...Where The Buffalo Roam...

On Sunday, a few days before my birthday, Matt and I headed out for an adventure. Our main destination was the Tall Grass Prairie Preserve in northeastern Oklahoma but we were open to suggestions made by the landscape. We stopped by the Bivin Garden, in Shidler, but decided we would leave it for another time, perhaps late in the spring. The garden was the inspiration of a transplanted Briton who wanted to turn the prairie into an English Garden. It was beautiful but middle September isn't the best time to introduce one's self to such a garden. As we left the garden and turned north, we came across a wonderful old house. This area speaks to my imagination - maybe it is all the people who have travelled through here before. (To my kids: Now is the time you can begin the jokes... imagine if...) Though we are in an automobile, with a cell phone and OnStar, you can feel the solitude of the land and in some small way understand what it must have been like to be an Indian, riding across the prairie or a settler building a homestead. The land, the sky is big out here.
We stopped the car and walked through an old gate - no lock, but there was a chain with a clasp, rusty and hard to open - it had been here a long time... If one goes through such a gate, etiquitte requires the gate to be secured when you leave - take nothing but photos, leave nothing but soft footprints. The wind rustling through the grass made a somewhat sorrowful sound - sorrowful but comforting, too. We both took pictures - I'll post a few. We were in the 'yard' of an old, farmhouse, grey with age. I wish I could adequately describe the land. We had not yet reached the Preserve but the prairie of grass reached in all directions for miles. Sarah, from Sarah Plain and Tall, likened the grasses of the prairie to the waves of the sea - waves of green and gold. After taking several photos, we left the farmhouse as we found it - a reminder that someone once called this place home.

We continued toward the conservation area, stopping here and there as something would catch Matt's eye. Once we reached the headquarters, we found out we must have just missed a large herd of bison, perhaps as many as 800. The docent told us there are more than 2500 on the grounds of the Preserve. If you take the trip, watch for areas that have been burned, on purpose. The roots of the tall grasses extend to 25 feet below ground. Conservationists will do controlled burns to allow the grasses to continue to flourish - the flames burn off the tops and encourage new growth. The bison are drawn to the tender shoots. In fact, the Native Americans understood this and would burn areas then wait for days or weeks. The bison herds, drawn by the smoke, would come to find the lush new growth.

Past the headquarters, headed out toward Pawhuska, we came across several smaller herds grazing on the verdant grasses. Come November, they will have a round-up and cull the herd. The man there told us it is quite a sight - more than two thousand bison in one place...

We reluctantly left the grasses behind and drove into Pawhuska - an interesting destination of its own. We ate ate Hernandez's Mexican Retaurant - tasty. If there, you might also opt for the BlueStem Cafe on Main St. I read about it later in a travel book.

After lunch, we ran the car through a car wash - all the roads in the Tall Grass Prairie Preserve are gravel - some rougher than others so be prepared. I am sure there is still some of the fine white gravel dust in the crevices of my car. We drove on to Hominy to visit the Drummond Home. Matt had visited it before on a solitary motorcycle ride and wanted me to tour it. Another worthwhile place to visit, we were guided on our tour by a delightful lady named Beverly. We are, in fact, going to send her some information about our own Czech festival here in Yukon.

The Drummond Home was built in 1905 by Fred and Adeline Gentner. It is one of the best preserved home of its kind I have seen. Beverly took us room by room and lovingly shared tidbits of family history and personal insights. It is always wonderful to be taken on a tour by someone who genuinely loves and respects the property.

We drove home over the rolling hills and through the forests - we saw deer, a tarantula crossing the rode and a coyote running for cover. The weather had turned that wonderful mix of sun and rain we see so often in Oklahoma - after the heat of the day, the wildlife was out enjoying the showers.

All in all, another fine day. I hope you enjoy the pictures.

I've noticed other bloggers telling people what they are currently listening to; since this is supposed to also be about wine, I'll share what we are currently drinking. We have two bottles opened - my favorite - [yellow tail] Shiraz - a spicy, Austrailian Red and Stone Hill's Creme Sherry. I've never had sherry before so I don't know how to compare it to others but it reminds me a bit of a very smooth sipping bourbon. The Shiraz is wonderful with any highly flavorful food - Mexican, Italian... or just a glass by itself in the evening.