Looking for Cheap Gas?

Would you like to know the cheapest gas stations near your home or workplace? Are you planning a trip? Find gas deals with USA.gov’s link to Cheapest Gas Prices. Cheapest Gas Prices.

Book Lovers?

The Holland Hall Book Fair will take place on Saturday, February 23, 2008, selling a huge quantity of used, rare and children’s books for every type of reader. The rare books section will include collectible, first edition and hard-to-find publications.

The fair will be held in the Middle School building on the Holland Hall campus, 5666 E. 81st St. (between Yale and Sheridan) in Tulsa, OK. The doors will open at 8 a.m. and close at 5 p.m.

In addition to the featured books, the fair also includes a sizeable selection of children’s games, puzzles, stuffed animals, CDs, videos and DVDs.

Concessions will be open during the day. Admission is $1.00 per person.

Silent Movies!

Enjoy old, silent-movie classics (with theatre organ accompaniment) given by the Sooner State Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society and held at Tulsa Technology Seminar Center at Olive Avenue and Florence Street (129th East Avenue and 111th). Admission is free and popcorn and lemonade are provided. (Donations are accepted for organ maintenance.) Check their Web site for more information.

Dining Out Coupons!

Do you like to save money dining out? Here’s where you can download coupons to local restaurants and other places. Simply put in your zip code and click! You don’t have to sign up either, but if you do, they will email you special coupons. Just expect a lot of junk mail with it! Here’s the link: ValPak.com

Camelot Hotel

They finally demolished the Camelot Hotel here in Tulsa, OK.  Bill got a couple of photos before the end came.

The pink hotel opened in 1963 and resembles a medieval castle. It even had a moat! It’s 8 stories tall and has 360 rooms. It’s said to be the hotel of choice for numerous famous people including Elvis Presley, President Richard Nixon, and Mike Wallace.

Here’s a news report of its demolition.

Arbuckle Wilderness

Here’s a fun place to go, especially with kids or grandkids - Arbuckle Wilderness in Davis, OK.

Photo © Copyright by Bill Downes

Arbuckle Wilderness is a “400+ acre park set amid oak thickets, limestone outcroppings and the splendor of the beautiful Arbuckle Mountains.”

You can also enjoy “an old-fashioned hayride hosted by a park ranger and a cookout with hotdogs, hamburgers, or steak, available for groups of 25 or more with advance reservations.”

Photo © Copyright by Bill Downes

Buy your tickets in the main building so you can meet some of the “family pets” including this cockatoo. The gift shop has all kinds of souvenirs, including mugs, rocks, tee shirts, and more.

Photo © Copyright by Bill Downes

The grounds of around the main building have displays of Indian teepees, exotic bird exhibits, a petting zoo, and fun things to do in the summer like pony and camel rides, go-carts and paddle-boats.

Photo © Copyright by Cindy Downes

The most fun part for us was the 6-1/2 mile, drive-through safari. Make sure you buy some food to take with you in your car. You’ll quickly find new friends! This little guy was adorable. Some of our other new friends were a little too “friendly” - the emu are pretty aggressive!

Photo © Copyright by Cindy Downes

This big furry guy almost slimed Cindy with his tongue!

Photo © Copyright by Cindy Downes

The giraffes did a dance for us!

To see more photos of animals and the wilderness log on to Arbuckle Wilderness’ website and click on virtual tour.

For more info, ticket prices and hours, call: 1-580-369-3383 or check out their website.

For more info on Davis, Oklahoma, where to eat or spend the night, log on to Davis Chamber of Commerce.

History Buffs:

Read about Fort Arbuckle.

45th Infantry Museum - OKC

The 45th Infantry Division was formed in 1923 from four states: Oklahoma, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico.

Photo copyright © 2007 by Bill Downes.

The museum contains artifacts, weapons, and vehicles related to World War II and the Korean War, as well as a collection of weapons from the Revolutionary War and a cartoon collection by Bill Mauldin that chronicles infantrymen in World War II.

Photo copyright © 2007 by Bill Downes.

For driving directions and hours of operation, see the 45th Infantry Division Museum website.

Photo copyright © 2007 by Bill Downes.

For History Buffs:

Read about the USS Oklahoma.

Watch a YouTube: USS Oklahoma at Pearl Harbor and  video of a survivor of Sept. 11th attack of USS Oklahoma.

Read about Navajo Code Talkers in WWII.

Learn about the USS Batfish.

Listen to interviews of WWII veterans.

Resources for Oklahoma Bird Watchers

I love watching birds, especially in my new sunroom! I also like to keep track of the kind of birds that I see. Two resources that I use are the Birds of Oklahoma Field Guide and Oklahoma Birds reference guide. I take the reference guide with me when I travel and mark off the birds as I spot them. I use the field guide at home.

Great Salt Plains - Jet

Who would believe that there is a 7 mile long and 3 mile wide “ocean” of salt in the middle of Oklahoma? Well, there is! It’s called the Great Salt Plains.

Photo Copyright © 2007 by Bill Downes

The Great Salt Plains is the place to dig for Selenite crystals, a crystalized form of gypsum. The crystals are found less than two feet below the salt-covered surface. For a brief history of the Salt Plains and information on when to go, directions, and more photos, check the U.S. Fish & Game website. You might also enjoy this YouTube Video for more information on what to take, what to wear, and how to dig.

Photo Copyright © 2007 by Bill Downes

Do you enjoy wildlife? The Great Salt Plains is an animal lover’s paradise. View this YouTube video for information of the variety of wildlife you will see there.

Festival of Trees at the Philbrook

Here’s an idea for an enjoyable day out for you and your spouse or for a couple of friends: Attend Philbrook’s Annual Festival of Trees. Afterward, dine at the La Villa Restaurant downstairs. I’ve done this with my daughter a few times and we’ve both enjoyed it very much.