Overnight: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Here's the continuing epilogue from our stay in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The photos you see are canned photos from our overnight location. But, you'll first have to read the continuing saga from Fort Smith.
At 3 AM on Sunday morning at Fort Smith, I awoke to a freezing cold trailer. We realized we were out of propane for the heater, and the temp was dropping VERY fast. We were worried about the pipes under the trailer and the water heater freezing. So, Dave and I got up to see what we could do to keep the water heater from freezing without taking the time to drain it (a royal pain). As we had just learned a few nights ago, it works automatically on electric, so we wanted to be sure that there was water in the water heater.
Side Note: When we arrived, we knew the temp was going to drop below freezing, so Dave didn’t want the hose out there. We had again filled a bucket with water for flushing and a container to hold water for coffee in the morning. Mind you, it’s probably about 28 degrees out there at 3 AM.
We went back to bed and tried to keep warm with tons of blankets. We do not have an electric heater for emergencies, nor do we have electric blankets. Both situations we will remedy tonight during our Wal-Mart shopping spree. I don’t know about you, but when it’s cold like that, my bladder thinks it has to work overtime. So, I was up 4 more times before morning. Each time I got up, it was MUCH colder than the trip before. The potty is at the far end of the trailer. So, I was able to get good and cold before returning to bed.
It was a horrendous experience. One I hope never to repeat again! I know it was at least 21 degrees outside and 30 inside. We waited, shivering, until 8 AM when the office opened. We called to be sure we could come and get propane that early. So, bless Dave’s heart, he’s out cranking up the stabilizers in 25 degree weather. Then, he unhooked the electric and we were off to the office. Of course, Dave had to stand outside with the guy while both 30 lb tanks were filled. And, then he had to go inside to pay (a rather long walk). But, one "fun" thing was that Dave took a parade of ducks with him to the office. He looked like the Pied Piper with 30 quakers following him to the office door. Of course, you know he really loved that.
When Dave went into the office to pay, the son of the owner started in on Dave telling Dave that, "He needed to read the signs and obey the rules. And that if he pushed driving all day and then came into 'any' campground after hours, he had to pull into the spaces that have no service and not disturb the other campers. Campers need to obey the rules because their campground has full-timers, and they do no want them disturbed...blah blah blah." Dave said he went on and on and wouldn't let him speak.
Then finally Dave found a spot to speak when this guy took a breath, and Dave stated that we had called ahead and made reservations. Dave told him we had talked with a lady and she took all of our information. That lady said she would leave our map and instructions on the bulletin board at the late-arrival registry area outside. We arrived around 8 PM where we picked up the papers. And, we were really were quiet in setting up.
The guy said, "Oh, my brother must have thought you were someone else."
Dave said he offered no apology just that good "blessing out" on a Sunday morning. Dave said he was good-to-go with that sermon for the rest of the day!
The guy did offer him a cup of coffee after the "blessing"; but all Dave wanted was out of there, so he turned him down.
We quickly drove back to our spot, reconnected the electric, turned on the gas, and thawed out. We thought we might go back to bed. But, alas, by that time, we were wide awake. So, we finally got on the road about 11 AM after cleaning up, making sandwiches, and breaking camp.
The drive was, thankfully, uneventful, except for those Oklahoma roads. Man, do they need repairing. They are so "bouncy" that you get your teeth jarred more than you can imagine. It's so bad at times, you can't even talk because the air is pushed out of your lungs before your tongue can form the words.
We stopped at a roadside rest and ate our sandwiches in the Homey-Roamy. We had planned to drive to Elk City, but Dave was really tired from the previous day and night's and experiences. So, I got out ye ol' Next Exit book and found some campgrounds in Oklahoma City.
After a bit of taking the "scenic route" to find the campground, we are all settled in at the Rockwell RV Park (www.campusa.com/ok/rockwell/) just west of Oklahoma City. This camp is just a parking lot, albeit nice. Hey, they gave me a box of candied cherries when I checked in, so no more needs to be said!
They have an enclosed, heated swimming pool. So, that would be really nice if one would dare to don such attire.
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