regular signs along the interstate advising what Indian Nation you are leaving and entering.  Plus there are 28 Casino’s dotted throughout the State, we have seen at least five already today.  We contemplate staying overnight in the RV Park at the Grand Casino Hotel Resort at Shawnee but after a quick look at what they offer decide we can do better, something with more ambience and shade.  So we drive another ten minutes and come to North Deer Creek Recreation Area on the Wes Watkins Reservoir.  Nobody is at the gate so we drive around, find a shady site and set up.

It’s pretty quiet here, maybe another 6 campers in the RV section and 2 or 3 tents.  I take off on the bike to pay at the honesty box at the gate and on the way back suss out the swimming beach.  It’s a long way and I find one much closer to where we are camped.  We bike down there and refresh ourselves – nice relief from the 30C sun this afternoon.

Swim Beach, had it to ourselves!!