Billy's Creek

On the way out of Oklahoma, I had some locations mapped and tagged as "spots to hit" I had tagged them on the way in and figured that one day I might be able to hit them up. Driving back, I googled them on my iPhone. Billy's Creek seemed like a nice spot, and it didn't disappoint.

Off the beaten path, Billy's Creek is not easy to find. There were very few signs giving directions once you got off the main road. Driving past several old homes and mobile homes, I began to wonder if I was going the right direction, then I hit the gravel road with markers de-marking the national forest. The campsite has 12 primitive sites; each with a lamp hanger, picnic table, fire pit and grill.  I was the only person in the campsite, so I got the pick of the litter. I chose the spot overlooking the creek, where you could hear the bubbling brook below. This was the view from the side doors of the van.

Yonav is a water fiend and headed straight for the creek. 

The peace of camping solo with a dog is an awesome experience. I felt as free as I ever have. At any moment, I felt as if I could do whatever I wanted. It was almost too much freedom. I found myself looking at the sky and the trees and the creek and wondering what to do. Then I realized that this was Nirvana. If I felt like hiking, I could just pack up the dog and head out. I could make food. I could do nothing. I could listen to music. "This is my house today," I kept saying. My yard was a fall masterpiece filled with birds and trees and cliffs. King for a day. There was nowhere to be and nothing to do. The world was my oyster. The simple task of starting up the fire and cooking the food on the open flame was so fulfilling, much more so than selling a stupid piece of fitness equipment so some stupid waiter could serve me some food. That night, I drank and smoked a cigar with Nocello, and feasted on smokey chicken drummies.  I finished cooking just as the rain began to fall. The cleansing and the freedom was like taking a cold shower. The guy seemed to have a good night as well. Here, he illustrates my time in the darkness.

The next morning, I awoke to the sound of the dribbling stream and decided to explore the trails in the national forest. This was the first one I found and would love to go back and check out the others. Most of these trails were made for horses as well.

  

      

Can you find Yonav's print?

Saddle up

Vultures Overhead

        

I found it hard to leave, but I had some golf to play back in Hot Springs Village. Ah the life of a Gypsy Roller.

Camping is OK

OK,

No really. Oklahoma, Oklahoma, Oklahoma. 

My first real camping experience was thanks to the Reese family. Eric and his parents took me and Charles to their land near Daisy, Oklahoma. A great lake, Sardis, is in the area. We spent several hours there, one day, fishing and goofing off with Yonav. But before you start any camping trip, you have to have an Italian dinner right? So, we set up camp right at dusk, well those guys did. I just had to park the van. So, I helped Chuck set up his tent in the dark. Much cussing ensued. Yonav watched, but I digress. On to the Italian restaurant. Pete's Place in Daisy, Oklahoma. (www.petes.org) This place brews their own beer, called Choc beer, (named after the Choctaw Indians that they encountered when they settled the area)  Most of the tables were set in private rooms. Pete's is truly old school Northern Italian cuisine. All the entrees were good, but the white sauces were the best. They constantly bring out meatballs, spaghetti, bread, olives and ravioli just to keep food on the table at all times. We ate family style where everyone ordered something different: Lasagna, Chicken Parmesan, Chicken Alfredo, Lamb Fries, and Shrimp Parmesan. I stole most of the Chicken Alfredo from Eric's mom. Thanks, Mrs. Reese. Eric's dad ordered Lamb fries (aka fried Lamb balls) -- I know -- but the shit was good. We stuffed ourselves before heading back to the campsite and I bought a six pack of their home brew for the road.

    

Ah Italiano

Pablo Escobar (aka Eric Reese) with Charles

The first full day, we went to Sardis lake and tried to do some fishing, but it was too cold and Yonav was in the water the entire time. He had a much better shot at spearing the fish.

I got this

Bringing it

The hills surrounding the lake were gorgeous, laden with colors of Fall.

Toyota Commercial?

White Falcons flew overhead

There was even fine dining

The fowl in the area ruled the roost.

The Pier

Swallows' nests

Fishing hole

Now, you see here...

Ready to roll


Ah the smell of burning wood.

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The Guy took great interest in his chef duties

The campsite was at the base of a rolling hill. We were near the tallest hill in America. In order for a hill to become a mountain, it must surpass the 2000 foot mark. This hill was 1999.99 feet. The walk up the hill was not without excitement. Loose boulders were abound. Eric stepped on a rock/boulder that rolled down the hill toward Yonav, who dodged it unfazed.

Did you see that?!?

Why you trying to kill me dude?

Da boys

Some cooter's house from a long time ago...Atkins' in ten years?

Back at camp, we drank, ate, and enjoyed the finer things in life, like Nocello with cigars.

The spot was spectacular and we even had a visit from a neighbor, who told us stories of wild boars and bears in the area. His best line was, "I don't go anywhere 'round here without my .45."

All I had was a Glock knock off .22 cal, made by ISSC, which jammed almost every time I shot it. I obviously don't recommend it. I will be returning it this week. Gonna pick up a Taurus .45 maybe or a .357 Magnum. Also, looking at a Walther 308, but can't really hunt with that. Luckily, we didn't need the guns for protection or hunting. We did some serious damage to Dr. Pepper and Coke cans however.

This was the end for Charles and the Reese family, but I stayed in Oklahoma and found Billy's Creek...

Hog Heaven

Before I left for Memphis, I had to get some tires put on the van, and these good old boys did the trick, same day. I had to go back, because I forgot to tell them to rotate one from the front to the back, and just at closing time, they were kind enough to stay around and switch it out. It was like NASCAR! Zip, boom, out the door.

The Natural State. Beauty in the morning at Dimante C.C. It's hard to get mad even when you hit a bad shot out here.

When you are in Arkansas, there isn't a whole hell of a lot to do, so when a Razorback game comes your way, you have to take it in. The police are well aware of that fact. We even ran into a road block on the way home in some town, population - 3, and there were twelve cop cars, no lie. You could have robbed the town blind after you got through the check point. They asked Bear if he had been drinking, twice. Probably because I looked like a terrorist sitting in the passenger seat.

Razor Red Tailgaing

On the way in, there is a hill that you can sit on for free and watch the game.

The sun going down on Vandy.

One of the fifty explosions after a score. At first it was shocking, but after about the twenty second one, it seemed commonplace.

Another Hog TD. Don't tell anyone, but I was secretly pulling for Vandy. After watching the game, the Vandy coach should be fired within the next year or so.

The game was a blast. Thanks to my surrogate dad, Terry Lee, for getting us the tickets!