Oklahoma: The Trip! Day One...

We really roughed it, guys. We decided to pack up and head to Oklahoma to see the sites. "Oklahoma?" you say? Why yes, Oklahoma. Not exactly California, I know. And most certainly not Florida. But it's a close short trip concerning a two year old strapped in a car seat and the price is right. So...we headed to Sulphur, 30ish minutes east of I-35 and about an hour south of Oklahoma City.

Sulphur is a pretty small town. Not much to do there except be one with nature, and that was the plan. Our cabin was in the Chickasaw National Recreation Area on Lake of the Arbuckles. It was small, but clean and actually really cutely decorated! My only complaint at that point (and not a big one) was that I had to pack everything but the kitchen sink since we wanted to cook our own meals, and of course take all the necessities that a hotel would normally provide (like towels, linens, etc.).

Like I said before, we really roughed it. Once we got there we had no cell phone signals, no land line, no broadcast TV and no internet. Talk about a panic attack. I mean what cabin in the woods has no wi-fi?! So I got my books all laid out and ready to go and embraced our situation. Although I have to admit I was really looking forward to a little day-by-day blogging of the trip. And a phone would have been good in case of emergency. But luckily there were no emergencies, and if we needed to call someone badly enough perhaps we could find a kind Chickasaw fellow to show us how to use smoke signals. Dang, was that really non p.c.?! Forget I said that...

We pulled out on Monday (the drive is about 2.5 hours), grabbed groceries on the way in, tucked Joseph in for a quick nap, cozied up on the deck while he slept (check- beautiful just like we hoped), unpacked and headed down to the lake.

The water was wonderful and we all had really high hopes for the rest of the trip. Oklahoma delivered!


Yikes! Josh couldn't even see out the back window! So maybe we over packed, but at least we were prepared!


Joseph kept entertained on the drive in with a little peek a boo. I don't know how long he had that blanket over his head before we noticed, but I have a feeling it was awhile.


I mean, look at that smile. He was really happy that we finally noticed he had been hiding...


Lake of the Arbuckles was really pretty. I am NOT a lake gal...what with all the fishes and unknown under the surface of the water. This lake was fairly clear and had a great rock bottom. Fishes with big teeth can't hide in clear water without a sandy bottom as easily, you know.




Then the boys sat down and had a real heart to heart. Josh had Joseph's full attention on the subject....


....you could really see the concentration on his face...


...as his Daddy taught him all about skipping rocks. Every boy must know how to skip rocks and especially how to pick the perfect ones.

I could have sat and watched them fish for rocks all day. And take pictures of it, of course. ;)

(the obligatory dragon-fly-on-rock-in-water picture!)

Day One came to a close right as the sun peeked out from behind a cloud. I was able to capture those sweet, sweet hands highlighted by the suns rays holding a big rock. Talk about a metaphor for life. I wonder what those hands will do in life. So much potential. Too bad he can't help with dinner yet because a couple extra hands in the kitchen would be great. Ha.