First Leg....
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| Lake Bistineau covered with Giant Salvinia |
First of all the park was pretty much deserted since we were coming in on Memorial Day (eve) and the three day weekenders were gone.
Second, the lake, pristine and full of beautiful cypress tress the last visit was now choked with a very invasive water plant, Giant Salvinia (Salvinia molesta). It has rendered the lake completely impassable, unuseable and impossible to enjoy. Even though the park ranger reported the park was "slammed" over the weekend I had to wonder "WHY?"
Third the physical grounds are in terrible shape....Dennis and I thought maybe they had experienced storm damage because the trees are down, torn up and bent...further investigation indicates that they may be logging. We went on a bike ride that turned treacherous- loosing the trail which was somewhat marked with small flags on the ground. But which ones to follow? Orange? Red? not to both. Dennis ended up on the ground, tires spinning and arm bleeding. I had to ditch in a brush pile to keep from running him over.
End of trail riding....no kayaking....But we got a good nights rest and we were up and back on the road by 8:00 a.m.
On the way in...somewhere on I 44 between Wichita Falls and Lawton I had the great idea that maybe we should check out Buffalo Bob's, an RV park just across from Mom and Dad's assisted living center.
Now, we ALWAYS stay at the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge. We dream about camping there all year long....talk about going, remember our past camping trips there. It is HOME for Dennis and me. We dated there, have fished, kayaked and swam in the small lakes that dot the refuge. We brought our kids here all through the years when we trekked to Lawton....created memories with them and their spouses and now Ella Anne there...and .....and ....we are at Buffalo Bob's....a concrete monstrosity...devoid of trees, buffalo, longhorn, lakes, mountains, memories. Full instead of well let electric boxes for easy access and hook up should you come in at night, huge fifth wheels and winnebago type bus campers with multiple sliders and awnings, inhabited by construction workers that move from place to place and Casino goers....and in the middle of it all is our little pop up...It reminds me of "Little House" the well known children's story. But it is close to mom and dad. We can be at their place in under 60 seconds instead of the 30 plus miles between them and our beloved Camp Doris. For now....we are parked...cherishing the time with mom and dad until we get on the road again....
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| Beautiful Buffalo Bobs..... |
