Holiday within a Holiday

The day after dropping Lauren off we had arranged to get some minor warranty things fixed on the trailer so we arrived at United RV about 10am. While they were going about their business we sat in the customer lounge, drinking coffee and eating popcorn, deciding where our next destination was going to be.

We had travelled west on Interstate 10 to Big Bend and Interstate 20 east back to Dallas, so we decided to go up Interstate 35 in the direction of Oklahoma City and then head west on Interstate 40. Yep all rather complicated but we are right into the Interstate highway system and its fantastic. We had spoken to one of the service guys who had suggested a place called Lake Murray State Park which is about 2 hours North of Dallas so, based on that recommendation, and after purchasing a few more 'must haves' from the RV accessory store, we hit the highway.

Crossing the State Line into Oklahoma


Lake Murray covers an area of over 5,700 acres and has a number of different camping areas however upon our arrival were advised that the only one that was open during the winter season was the Elephant Rock campground. We drove around picked a site and set up camp overlooking the beautiful lake. Once we stopped we realised just how exhausted we were! Sounds strange coming from two people who are on a holiday of a life time but in our defence we had been pretty busy circumnavigating Texas for the last month ensuring Lauren had a trip to remember.

The view from our trailer


Taking our walk


The next day we walked around the park and took in the serene atmosphere, we had found a gem of a park. We really had no great plans in this place other than to just to sit back and do nothing. We drove into the closet town of Ardmore, a fair size town but nothing exciting (except Walmart of course!)

Yep Bourbon in hand


On the fourth day we finally got ourselves motivated and decided to drive the 40 miles up to the Chickasaw Cultural Centre. It was a great day and and reasonably priced as well. At the entrance they have the local tribes people demonstrating some of their local arts. As always we get asked where we are from and of course when we say Australia they are fascinated. I don't think too many Aussies have visited some of the places we have been to so we are quite a novelty! The first bloke was making jewellery and he asked Rose her favourite colour. He told us to come back and see him after we had looked at all the exhibits which we did and he presented Rose with a pair of hand made ear rings. No charge, a gift to take back to Australia.

Entrance to the Cultural Centre


No wading in the fountain, no chance it was too cold!



There was another craftsman making musical instruments. We asked the usual questions about the materials they use and given our interest in all things musical, he had me beating the drum and Rose on the shaker while he played the flute. We will not make the top 10 but the flute put out a rather eerie sound which sent shivers up my spine. It was a great experience.

Our debut as band members, my drum and Roses shaker for ever immortalised and on show at the cultural centre




We spent many hours in the museum reading the history of the Chickasaw people and their journey to there place in a modern USA. It appeared to us that they were really trying to make a difference to the younger generation of the Chickasaw nation.

After 5 days that familiar itchy feet feeling hit so we packed up in preparation for our next stop. We had no idea where that was going to be.


- Posted by RnR on their IPad

Location:Murray State Park Oklahoma