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…
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.
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| 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.)
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| 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…
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| 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.
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| 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…
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
