Blueberry Anniversary is Drawing Nigh

We've been inseparable for almost 2 years. Miles logged thus far: 27,517.

Showing some German pride

July 1st is when I bought Blueberry(...I think). Any bets on Blueberry mileage by July 1st, 2011?

Cache

So after all this time, and the countless times I've ridden through Cache, I don't think I've ever posted anything about Cache. So here we are. Cache is located about 12 miles west of Lawton. It's one of my many regular detours. Gotta head home, yet don't really want to? No problem. Swing through Cache and the Refuge on the way home. Not enough? Then there's Mt. Scott and Medicine Park...oh the detouring options!

So there's this place in Cache that's been around forever called the Trading Post. When I stopped the dude (owner) wasn't there, hence it wasn't open. He was off chasing cows (I hope that's not like "chasing the dragon"...), but if there's a small green truck out front, then it's open. Small town hours, eh? I have fond memories of running through the trading post back in the day with my cousins when they visited from Germany. The owner was a big history book. So, if you see that truck, it's worth the stop. He owns the former homes of Quanah Parker and Frank James (Jesse James' brother). One used to be able to arrange for a tour, but I'm not sure if that still goes.

Star House. Pic not mine. Click link below.

Quanah's Star House was moved after Fort Sill almost destroyed it (haha, so I guess it's not a new past time). So, Eagle Park used to be a park, but it closed over 25 years ago. For more info click here.

Pic not mine. Click the link below.

This home is now in Eagle Park also. For more info about Frank James click here.

Also, there's was small Mexican restaurant in Cache on Main St. The building of which has this pretty cool mural on it. I think both mural and restaurant are long gone now (2013).

More pictures are on WGR's Facebook page.
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!!

Never gets old

What one finds while procrastinating

I took these videos at the No Limit stunt show in May 2009 at House of Kawasaki up in OKC.

It appears that I once knew how to take videos with my camera. Can't ask me to do that again...

What one finds while procrastinating

April 2011

So in my book it doesn't get much better than going for a ride and a hike on the same day. It's pretty awesome living a few minutes from the Wichita Mountains. Although, it usually means that I take more detours than necessary. I'm all about the detours.

Awesome thing about taking a bike is that parking usually isn't a problem...usually. I have managed to receive a parking notice. Go me.

So yesterday's ride went to the Wichita Mtns Wildlife Refuge (yet again) and out to Eagle Mtn. Running on slacker time almost got me into trouble. Blueberry needed gas, and I, thinking I was good on time, mozied on down to the gas station. It wasn't until I was getting close to the HWY 49 turnoff that I realized the group was meeting at 10:00AM. My clock read 9:46. So much for getting gas. I prayed it'd get me out there and back to a gas station.

Speeding on the Refuge is a no-go (not that I would ever speed...). Get on the refuge and a deer runs out in front of me. Looked out for its friends, but it seemed to travel alone. Passed a snake on the road by Mt. Scott. I didn't see what it was since I was running out of time. Passing an F-150 law enforcement truck reminded me to watch my itching throttle hand. Good thing too, because further down the road was another law enforcement vehicle parked with a radar. I probably shouldn't have laughed and said "hahaha, not today, boy" because karma is a bitch. I get to the meeting location shortly after 10:00. Not too shabby. I pulled into the Visitor Center (not going "too fast" in my opinion. I mean, home stretch deserves a coasting). I walk into the Visitor Center and nicely say "Good Mornin'" to the lady at the desk only to be told to watch my speed when coming into the Visitor Center. Seriously? I certainly went no faster than the dude behind me.

The hike was a blast. Hiked up Eagle Mtn out to Pennington Mine and back through the Narrows. The group learned a good rule of thumb: don't follow Dani. Those that didn't see the easy way and followed me weren't exactly fond of me, but they now have that rule of thumb memorized.

The Narrows

After a 6 mile hike and forgetting my fuel condition, I was brought back to reality. Yes, it happens occasionally. Blueberry and I were able to coast into a gas station miles after gas light started going off.

Riders in OK M&G Sun 3/27

So when I checked the weather forecast for today a couple of days ago, it said 79 degrees and partly cloudy. The only resemblance the actual weather had to that was that it was above freezing. Must be nice to have a job where one can continuously forecast the wrong thing and still have a job. Anyways...

It was a small meet and greet. A couple of riders braved the cold and rode down from OKC area. So major props out to them. I told them that they now had a right to make some lazy riders feel really bad. Part of No Excuses came out, too. But, it was only 4 of us for the ride. As we were waiting for the OKC riders, I received a text that they were taking lots of "jumping jack stops." What the hell? This was cleared up on our ride. How clever! And, much more effective than my "cold-dance." So double props to Mike and Jonathan.

Mike R's photo which I stole. Damn those shaky hands of mine.

We headed out to Meers for a Meersburger. Where we came across two other bikers who braved the cold. There was (for once) no line at Meers. We then went on Oklahoma's little Deals Gap (HWY 115). It was kind of hazy and the foothills of the Wichitas looked amazing. For the first time, I actually noticed that you are approaching the windmills. That selective seeing of mine is really pretty amazing. The importance of warmed up tires became evident to me (Again. I have no long-term memory). I always try to ride at least 15 miles before getting on those corners. It was still fun, however, and the misty mountains were worth the ride.


Next stop was Mt. Scott. By the time we made it there, only the top of Mt. Scott was still in the clouds. Mt. Scott was closed for business. On to Medicine Park and the Lake Rd (Elm, if I remember correctly). The wind made Lake Lawtonka a wavy sight. The pelicans didn't seem to mind. On days like today, Coffee is even more amazing.

Another Detour...Altus

Destination: Altus
Miles logged: 196ish
 The ultimate destination was Altus. Took a small detour, however, to check out some uncharted (at least by me) Oklahoma towns.

Found myself on HWY 115, yet again. Okay, so it's no Deal's Gap, but it's Oklahoma. Can't be asking for too much now. Haven't stayed on 115 in forever, but there are two more 25mph curves after you pass the HWY 19 turnoff. HWY 115 then remains straight with good sights until the small town of Mountain View. Well, from Mountain View, the view of the Wichitas is nonexistent. Okay, maybe not nonexistent, but I've seen better. So, no idea what's with the name. Mtn View turns out to be bigger than I remembered. They even have a gas station with 91. Guess there's more to the town other than its auction after all. Apparently Mountain View has a welcome center... Continued north on HWY 115 (passing the original town site of Mtn View- that's right, they moved the town.) until HWY 152.

Mtn. View

 HWY 115 north of Mtn View has some curves, too. Road's kind of bumpy, though. Turned left onto HWY 152 and rode to Cordell. I was actually impressed. They have a town square. Took a break in front of a motorcycle repair shop; The owner of which came over to say hi. The people of Mountain View and Cordell were extremely friendly. Gotta love that small-town charm. Cordell even has a bowling alley that sits on a hill. Color me impressed.

Cordell

Stayed on 152 through the outskirts (or so I hope) of Dill City and took HWY 44 south to Sentinel (they have a gas station with 91), Lone Wolf, Quartz Mtns, Blair, and finally Altus. Headed back to Meers via Lawton.
Coming back to that small town charm, whether you're cruising through a small town or down some back highway, you'll note that there's always someone with a smile and a wave.

OK History:
Nothing too interesting about Cordell. It has a population of about 3,000 and won the Great American Main Street award (given to five American cities every year) in '99. Norman Rockwell missed out. I'd move to Cordell in a heartbeat. They ought to feel special. Anyways...

Mountain View:
 Originally called Oakdale, the town moved its location to be closer to the Rock Island railway in 1903.
Sentinel:
It all started in 1898 with a small general store. There was some confusion about the name of the town due to it having two names. In 1907, the issue was resolved and it was named Sentinel. By 1911, two banks, a newspaper, electricity and telephone service, four grocers, two hotels, four general stores, and more could be found in Sentinel. By 1930, the town had well over 1,200 residents. Not bad for an ag-based community. In 1935, a CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp) camp came to the area. Population has decreased over the years (population is somewhere around 860). Judging by the many donut-tire marks on the hwy, I think it's safe to say that there's not too much to do in Sentinel.

More pictures on WGR's Facebook page.

2009- Blueberry's tires

Found a pic from one of my last sets of tires. Not sure which were worse, the '10s or the '09s.

Well, if there's one thing I know how to do, it's put miles on my tires.