driving tour to Decatur, Texas and north - Nov 1

[5bird7]

Anybody interested in a day driving tour to Decatur and from there up to Turner Falls, Oklahoma in November? We'll be passing the ladybug farm enroute and figure on a lunch stop somewhere along the route.

The only date that we couldn't make it would be November 8, 9.

November 1 or 2nd is really our best date.

[15AGAIN]

The 1st or 2nd would be great for me--I would drive south to meet up with your group.

[redbirdsal]

Might be able to make it on Sat, Nov. 1.

The 15th sounds good, too.

Sally

[Cappellin]

Dot... Unfortunately we will be on vacation until mid November, but if for some reason it leaks that far, then let us know and we will be there. Sounds like a fun trip and a great time of the year...

[5bird7]

Then November 1 it will be.
I'm thinking about having us meet at the Albertson's grocery store parking lot just south of the intersection of 114 and 377 at 9:00am - that time can change but we do have a distance to travel to get up to Turner Falls via Decatur.
The route will be off the Freeway.
Bill,
We'd love to have you meet us. just suggest where? Turner Falls?



John, we'll see what else can be set up later. January and February are usually pretty free months for us but George is retiring next month and grandbaby is due in January in Washington State.

[5bird7]

According to Brenda & jjaz:
Members take note of our established definition of "flock" - three or more Thunderbirds in a caravan.


looks like we have a "flock" - just need some more colors! :biggrin: tentatively we have added a yellow to the 'flock'

Times will firm up by Wednesday of next week.

[5bird7]

I'm not much on the "sales pitch" but took part of the route today to check times. The ladybug farm is still in existence. The route will cover seldom used farm roads thru the North Texas country side - very rolling hills - no flats and all paved! Some nice views of oak savannah, grasslands, farms, ranches, and Texas and OKlahoma countryside. We won't need to get onto the freeway to get from here to there.:biggrin: As long as the weather holds out for us, it should be good, top down cruising! Saturday's forecast looks promising. Camera time!


------------technical stuff:
We'll be leaving the Albertson's parking lot, Roanoke, us377 & hw114 at 9:30am and traveling to Decatur to start the tour. We should be leaving Decatur about 10:15am and heading north on fm730

The only thing we're lacking is alot of 'birds. 2 for sure from our end plus 1 more possible plus 1 or 2 from OK.

Bill Green, possibly with another 'bird will be meeting us at Tucker Tower outside of Marietta, OK around 12:30 pm. From there we'll travel to Ardmore for lunch and then onto Turner Falls and hope it's not crowded so we can take more photos.


Now, there are 38 Texas TBN members and I'm sure not all live in the southern part of the state. Anyone else planning to go that hasn't contacted me?

ps - redbirdsal had to back out due to car problems.

[5bird7]

update - have 3 'birds for sure meeting in Decatur

[15AGAIN]

Just got home from the road trip to Turner Falls-- Met up with the group from Dallas / Fort Worth at Tucker Tower in southern Oklahoma, then we ate lunch at Murray State Park Lodge. After lunch drove up to Turner Falls. Took pictures at Tucker Tower and Turner Falls. I will post some after they are developed. Penmaker was along and took some digital pictures, so he might post before I can get mind done. Great seeing Dot and George again and meeting to others from Dallas. It is nice to make a short day trip. It was only about 100 miles south, but the temperature dropped 25 degrees on the way back. Great day-- i think enjoyed by all.:pbj: :smokin:

[The Pen Maker]

The 6 Birds at Tucker Tower

[The Pen Maker]

The 6 birds at Turner Falls

[The Pen Maker]

Eight from Texas at Turner Falls:

Susie & Bill, Charlie & Susan, George & Dot, Pat & Nicole

[The Pen Maker]

A view of Turner Falls

[5bird7]

I'll add to Pen Maker's postings.

Had a great day touring. We started out with 4 cars and went to Decatur, TX to start the country side tour. While milling around Decatur's Court House square, we were approached by a man who had a grey 03 and wanted to join us for future tours. After a short bit in town, we started out on the 2-lane roads - no more lights for 50 miles.

I mentioned earlier that we'd pass the lady bug farm. Here's the first picture.

[5bird7]

Now, you've heard of the Cadillac Ranch off of RT 66 near Amarillo. Well, FM677 has the "bug" farm.

On the left are the same sunflowers as above photo, then the life size, real orange "beetles" and that tall thing is a "dragon fly" - about the height of a helicopter.

[5bird7]

Really neat trivia about all the cars that showed up - none were identical. The weather was warm all day including our trip home with the top down. Sounds like a cold front is coming in on OK though.

Our Texas group showed up a little late at the Tower but the OK gang hung around for us. :biggrin: Of course, wouldn't you know it, just 7 miles from meeting them we had to sit for 10 minutes while 2 long trains passed each other.:rolleyes:

Had several picture sessions throught out the day - seems everyone brought a camera and Pen Maker even brought a photo printer so we got to see some of his photo prints right away. We had a large group photo taken by a visitor at the Tower - she had to take photos from about 5 different cameras.