Welcome back. Over the past several weeks I’ve written about nurses and the fine job they do for mankind with their dedication and love. I know most of you readers have experienced this at least once in your lives. There’s another group of people that is just as dedicated which folks all over the country depend on and that’s the men and women of volunteer fire departments. From the Oglesby Fire Department to the Copan Fire Department, you can also count volunteer fire departments in Wann, Osage Hills, Hulah, Ochelata and beyond. Yes, friends these fire departments are all staffed by men and women who volunteer to put their lives on the line twenty-four hours a day to protect our lives, just like nurses.
We’ve got to thank them so once again with the help of my friend Gentner Drummond down Tulsa way, I have expanded our book giveaway to include volunteer fire fighters. Just like nurses around around the country, all you have to do to receive a free copy of my best selling book Footprints in the Dew is to email bestofbooks@sbcglobal.net or call Best of Books in Edmond, OK at (405) 340-9202 and one will be mailed to you free of charge. If you live out in a rural area and know of a deserving fire fighter just send their name to Best of Books and that fire fighter will get a copy. They don’t have to be local either- anyone around the country is eligible. Although they are frequently overlooked, these folks are also essential workers and they ought to have our gratitude.
On another note, if you’re looking for a getaway here’s one I took myself last week which you might think about. Your destination will be Lake Tenkiller and the exact location is an Army Corps of Engineers viewing spot right above the dam. But before I get to that here’s a little history about the lake:
Located in the Cookson Hills of eastern Oklahoma, Lake Tenkiller was created in 1952 when the Army Corps of Engineers completed a dam across part of the Illinois River. The lake was built to provide flood control, hydroelectric power generation, water supply and recreation. and it was named for the Tenkiller family, prominent Cherokees who owned the land and ferry that were bought for the dam project.
Tenkiller itself is 13,000 acres in size and has 130 miles of beautiful wooded coastline. The lake offers 10 marinas, 14 parks and 24 boat launches all of which are managed by the State of Oklahoma and the Army Corps of Engineers. There are also numerous privately owned campgrounds and resorts.
Now that you have some background on the lake, here are a few other things you may find handy for your trip. Bring plenty of food and water as Gore is the closest town to the viewing area and with a population of just 800, some supplies can be unavailable there on certain days. If you want to swim, the state parks all have designated swimming areas and many of the marinas rent boats. Large pontoons go for $275 for four hours and $500 for eight hours- and you buy the gas.
Tenkiller is widely considered one of the clearest lakes in Oklahoma so scuba diving is very popular here and there are several places where you can take diving lessons. The state’s only underwater state park is located here as well.
If your trip turns into an all-nighter there is plenty of lodging available in the area and my favorite is the well-known Fin and Feather Resort which is about a half mile from the viewing area by water and a little further by road as this part of Oklahoma is hilly. The area is also somewhat remote so there is plenty of wildlife including black bears. This is a good trip and well worth a two day stay for sure.
Till next time make sure to thank a nurse and a volunteer fire fighter and I’ll see ya down the road…