Off to Oklahoma

Thanksgiving 2008, my sweetie and I, along with my youngest daughter, took a trip to Arkansas and Oklahoma. Our first destination was Diamond City, AR. The actual reason for the trip was to have a new custom transmission installed in the pickup. Of course, mixing business with pleasure is always okay with me.

Diamond City is located on the shores of Bull Shoals Lake. Fall 2008 wasn't a real good year for the lake, since unusual high spring and summer rains had raised the water levels so high the lake had been unusable the entire season. The campground had been completely submerged, and was in need of major repair. You can see the high water line on the bluffs in the picture.

A small town, Diamond City boasts a couple of motels, one restaurant that is open in the afternoon, and one resort that will serve a limited menu from early morning until around 9pm. The people were extremely friendly, and our three day stay was very enjoyable.

Thanksgiving dinner was spent with my dad in Rose, OK. It was kind of a bittersweet visit. I always enjoy seeing my dad, but this time it was very evident that he is aging. I guess we really don't notice that we're getting older ourselves until we see our parents do so. Always a very active man, it was hard to see him having trouble just getting out of his chair. I am very grateful my youngest sister lives right next door and is available to help him out.

The trip home was rather rushed since my sweetie was along. He tends to want to get home quickly, whereas I am the kind to take the side roads and see the sights along the way. I'll get him trained yet.