davemellow

In the 1930"s the CCC built a lot of rock structures in the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, then known as Platt National Park. Many of these structures are inparts of the park most hikers don't see. Even though the stone masons had to know that few people would see their creations, they still built them with skill and care and even artistry. Come with Captain and me as we check out another one. Plus, there is a bonus - a feral hog trap along the trail.

I went to clean up after the fireworks display at a nearby church. I was surprised / amused / delighted by the boxes. I think you will be surprised too.

Whippet Puppy Val came to live with us 4 months ago. "Big brother" Captain has been with us almost 9 years. Having Val to play with has re-invigorated Captain. In this video they appear to be engaging in a Royal Rumble for who has bragging rights. BTW - they both know I am watching. That's part of the fun

"Val" is about 2 months old. Who wants to sleep when you are having so much fun?

"Val" is a greyhound / afghan hound mix. she is about 2 months old and just came to live with us. Turns out she DID get adopted by a "nice older couple who live in the country with a big yard and love dogs". She also gets to live with "Big Brother" Captain. See our other Rumble video's for explorations with Captain.

Little Val is about 2 months old, and has been here with us a week or so. She and Captain are getting along well. Better she bites her own tail than chews on me!

Captain and I were exploring a utility clearance east of Sulphur and found an abandoned railroad grade, along with the remains of some trestle bridges. Old RR stuff way out in the country is just the kind of thing we want to go look at. Join us!

We have video's of the three top finishers posted on Rumble. Captain and I took the alley behind the church and found another potential competitor. I think the place previously declared "Champion" is still the scariest, but this is a worthy try. Let me know if you recognize the building, or if you have other possible competitors I can video.

In the thirties, the CCC did a lot of improvements at CNRA, including buildings made of native stone by talented masons. They also built culverts and bridges using those same stones, styles, and techniques. Over time traffic has changed and most of those structures are overlooked. we have videos of four other, similar, structures (and how Captain and I got to them) on Rumble.

Captain and I were walking by and noticed the door open. The back of the building was the subject of another Rumble Video: Sulphur's scariest places - runner up. It's even scarier now that we can see inside of the top floor. I'll admit I'm not brave enough to walk any further on that "floor". Would you?

CNRA has a bison herd, and a trail that goes around their fenced pasture . Sometimes they are completely out of sight in the woods and sometimes they are close to the fence. Today, a big guy (maybe the boss bison of them all) was near the fence. good thing I had the phone handy. CNRA is building a new bison area across the street from this one. Captain and I have videos on Rumble about that new pen.

second in a series. Ever show up at a business, park and go to the door because the sign says "open", then find out they are not open? Some of them don't even put up a sign to let you know when they will be open in the future. I realize sometimes there is a family emergency, and no time to leave a sign, and I sympathize in those situations. But this looks like a store owned by a large company, not a mom-and-pop business. You gotta wonder how many wealthy tourists see the open sign and came over to shop, only to be disappointed. Do they go away chapped?

woods, forest glades, sweetly singing birds, mountain grandeur, babbling brooks, gentle breezes - and mini golf. you never know what you might find until you go look. Come take a look with us.

I often notice business that say they are "open" but are not - and won't tell when they ARE open. I understand emergencies happen, and there is no time to put a note to customers on the door, and maybe that is the explanation. On the other hand...

As I was making the video, I accidently turned off the phone camera. that explains why this is part 2. As explained in part 1, also on Rumble, we were walking up the ski slope and noticed this large concrete industrial building about 3/4 of the way to the top. What is it? Let's go see!

we were headed up the ski slope under the lift and captain found a 'forest trail' to explore (okay, it is where ski patrol and lift ops might go for a 'cigarette break'). we followed it until it turned into a game trail. Turned out it was a wrong turn. But it all worked out and we got to the top of the ski lift without getting shot for trespassing. Come on a hike with Captain and me!

Captain and I were walking at Cuchara Ski area in Colorado. I spotted some concrete industrial buildings up the mountain and right on the edge of San Isabel National Forest. "Hey Captain, what's that up there?" "Let's go find out!" I accidently stopped the video in the middle. that explains why this is part one. Part two should follow soon.

Cuchara ski area is open some years. The ski area abuts San Isabel National Forest. Many, many, footpaths through the NF. This is a good part of Baker Trail, which traverses some gullies and shows off some beautiful babbling brooks. Come on a hike through the forest with Captain and me.

we have another rumble video about the new trail from Rock Creek Campground to the Chickasaw Cultural Center. Captain and I went back on July 12, 2021, to check on the construction and found a surprise.

when we started exploring these alternate trails to antelope springs and buffalo springs, I thought there were two alternative routes. So far we have explored two. This is the second, which approaches the springs on the 'old road' from the North. While checking these we have found at least two other intriguing trails, to be explored in the future.

Antelope Springs and Buffalo Springs are beautiful stone structures built in the thirties. The main trail goes from the CNRA nature center to the springs. there are at least two alternative trails. this video shows .the approach from the south.

Another of those WPA / CCC style rock structures. This one was a little more difficult to access, by game trails.

Aargh! Eek! Yikes! Aargh again!

Yikes! Aargh! Eek! Yikes again!

Eek! Yikes! Aargh! Eek again!