May 28: A day on the lake

We got up this morning and found it was a beautiful day - some cloud cover and smooth water. We ate breakfast and packed a lunch. Went to the gas station and filled up the jet ski, came back to the boat ramp, dumped the jet ski and headed out. We were gone about 3 hours and covered about 30 miles. We first went south toward the dam and then circled back to have lunch on Skunk Island.

We took turns driving and I have become more confident and comfortable on the jet ski. Yes, that's finally me on the jet ski. Watching the kids over the weekend helped too because I could see that it takes a lot to turn it over. We then headed north past our camp ground to the bridge where the Illinois River enters Tenkiller Lake. The water was murkier there. The water temperatures ranged from 79 to 83 deg. But, as we found out later when we went swimming, that only applies to the top 3 inches. Under that, it's quite a bit cooler. That's why I haven't gotten wet yet above my waist.




I forgot to let you all know that from day one, we have had baby geese around. They make the rounds daily and have even spent the night close to our camp site. Larry feeds them regularly. In the time we've been here (10 days) I feel like we've watched them grow. They still have stubs for wings. On the really windy day we had, they would run into the water to try to break thru the waves to set sail for other areas and would body surf back to shore. They are fun to watch.

Memorial Weekend

We had a very quiet week - no more spills on the jet ski and no bad weather. Rebecca and the boys and Trina came down Friday evening and have just left today around noon. They all enjoyed riding the jet ski even though the wind was high all weekend and there were so many boats on the water that boat waves were also an issue. At one time I counted 25 boats just in the lake area in front of our camping site. That wasn't counting the jet ski's. The boys brought along their blow-up jet ski so they got pulled behind the big jet ski by who ever had the energy to play.

We pretty much lived on hamburgers and hot dogs - our favorite camping food. Had s'mores a couple of nights and roasted marshmallows one night. Ate in Cookson at the Smokehouse for dinner Saturday night.









Did a little astronomy - star gazing mostly - last night. Still too much light in the area to see the full constellations. We were really lucky all weekend that the really bad Oklahoma weather stayed west and north of us (knock on wood). We did get some showers but nothing to stop our activities for very long. One time there was a lightening strike on the lake just across from our campground and the thunder was horrendous. Trina said she saw it and there was a jet ski at that spot the just took off like a bat out of hell. I think I was cringing. Most of the boats and jet skis had gotten off the water knowing a storm was in the area but a few were either idiots or didn't care.

Got rid of the two travel bugs that we had picked up in Texas. There was a geo right here in the camp ground. Actually at the far edge but there was a road that led us almost right up to it. Rebecca stayed at the bottom of this small hill to stay with the bikes that the boys had ridden up the road that led us to here.

There's another one close by but we'll wait for Larry's brother and his wife to join us, maybe next weekend, to go find it. It's in the local cemetery that had to be moved to this spot because the old one is now under the lake.

We'll probably be here another week. Have to do laundry about Wednesday so we'll probably take in some of Tahlaqua's sights at that time - it is the Cherokee Nation capital. And I'm sure we'll find some nice place to eat at while we're there.

Tenkiller Lake Oklahoma

We left Wichita around 10:00am yesterday and headed for Chanute to see if the Hitchhiker factory could work us in for some service work. Calling ahead would have been a brilliant idea but we're not brilliant people. They couldn't get to us until around Thursday, so we headed for Oklahoma. We were trying to decide between Grand Lake or Tenkiller Ferry Lake. Tenkiller won so around 5:00pm we rolled into Elk Creek Campground. This is one of our favorite spots. We've been there a couple of times with the kids. They told us of several spots we could set up on and we found one of them would work great with a beautiful view. We set up - completely - flags set up, parrot set out, plants in full sun and everything in the camper set where it belonged. Then the attendant drove up and apologized but this spot, that she told us was open, was reserved two days from today and would extend over the weekend. So we packed up and headed for Cookson Bend Campground. Found another beautiful spot right on the water and set up again. By now it's around 8:00pm so we had mac & cheese with tuna and split a Lean Cuisine Pizza for supper.

The picture on the right was taken when we got here yesterday. The one on the left was taken this morning with the wind getting up. The lake is up about 3' above conservation levels but really looks good.





Yesterday was so pretty and warm that I actually decided to get on the jet ski with Larry and cruise around the lake. We took a short cruise and then I felt that I could go on my own. So I ventured out by myself and did just fine. Brought it back in and we parked it until evening.

Until this next Friday, you have to pay daily for your camp site. We got on our bikes and rode up to the attendant house to pay for the evening. THERE ARE HILLS IN THIS COUNTRY. Holy Cow, I didn't think I would ever get enough oxygen into my lungs when we stopped to pay. I figured that would be the exercise for the day.

We did BBQ for supper (and will BBQ a lot while here - it's a long way to a grocery store) and then decided to go for a stroll around the lake on the jet ski. The water was really pretty and it was around 85 deg. Came back to drop me off and load up the ski for the night. Did I say I thought I'd had all the exercise I needed for the day? Well I guess Larry thought I should go swimming too. He made a sharp turn at a slow rate of speed and over we went. Seventy Three deg water is not my kind of water - I'm more into 83 deg water - minimum. Anyway, we were only about 20' off shore so I immediately started swimming. I figured Larry could take care of the ski. Standing on shore, soaking wet, I was not a happy camper. If there had been any wind, I would have frozen on the spot. Went in and put on dry clothes and hooked up the trailer and went to pick him up.

The rest of the evening was good except we're out of cookies so we have to go find a store today. The TV signal is marginal but we have satellite and we were able to see the finale of Dancing With The Stars. Don't know how many pictures I'll be able to upload because signals are not really great in these hills. Plus I don't know how much news I'll have to report. As we change locations, I'll post so you'll all know where we are.

May 18: Last week of our stay in Wichita

This was our last week in Wichita (we leave in the morning) and were we busy. Riverfestival is happening now in Wichtia so it was a fun time to be here. We went to the River City Brewery and got one more picture with our Geo Coin before we hide it somewhere.









As part of River Festival, the Botanical Gardens were open for the price of a festival button so we took that in Friday afternoon. It was a little early for the roses but the poppies and peonies were in full bloom.




Saturday afternoon we went to Cheney Lake (Wichita's water source) and rode the jet ski while Rebecca's family got their boat out to see how it would do this year (it's been down for along time). As you can see, we got out on the water and some of us even got in the water. The jet ski ran fine; however, the boat failed out in the middle of the lake and had to be towed into the loading dock. Hopefully, she'll be up and running again soon.














Today, we went to watch Trina play doubles in sand volleyball. They took 4th out of 5 and were they pooped by the end of the afternoon. They seemed to think they might be getting older (both are in their early 30's).








Tonight, we had supper with my brother Gene and his wife, Cindy. Over iced tea and Margaritas for us girls, we had a really nice visit, but I forgot to get their pictures - again. Maybe in September when we come back thru.

We head out for Chanute in the morning for some service work on the trailer and then will probably head for Tenkiller Lake in Oklahoma. We'll stay there thru the Memorial weekend. From there we are thinking of going on into Arkansas. They're having such a great time with tornadoes this year that we thought we'd try their state for awhile.

May 11: Week #3 at home

It has been another fun filled week with family, friends and, of course, good food. Larry went to his old work and had lunch with all his lunch hour buddies. I had lunch with a couple of the girls from my old work (at a Mexican restaurant, of course).

Grandson, Austin, had a vocal spring concert at his school. Here he is with a fresh hair cut (although you might not be able to tell) and new clothes.







Nathen had another scrimmage Saturday, however, only 4 from his team showed up. We had more in our family than he had players - so we all played. Larry, Austin and Trina played field. Willie played 3rd and short. Rebecca played catcher which required lots of old, unused muscles and I got the job that required all the brains - first base coach. Between Rebecca at catcher and Willie at 3rd, they managed to put out a kid that was trapped between their bases - pretty impressive for parents. Nathen pitched but then had to catch when Rebecca took a foul ball in the ankle in the 3rd inning (the kid shin guards wouldn't fit her). She took the picture of Nathen from a lawn chair behind the backstop with her leg resting on another lawn chair and an ice pack on her ankle.

We had dinner with two couples from our ham radio hobby (at a Mexican restaurant - surprise) and then attended the ham radio meeting for this month. The subject was how to convert your TV to HD with the converter box. Real geeky stuff but we did learn a few things.

Thursday, Larry and I joined two cousins of mine on my Dad's side of the family at T.G.I.Fridays. They hadn't read any of my blog so I'm sure they're busy now catching up.

Today, Trina had two regular league volleyball games so we went to see how she's playing in her old age of 30. She's still good but has a problem sometimes with the 8' net. Girls play on 7 1/2 ft. She did the River Festival 2 mile run in 24 minutes (sister-in-law, Cindy, ran the 10K event) . Trina has to run 1 1/2 mile in 14 minutes for the Wichita P.D. Guess she'll be working out a little more. She plays next weekend in two events: the coed volleyball on Saturday and girls doubles V.B. on Sunday - both in the sand. Neither is associated with the River Festival which is happening all this week.

Friday afternoon, I went to lunch with a couple of good friends and later that afternoon, had my ears "punched" as one of them put it. They were pierced many, many years ago but I let them grow back. Now I can pick up some of those really cool looking ear rings that I see in my travels.

Larry is suppose to ride with Andy, Trina's police officer boyfriend, Monday night. I'll let you all know how that goes but there probably won't be any pictures unless something so wild happens that it shows up in the papers.

May 4: Friends, Relatives and Doctors

Back "home" in Wichita, we have visited with a lot of friends, most of the relatives and seen all the doctors we needed to see. The doctors all gave us a clean bill of health so we're good to go until next year.

Rebecca and family had a BBQ for us. She was finishing home work when we got there . She will graduate from Cowley County Community College this spring with a 4.0 GPA. Will be doing on-line classes at WSU until she gradutes from there. Trina and boyfriend, Andy, also were there. Austin played on his skateboard while the boys cooked the meat.



















Rebecca is also in the process of building a privacy fence around the back yard. We finished that up today.







We went to Salina last Saturday with the P.T. Cruisers to meet friends there and eat at a great buffet. Fun time for all.

Yesterday, we took Austin to the Great Plains Nature Center for kids day. He made paper, planted a tomato, petted snakes and we all took a herp hike looking for snakes and turtles. Found lots of turtles. There was much more stuff that we did that day - included a hot dog lunch.