Thursday 3-26-26 Natural Falls State Park & RV Repairs

 

Natural Falls State Park

We had a hot windy day. The morning temperature was 62 degrees at Robbers Cave State Park and the high temperature was 87 degrees at Natural Falls State Park in Colcord, Oklahoma. As the day went on the south wind continued to get stronger.

We had four outstanding days of camping at Robbers Cave State Park. While there we hiked three four mile hikes, which were on Belle Starr Trail and Coon Creek Ridge Trail, Mountain Trail and Loop and Rough Canyon Trail. I walked around the campground every evening between 2 and 3 miles. We read a bit. I played my games.

Hiking Belle Starr Trail

I woke up at 7:15 am and got dressed. Then Larry and I shared a blueberry bagel with cream cheese spread on it and a meal replacement shake. After breakfast we got ready to leave. We put things away and secured. We were on the road by 8:15 am.

On the way out of the campground we stopped by the dump station and dumped the tanks. Yesterday, Larry topped off the water tank at our site. While Larry dumped the tanks I walked over to the dumpster and got rid of our garbage. Now we don't have to worry about dumping the tanks for awhile.

Our next destination was Natural Falls State Park, which was 132 miles from Robbers Cave State Park. The drive was down two and four lane highways. We drove by ranches and farms. We crossed over part of the Arkansas River and saw a beautiful reservoir. It was was a nice drive. 

When we got to Sallisaw we pulled into a convenient store to fill the Minnie with gas. While fueling Larry discovered we had a fuel leak. I was across the road at Sallisaw Donuts getting donuts. I got six donuts. When I got back. Larry told me about the leak so he pulled into the parking lot of a casino to find a place to work on the Minnie. There really wasn't anywhere. Larry had noticed an automotive repair place right next door to the casino. We drove over and Larry asked James if he could look at the problem. He said he was backed up for a week and they usually work on engines. He looked at the problem and said no problem he could fix it. The large fuel line that connects the filler to the gas tank had gone bad. He said he probably could not get the correct hose but as a temporary fix he could use a radiator hose. He got the hose off and headed to the local parts place, sure enough they did not have a fuel hose that size but they found a suitable radiator hose. It took him a little over two hours to do the job. While they worked on the Minnie I stayed inside and read. There were two guys working in the shop and they were very nice. They had a 12 week old pup and I played with her while Larry paid for the job. It was very reasonable, $207 for a two hour job. Larry gave him some extra money to show his appreciation. The name of the shop was JMB Automotive LLC. 

JMB Automotive LLC

The field where they worked on the Minnie

The donuts from Sallisaw Donuts (I ate the chocolate glazed one)

We have been very lucky when we're on the road and had problems with the Minnie. Somehow we have always had very good shops with friendly workers. 

After the work was completed we went to Casey's and filled the Minnie with fuel. While there we bought a large pepperoni pizza. A number of  folks have said how good Casey's pizzas are so we thought we would give it a try. They have a good pizza but I wouldn't go so far as to say it's the best. We ordered the pizza and it took about eight minutes to get it. The gentleman, who took care of us was very nice and delivered the pizza to me. I was in the store waiting. We had excellent service. They didn't have anywhere to sit so we ate the pizza in the Minnie. It was quite warm in the Minnie so Larry started the generator and we had AC.

After lunch we continued to Natural Falls State Park, which was another 63 miles. We drove down a two lane highway. We arrived at the park at 2:30 pm. We had reservations so we went directly to our site, which was #28. The site was very level, we didn't have to use any blocks. I helped Larry back the Minnie in the site and left enough room for us to get the motorcycle off the carrier if we want to. The site at Robbers Cave State Park was also very level.

Our site has a paved pad for the Minnie, picnic table, fire ring with grate and water and electric. The site has trees but not a lot of privacy. It's a nice park.

After we set up the Minnie for three nights we walked over to the restrooms to check them out. I walked over to the office and told them we were in our site and to get the hiking map. The lady in the office was very friendly and explained the map. There's not a lot of hiking but it's a nice place for the weekend.

When we got back to the Minnie Larry crawled up on the roof to fix the tape on the awning. The Minnie's awning is very old, over the years the sun has deteriorated the material where it attaches to the Minnie. We don't use it and years ago Larry used Gorilla tape to reinforce it. A couple of years ago he had to redo the tape. Today the high wind detached some of the tape at the front of the awning. Larry replaced that piece. When we get home he will redo all of it. When you own a RV you will have to do maintenance on it now and then.

Fixing the tape

We spent the rest of the day in the Minnie under the air conditioner keeping cool.

I played my games. I played the Daily Challenges of Solitaire and Mahjong. The event was Event: Pyramid Adventure of 20 games. It took me 1 hour, 12 minutes and 21 seconds, which put me in 13th place in my group. I played Angry Birds Friends and Angry Birds 2.

When I wasn't playing games I continued reading Project Hail Mary. Larry finished reading his book and wrote a review on it. 

Relaxing with a good book

After dinner I walked around for 40 minutes and did 1.75 miles on Pine Ridge Trail. I hiked it two times. I got a total of  7,000 steps.      

Wednesday 3-25-26 Rough Canyon Trail Hike, Camping & Having Fun

 

Robbers Cave

We had a warm day at Robbers Cave State Park. We woke up to 66 degrees with a little breeze. It got up to 88 degrees with blue skies.

I woke up at 7:15 am and got dressed. Then I made pancakes for breakfast. Afterwards we got ready to go on a hike. I got my small pack out of the cabinet and put a couple of waters in it. Then we loaded up on the motorcycle, the trail we wanted to hike was three miles away at the Robbers Cave day area.

We arrived there about 8:20 am and there was just one other car in the parking lot. We wore our lite jackets up there because the wind was a little chilly. We put our jackets in the tote box. I put the fanny pack on and we were ready for our hike. There are two hiking trails, Rough Canyon (4 mile loop) and Mountain (3 mile loop). We decided to do the Rough Canyon Loop, it took us over three hours to complete. The trail started from the parking lot at the shelter and finished at the Robbers Cave. It was a challenging hike, the terrain was very rocky with roots and it went up the hill. We hiked on loose rocks, over bigger rocks and in between boulders. The trail lead us through the forest and up the hillside. It wasn't all rough terrain, at times the terrain was flat and had pine needles and leaves on the trail. We hiked by two ponds, Cattail Pond and Lost Lake. At Cattail Pond we saw a huge beaver den. While looking around you can see how busy the beaver was cutting down the trees. We sat at a picnic table to rest at Cattail Pond, this was our halfway point of the hike (2 miles). After our rest we hiked on the pond's dam which was very nice and flat. The Lost Lake was a little farther down the trail Lost Lake had a lot of Lilly-pads and a group of Canadian Geese. I couldn't get a picture because they flew away. Both bodies of water had a pump house. Lost Lake had a very nice dam. When we got to Robbers Cave people were there enjoying the facility. Kids were climbing on the rocks and parents were supervising them. We didn't walk the short trail to Robbers Cave because we were tired and hot. We have been there a few times. 

Entrance to Robbers Cave nature trail 

Rough Canyon Trail terrain

Rough Canyon Creek 

Cattail Pond and beaver den

Lost Lake dam

Lost Lake

Wildflowers on the trail

One of the caves in the rocks where the Robbers Cave is

Robbers Cave from last years trip

There was a lady parked next to the motorcycle, she was originally from Tyler, Texas, now she lives in Oklahoma. Larry was talking to her for a few minutes before I got there. She was training for the Grand Canyon hike so her goal today was to hike 25 miles. The vehicle that was in the parking lot when we arrived was hers. She told Larry she had already hiked 8 miles. She said she wasn't sure if she was going to make the 25 miles. She also said she loved the hot temperatures better than cold. A couple of years ago she was here and was buddled up. Larry told her we loved it more when it was cold, that way you can take off the layers you are wearing when you get warm.

We had a super hike. The trail was well marked. It started with dark blue and green hiking signs and ended with light blue. They had a sign on a tree when the trail colors changed. The hike was challenging and at times very tough but the hike was fun. We hiked 4 miles for three and a half hours.

We spent the rest of the day relaxing. Larry continued reading the book he started yesterday and finished it. I played games and read a little. We took a shower.

I played the Daily Challenges of Solitaire and Mahjong. The event was Event: Medium Mayhem Mini of 5 games. It took me 20 minutes and 48 seconds, which put me in 23rd place in my group. I played Angry Birds Friends and Angry Birds 2.

After dinner I went for a 2 mile walk around the campground two loops (Whispering Pines and Old Circle), cabins and lodge. I only did the Old Circle once because it was too hot. By the end of the day I had done 19,500 steps. 

Tuesday 3-24-26 Camping, Hiking Mountain Trail Loop & More

 

Lake Carlton Dam

We had a wonderful day with a lot of sunshine. The morning temperature was 51 degrees and the high temperature was 73 degrees.

I woke up at 7:20 am and Larry was cutting new pads for his feet. The fan and heater were both running. I made mini waffles for breakfast. After breakfast we got ready to go on a hike. I got my little pouch out of the cabinet and put a couple of bottles of water in it.

Today we rode the motorcycle over to the trailhead in the day area, it is near the outdoors classroom. We parked the motorcycle and walked over the lake via a bridge to get to the trailhead. The trailhead was for the Mountain Trail, which is marked by blue hiking signs. But the actual trail name wasn't there. There is another entrance to the trail at the Cattail Pond. We shared the trail with the Cougar horse trail. We hiked the trail to Governor's Horse Trail, where it Ys. We went left and kept on the Mountain Trail. The trail went through the forest and up the mountainside. It was a steep climb to get up to the top. We had to hike on loose rocks, pine needles and leaves. We had to be careful but it was a great trail. We hiked to where there was a loop, which was about 1.5 miles. The loop was another 1.5 miles. The trail wasn't marked with a name but it did have Orange/White trail markers. It had two colors because it's multi-use trail. The loop trail went up and down small hills. While hiking a gentleman came behind us. We let him get around us because he was running. We hiked through dry creeks, along the ridge of the mountain, saw views of the lake and down an old logging road. When we were descending down the mountain by Cottontail Pond Campground we met up with a group of six kids hiking up the mountain bare feet. They had a small dog, which they carried to get around us. When we got to Cattails Pond we used a bridge3 to cross over the pond to the tent campground. It was a small campground but very nice. We rested in the shelter before taking the park road back to the day area. After our rest we hiked the road for about a half a mile to the day area. Then we walked around the day area.

Mountain Trail terrain

View of Lake Carlton from the trail

Larry resting on a rock chair

The rock chair

Cattail Pond

The bridge to Cattail Pond Campground

An old CCC water fountain

We walked through the nature center, which was a CCC building. It was small but very nice. It talked about the history of the area and wildlife in the area. One of the rangers was holding a snake and showed it to us. She said she caught the snake two years ago in August in the park. It was small and very friendly. It liked being handled. After walking through the Nature Center we continued our walk to the motorcycle. We walked to the amphitheater and through it. It was originally built by the CCC but the actual stage area was more modern. Then we walked to the motorcycle. As we were getting ready to go a couple came up to us and asked about the motorcycle. We visited with them for a little while, they're from Oklahoma. They were very nice.

Carlton Lake Dam

Yurt for rent

 

Nature Center exhibits entrance

The CCC exhibit and history

Black bear exhibit

Bobcat exhibit

By the end of the hike we had hiked 4 miles, it took us three hours.

When we got back to the Minnie we relaxed for a little bit. Then we had lunch.

Late yesterday Larry noticed a small amount of coolant under the Minnie. He crawled under the Minnie and found the leak was coming from a hose. He was unable to tighten the clamp with a screw driver so today he got his tool box out and using tools from it he was able to tightened the clamp. He hopes this will fix the leak.

Larry started a new book and relaxed outside in his chair. I played my games. I did the Daily Challenges of Solitaire and Mahjong. The daily event was Event: Two Game Tango of 20 games (10 Klondike and 10 Pyramid). It took me 1 hour, 10 minutes and 25 seconds, which put me in 17th place in my group. I played Angry Birds Friends and Angry Birds 2.

My fitness band hasn't been tracking my mileage correctly. When we go hiking Larry's fitness watch will say we went the correct mileage but mine will read less than his. Larry's watch has a built in GPS so his mileage is correct. My band doesn't have GPS. Last year he figured out how to get my band to work with the GPS from my phone so it would be accurate. A couple of months ago I got a new phone so this afternoon he once again had to figure out how to get the tracking to work via the GPS on the phone.

After dinner we went for a walk. Larry started his watch to clock the walk and I started my band. We walked to the cabins and back. We checked his watch and my band and they were exactly the same distance, which was 1.25 miles. Yesterday I used my band it was 1 mile. So I have been going farther then my band said. After Larry went back to the Minnie I continued walking, I walked the Old Circle Campground three times. I ended up walking for a little over an hour for 3 miles.

Walking Old Circle Campground

While I continued my walk Larry read in his chair. After doing my games I continued reading Project Hail Mary.



By the end of the day had gotten 19.500 steps. We had a great day of hiking and walking.

Monday 3-23-26 Camping & Hiking Belle Starr and Coon Creek Ridge Trails

 

Hiking Belle Starr Loop Trail

We had a beautiful spring day. We did an outstanding hike at Robbers Cave State Park.

We woke up to a brisk 51 degrees. Larry was up at 6:15 so he turned on the heater and turned off the fan. It was warm when we went to bed but was very comfortable to sleep with the fan going. It got up to 72 degrees. 

When I got up at 7:15 I was surprised to see Larry under the blanket. I made mini waffles for breakfast.  

Mini waffle maker by Dash

Finished product

After breakfast we went on a 4.25 mile hike on two trails, which were Belle Starr Loop and Coon Creek Ridge. We have hiked these trails before. We picked up the trail at the campground entrance. We hiked Coon Creek for about .25 mile where it Ys. You can go to the right or left. We decided to go to the right because it took us to the lodge. There was a sign that told you which way to the lodge. We hiked Coon Creek Ridge to the lodge for about a half mile, we picked up the trailhead for Belle Starr Loop. There was a nice trailhead sign for Belle Starr Loop Trail. We like picking Belle Starr trail here because it's the steepest part of the trail. The trail takes you down the side of the rock hill and through giant boulders. The trail is well marked with white/black hiking signs. We climbed down the hill to Coon Creek. On the way down I got off the trail because I was busy watching where I was stepping and didn't look at the trail sign on a tree. I didn't go too far when I realized I had lost Larry and was off the trail. I could have continued the way I was going but I wanted to find Larry. I got back on the trail and followed to where he was. He was already at Coon Creek Lake. The trail flattens out there and goes along the bank of the lake. It took us by the dam and gate control building. The building was very old. The trail took us to a gate where the trail Ys. If you continue down the trail it will take you on the other side of Coon Creek. There is a trail over there we have hiked before but we wanted to stay on the loop we were doing. Shortly after walking through the yellow gate, there was a trail marked on the side of the hill. We had to be careful because we could miss it. Larry kept looking for it. Once we saw it we climbed back up the hill through the forest. The trail took us back to Coon Creek Ridge trail. This part of the trail is shared by both Belle Starr and Coon Creek Ridge. We hiked it back to where it Ys. We had hiked 2 miles so far. We continued our hike on Coon Creek Ridge Trail. This trail was easier because we didn't have to climb over and in between boulders. But we still had to climb off big rocks that were part of the trail. The trail weaved through the pines, dogwoods and oak trees. Both trails had needles from the pines and leaves from the other trees on it so it made it soft to hike on. They must have had a big storm come through recently because there were some big pine trees down. They had been removed from the trail. They had chained sawed them in pieces and left the pieces so we took advantage of the cut down trees and sat on them to rest. The trail also goes along the ridge of the mountain we had hiked down when we did Belle Starr. There were very nice views of the rock formations. We had a super hike. We hiked for 4 miles and it took us almost three hours. 

            

Almost finished with Belle Starr Loop

Coon Creek dam

The building controlling the gates

Coon Creek Lake

Boulders we climbed in between on Belle Starr Loop

Dogwoods in bloom along Coon Creek Ridge

A butterfly we saw on Coon Creek Ridge

I spent the afternoon playing games and relaxing. I did the Daily Challenges of Solitaire and Mahjong. The event was Event: World Tour Mini of 10 games. It took me 1 hour, 10 minutes and 46 seconds, which put me in 27th place in my group. Yesterday's event, which was Event: Klondike Adventure of 20 games. I came in 10th place in my group. I played Angry Birds Friends and Angry Birds 2.

After dinner Larry and I went on walk. By the end of the walk I had done 2.25 miles. Larry walked a mile of it with me. We walked to the cabins and lodge. They have 26 cabins and three of them are duplexes. This would make it nice to camp with another couple or family and you have your own cabin. After walking around the cabin area Larry went back to the Minnie I continued walking I walked the Old Circle Campground twice.

We spent the rest of the night relaxing with a book. Larry started a new book today and finished it. I continued reading Project Hail Mary.

Relaxing with a good book

By the end of the day I had done 18,000 steps.

Sunday 3-22-26 New State, New Campground & Choctaw Casino

 

Oklahoma Welcome sign from the web

We had a super day. 

The morning temperature at Sanders Cove Recreational Area near Paris, TX was 70 degrees. The high was 91 degrees at Robbers Cave State Park in Oklahoma. We had wind and sometimes it  was very strong.

We had two outstanding days at Sanders Cove Recreational Area on Pat Mayes Lake in Texas. It was time to move on. I got up at 7:15 am and got dressed. Then we had bagels for breakfast. Afterwards we put things away and securely down. Larry unplugged us. We were on the road by 8:30 am.

On the way out we stopped by the dumpster to get rid of our garbage. Our next destination was 114 miles down the road. We were in Texas for about 5 miles before we entered into Oklahoma. Larry surprised me by stopping at Choctaw Casino & Resort. He knows how much I like to gamble. I don't gamble a lot but I have fun. I thought it might be too warm for Larry sitting in the Minnie but it was early and there was a nice breeze. 

As we were pulling into the parking lot and backing the Minnie into a spot the casino's shuttle was waiting for me. He was a very nice man. He said he was 80 years old and still very active. I gambled for an hour and a half on four different slot machines. I started with $20.00 and got back to Larry with $25.00, that's pretty good for a couple of hours of entertainment. 

While I gambled Larry read. By the time I got back it was time for lunch. We shared a sandwich and chips.

The casino was small but very well maintained, it had workers constantly cleaning the beverages area and the slots. It didn't have a non-smoking area but it didn't smell of smoke. I've been here before so I knew what to expect.

   Choctaw Casino & Resort

After lunch we continued our adventure. The drove was mainly a four lane highway. While we were driving we saw a few turkeys on the side of the highway. The scenery was farmland and ranches with cattle and horses. I dozed on and off during the drive.

Robbers Cave State Park welcome sign

Our destination was Robbers Cave State Park. We have been here a couple of other times so we knew where we wanted to be. Larry made reservation for four nights on the same site we stayed on last year about the same time, which was #17 in Whispering Pines Campground. 

Whispering Pines Campground sign

Camping at site #17

We got there about 2:00 pm. Larry backed in and I helped direct him into the site. We made sure we could get the motorcycle off the carrier. Then Larry plugged us in. We spent the afternoon relaxing under the air conditioner. It was too hot to walk around. 

When it was time for dinner I heated up the leftover pork loin we had a few nights ago. 

After dinner I walked to the day area to find the trailhead. We hadn't hiked the trail at the day area before. It's a beautiful day area with a lot of things to do. It had an old mining building, beach area to swim, a swimming pool not open yet, Alpine Ice and Espresso (snack bar), mini golf, an old CCC water fountain, playground with a rock cave, area to rent canoes, nature center, restaurant, amphitheater, outdoor classroom and Lake Carlton. The trail is located by the outdoor classroom. You take a nice bridge across the lake cove to a gazebo. The amphitheater is cool because it looks over the lake. This park was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The Nature Center and walkway were built by the CCC. While walking to and back from the day area I passed by a couple of other campgrounds, which were Bobcat Crossing and Horseshoe Bend both are tent campgrounds. By the time I got back to Larry I had walked 2 miles.

Bobcat Campground mascot

Sasquatch

Sign at the day area

Mining building and the history of mining in Oklahoma

Canoes for rent on Lake Carlton

CCC water fountain

Amphitheater

Bridge to the hiking trail

When I got back I rested for a little bit. Then Larry and I went for a walk. We walked around the Old Circle Campground (upper loop). Larry walked with me for 20 minutes. I continued walking around. I walked to the lodge and cabins area. By the time I got back I had walked 1.77 miles.

Sunset at Robbers Cave State Park (Whispering Pines)

Entrance to Robbers Cave Lodge

Robbers Cave Lodge

One of the cabins

By the end of the day I had done 13,000 steps.

Larry finished reading Northern Borders by Howard Frank Mosher. He said it was a terrific book.