[Jammie]

Yea, Grove is cool and it's definitely worth driving out of your way to see it. In fact, when we go down the next time, we've decided we'll spend most of our time in Grove.

Since you'll be going that way, Tulsa is worth the stop. Check out their architecture~the Methodist Church is fabulous. Can't remember the name of it now, but there's a very nice Western museum that is worth seeing. There's also the aquarium in Jenks. (part of Tulsa) I still want to see the Philbrook Museum.

http://www.planetware.com/tulsa/phil...-us-ok-942.htm

There's some info in the link above. And the Western Museum~it's Gilcrease.

If you're going to be in OKC, they have a wonderful indoor plant/tropical/aborterium (sp?) thing. You can find the info on the OKC forum. It looks beautiful and I also hope to see it some day.

[GayleTX]

Nobody has mentioned the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial. I went thru it recently and was very moved.....it is extrememly well done and it's well worth a half day of your trip.

[Okiegirlfriend]

Hi Gayle!

[linicx]

OK tornados do not normally come near Grove. These stormes start in the Gulf, tramp through Texas, and if it is a F4 or F5 storm it will visit a terrible punishment on OKC. Then it follows 1-40- to 1-44 to pound Tulsa. From Tulsa it follows I=44 east to the state line where it either follow sRangeline Road (Bus 71N) or it goes S on US 60 through Neosho and into Springfield. Been in the straightline winds that follow in Springfield, and I missed the one in Joplin. It went right through the restraurant I had been in an hour earilier.

The one at Grove was many years ago on the far north side in the county. The Bernice Honey Creek State Park is at least 10 miles south buried in trees and hills in one of the coves. For a tornado to strike there it has a lot of hills and trees and backwaters to negotiate. Nothing is impossible, but it is highly unlikely a tornado will be anywhere near that campground. High winds and a lot of rain, yeah, but a tornad? Unlikely. I lived on the south side not far from the park for 15 years, They come out of AR once in a while and give Jay a kiss, but they don't come to Grove, suppose because it is in a basin surrounded by heavily foresteed bluffs.

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[linicx]

One of the things I did not mention about Grove, is it is surrounded by CW history if you want to take side trips. Pea Ridge National Battlefield is on 1-71 S on the MO/AR line north of Bella Vista. While you are there take a little trip to War Eagle Mill. It is in the bed of the forrest on a small stream. They still grind grain into flour daily on the 200 year old- millstone. If you continue S on !-71 you'll find Fayetteville which a very historic town. The movie Blue and Gray was shot there. the University has one of the largest genealogy collections in the four states. But while you are there go west on 412 to Tontitown. Great Italian food in an Italian town. Marble factory, etc. And you can follow 412 through Springdale to 59N and go back to Grove. It is a beautiful drive I never tired of.

If you want to go into Kansas look for Big Bertha - one of the biggest mine shovels ever made. It's ritired now.

There are nice malls in Joplin on Raneline and in Fayetteville.

Carthage Missouri is where the first on land shot of the CW was fired.. The Romanesque Court House was the third courthouse. At night the courhoue is lit and it looks like Walt Disney's Castle. Also in Carthage is Precious Moments studio, campground, and park. To find Cartage gp East pf 1-44 to the 1-71 interchange (NOT bus 1-171 at Joplin) and go north in 1-71 about 2 miles to exit 575 at Carthage. There is a lovely Best Western in Carthage. When you come to the first stop light next at the Dodge Dealer. Turn left. Look for McDonalds and the Phillips gas station on your left. The next right turn is HAZEL. You'll see Best Western. It has an indoor pool.

If you want to go to Arkansas to Pea Ridge, instead of going to Carthage on North I-71, turn south.

It was fininshed after the CW. There is a museum inside. Do take a ride on the 100 year old elevator M-F. The county court meets every day here. But you won't find bad guys for they are tried in Joplin. Jasper County is on the the few counties in the US that has two court houses with sitting judges.. The Joplin cournthouse was built to avoid a regional civil war over 15 miles.. The park on Oak Street is awesome. Take your clubs and play 18 tough holes. Across from its entrance is the Powers Museum. There is also an art studio in Carthage. And they may still have the red English double decker bus. The Bamboo Gardens there is not bad, but, if you go to Replublic do stop in Mt. Vernon at the chinese buffet there, It is much better.

There is another CW museum in downtown Carthage about a block from the courthouse. While you are on the square, do stop in the Tru-Value hardware store. It is a lot more than a hardware store. I'll leave the surprises for you to find. In nine years I did not see all of the store. It's one of the few places you can find authentic parts for Victorian houses. There is also a CW battleground in Carthage. Find the Fire Department on Garrison. The fire doors face the West. Go south on the street the doors face (away from the CFD). YOu will pass a small park on your left. A few blocks down the street you;ll come to a 4 way stop on River Steet. Another park is on your left. Continue south and look for the battlefield entrance.

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield is a few miles East on 1-44 at Republic exit. The National CW Cemetery is in Sprinfield on Glenstone Avenue. Exit S from I-44. It's probably 5 mies.

The Harbor Village antique museaum in Grove is filled with authentic turn of the century antiquest It is located off 13th street. Follow the signs. It's in the woods.. YOu'll pass LenDonwood Japanese Garden. It is normally filled with Azaleas too in April. If you do not want to camp there is a nice Best Westerm off Main on 18th Street. Walmart and food is a block away.

If you want to take a break thee is a new move complex. And not far from Grove is a Hot Rod museum. I almost forgot it.

If you are traveling East of 1-44 from Tulsa the Will Rodger Toll Road, pay attention to the sighn or you will miss the Joplin exit. It goes East and it is what you want. You'll follow it a couple of hours and take the AFTON exit. Leave the toll booth and exit Rightt. The 59N is 1/2 mile more or less. Turn Left and go south. Its 18 miles to Grove. When you get down to the bottom of the hill (you'll see the lake in the distance first) look on your left for a gas station. That's Tom Cat Corner and BBQ inside the gas stateion. There is a cross road by it that is normally semi-busy. It goes to Monkey Island that has no monkeys. When you get to the stoplint on Main and 3rd turn Right. Follow the E-W directions belonw.

If uou like Chinese at Main and 3rd go North. It's in a shopoing center about four blocks or so on the left. You'll pass McDonald's and Braum's Ice Cream before you reacn the chinese buffet,

If you are driving East to West, follow US 60 from Neosho to OK 10, Turn Left at the gas station and follow the raod until it ends at the T. There's a gas station on the right. Turn Right to go into Grove. There is a stop light at the next gas station.Ccontinue to the next light in down town Grove on Main and 3rd Street. Turn LEFT onto Main at the light to go to the Best-Western or the Campground. Honey Creek is past 18th on Lake Road #1. It is in between the Kum and Go gas station and Dairy Queen. Turn right and follow the road into the park. Don't forget to stop at the office first.

Grove is a peninsula. It is easier to give you landmarks than street names. The main roads in Grove are main street and 3rd street. Do you like good Catfish? Catfish John's is on KO 59 N. on the right side before Sailboat Bridge. YOu will pass Mills and MIlls accounting first.

If you ever go to Grove you won't want to leave. One other thing if yoy are traviling W to E you will cross the Sailboat Bridge. If you are traveling E-W you will cross Cowskin Bridge. And if you go south toward Jay you will cross the Honey Creek Bridge. You will not cross this bridge to get to the campground or Best-Western motel. If you do, you hae passed 18th Street and Lake Road #1 and #2. The Grove Hospital is on 13th. You will pass it to go to Harbor Village and LenDonwood Garden.

Got questions? IM me. I might have an answer. LOL

.

[Jammie]

Lini, you have so much good and detailed info.

We didn't wander around too much in that area and took the wrong road and found out we were heading back to Joplin. I didn't realize they have that much CW things in that area.

It's kind of funny cause I was just thinking about that last night. You don't have bumper stickers that say, "Yankee, go home" or "You've Seen it, now go home", etc. I've never read comments like "the Northern Aggressors", etc. We didn't see a single southern flag hanging on anyone's vehicle while we were there.

I've been doing a bit of brushing up on the history of that era. I had already known that OK was "Indian Territory" at that time and of course, my state was non-existent then. It almost seems like the old CW has reared it's ugly head with recent American events and not in a constructive or informational way. Are any of those sentiments present in your area? Is the mindset that it's over and done and it's time to move on or do some still dwell on those things? Just curious because of the sightseeing things available there.

[HeatherDawn]

Some will always still dwell on those things, Jammie, but most normal people have moved on. I see a lot of rebel flag stickers on pick-ups but for everyone I know who has one, it's not a hate symbol. It's a way to show that you're a southern redneck and us rednecks are always proud. LOL

[linicx]

Jammie, I can't remember ever seeing the rebel flag in that area. One New Years eve, though, someone close by put on one h*ll of a fireworks show and played Dixie so the whole wold would hear it, but it didn't last long. I rather enjoyed it. ;-) That said I've not seen a lot of that lind of behavior in the area. I suppose in part because Grove is very progressive and welcomes newcomers. It isn't closed and clannish like a lot of little towns. I didn't see it in Carthage either. You might see some of it in Arkansas but not in the areas I wrote about. Fayetteville is all about the Razorbacks. But you will find some hardcore CSA in them thar hills if you look for it. My cousin is UDC and I even met a few KKK. but they perfer to be low key as they were not at home.
Carthage and Grove are North to most southerners. If you want to see the hardcore knot=heads take a trip into Mississippi and Alabama. I got lost in Tom Bigbee Nathioal Forest near Tupelo one day. that ws a trip!

If you like neat places to visit, I love the American Rose Gardens in Shreveport, LA. At Xmas they light up with a million lights and have all kinds of stuff for kids - even us biggun's . If the fall was mild, the roses will still be in bloom. Shreveport is very progressive and its a beautiful town with old money. It really is worth the trip even if yo never rset foot in a casino..

[j67bubba]

If you get a chance for travel, come on down to the SW part of Oklahoma...

During the spring, the Lawton/Ft. Sill area is a wonderful place to visit.
The Wichita Wildlife Refuge is down here. It is one of the oldest refuges in the US. You can drive up Mt. Scott (3rd tallest in state) and go rock climbing/hiking while enjoying the view and the eagles flying around.
Also there are Buffalo, Longhorn Steer, Elk, Deer, Praire Dogs and more just running around where ever they want.

Southwest Region Fish and Wildlife Service

While visiting there take a break at the Riverside Cafe, the Old Plantation or try a Meers Burger.

Meers - Store & Restaurant

Interesting to know that the Meers Fault is just north of Lake Lawtonka and the Meers store has an acutal working seismograph.

Meers - Store & Restaurant


If you are into History, Ft. Sill has a wonderful Musem that houses all types of Military atifacts and Indian history artifacts. Ft. Sill is also home to Geronimo's grave site. Artillery park has just about all the different types of Artillery guns that has been used over the years along with Atomic Annie.

Welcome To The Fort Sill National Historic Landmark

Depending on when you visit in the spring, there are several tribes of Indians in this part of the area that have Festivals in celebration of their history as well as Rattlesnake festivals where you can see live rattlesnakes and even eat some

[Goodpasture]

Originally Posted by j67bubba

...........Rattlesnake festivals where you can see live rattlesnakes and even eat some

I like fried Rattlesnake.....never tried to eat a one live........