I needed to get out. Friday was my birthday and I said I wanted a tour of northwest Oklahoma. I needed to see the rolling hills of the prairie, the rocky canyons of Roman Nose, and the lakes of Oklahoma. We made a day trip, took the dog, and traveled from Enid, to Roman Nose, Canton Lake, and then back up to Salt Plains. We made a stop in Fairview for lunch at El Maya (highly recommended) and then back home. The sun shone and the wind blew (it was Oklahoma after all) but for February, the weather was perfect.
I love the ruggedness of Roman Nose State Park. We walked around and nearly had the park to ourselves. Up one hill and down the next, we got a small workout. The dog was in heaven smelling every leaf. 
I spent my weekends growing up at Canton Lake. My parents had a lake home there and I lived for the water. I found Canton changed since the last time I was there, but the water was still blue and the beach still sandy. It’s February even though it didn’t feel like it this week, and I only saw one lonely boat floating in the small white caps. My father used to fish below the spillway and it is now closed to the public. Most of the trees on the Canadian side are gone and replaced with concrete pads for camping. I can’t imagine how hot it will be camping there in the summer now. 
Salt Plains salt flats are closed during the winter. We climbed the lookout and talked to some other people out to enjoy the weather then drove to the lake. The dam was running and gulls floated on the water – more blue water. I breathed deeply.
Northwest Oklahoma is my home. My family moved here when I was seven for a job my dad thought would last a max of three years. We’re still here. I’ve grown to love the diverse geography of Oklahoma. From plains, to rocks, to hills, and lots of water. And getting out Friday was just what the doctor ordered.
What part of Oklahoma do you love?
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be – mountains, beach, desert, in the middle of a forest, or the heart of a big city? Many people would say the beach with the constant ebb and flow of the tide, sea birds screeching overhead, and the smell of saltwater.
A friend gave me a thank you gift after I provided them with food post-op. I never know whether to send a thank you note for a thank you gift. If I do, will they respond in kind and where will it all stop? But it is lovely to look at and reminds me that spring is just around the corner.
With all the political ruckus this week, we need a little fantasy. And I’ve got just the thing – a fun story with original art by Andy Fish and Zachary Bruner.
I remember the Enid ice storm in 2002. We lost tree limbs, were without power for over a week, I came down with a respiratory infection, and my best friend died of cancer. It was my birthday. The grocery store shelves were empty and lines at the gas station snaked into the street. ATM’s didn’t work and stores allowed you to write a check. T-shirts were made for the survivors of that event.
AUTHOR FEST POSTPONED TO MARCH 4 In an abundance of caution, due to the potential of bad weather this weekend, the Enid Public Library’s Author Fest has been postponed until March 4, 2017. If you have questions, please contact the library or me.
It’s coming! The very first Author Fest presented by the Public Library of Enid and Garfield County and the Enid Writers Club will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2017. Forty Oklahoma authors have signed up and will take over the downstairs library that Saturday morning. Many will read from their work and will have their books with them for selling and signing. The library is creating a booklet so attendees can have their favorite author autograph it. The fest will be held from 10 am to 3 pm.
Each year as I begin a series of blogs, I try to find a theme to follow. This year that theme is “something new.” I will try each week to bring a new experience to my blog. This week I am interviewing local artist, Robert Steele (portrait by Wes Gray Photography). I’ve known Robert and his wife, Julie, for over 20 years and we don’t see each other as much as we used to. But like old friends do, we recently gravitated back to each other due to reunions, deaths of friends, etc. And for the first time, I bought some of Robert’s art. He is also the artist for the Q-Spot in Enid and uses many different media for a canvas. His art can be insightful, funny, strange, but always unique, like the artist himself. So, please welcome local Enid artist, Robert Steele.
The scent of my mother-in-law’s Italian Cream Cake recipe wafting from the oven for the big dinner tomorrow, I prepare our annual Christmas Eve dinner. It was something we did years ago with kids – snacks and Christmas goodies in front of the fire. There would be plenty of food tomorrow. When I was young you could bet I was cooking for Christmas, probably still wrapping, and the frig was full with items for the family dinner tomorrow. So we had snacks for Christmas Eve. No one ever complained. And years later we still do it.
It’s coming! The very first Author Fest presented by the Public Library of Enid and Garfield County and the Enid Writers Club will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2017. Forty Oklahoma authors have signed up and will take over the downstairs library that Saturday morning. Many will read from their work and will have their books with them for selling and signing. The library is creating a booklet so attendees can have their favorite author autograph it. The fest will be held from 10 am to 3 pm.
Peggy Chambers "Views from the Hammock" site 