Ping Pam S
Question:
After the rain last night, I just took the day off, I hate mowing wet grass, and checked out the campgrounds. I had a good drive checking things out. Out on the refuge I saw the usual buffalo and long horn cattle, and had to stop at one point to let some long horns cross the road, mamas with the little babies. You don’t get to see the wildlife on post, of course, but I did have to slow down for a turkey hen to cross the road. Good / Bad news sort of thing. Bad news is that neither campgrounds accept reservations for tent camping. The people I talked to doubt that they’d be full, but both are first come first serve for tents. IMO, the campground on the Refuge is nicer. It’s located in a grove of trees, for one thing, while the one on post is pretty much out in the open. Also, the refuge has individual sites, while on post there’s just an area for tents and you can put up the tent wherever you can squeeze in. The one on post does have some good points, I guess especially if you have kids to entertain. Swimming area with a big water slide (and lifeguard), miniture golf, paddle boats, little store, resturant, etc. Both camps are on lakes, so, so is fishing. The one on post has a bait shop right there, but you have to remember to stop at a bait shop on the way to the Refuge. You need a state license to fish both, but can probably just buy a short 3-5 day license. I remembered to ask on post, and you can fish the lake at the campgrounds without buying the additional post license. Checkout is 3PM at both campgrounds, so since it’s first come/ first serve the best thing is to be there at three to pick your site. Course I don’t know what time you think you’ll be pulling in, and could probably arrange to head out there and pick a spot if it’s much later than 3. I picked up a brochure on the Refuge, and the tent fees are $6 a night. I forgot to get a brochure on post. IIRC, it costs $4 to get in the gate, which gives you access to the picnic and beach/swmming areas. Then, there’s an additional $4 to pitch a tent, and the miniture golf and boat rental fees are on top of that if you want. Here’s a couple sites: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge http://southwest.fws.gov/refuges/oklahoma/Wichita/camping.html Fort Sill – Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area http://www.sillmwr.com/letra.htm One thing I discovered today about the Elmer Thomas site is that you may not be able to get there following their directions, since the gate they mention was closed, at least for today. It might open up later on in the season, though. If you end up staying there, hopefully the gate will be open, otherwise you have to drive through the Ft Sill ranges on narrow twisting roads, through several low water crossings, black out areas, etc. It could be a part of the security measures, though, since once you get to the campgrounds there are no gates to keep you out of the regular part of the Post. — Steve Touchstone, faithful servant of Sammy, Little Bit and Rocky Home Page: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/index.html Cat Pix: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/animals.html
Response:
Checkout is 3PM at both campgrounds, so since it’s first come/ first serve the best thing is to be there at three to pick your site. Course I don’t know what time you think you’ll be pulling in, and could probably arrange to head out there and pick a spot if it’s much later than 3. I picked up a brochure on the Refuge, and the tent fees are $6 a night. I forgot to get a brochure on post. IIRC, it costs $4 to get in the gate, which gives you access to the picnic and beach/swmming areas. Then, there’s an additional $4 to pitch a tent, and the miniture golf and boat rental fees are on top of that if you want.
Thanks Steve. I read this to Rob, bookmarked both sites, and discussed the pros and cons of both areas with him. We agree that the wild life refuge sounds best for us as not only can we find it easier, but our friends can find us easier as well. I don’t recall how long a day Rob said the trip between Memphis and Lawton will be, hopefully, we will be there by three. We’ll make an early start if at all possible. Maybe we can work something out for us to get together for dinner at the camp ground. Jim and I’ll cook spaghetti if you, Sherry, and her hubby can and will join us. Pam S. getting really excited about meeting everyone.
Response:
Sonya have her kittens yet? Kristi
Response:
Geez, I hope so, for Sonya’s sake! =o) Not that raising a family of kittens is restful for the mother cat. Melissa
Response:
Geez, I hope so, for Sonya’s sake! =o) Not that raising a family of kittens is restful for the mother cat. Melissa
I wonder why she doesn’t tell us?
Response:
Geez, I hope so, for Sonya’s sake! =o) Not that raising a family of kittens is restful for the mother cat. Melissa I wonder why she doesn’t tell us?
Maybe she’s busy with a handful of kittens. Jill
Response:
[[ Geez, I hope so, for Sonya's sake! =o) Not that raising a family of kittens is restful for the mother cat. Melissa I wonder why she doesn't tell us?
Maybe she's busy with a handful of kittens. Jill]] From your mouth to God’s ears. Or should I say, "From your keyboard to God’s newsreader". ;o) I hope all is well and we’ve become a bunch of kitty Aunties and Uncles thanks to Sonya. Donna, Captain, and Stanley (who’ll gladly become Uncles and teach the new kittens how to investigate everything they set eyes on)
Response:
Sonya have her kittens yet? Kristi
Nope. We’re still waiting for the kittens to get off the mother train. She’s really uncomfortable and unhappy, and wants lots of comfort and love from us all. Poor kid. I wish she’d just have them and get it over with. Pam S. who has worn the carpet down in the hallway outside Mandy’s room
