We planned a fun camp out with our friends.  C. wanted to see bison up close.  Stormy wanted to rock climb.  Lovebug wanted to just go.  So, we planned a trip to the Wichita Wildlife Refuge.  It's about 1 1/2 hours away.  Easy trip.  We got there just about lunch time.  It was difficult choosing a campsite . . . it had obviously just rained and everything was soaked.  Water was streaming through several sites.  We finally found one on high ground, large enough for both tents, and near the bath house.  We got our tents up, had some lunch and kicked back for the afternoon.   

I've been camping there about a dozen times and NEVER have seen any wildlife (other than birds) in the camping area.  This time we were greeted by several deer.  They were everywhere.  The first few we saw was so special.  We slowed down and looked at them as though it were a fluke that we got to see them at all.  After a couple of dozen, the newness wore off.

I planned to cook dinner the first night and then we were going to eat at Meers Store the next night.  Well, best laid plans!  It was SO humid the matches were difficult to light and keep lit.  (Never had that happen before)  S. went for ice and when she return she had a mini lighter with her.  Bless her!!  We still had a difficult time lighting the cookstove, but managed.  The meal wasn't meant to be.  After trying to boil water for about 30 minutes, the stove quit working. 

We packed up the food, and drove to Meers and ate at Meers Store Restaurant.  It was fantastic.  Now it might have seemed better than it was in actuality, but I don't think so.  It's been so long since I've had a "real" hamburger --- this one tasted soooo good.  Stormy and I split a 7" burger.  It was plenty!!  Don't forget the dessert!!  OH MY!  One serving of homemade ice cream is enough for at least two or three people!!  And it was delicious.  So was the cherry cobbler.  It was just as big.

On the way to Meers and returning, there were many American Bison near and on the road.  I could have reached out and touched a couple of them.  But no way was I gonna do that.  In the back ground there were a lot of Texas Longhorn.

Well, we got back to camp.  We had some visitors.  A deer trying to get a handout.  A bison hung around the bathhouse.  A half dozen Longhorn showed up too.  We were all a little afraid to go to the bathroom, but it was dark and we needed to get the kids to bed.  That's when I realized I forgot my toiletry bag.  <sigh>  No washing my face, no toothpaste, no toothbrush.  We all got into bed.  Only, I had to pump my mattress up again.  It had already gone flat.  I knew it had a slow leak.  I guess slow turned to fast. 

I was too full to sleep so I got up and sat in the dark.  I knew at any moment a bison was gonna come charging into the tents.  I'm very glad I was wrong about that!!  It was very peaceful.  And yet I couldn't seem to relax and just "be".  Whenever I'm out camping I am always struck by our ancestors and what it must have been like before electricity, houses, knowledge of the stars.  What must it have been like???

I finally felt good enough to lay down and sleep.  Just as I dozed off a racoon "broke" into our food bin. S. got up and took care of it.  After awhile I was finally dozing off again and it began to rain.  I got up and put the chairs away and anything that would get ruined by the rain and went back to a pretty flat mattress.  I managed to get to sleep somehow, only to wake to it still raining. 

My tent was leaking.  S.'s tent was leaking.  We ate breakfast in the tent -- that was fun.  Then decided to pack it all up and go home.  We made very good time packing everything up in the rain.  While packing up we found bison tracks in our camp, just feet from out tents.  Found an empty package of Chips Ahoy taken from our food bin.  No sign of the marshmallows.  Those critters have a big sweet tooth!!

Instead of going home, we went to the Visitors Center, the Prairie Dog town, Bat Mountain and finally to Whistlestop Cafe.  It was a great day.  I'll try to edit this later and add about the day.  But it's late now and I need to go to bed.

My sister's last round of chemo starts tomorrow (Tuesday) and will last until Thursday.  I'll update more about that too.

We had a great time at Silver Dollar City!  The rides were wonderful.  There was something for each of us.  Camping was fine until the rains came.  <sigh>  We at least had one full day without rain, but on Sunday it rained buckets.  It continued off and on through Monday morning.  Needless to say we were wet.  The tent leaked and we packed it all up in the rain.  But what a memory!  We'll be going again a couple of more times this year.  As far as I am concerned it's the best theme park there is.  Folks there are polite and really want to help you.  A pleasant experience all around.

More vacation photos to come later. 

Have a great day. 

Trying to update more frequently.

Thanks for the warm fuzzy's Amedea and Knitsteel. 

Only random bits from me.

Dh and I put in a new "patio" for Shadow's dog kennel last weekend.  It was a lot of work, but we are both very pleased.  It even came out level.    We used paver stones.  Now we have our real patio back and it's nice and roomy again.

Today I did a quick cardio workout on the treadmill at the Y.  I saw a neighbor who started walking around the neighborhood about the same time I did after my heart attack.  I had never met him before this morning, although we would both wave to each other from across the median or from our cars.  I think he may have suffered some kind of heart attack too.  I didn't want to ask the very first time I met him.  Although I'm curious.

The girls are out of school -- finally!!  Last Friday was actually the last day.  I really hated to see the end of school come -- which surprised me.  After thinking about it for awhile, I realized what I was going to miss was seeing all of my new friends.  They've been very supportive and fun and interesting and well . . . delightful. 

I'm off to sit with my sister during chemo again today.  It usually takes about two to three hours.  I'm taking my yarn and needles. 

Have a great day. 

My oh my!  I'm away from Xanga for a short while and they've done so many updates I can't make sense of them all.  <sigh> 

The new offer of Xanga Lifetime is very tempting.  But I must blog more often to rationalize doing it.  But most likely I will.  I want my blog to look better, but I don't have (won't make) the time for it.  Any hints on quickly doing a makeover for your blog???  I'm horrible at html and I'd really like a cool header . . .

Update:  My sister has been given the "it's no longer a matter of 'if', but a matter of 'when'" and "you can quit chemo if you want to" speech last week.  This was quite a blow.  I mean we both knew intellectually it was likely (pretty darn likely), but to actually hear the doc say it was something else.  My sister decided to continue chemo.  It's possible it will extend her life a bit.  The speach we got today after asking and asking for it, is that the average length of time someone with small cell lung cancer has is 9 months from diagnosis.  Wow!  That's not long.  And it's average.  50% live longer, 50% live shorter.  Well those numbers are not exact but you know what I mean.  She was diagnosed at the end of February.

After chemo today and taking care of a few things for my sister I stumbled upon a  NEW yarn store in Norman!  I liked it very much (it's been months however since I've even looked at yarn).  The owner, Leslie greeted me as I walked in the door and was very very friendly.  Not my usual experience when walking into a yarn store for the first time.  She had a very nice selection of cotton yarns and even helped me locate some yarn that was machine washable and dryable.  I chose an off white so that I can attempt to paint it and a purple -- just for fun.  She also has a fantastic space for classes.  I'm wanting to make some wash cloths while I'm sitting in chemo with my sister.  I can make these with my eyes closed (well almost) and they are useful.  I'll at least feel a bit productive.

Hope all is well with you.  I'll try to stop by soon.

Edited to add:  Thanks knitsteel for the hugs! 

Also, do you like-a my new look?  I went here to learn more about the new themes.