New Lid

Yes, that's right. I finally have a lid that isn't held together by superglue...yet.

Scorpion EXO 700

Norway in Oklahoma

Destination: Norge
Miles logged: 80 miles



Third time's the charm (so they say), and I finally found my way to Norge, OK in the company of No Excuses Motorcycle Club. From Porter Hill, we rode out through Elgin, Fletcher, and Cyril. Got off to a rocky start in Cyril (those curves I've mentioned before). The same ones I crashed on back in April 09 (ah, the good times). Rider and bike were both fine (whew). 

Blueberry at the FZR crash site. Should've looked for that guardian bell I'd lost back in the day.

 From Cement we headed north on Oklahoma Avenue (original, no?) and took County Rd 1410 East, which will get you past Lake Burtschi (have to go back to check it out). There are a couple of fun curves on this road. It turns into HWY 92 somewhere and next thing you know you're driving past cute houses (the Norwegian style coming out, I guess), a school, and a thing that looked almost like a gas station...almost. 

Not anything worth stopping for, but before I pass final judgment on Norge, I'll have to go back.

From Chickasha we caught HWY 19 back to Cement. Well, it's not a good ride until ya get pulled over. It was a good ride...

OK History Lesson: Norge

  Norge was settled in 1907. President Roosevelt declared Norwegian immigrant Anfin Ersland the first postmaster (how cool is that?). The town was home to quite a few Norwegians back in the day. The town didn't get too big, and the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl wreaked havoc on Oklahoma's Norway. Post office closed in 1954, and Norge has a population of about 80.

Overnight Lodging

Stone Turtle Ranch

 

If your ride brings you to SW OK, and you need a place to stay overnight, check out Stone Turtle Ranch. They have two vacation homes, each of which can sleep 6! Motorcycle friendly, and able to recommend places to ride! Close to Meers, Medicine Park, and the Wichita Mtns Wildlife Refuge.

Rush Springs

Destination: Rush Springs 

Home of the Annual Watermelon Festival

Miles Logged: 71 miles

 

From Porter Hill, rode out to Fletcher and Cyril. When you get to the second stop sign in Cyril continue straight. There are some fun curves. Watch out for that stop sign on the last curve. Turn right and you're back on your way to Cement. And, from Cement to HWY 81 there are also a couple of fun curves.

Both the annual watermelon festival and a fresh water spring can be found in Rush Springs' park. Riding through Rush Springs (a school, a post office, a bed and breakfast, and a library) you'll find the park on the left. The water tastes much better than from the springs in Sulphur.

OK History Lesson: Rush Springs, OK

Back in the 1850s, the Wichita had a village near the springs on Rush Creek. In 1858, the U.S. army launched a surprise attack on Comanches camping close to the area, known as the Battle of the Wichita, leaving 70+ Comanches dead. The Wichita relocated to Fort Arbuckle. By the 1870, a railroad made it to the Choctaw Nation, and supplies for Fort Sill were transported through Rush Springs. A post office was established at a local ranch, and once the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway came in 1892 the post office was relocated into what is now the town of Rush Springs. The town was incorporated in 1898. It's been hosting the watermelon festival every year since the 1940s.

 

Picture courtesy of Mac Vincent. Please click on his name for more info on Rush Springs as well as more awesome historic pictures!

0-200 kmh in 8.6 seconds

I want this bike! 155 HP.Not for town cruising, though

OK Rider Meet and Greet

Destination: Blanchard

Miles logged: 170ish

Headed out to Blanchard for a Meet and Greet with some other Okie riders. Had some awesome food, drinks, and company. Hope to do it again soon. Got off to a late start, and stopped in Apache. Kind of lollygagged a bit... Which kind of made us a tad bit late...like an hour.

So on the way there we saw this totally cool old fire truck:

On the way back, we got on HWY 8. Hadn't been on it in a while. Nice hill country, and two fun sweeper curves that would be a blast to ride when there's day light to see through the turn.

Going through Verden, it's best to watch that you stay at the 35mph speed limit.

Lake Altus

Destination: Altus

Miles Logged: 150ish

Another beautiful January Sunday in Oklahoma. The sun's out (well, kind of), so it's time for a ride.

After about 10 miles, the sun began to waiver, and once the Quartz Mtns were in sight, the sun was replaced by a haze. Would have gone exploring, but someone couldn't take another minute without a hot cup of coffee. The things I forgot to pack...

On the way back, I totally copped out and hit a boring hwy. At least for a few miles. I think it's time to invest in some nice warm gloves for next winter.

"I've been to Nowhere, OK."

And, yes, there is a T-shirt. No, I did not buy it. I know, I know. Shame on me.

Destination: Nowhere

Miles Logged: 88ish

Rode out through Apache to Fort Cobb, Nowhere, and Fort Cobb State Park. Heading back, went west on HWY 9 to Carnegie, and hit HWY 115 back to Meers. It was pretty chilly and a long coffee break was certainly called for.

At the Lake Fort Cobb, there were literally thousands of geese. Family Reunion, or something... I honestly cannot remember a whole lot from this ride. All I remember is that it was extremely COLD!!! Someone came across my blog by searching for "weird things at the bottom of Lake Fort Cobb." Hm. Maybe I should do some research because curiosity just killed my "I don't really care" cat.

This blog is brought to you by the lovely (biased opinion, we know) Stone Turtle – Lodging, a small family owned and operated hotel / lodging business near Lawton, Oklahoma, Fort Sill,  the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Meers and Medicine Park. Yeah, that’s right we’re a small lodging business close to all the awesomeness Oklahoma has to offer!!

2011

The Beginning of another awesome year!

Got to kick off 2011 right, so a ride was called for. I only managed to convince one other rider to join me. It was a beautiful day out. The sun was shining and for some odd reason there was very little wind. Perfect for a ride. Granted, it was a tad bit chilly...

Rode out through Lawton, Cache, the Refuge, and up Mt. Scott.

Can't wait to see what adventures 2011 has in store for Blueberry and me.