Hochatown Adventure – Second Day

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So last week I talked about our first day at Beavers Bend State Park in southeast Oklahoma. The second day we did a couple of hikes including the Friends Trail along the Mountain Fork River. This section comes off the bottom of the Broken Bow lake. The water is very cool and the state stocks it with trout.

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Several fly fisherman were on the water with their waders and long rods.

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I have done a little fly fishing but I was wishing I had a simple Zebco rod and reel, some worms, and a bobber.

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This guy was the smoothest fly fisherman I have ever seen. Hopping from rock to rock doing all sorts of casts into various pools. My late Father-in-law was a great fly fisherman. He could put a fly on one side of a rock or on the other side of the rock. Me, I was just lucky to get it out in front of me somewhere.

It is a very peaceful river and the day we were there were not many people.

We went to the park’s Forestry Heritage Center which has exhibits on the timber industry and culture of southeast Oklahoma. It’s a fun place with a 1960’s type vibe about it. They had a geocache there and Heather found it!! It had stymied us on previous trips.

I love this sculpture dedicated to Woodland Firefighters. It reminds me of my late father who fought forest fires early in his career in the forest service. He had the aluminum hard hat and a Pulaski, the combination axe and hoe the guy is holding.

We took my father to the museum years ago and I remember him showing us how these various chain saws and other tools were used in logging. I remember asking him why the yellow chainsaw had the saw blade horizontal. The answer was that early day carburetors couldn’t work work on the side so you had to hold the engine up straight while cutting trees or the motor would quit. So now you know!!

Later we went back to the cabin, drank a few beers, played some games, started a fire in the fire pit, made some smores and tried out the hot tub again. We had a grand time.

It was great for the three of us get away for a few days.

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19 thoughts on “Hochatown Adventure – Second Day

  1. Ellen M Polyard

    Going to a museum with dad was always a very enlightening experience. The man was full of knowledge! The statue is wonderful. Those wildland firefighters are something else.
    Looks like a great getaway!

  2. tomthebackroadstraveller

    …these beautiful scenes could be found in the Adirondacks too. I’m glad that you have a good time.

  3. Peter B.

    That’s a gorgeous river! I really enjoyed the video. Hey, I haven’t heard of a Zebco rod & reel since I was a kid. That takes me back!

  4. A ShutterBug Explores

    Wow! Yogi ~ what a great adventure place you went to ~ and awesome photography ~ I too love that sculpture ~ fascinating and so well done ~ Glad y’all had a good respite and fun! Xo

    Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

  5. JM Illinois U.S.A.

    It was great seeing the images of your vacation at Beaver’s Bend State Park. I enjoyed the stories of your father and your late father-in-law. Glad the three of you played some more games, enjoyed the hot tub and gathered around a cozy fire.

  6. Nancy Chan

    A wonderful vacation for the family. Love nature especially the sound of water from the river. Nice sculpture. Have a great weekend.

  7. Alana

    There is a beautiful fly fishing/trout area about an hour east of where I live in New York State along the Beaverkill (“kill” meaning body of water in Dutch) near the village of Roscoe. In fact, I found out about it years ago from my manager at the job I had in Arkansas, who was an avid fly fisherman, and one of my husband’s cousins, who lives in New Jersey, goes up there from time to time to fish also. I enjoyed your lovely scenery and geocache find. Don’t think I ever would have found it. How clever! Happy you and your family had a wonderful time on your getaway.

  8. Sallie

    I enjoyed this — we’ve known many people well who worked in the woods (in the Pacific Northwest) and it is hard and dangerous work. And firefighters — we in the west know for sure how important these brave people are.

  9. Angie

    Alan – the pictures and video of the river are stunning. I laughed at your description of your fly fishing. Sounds like my husband when he first started! I have the deepest admiration for people who fight forest fires. Tough, dirty and hazardous work! Enjoy your weekend!

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