Expedition Oklahoma

Peter Conser House

 
The photo above is the beautiful Ouachita Mountains, the Talimena Scenic Drive.   

If you are in the mood for exploring near Rich Mountain on the Talimena Scenic drive you will begin to see signs for the Peter Conser House.  Yes, the great Peter Conser, exactly what I thought when I began to see signs for this place in Oklahoma. I know you are thinking "Who IS Peter Conser?"  My Sister and I were just wasting the day away in early June while our cousin was laboring away to bring a new life in the world, and two hundred miles away from home we chose to stay and wait on the arrival of precious baby Franki. 

 
   

So, just what do you do while you're waiting on a new life to come into the world when you are in an interesting scenic area.  Well, you go sightseeing of course.   So, early that morning we headed off onto the Talimena scenic drive or Highway One towards Mena, Arkansas.  We crossed the state line on a Mountain and visited a Arkansas State Park named after a Queen.  After our jaunt into Arkansas we decided it was about time to go to Heavener Runestone State Park, so we headed towards Heavener.  But, we kept seeing signs for this "Peter Conser House" all along the highway.   Being without time constraints and curious about the mysterious Mr. Conser we followed the sign onto the unmarked black-top road towards the curious Peter Conser House.  

 
 

I teach Oklahoma History and was embarrassed to admit that I did not know of this man known as Peter Conser.  I do now, I know that some of these little adventures have helped me gain a greater depth of knowledge about the history of this state, once two territories.  Indian Territory, a state composed of nations.  The Choctaw Nation is the home of my ancestors who came to the territory on the Trail of Tears.  

 
 

We arrived at this frame house, two stories with a cemetery in the front and a sign, stating it was open.  The house was not open; although we could hear the air conditioners running inside.   We read that Peter Conser was a prominent Choctaw, a self-made man.  The kind of man that helps create that American success story that we all have read about in our history books.   A rags to riches success story.  The blue trim with the bush flowering with its blue blossoms and the quaint cemetery in the front yard.  It was worth the drive and worth the history, and perhaps if you visit- it will be unlocked and welcoming.   

 
  
 
  

Elk City

 
 If you are California bound stop and visit the Oklahoma town of Elk City before you enter into the High Plains of the Texas Panhandle.  When I lived in New Mexico we just drove on by those western Oklahoma towns on our way to Amarillo in our hurried quest to get back to our desert home in New Mexico.  When I drove to downtown Elk City during our recent camping trip to Foss Lake, I never realized what an interesting town it is.  You will see a beautiful statue of an Elk, a drilling rig, the Route 66 Museum, complete with Giant Katchina dolls and a pioneer village.  

 
 
   
If you continue your quest to drive west you will run across the home of these impressive Katchinas in the Pueblos located in Western New Mexico and Arizona.   Katchinas are a representation of the gods of the Puebloan tribes such as the Zuni and the Hopis who have called the Route 66 Corridor their home for over a thousand years.    

 
 
  

The Washita Massacre

 
 Images from the site of the Washita Massacre (or as the signs called it the Battle of the Washita).  If you drive north of Elk City into far Western Oklahoma to the little town of Cheyenne located on Highway 283, you will find the site where General Custer attacked a band of unarmed Cheyenne camped upon the Washita river. I ventured to this site after spending a week camping at Foss Lake.  I sent the family home early and went alone, thinking it would be a quick uneventful visit. You are also entering the Black Kettle National grassland when you approach this area of Oklahoma. 

 
  I must admit as I drove towards the site I was pacing myself against darkness and the ominous clouds over looking.  So I was chasing the light and the sun, after a few days of overcast skies I was ready to capture some images that weren't in the cloudy weather.   I arrived at the very nice visitors center a few minutes before closing and got directions to the battlefield.   

 
 At the Massacre site there were provided self guided tours.  I began down the path, thinking It would be a short hike and at the least a quick jog to a field to capture a few images for my page.  As I started walking down towards where the Cheyenne encampment was I began having an eerie feeling.  I certainly am a firm believer in the spirit world and have very strong feelings about Native Americans.  I also have no problems visiting anywhere alone.  I've been to many historic places alone, and generally never have a feeling of unease.  

 

As I continued along I had the feeling that this was an evil place (as it is- children were killed by the United States governmentt) anyone who could kill an innocent child is in my opinion evil.  This is a grave site and it is given honor as a battle field and a hiking trail.   

 

I picked up the pace after a few pictures, and decided to jog the trail, past where the abandoned railroad lies and where the ambush occurred, but I was drawn in by the river.  I often wonder what the rivers looked like before the era or damming.  I wonder what the west looked liked before we created this state of artificial lakes.   So, I wondered down, and gingerly stepped into the mud, carefully holding my camera to get a few pictures.   This was not a rushing river, I put one foot into the super slippery red mud, and immediately fell into the river, on my rear.   So, pride injured, cell phone nearly ruined and camera held high above my head covered in mud, from the bottom of my feet all the way up my back.  I exited the Washita, and then entered again in an attempt to wash the mud.  Fighting the desire to flee the battlefield, knowing it wasn't possible with muddy flip flops. I continued on.   

 
 
My pride gone in this shot... and you cannot run in shoes like this when your feet are muddy.  Thankfully a hydrant was up by the trail-head and I had a suitcase full of clothing and soap. I was prepared! 

 
   I have never felt so unwelcome in a place in my life.  I do not believe we are not wanted there.   It is a beautiful place, but it is not a happy place, and I do not believe it is a tourist place.  This is NOT a battlefield this is the site of a MASSACRE of and by the United States Government.   Washita Massacre NPS.gov. 

The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma

 Universities are an important part of Oklahoma's history. USAO is one of the only Universities that is not only a National Historic site it is a National Historic District. The old buildings, which were once graced by young women attending the Oklahoma College for Women (OCW).  I recently attended a college reunion put on for the Graduates of The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, USAO.  While on campus I managed to take a few photographs of this historic campus. USAO  is one of the few public liberal arts colleges, it has also attained a national ranking for providing a quality education, while being noted as one of "Oklahoma's Ivy League" Universities on a PBS documentary.  I owe a lot to this University and realized at this reunion that the young graduates are not giving back like those very dedicated ladies who graduated from OCW.  www.usao.edu. 

   
  The Green and Gold - USAO Drovers 

My first experiences with USAO were in the 80's.  As early as 1983 I remember visiting my older sister in the dorm (at age six).  I thought this was as big, exciting world.  I remember visiting college classes complete with a coloring book and crayons, while listening to a Biology lecture.  While in the evening sneaking Rice Krispie treats cooked on a very illegal hot plate in my Sister's dorm room.   My first experience with MTV was in a USAO dorm and I recall how much I desired to go to college to be like my big brother and sister, this was at age six.   

 
 

It was not until I left college did I realize what a difference my education was in comparison to people who did not have a liberal arts degree.  I left with a love of history, literature, arts and science.  My world view was shaped by the 60 hour core of interdisciplinary studies.  

 
Alumni House at USAO  

The reunion was a refreshing experience.  Which left me for a nostalgia for the past and a longing to return to my youth as a student.  USAO is truly a great place in Oklahoma to seek higher education. You are an individual and not a number.  People know you by name and your classes are not taught by graduate students.  

 
 
USAO Chapel 

 
A beautiful campus.  I do love the towering Magnolia trees but I did not get a good shot of them.  

 
Davis Hall, I spent many, many, many hours in this building.   

  
Flower outside of Davis Hall.  I do truly love this University.  I am going to dedicate this posting to someone who was very important to me that the world lost to the tragedy of suicide in 2007.  She graduated from USAO, and I know that her years at USAO were truly the best years of her life. N'Keigh Hodges at her graduation from USAO in 2002 (I believe).  

 
 

    

Foss Lake Sunset

 
 
 
 
 
     A few shots of a beautiful sunset over Foss Lake.  Let me tell you camping in a leaky tent was a blast so I hope you enjoy these photos.  

Storm Clouds Over Foss Lake

 
 Storm Clouds Over Foss Lake.  This is the first of my Foss Lake postings, Foss Lake State Park is located between Elk City and Clinton Oklahoma.   

Happy 4th of July

 
 A muggy, rainy day...left me exhausted and asthmatic.   We stayed home and lit our own fireworks here are a few shots from today. 

 
Five people lighting fireworks at once had this feeling danger...like someone was going to get burnt at anytime...good fun.   While little Willy the dog ran in the house and cowered in fear (on my clean towels). 

 
 
   I hope everyone has a great weekend! 

The Beautiful Lincoln Bridge in Sulphur

The other day my Sister and I went to Tishomingo to see our darling baby cousin and stopped off at Sulphur on the way home.  The last time I was there my camera battery went dead before I could get a shot of the Lincoln Bridge which is this amazing bridge over the "babbling brook" of Travertine Creek.   Once part of Platt National Park and currently part of the Chickasaw National Recreation Area.   This bridge built around the turn of the century is stunning and looks as if it was transported from Victorian England.   Such a pretty place, very romantic.  I had to wade in and get my jeans wet, but I got some shots of the bridge.   Somehow looking at it from the sides didn't do it justice so, I went wading.