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.

Saturday 3-21-26 Camping at Sanders Cove & Hiking Trails

 

Pat Mayes Lake

We had another hot day but it was gorgeous with blue skies. The morning temperature was 62 degrees and the high was 89 degrees.

Last night we slept with the fan going, which made it comfortable. I woke up at 7:15 am, this is mighty early for me. Larry was surprised. I wanted to get an early start on our hike because it's suppose to get to 90 degrees. We had a blueberry bagel with cream cheese spread on it and we shared a meal replacement shake. After breakfast we got ready to go on our hike. It was warm enough, that we didn't need a jacket and we wore short sleeve shirts.

The hiking trailhead was close by, we had to walk .15 mile. We hiked for an hour and  45 minutes for 2.50 miles. We hiked on a few trails, Deer Run ( .6 mile) and Dogwood (1.4 mile). It was very hard to tell which trail you were on because they weren't marked. We started at the trailhead sign, which took us to a staging area. The area had picnic tables, bike repair station and the trails. The trails had a sign with arrows showing you where they begin. There were arrows throughout the hike but they weren't labeled with the trail name. The trails intertwined with each other. The hike took us through the trees, up and down hills, over rocks, along a ridge and by Pat Mayes Lake. One part was very challenging, it went down a steep hill to get to a creek. The creek didn't have much water flowing so we could cross it with no problem. On the other side we had to climb back up the hill, it wasn't as steep or as high. We saw a couple of fishermen on the lake and the Dogwoods have some beautiful blooms. There was a bench that looked over the lake close to the campground, we rested there for a bit. A short distance later we could have just walked to our site but we decided to continue following the trail back to the trailhead. We saw a few people hiking the trails and a couple of bikers. The trails were marked with two different color arrows, black and red. The black arrows indicate you're hiking the trail forward direction. The red arrows indicate you're hiking the trail in the reverse direction. By the end of the hike it was starting to get warm and we were sweaty. At the trailhead sign Larry took my pouch and pole and went back to the Minnie and I walked to the shower house to go to the restroom. It was another .50 mile roundtrip. When I got back to the Minnie I had done 9,000 steps and 3 miles. We had a great hike. The trails allow hikers, bikers and class 1 e-bikes.  

  

Hiking trails sign

The trail going through the trees, down a hill and across the creek via bridge

Stationing area where trails begin

Bicycle repair station

Forest

After lunch Larry went outside to enjoy the campground and continue reading his book in his chair. Larry finished the book and started a new one. I joined him after I did my games. I started a book called Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir.

Larry relaxing in his chair

I played games. I played the Daily Challenges of Solitaire and Mahjong. The event was Event: Two Game Tango Mini of 6 games (3 Klondike and 3 Spider). It took me 18 minutes and 44 seconds, which put me in 19th place in my group. I played Angry Birds Friends and Angry Birds 2.

In the evening I walked around the campground a couple of times for 48 minutes and got 2 miles. By the end of the evening I had done 16,000 steps. After resting after my walk I put our chairs away.