[mkfarnam]

And miles to go before I sleep.

[_redbird_]

This OLD HOME stands in SW Oklahoma, just north of the Wichita Mountain Range in Kiowa county. But it could just as easily be found along any dirt road in rural Oklahoma.

Most likely it was one of the first homes built after the Indian Territory was opened up to settlement.

If'n you want to... add a few lines to pay homage to this house from Kiowa County.

Here in Oklahoma I stand alone
with no company 'cept the wind and stars
though my roof creaks with a somber tone
with hardly a glance from passing cars.

I lived through the dust bowl,
I kept my family safe from storm and beast,
with a fireplace fed by laughter, sweat and coal
I stand alone, my memories giving me a defeaning peace.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff275/redbird4848/100_3003.jpg (broken link)

[karibear]

"I don’t look like much these days,
the years have taken their toll.
My roof holds memories of countless storms
complete with patches here and there.

My walls sheltered families
and still hold the ghost laughter
of children close and tight,
right along with the late-night worries
of parents wondering what next.

Still I stand, a monument
to hope for the future."

[mkfarnam]

RB, I thought that looks like my place. But I don't have a fireplace. I wish I did.

[colleeng47]

RB and Kari, thanks for sharing that poem. It was beautiful. It's a shame that house is allowed to deteriorate like that. But I guess there's quite a few of them around. Lots of history in that house, I'm sure.

[_redbird_]

MY grandparent's house was built in 1919. but this house looks older than theirs. Of course, someone still lives in my grandparent's house.

I have heard, not sure how true, that houses really fall apart when not lived in.

This land is next to the original allotment land on my father's side, which is close to the Wichita Mountains. My father tells stories of mountain lion's coming in to kill dogs during the worst winters. And my grandfather tells stories of wolves trying to get to him on the tractor once when he plowed all night. I bet there are some good stories in that old house.


Here is the field next to the old house. Looking southeast, you can see the beginning of the Wichita's with the wind power turbines on top.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff275/redbird4848/100_3006.jpg (broken link)

[Synopsis]

Originally Posted by karibear

"I don’t look like much these days,
the years have taken their toll.
My roof holds memories of countless storms
complete with patches here and there.

My walls sheltered families
and still hold the ghost laughter
of children close and tight,
right along with the late-night worries
of parents wondering what next.

Still I stand, a monument
to hope for the future."

Redbird/Karibear, thanks for the great poem(s). I look at that old house and like Colleen think that there must be a lot of memories there. It'll be sad when it's completely gone in a decade or two.

[_redbird_]

Medicine Parik is near the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff275/redbird4848/100_3029.jpg (broken link)

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff275/redbird4848/100_3032.jpg (broken link)

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff275/redbird4848/100_3033.jpg (broken link)

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff275/redbird4848/100_3034.jpg (broken link)

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff275/redbird4848/100_3036.jpg (broken link)

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff275/redbird4848/100_3038.jpg (broken link)

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff275/redbird4848/100_3043.jpg (broken link)

A quick pass by the Lake gets you to Meers.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff275/redbird4848/100_3045.jpg (broken link)

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff275/redbird4848/100_3049.jpg (broken link)

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff275/redbird4848/100_3053.jpg (broken link)

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff275/redbird4848/100_3054.jpg (broken link)

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff275/redbird4848/100_3058.jpg (broken link)

Then it's on to the Wildlife Refuge, where the Holy City hides amidst the granite outcrops.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff275/redbird4848/100_3061.jpg (broken link)

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff275/redbird4848/100_3063.jpg (broken link)

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff275/redbird4848/100_3066.jpg (broken link)

[FutureCntryBumpkin]

Thanks for the tour RB. Just like being there and taking a drive. Great pics. Still hope to be able to do it meself in the near future.

[mkfarnam]

Great Pictures RB,
I think you front left tire is low