grace grits and gardening

ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

A Different Road Taken

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No agenda. No schedule. No dogs. No speeding. I had no reason not to take the scenic route. It was time I became better acquainted with the section of highway between Dallas and Fayetteville. That stretch between hell and heaven I consider boring and monotonous.

Finally I would take one of those often imagined road trips, stopping when I like, reading historical markers, antiquing, whatever. I would find something ok about Oklahoma. 


Two roads diverged in a yellow wood…
First stop… Oklahoma Visitor Center, just north of the Red River. Although I had only been driving 45 minutes, I stopped here to get a free cup of coffee:) Fuel for the road trip.
Next stop… Caddo. A sign pointing to the Indian Territory Museum easily lured me off the beaten path. Inside, a treasure trove of artifacts along with two little ladies who seemed thrilled at the prospect of a RealLiveVisitor. They asked me to sign the guest book. I felt like such the tourist. 
Indian Territory Museum, Caddo, Ok

Leaving Caddo, I drove past a serene church, the clapboard siding and sky the same color. (I’m a sucker for steeples.)
Caddo Ok Church

Next stop… Cimmaron Cellars near Caney. It was not quite noon and I found myself at a free wine tasting. This was shaping up to be a truly good day. I did spend $3.95 on a little pot of blackberry wine jelly. Buying something seemed the polite thing to do, and I didn’t much want to head to Fayetteville with a bottle of Sooner Red…
Cimmaron Cellars Grapes

Next… Atoka. Home of the Wampus Cats. The site of my first speeding ticket since 1983. Since the Atokans so desperately want folks to c-r-a-w-l through their fair tiny town, I decided to really give it the once over, even parade waving while driving oh-so-slowly by the Atoka jailhouse before heading straight to the Antique Store. With antiques and garden art spilling onto the sidewalk, it catches my eye each time I whip through. Full of china and crystal and silver and art and vintage everything, it did not disappoint! I almost bought a hardback Edgar Allan Poe book, but how many Poe books does one need? And, I almost bought a vintage red apron but resisted. Get thee behind me, Atoka. 
Atoka, Ok

I rewarded myself for Not Buying Another Egg Dish by stopping at a roadside fruit stand near Stringtown. The nicest little man who appeared to live in his camper sold me amazing plums and peaches for $8. Seemed a bit pricey, but they were fragrant and beautiful. And he was the nicest little man…
Oklahoma Fruitstand Man

Just around the corner I visited the Stringtown Cemetery. Down a deserted gravel road. No GPS I’m sure. Nowhere, Oklahoma. Old, old graves. Very Halloweeny. I could have wandered around for hours, but the wind was whipping down the plains with the first cold front of the season. Frigid.
Stringtown Cemetery

Last side stop – Eufaula. A quick trip inside Steel Daffodils on the charming square where I passed up all the cute Halloween decor and Moon Pies, opting for fresh brewed iced tea instead. 

Near the park, a historical marker. The only marker I stopped to read, and it was about a poet/writer… perfect.

And the grand finale… I Smell Bacon. A must see for the name alone. Outside, the parking lot was packed. Inside, a pan of freshly made buttermilk biscuits was pulled from the oven as if choreographed especially for me. Six vats of homemade soups lined the countertop. I chose chicken tortilla ($5.99) and passed on the biscuits. Difficult. 

Eufaula, Ok

The exclamation point to my drive, dinner and a wild card game of War with my father-in-law. A recent widower, he’s just sitting, going through the motions, waiting, trying to cope. Once again I am reminded life is fleeting.

I arrived in Fayetteville well after dark yet relaxed and at ease after my hayseed tour of Route 69. Plus I bonded a bit with those Sooners.

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference. 

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Comments

  3. That was a very interesting travel log! I love taking back roads when time is not an issue. Have a great week!

  4. Good one, Talya. I like those less traveled roads. I seldom take the interstate or by-pass highways (unless in a hurry). I built (with a turn of a knob and a flick of the ignite button) fires in the living room and bedroom fireplaces. It is COLD in this old house! Didn’t Staci quote Robert Frost in her salutatorian speech at the ‘Crest?

  5. Ah, thanks for combining the only Robert Frost poem I recollect with Bacon, it really is your friend! Very Nice column!

  6. I would have given hard-earned (OK, pension, but still hard-earned)money for those Fostoria tea glasses in one of your pictures. But…where would I put them? My crystal cabinet is already full. Maybe in Eureka Springs I can find a piece or two.

  7. You passed on freshly baked buttermilk biscuits? My god, woman. You’re a machine or something. I’d still be there, going, “No, really, I’ve had…well, OK, just the ONE more, but then I really must be going…”

Food. Farm. Garden. Life.

THANKS FOR READING!