Oklahoma

We made a trip to Tuttle, Oklahoma, five hours away, a 3 day trip. We first got off route to travel along highway 88 and took the back roads among beautiful pastoral land and old farms. We stopped in Pine Ridge, Arkansas at the Jot 'Em Down Store made famous by Lum and Abner, local boys from Mena, who were so popular on radio in the 1930s.

Then when we arrived in Mena we stopped to check out the campground at Queen Wilhelmina State Park, but decided we would keep traveling west. We went into the lodge for a cup of coffee and a little desert not knowing about the desert buffet!!! From there we took the Talimena scenic drive across Rich Mountain. It is a designated as a scenic byway. We were surprised to find that some of the trees had already begun to show their fall colors.

Once we were in Oklahoma we changed our plans again and connected with I 40 to stop in Okemah for a little Oklahoma family history research. The Franks had moved from Arkansas to Oklahoma in the early part of the 20th century. We spent the night at a restaurant alongside I40. It would have been a great choice had the noisy 18 wheeler not parked right beside us.

After visiting the cemetery the next morning we drove into Oklahoma City. We planned to stop at Bass Pro but instead found ourselves at the health department gathering death certificates for the Bowcocks. Then we had two more cemeteries to visit as well as old neighborhoods. We were in a revitalized area of OKC known as Bricktown, also the area where the family had lived and worked. One family member worked at the Oklahoma Paper Company which was replaced by this ball stadium.

We also spent a few hours in the fabulous new Oklahoma History Center before driving south to Tuttle. We had a great visit with Josh and Kala and spent the night at their place. We drove back into Oklahoma City for dinner and where did they want to eat? Bricktown!

The next day we drove home, making a few stops in both Oklahoma City and Okemah which left no time to do research in Sallisaw. But that is only 3 hours away. We should be able to make that only a 2 day trip!

Mtn. View, AR

We have recently become excited about Leon's family history and have learned he is partly a hillbilly from the Ozarks, which we think is a good thing! His grandmother was born in Timbo, Arkansas, the 3rd generation of the Franks family to live there. So off to the Ozarks we went to meet three of his 3rd cousins, to share photos and stories, learn more about the family, and to wander the backroads of Stone County. The photo is on the front porch of a Ramsey relative's old house in Flag. Pictured are A.J., Carolyn, Leon, and Wendell. We camped at the Coast to Coast campground, Holiday Mountain Resort, alongside Sylamore Creek for 4 nights.

The annual beanfest was taking place during the weekend. Large crowds gather around the courthouse square to listen to music or join in if you are musically talented. We listened! While the music plays, pots of beans are simmering nearby. Everyone is offered free beans and cornbread and the lines are long! The annual beanfest is no longer a well-kept local secret.

After the beans are served the outhouse races take place one block away! Many entries vie for first place in the one block long race. Some are more serious than others obviously. There are many more photos.

We learned from the announcer during the race that to the locals if you are not from Mt. View then you are from "off." After the races we visited the historical society and museum and conversed with some of the women working there. One volunteered, "I did not grow up in Mt. View. I am from Off." So now we at least know where we are from!