Thursday, December 2, 2010

Timing is Everything



For several weeks this fall I considered making a trip to eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas. I wanted to drive the Talimena Scenic Drive between Talihina, Oklahoma and Mena, Arkansas and enjoy the autumn leaves. But fall came late this year, and once it showed up, I kept finding other things to do.

.

Last week Dr. Lobo and I finally made the trip. Although we found a few beautiful trees, we missed the big production. Repeatedly, we heard “You should have been here two weeks ago.”



We had reservations at the Queen Wilhemina Lodge near Mena, but driving up the mountain on a narrow road proved to be an adventure. Enveloped in a cloud, I felt like we had entered the Twilight Zone. I’m telling you, it was eerie.




When we arrived, the lodge looked like this.




I hear these are normally gorgeous views, but this is what we got.








Still, we had a good time. The lodge was nice, with a fireplace that burned brightly and comfortable chairs for reading.







The day we left, the weather cleared a bit.

Yeah, we should have been there two weeks earlier. Timing is everything.




4 comments:

Anonymous said...

That place looks lovely. I will have to put it on my list of places to visit.

drlobojo said...

Not only that the train the runs around the mountain wasn't going neither.

Okie Book Woman said...

Joan, I'm sure it's an awesome place in the middle of fall. I liked the lodge, but I certainly don't recommend the restaurant there. Eat someplace in Mena instead.

Oklahoma Granny said...

The fireplace looks very inviting!