Duchess & Okie's Travels

26 May 2005, Thursday afternoon, Duchess and Oakie finally headed West towards Colorado. It was another hectic week here in NW Oklahoma. Oklahoma finally felt and saw a few rain drops towards the middle of the week. AND... some much needed cool temperatures on Thursday and Friday.

It was a cool afternoon drive following highway 64 through the panhandle of Oklahoma to Clayton, New Mexico and continuing North out of Clayton towards Raton, New Mexico. We didn't hit the rain showers until we were between Clayton and Des Moines, New Mexico... where we filled our gas tank and viewed a beautiful rainbow near Des Moines.

We reached Raton, NM around 8:00 p.m. MDT and spent the night. The next morning we rose and headed north on I25 towards Trinidad, Walsenberg and then West on Highway 160 to Alamosa, Del Norte, South Fork, Pagosa Springs and finally ending up South of Bayfield, Colorado around 1:00 p.m. A total driving time of about 13-hours.

We were really scouting out rest areas and stop-overs for a route to bring our horses from NW Oklahoma to Colorado. It seemed like the perfect route to us.

YES, Bill! I received your 1949 newspaper the other day and will get to work on those for next weekend. Thanks!

This will be a short newsletter this week with Memorial weekend upon us. We know you all will be busy heading out on vacation and spending time with family and friends. Have a safe weekend! AND... Watch out for those little, old ladies backing from driveways! Buckle Up on the Highways! View/Write Comments (count 1)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Wednesday Morning Backing on Maple Street...

Well! Oakie is at it again! Trying to put the blame on me and my friend, Ruff! It wasn't this Pug and Ruff that was backing out of the driveway Wednesday morning. It was Oakie!

Here's How It Really Happened: It was the morning of 25 May 2005, about 9:15 a.m., Wednesday morning. The Go-dogs (Duchess & Ruff) were minding their own business in the house. If you listen to Oakie's story it would sound like, "it was all Duchess' doing ... coaxing poor Ruff into taking her for a cruise around the block and to the coffee & donut shop."

Anyway, Oakie was backing out of the driveway of 1027 Maple, Wednesday morning, around 9:15 a.m., at approximately 2 or 3-mph. Oakie was looking over her right shoulder and straight back through to the back window of the Toyota TUNDRA while backing into the westbound lane, in the 1000 block of Maple Street when she bumped something behind that was allegedly in her blindspot. She stopped! She pulled forward and stopped again -- got out to check the damages -- got back in the Toyota TUNDRA (pickup) -- pulled back into the driveway. She then proceeded to gather her license, insurance form and digital camera. She proceeded across the street to the neighbors house to find the owner. With Insurance verification, drivers license information, Oakie offers to exchange information with the owner of the parked '98 Ford Explorer Sport. The young girl, whose vehicle was parked facing West along the north curb of Maple Street, decides to call her father. The father instructs her to call the police for this minor backing incident.

SO... while we wait for what seems like 15 to 20 minutes for the police to arrive on the scene, Oakie is out taking digital photos of the two vehicles for her insurance company. We didn't just get one police officer, but two... arriving in two vehicles for this backing incident with probably only less than $500 to $600 damages.

One of the frontpage sub-headlines in the local newspaper stated a few days later: "WEDNESDAY MORNING ACCIDENT -- Around 9:15 a.m. Wednesday morning, Linda McGill Wagner, 57, of Alva, driving a green 2001 Toyota Tercel, backed into a parked red 1998 Ford Explorer owned by Tony Reed, also of Alva. Reed's Ford was legally parked facing west in the 1000 block of Maple. Wagner backed from north out of a driveway across the eastbound lane into Reed's vehicle, hitting Reed's Explorer in the driver's side front fender at approximately 10 mph. Safety equipment was in use in the accident. Reed's Explorer received approximately $500 damage. Wagner's Toyota sustained damage estimated at $600. No citations were issued in the accident. Officer Michael Eckhardt noted Wagner for improper backing."

Oakie was thinking that they got her age wrong, but that was about the only thing that was correct. AND... We believe there is a BIG difference between a Toyota TERCEL (as stated in the newspaper) and a Toyota TUNDRA, which Oakie drives! AND... the speed wasn't 10-mph, but only about 2 or 3-mph. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Colorado Rapids Near South Fork...

We made our way back to SW Colorado in time to see the white-cap rapids pushing their way through the streams. This picture was taken as we had left South Fork, Colorado heading up towards Wolf Creek Pass. We were still on the South Fork side. This was a close to 12:00 p.m. sometime on our way to Wolf Creek Pass, Pagosa Springs and Bayfield, Colorado. Click Here for more views of South Fork's Rapids: Photo 1 - Photo 2 - Photo 3 - Photo 4.



View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Runnymede Hotel Remodeling...

Remember the green, painted brick building of the Old Runnymede Hotel on the southeast corner of Fourth (4th) Street & Flynn Avenue.

From an Enlish Colony in Kansas to Alva, Oklahoma Territory in 1893, the Runnymede Hotel has gone through many changes. This picture shows the results of hard work of a few Alva citizens getting together and raising funds to renovate the old hotel.

It has gone through several name changes from when it was moved to Alva: Hendrickson Hotel, Runnymede Arms, Rhodes Hotel, Gunn Hotel and Runnymede Hotel. During the 1920's the three story originally wooden structure was reportedly bricked. It looks alot different at the present time.

The next time you are in NW Oklahoma and Alva drive downtown around the square and take a peak for yourself. I don't suppose this will be done in time for the AHS Goldbug Reunion for the Classes of '64, '65 and '66, July 1 & 2, 2005.

Speaking of Goldbug Class Reunion, are any of you '64, '65, '66 AHS Goldbugs planning on attending this Summer around the first week of July? This NW Okie will be there! Hope to see some more Class of '66 Goldbugs there! View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

AHS Goldbug Classes of '64, '65 & '66...

There's going to be an Alva High School (AHS) 40th Reunion for Classes of '64, '65 and '66 in Alva High School (Alva, OKlahoma) this Summer, July 1-2, 2005. I just received my (Class of 66) notice of our 40th Class Reunion. I might have to juggle a few things and see if I make it back to Oklahoma this Summer. Will YOU be there?

July 1st, Friday night -- the 40th Class Reunion will start off with a mixer from 8:00p.m. to 2:00a.m. at Champs Bar & Grill, located on College Blvd. You know... next door North of Community National Bank and south of Lake Evelyn out by Murray Drive. Come and sign in and get reacquainted with your classmates... some you haven't seen for 40 some years. The Reunion notice said there will be cash bar and food available. AND... you'll be responsible for your indulgences.

Saturday evening, July 2nd, 8:00p.m. to 2:00a.m. -- There will be more visiting at Champs with a cash bar and hors d'oeuvres will be furnished.

Contact your classmates, friends and join ALL for a 40th Reunion and great time. Help the Goldbugs locate everyone by calling your friends and reminding them about these dates -- July 1-2, 2005, in Alva, Oklahoma. The price for this reunion is $20 per person to help cover the cost. Notify in advance and you can pay at the door.

Here's a list of Alva Motels for those traveling from other places:

• Alva Red Bud Inn Best Western, 800 E. Oklahoma Blvd., (580)327-1111, 1-800-528-1234;
• Western Motel, 608 E. Oklahoma Blvd, (580) 327-1363;
• Ranger Inn, 420 E. Oklahoma Blvd., (580) 327-1981, 1-800-814-7402;
• Holiday Motel, 701 E. Oklahoma Blvd, (580) 327-3333

• Class of '64 Representative: Johnny Jones, 101 E. Barnes, Alva, OK 73717 - Email: rialtovideo@cneconnect.com
• Class of '65 Representative: Susan Ferguson, 824 Apache Dr., Alva, OK 73717 - Email: sbf73717@hotmail.com
• Class of '66 Representative: Stan Kline, PO Box 391, Alva, OK 73717 - Email: sk396@itlnet.net

Growing Tomatoes Upside Down...

A friend sent me this link for Growing Tomatoes Upside-Down -- "At first glance, this might look like an unusual way to grow tomatoes. But Jim Appleby from Iowa has discovered several benefits to hanging his tomatoes in buckets. First, the air can circulate better so the plants have almost no disease problems. Second, the fruit doesn't rot as quickly as that on the ground. And finally, some critters that eat tomatoes have trouble getting to the ripening fruit. To make the upside-down containers, Jim used 5-gallon buckets with tight-fitting lids. He recycled his from a restaurant, but says you can find them many places, such as paint or hardware stores....." View/Write Comments (count 1)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

MAGILL Message Board Post...

Message Board Post: "My father was born as a MAGILL in 1940. His fauther was Henry A MAGILL Born in Colorado. I do not know what his birth date was. Henry was married to Minnie from New Mexico. I am not sure of her maiden name. My dad was born in Mcminvill, Oregon. Henry and Minnie also had another son that was born. We think before my dad. My father was adopted at 1-year of age and never new the MAGILL side of the family. His brother's name is Alvin W MAGILL. He might have been adopted out as well but we are not sure. If any of these names ring a bell please help me put the pieces together. my father's birth name is Bobby L. MAGILL." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Writing Screenplay About Kemper...

"You've done very good work putting this together on your Uncle. My Uncle also attended there 43-50, and I attended there 68-72. I'm writing a screenplay about Kemper which will bridge generations and hopefully restore some of the history and honor, which is now lost. The very thing I learned, was that there was no generation gap among cadets (Old Boy's). I was stuck at Dallas Airport one time. Ran into an older gentleman, he was Class of '31. I don't remember his name, but we talked for hours, hence, No generation gap. I am writing a screenplay about Kemper (Military School). I really enjoyed this story (Bob McGill - '38 Kemper)! My uncle James M. Haver attended there 43-50. later I attended in 1968-72. Kind Regards." -- Michael A. Haver, KMS 68-72 - Email: mahaver5@cox.net View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Nebraska - German POW Camp...

"I was informed by relatives that in Hebron, Nebraska there was a WWII German POW camp. Only one of the old buildings still stands, and other concrete foundations still remain. The camp sat just to the southeast part of town. No other details are known at this time." -- Bruce View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Hugh Toland Donnan, Photographer...

"Hugh Toland Donnan (the photographer for 2 of the pictures in Issue 8 of Volume 7 of the Oakie Legacy was my grandfather. He went to Oklahoma in 1891 from Greer, South Carolina. He was named after Dr. Jugh Towland who established the Medical School of CA. Hugh Donnan died in Denver, CO in 1939. I have more information." -- Jessie Donnan - Email: jessied1@mindspring.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Andrea - Descendant of Wm Warwick...

Something I ran across which may be useless, but sending it on - RE: Descendants of William Warwick. Taken from the WDC GenWeb Home page - William Warwick b. Nov 26 1690 d. abt 1764 VA, m. Elizabeth Dunlap abt 1730, b. abt 1730 d. aft 1805." -- Contributor: Jeni Ann Kaelin - Email: jeniann@wa.net View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe