We set off on Mon. 4/17/23 by car with a final destination of Ok. for 2 different family reunions. We decided to stop and smell the roses on our way. Our first night we stopped in Montgomery Al. and spent night at our wonderful friends home, Dick and Dorothy Arrington. We met them years ago while traveling by train through the Copper Canyon in Mexico. We have travelled with them to Ecuador and the Galagos Islands, Australia and New Zealand, France where we chartered a barge for my 50 th birthday and River cruised the Danube River. They cooked a feast for dinner and had a blast catching up and rehashing our travels together.
Tues 4/18/23 we got up and the road early for Memphis Tenn. to tour Graceland. What an operation it was. We toured Elvis’s home and private planes. We then toured several buildings with exhibits of Elvis’s time in the army, his car collection, movie memoribilia and hundreds of costumes and hit record awards. It was an enjoyable afternoon and another destination checked off the bucket list.
Next stop was Bentonville Ak. for 2 nights to meet up with Jon’s brother Tim and wife Dawn. On the afternoon we arrived we went to local gardens and the Crystal museum grounds. On Wed threatening weather was looming all around us with reported tornadoes not too far away the previous night. We decided to tour the War Indian caverns and a nearby well. Walking through the caverns was quite an adventure with lots of very low ceilings we had to squat down and walk to get through. We then visited a really old mill and saw a demonstration on grinding and were reminded of Jon’s parents home on Cape Cod that was an old windmill complete with the original grind stones. We had a beautiful drive then spent the afternoon hunkered down in our hotel as storms passes through. Head to the historic part of town for dinner at the Peddlars Pub complete with an outside band playing. We spent a lot of years with Tim and Dawn in Mexico and had a lot laughs remembering our antics and the brothers spent hours reminiscing about childhood memories.
Next stop was Bentonville Ak. for 2 nights to meet up with Jon’s brother Tim and wife Dawn. On the afternoon we arrived we went to local gardens and the Crystal museum grounds. On Wed threatening weather was looming all around us with reported tornadoes not too far away the previous night. We decided to tour the War Indian caverns and a nearby well. Walking through the caverns was quite an adventure with lots of very low ceilings we had to squat down and walk to get through. We then visited a really old mill and saw a demonstration on grinding and were reminded of Jon’s parents home on Cape Cod that was an old windmill complete with the original grind stones. We had a beautiful drive then spent the afternoon hunkered down in our hotel as storms passes through. Head to the historic part of town for dinner at the Peddlars Pub complete with an outside band playing. We spent a lot of years with Tim and Dawn in Mexico and had a lot laughs remembering our antics and the brothers spent hours reminiscing about childhood memories.
Fri AM, 4/21/23 we said our goodbyes and headed off for Stillwater OK. We met up with Susan’s brother Richard and wife Lorraine who will be our traveling partners for the next week. We were all beat so visited for awhile, had dinner, then a pretty early evening.
Sat. 4/22/23 was our first family reunion of my Grandmother Hunter’s side of the family, the Hoys. We travelled to a tiny town called Lone Chimney. We had about 60 people there including all 6 of my immediate cousins who were the children of Father’s sister, my Aunt Patsy. We also had descendants of 3 other of the Hoy siblings. There was nonstop visiting and story sharing. We really enjoyed ourselves.
Sun. 4/23/23 we spent the day in Covington where my Father grew up. We met UP at my Cousin Susan’s house along with Aunt Patsy and cousin Cindy. Susan brought old photo albums out that we poured through that were full of family history. We then drove out to the area where my Great Grandpa Hoy founded some of the first oil wells in Ok. It was so amazing to walk on the same lands he walked on a hundred years ago and visit the pumps that are still in our family. We then drove by my grandparents home and visited the cemetery. Was surrounded by lots of childhood memories of visiting during summer school vacations growing up. We then drove to Glencoe for dinner at Aunt Patsy’s with cousins Cindy and Ray. We will be seeing them again next weekend at our second family reunion in Oklahoma City.
Mon 4/24/23 off to explore Osage county with a detour through Ponca City where my mom was from. In Ponca City we started at the Pioneer woman statue. Somewhere I have pictures standing in front of it from when I was a kid ! Next we toured the Maryland mansion. He was one of the original big oil men In OK and the 10 th governor: We are heading to Osage county because our book club read the book “Killers of the Moonflower” Next we drove by my grandparents then my great grandparents homes: Again I was awash with wonderful childhood memories. Next we drove to Osage county- Pawhuska and went Bison in the Tall grass Prarie preserve which is the largest Tall grass preserve in the world. We lucked out and saw lots of Bison and bison babies ! We then drove down to Skiatook lake where we rented waterfront cabins for 2 nights. It was about a 15 minute drive to town and we drove in for a great Mexican dinner. I think we were the only people staying at the cabins which was really lucky.
Mon 4/24/23 off to explore Osage county with a detour through Ponca City where my mom was from. In Ponca City we started at the Pioneer woman statue. Somewhere I have pictures standing in front of it from when I was a kid ! Next we toured the Maryland mansion. He was one of the original big oil men In OK and the 10 th governor: We are heading to Osage county because our book club read the book “Killers of the Moonflower” Next we drove by my grandparents then my great grandparents homes: Again I was awash with wonderful childhood memories. Next we drove to Osage county- Pawhuska and went Bison in the Tall grass Prarie preserve which is the largest Tall grass preserve in the world. We lucked out and saw lots of Bison and bison babies ! We then drove down to Skiatook lake where we rented waterfront cabins for 2 nights. It was about a 15 minute drive to town and we drove in for a great Mexican dinner. I think we were the only people staying at the cabins which was really lucky.
Tues 4/25/23, spending the day with my brother for his birthday. We drove back north about an hour to Pawhuska. Our first stop was the Osage nation museum. Our interested in the story of the Osage was piqued from the book we read. It was the story about the Government relocating the Osage to the area, only to discover the land was an oil goldmine. At one point the Osage were the richest people on the world. The Goverment decided the Osage could not manage their wealth, so they mandated they have court appointed guardians to manage their money. The story is about how multiple Osage were being killed, and it turned out it was the guardians who would then take their oil rights and money. The book talked about a direct decsendant, Mary Jo Webb, that was a wealth of information. It turned out she was going to be there that night for a fundraiser, and the 2 women who were working at the museum were her Daughter and niece. We got a lot of great info. And some inside scoop on the upcoming movie starring Robert DeNiro and Leonardo DiCaprio. After the museum, we went to our second museum, the Ben Johnson museum which was the most pleasant surprise of the trip. He was a champion roper, then later starred in a lot of Western Movies. Next stop was the Mercantile owned by Lee Drummond of Pioneer Woman fame. The Drummond family are an old ranching family from Pawhuska. We then stopped at a couple more shops and headed back south. En route we stopped at the birth homes of Clarke Gable and Anita Bryant. Also visited the only oil pump located in the middle of a Main St. Got back to the cottages and grilled out for Richards birthday.
Wed 4/26/23. Today we drove south to Oklahoma City. We are in a great location and our hotel room overlooks the triple A baseball teams field, the Oklahoma City Dodgers. Tomorrow night we will be able to watch he game from our room. Unfortunately we had to make a trip to the ER because Jon got a nasty tick bite from roaming around in the Tall grass at the oil fields Sun. They put him on a 2 week course of Antibiotics. We then got back to the hotel and set out walking around to explore the Bricktown area. Richard Megan old high school friend so Jon and I had dinner and a fun evening at the Bricktown Brewery.
Wed 4/26/23. Today we drove south to Oklahoma City. We are in a great location and our hotel room overlooks the triple A baseball teams field, the Oklahoma City Dodgers. Tomorrow night we will be able to watch he game from our room. Unfortunately we had to make a trip to the ER because Jon got a nasty tick bite from roaming around in the Tall grass at the oil fields Sun. They put him on a 2 week course of Antibiotics. We then got back to the hotel and set out walking around to explore the Bricktown area. Richard Megan old high school friend so Jon and I had dinner and a fun evening at the Bricktown Brewery.
Thurs. 4/27/23. We spent about 4 hours at the National Cowboy museum. What a treasure the museum was. It covered toys that were inspired by country western themes, western movies and TV shows, western themed paintings and sculptures, a section on the rodeo, hunting, the military, native Americans, an old western theme town etc… it was really enjoyable…… next we stopped at the state capitol, then the Oklahoma bombing memorial, then scissor tail park. Not to exciting on our part, but back to dinner at the Bricktown Brewery because it as with in close walking distance and delish ! We then walked down by the river and got ice cream. Once back at the hotel we watched the Oklahoma City Dodger baseball game from our hotel window which was a blast !
Thurs. 4/27/23. We spent about 4 hours at the National Cowboy museum. What a treasure the museum was. It covered toys that were inspired by country western themes, western movies and TV shows, western themed paintings and sculptures, a section on the rodeo, hunting, the military, native Americans, an old western theme town etc… it was really enjoyable…… next we stopped at the state capitol, then the Oklahoma bombing memorial, then scissor tail park. Not to exciting on our part, but back to dinner at the Bricktown Brewery because it as with in close walking distance and delish ! We then walked down by the river and got ice cream. Once back at the hotel we watched the Oklahoma City Dodger baseball game from our hotel window which was a blast !
Fri. 4/28/23 Today we drove to our Air B and B rental in Moore OK. One of the highlights of our trip was finally meeting my maternal grandmothers sister who we never knew about. I found her through another relative that I found on Ancestry.com We had planned to meet several years ago, but covid put a stop to our travels. My Great Aunts name is Mattie, and we spent a fabulous afternoon together with her and her husband Gary. The minute I met her I felt like I had known her my whole life. The only disappointing part was that we had to say good bye, but we will definitely get together again soon !
Fri. 4/28/23 Today we drove to our Air B and B rental in Moore OK. One of the highlights of our trip was finally meeting my maternal grandmothers sister who we never knew about. I found her through another relative that I found on Ancestry.com We had planned to meet several years ago, but covid put a stop to our travels. My Great Aunts name is Mattie, and we spent a fabulous afternoon together with her and her husband Gary. The minute I met her I felt like I had known her my whole life. The only disappointing part was that we had to say good bye, but we will definitely get together again soon !
Sat. 4/29/23 Today was our second family reunion, of my paternal grandfather’s side - the Hunters. Growing up we thought we had a very small family, but through my research I found a whole group of Hunter cousins. We have been corresponding for several years though facebook, and it was wonderful to finally see them all in person. Some of my cousins and my Aunt Patsy that we were with the previous weekend, also came. At one point I looked around the room and commented to Jon, “these are my people” I really was an amazing trip, I felt a connection to so many people, and learned a great deal more about my family. I am motivated to get working on my family tree again, and con not what till our next reunion !!
Mon. 5/01/23 Up and off at 5:15 AM yesterday, made to to Daphne Al. and spent the night with a beautiful view of the Mobile Bay from our balcony. Headed out about 7:30 this AM, and back home to Florida about 2:30. Was happy to see our boy Crew, and I just keep smiling thinking about our wonderful road trip !