It seems I've lived a good part of my life in the part of this world that gets hotashell in the summer. I was surprised however to learn that the place in Oklahoma that holds the dubious distinction of being the "hottest place" was Frederick, Oklahoma. Average temp: 82.9 degrease fartandhide.
The most fascinating thing about that fact is the last time I was in Frederick I froze my butt off. The old USAAC airstrip is now the municipal AP and I was there about 10 years ago, in January. It was not 82.9 degrees...
Not meaning to be disrespectful, but there is little remarkable about Frederick. You really have to dig to come up with something to note.
I did discover the original Carnegie Library building is still the library. That's almost unique, I hope it eventually got some AC.
I will admit that there is a stark beauty to the Upper Red River Basin. If you like a hot wind and rattlesnakes, this is the place:
With daytime heat and favorable winds, a good ol' Okie thunderstorm can pop up in a heartbeat:
There's even a group of sky jumpers in Frederick that dress in WWII gear and jump out of one of the most beautiful recip aircraft ever produced, the C-47:
AND...a bit of history:
It seems as though Teddy Roosevelt visited the place. He did his public speaking (of course) and then took off on a 4 day wolf hunt. Someone even showed Teddy the Okie trick of catching a wolf with your bare hands. Couldn't tell you if he tried it or not:
Theodore Roosevelt and Frederick, O.T.
And I've saved the best for last...
Some of you may be familiar with a fellow Okie Surveyor and friend named Phil Stevenson. Phil is from around those parts. He told me when he was kid his dog ran away. It's so flat and desolate he watched him run for three days.
Phil (Sgt. Stevenson) is an old 82C. Served honorably in battle near Can Thanh, Quang Tri Province and in a more peaceful part of the world: Europe.
If you ever called Ashtech Support in the last 15 years, you probably talked to Phil. He is still the "go to guy" for trouble shooting. He use to be on the old RPLS MB a lot.
As for Frederick, Phil doesn't even live there anymore.:snarky:
That first picture ...
looks like something Kent would paint!
Thanks for the nice background, beautiful photos, and the Roosevelt link. I am currently reading "River of Doubt" about TR's trip to South America a few years later.
There are others that thought that too, Dave..
Originally, Texas had claim to everything "south" of the Red River. The Red "forks" and splits in that general area. One survey said the south branch was the main thread, one survey said the north branch was the main stream.
The U.S. Supreme Court eventually gave 1.5 million acres of "Texas" to the Oklahoma Territory. One of many reasons that Texans and Oklahomans wave at each other with only one finger when we pass each other in our trucks..;-)
here's a brief "read":
"Greer County, Oklahoma or Texas?"
I'm like you though. Anything west of Walters and south of Mangum looks like Texas to me. There's even a good scattering of mesquite down there.
That first picture ...
Looks like where Auntie Em used to live. 😉
That first picture ...
Here is SWMBO's version.
That first picture ...
> Here is SWMBO's version.
Wow! She is good1
Great photos and a wonderful painting. Southwest Oklahoma is definitely God's country. Nobody else wanted it so God just kept it for himself. Having lived in Headrick, America long enough to feel at home there I can say a few things with confidence. Almost everything that grows there has a sticker on it. The men and their ladies have strong bodies and strong opinions with hearts as big as the Oklahoma sky. Any storm that leaves the roof on the houses in town was a "nice shower" and every rain is a blessing. Most of the old farmers will tell you that after 50 years of hard work they spent 40 years praying for rain and ten years praying for it to stop. It was a great place for my daughter Kate to grow up and to learn about everything that matters in this world up close and personal. I live in Shawnee, Oklahoma after spending nine years living in Santa Clara, California. Cancer killed Sharon while we lived there but Jeannine found me and brushed me off a little so she could stand me up in front of a preacher. Jeannine is my trophy wife. For a few more months I plan to still be doing tech support. If you need tech support for something you see on the Spectra Precision web page just send a message to support@spectraprecision.com and one of us will try and lend a hand.
Good to hear from you, Phil!
I guess you're still in Pottowatomie County, underneath your large "multi-path' elm?
It's good to hear from you, tell you trophy wife howdy, too. Are you going to be attending Burk's 'annual party' in March?
