We stayed in a cabin in Oklahoma for the weekend out in the middle of nowhere. We didn't know it when we made our reservation but when we got there we found out that the family that owns the cabins and land are a christian family and they made us feel very welcome. They decorated the cabin for Christmas and had even set up a manger scene. They stocked the bookshelf with christian authors and cd's to enjoy and they stressed the fact that they provided this place for people to come and connect with our Creator. It was very sweet. Everything you could need they provided, from cookware to board games and mountain bikes, even skewers for s'mores...which we were upset that we forgot until of course we looked in a drawer and there they were. They saved us! We thought we were gonna have to get inventive and get a twig from a tree.
The cabin was beautiful, I especially loved all of the large windows and the wonderful back deck. It was surrounded by trees so you really got to experience being alone together in the woods and marvel at God's handiwork. A river ran through the property which you could see and hear from the deck. Too bad it was so cold and the water was low or we would have taken the canoe out for a spin.
We went hiking in the trails and had two wonderful trail guides to show us the way! Peter and Sam were so much fun and they stayed with us the entire time. They would lead us on a trail and if we stopped to take a picture or just admire the view, they'd stop and wait for us and then carry on. Peter entertained us with his playful pouncing on sticks. He's quite the character.
After a long day of hiking we came back to the cabin, made dinner and sat by the fire. We had s'mores on the fire for dessert. So much fun!
Our second day there we headed out for a beautiful scenic drive; the Talimena Scenic Drive that goes through Oklahoma and Arkansas. There were lots of places to stop and check out the view along the way. It was so beautiful. We saw huge icicles along the sides of the mountains where the shade keep them frozen in the cold mountain air. The road twisted and turned up through the mountains and though it was a bit hazy that day it was still awesome. We stopped in at Queen Whilamina State Park and took a tour of a very old 9 level vacation house. It was really interesting to see how homes were built back then, such a different way of thinking than today. They built them for efficiency and functionality rather than cosmetics and luxury. I guess priorities have changed over the years.
More hiking along the river and a boat ride on the pond were on the agenda for the evening. Peter sat impatiently along the shore of the pond watching us paddle around until he could absolutely take it no longer. He jumped in the water, swam out to us and hopped right in the boat! We thought we were going over for sure, and the temp was in the 30's that day. He made it in without tipping us but then showered us with water anyway when he shook his coat! It was hilarious! He just stood there in the boat as we paddled around a bit more, content just to be there. We laughed the rest of the night about that adventure!
When it was time to head home we were sad to leave such a wonderful place and look forward to going back again sometime soon. Maybe in the summer when we can get in that canoe ride on the river.
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