Robbers Cave to Talimena Scenic Drive

Robbers Cave

Wildflowers at Robbers Cave



 I got myself going a little more quickly yesterday. I skipped the shower. That always helps. The weather was a little better at Robbers Cave. The sun was shining. That’s a good sign.
I tried to move quickly, so I’d be ready to leave at a reasonable hour. I considered waiting for coffee from McDonald’s. That would have saved time, but I didn’t really want to wait, so I took the time to make coffee. I have a new percolator, so the coffee is pretty tasty.

Before long, I was ready to unhook and move along. Judy would be ready soon, so we decided that I would go to the dump station before her. That was a reasonable decision, since I had Judy blocked into the site.

After I dumped, I drove up to the little store nearby to get a postcard, but they told me there was a gift shop across the street with a better selection, so I went across the street to take a look. They didn’t have a really great selection, but there were very nice ladies working there and I was able to find a couple cards.

I chatted with one of the ladies for a while. She and her husband had taken their grandson to Vicksburg, MS a few years back and they had a great time. She told me I had to have some grits there. She also said there are casinos there, so my ears perked up. Besides that, she said they have really good food at the casino buffets. I liked the sound of that too. (Judy doesn’t have the same admiration for casinos, so I don’t think we’ll be eating at any of those or partaking of their free accommodations in the parking lot. Such a shame!)

The gift shop lady told me they had toured a courthouse that had a lot of antiques. She said they found it very interesting. We already had our sights set on Vicksburg, but she gave me a few new ideas.

After I left the gift shop, I headed for the post office. Luckily, it wasn’t far. That was a quick stop. I wanted to go to McDonald’s to grab some breakfast to eat while driving. I had to backtrack to go there, so I stopped at the gas station on the way. I didn’t need much gas, but it’s good to have plenty when one navigates like I do, which could probably be described as hit and miss.

Unfortunately, they were no longer serving breakfast. My body clock STILL hasn’t adapted to the time change. I had to get lunch, which really wasn’t what I wanted, but I WAS hungry. Heaven forbid that I fix some food myself. (I try to travel with healthier food, so it doesn’t always sound appealing. Crazy, but true.)

Before I left Robbers Cave, Judy and I had agreed that we would meet on the Talimena Scenic Drive. Lucky for Judy, but not so lucky for me, after driving through a few different “road work” areas with double fines (You know what that means!), I noticed a fire was burning along the roadside up ahead. I drove until I could see it better. The road was covered with smoke and I could see one truck stopped there. Maybe there were volunteer fire fighters working to put out the fire. I called Judy and told her I was turning back.

On the turnpike between Norman and Coppers Cave there were signs saying don’t drive into the smoke. I thought those were funny signs, but I thought the advice was probably good. After all, “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire!”

Judy, the experienced map person, told me which town to put into the GPS to get me on an alternate route. Before heading back through the “road work” again, I decided to listen to the GPS and head off to the right (east, I guess). Wow! That was one of the best drives on this trip. Up and down over rolling hills past ranches with cows and horses grazing everywhere. I loved it! I had to cross a bridge with weight restrictions. I was hoping this rig wasn’t too heavy. Eventually, I got up to the road that connects with the Talimena Scenic Drive (I know that now.), but since I had my GPS pointed toward Caston, OK, the GPS led me the wrong way.

After driving for a while, I switched my GPS to the city of Talihina and it started going crazy. It wanted me to go down every little road. I fell for this once before and ended up on a BUMPY dirt road. Instead of just telling me to turn around, the GPS tries to take me on side roads back to where I belong. I finally figured out for myself that I needed to turn around. I know this is why it’s wise to look at actual maps more often, but I don’t mind the wild goose chases so much. I allow time for them. : )

Anyway, I finally got back on the right highway and headed toward Talimena Drive. Lacey wanted to get out, so we stopped at a place named “No Name City” or something like that. I should have taken a picture. It seemed deserted, but we could hear a dog barking.

Before long, Judy drove up. She had taken an alternate route too and also enjoyed her drive. We chatted a bit and then headed off toward the Talimena Dr.

Just as I was starting to drive away, I heard, “Wolf! Wolf! Wolf!” I looked out my window and saw a big Basset Hound practically under my wheel. He started to howl. I guess we overstayed our welcome and someone let him out to chase us off. I was glad we were all back in our vehicles before he reached us. I had to drive away slowly for fear of running over him. He howled as we drove away, but he didn‘t chase us. I think he was trying to get his owner to come out and help him deal with us.

We stopped at the visitor’s station at the beginning of Talimena Dr. The sign read, “Closed until Spring.” Hmmm??? Oh, well! Judy walked over to read the bulletin board and I went on down the road.


Talimena Scenic Drive


 

Lacey on Talimena Drive












The drive was beautiful, with many turnouts on either side, that overlooked the valley below. There was a lot of haze in the distance and we could see the smoke of several fires. There is a lot of kindling in this area. There are lots and lots of trees, many of which are still bare and fairly dry. As Judy pointed out, the trees in some areas had already sprouted, while others had not. There were a lot of tiny wildflowers on the roadsides too. Judy and I drove at our own pace, but we met up every once in a while. It was a leisurely drive. I got sleepy, of course. I hate that!!! I wish that wouldn’t happen. I managed to make it to the end of the drive without falling asleep. That's a good thing!