My friend called to say she didn't have to work as it was Spring Break. Would I want to go on a road trip with her? Well, why not?!
She suggested we go to Pawhuska, Oklahoma to the Mercantile. I don't have cable tv so have only watched a couple episodes of "The Pioneer Woman" but have heard of Ree Drummond from friends.
We took the back roads, of course. Highway 15 through Udall, Dexter, then south on 99 through Chautauqua.
Pawhuska is kind of a mess right now as they are doing loads of construction in town. It will be nice when done! We had to park quite a distance away, up on a hill by the Osage Nation Campus.
Allen and I accidently happened to come by this place a few years ago, having no idea that this was where the Mercantile was. Of course I asked Al to stop. At that time, there were only about 5 people there. Al isn't much into shopping, so we didn't spend much time there at all and didn't buy a thing.
Since there was wait time, we looked around and did some shopping. I made up for that quick visit that one day with Al!
And then we went upstairs to the bakery for a scone and coffee since we were hungry!
While we were browsing, I met a Japanese lady. She was wearing pants with kimono print on them and I told her I loved her pants. I asked if those were from Japan. She said they were and then I asked if she was from Japan. "Yes" "Ah, watashi mo! (me too!)" She now lives in Lawrence and we talked for a long time and traded information. She asked me to come visit her. I would love to! We have texted a couple of times since.
We waited some more. Someone had left a package on the floor by the chairs. Ruth took it to the register to turn it in for lost and found. Hopefully the person who purchased it found it!
Finally our names were called. We shared a delicious burger.
After dinner, we did some walking about.
We had to climb 5 levels of stairs up to where we had parked.
Whew! We worked off our lunch!
Directions to the Drummond Lodge had been given to us at the Mercantile when we signed up. It is free to tour.
We passed the Pawhuska Chamber of Commerce.
We came to a standstill on Highway 60. While we sat there, an ambulance and Lifewatch Helicopter arrived to take victims of an accident to hospital. We prayed for them.
Here is where we turned for the lodge. It isn't the current ranch where they live, but where she still does her filming from.
They give specific instructions NOT to turn at the sign where it says Drummond Ranch.
We crossed over cattle guards and we had a chuckle to see free range cattle.
Down a hill, we turned a corner. The road overlooked the house.
View from the parking lot. What a view! I do believe my husband would LOVE to live here!
What a nice home!
The pantry has a "library" ladder!
Oops. Got a finger in that picture!
These teens seemed bored with the whole thing. Probably drug there by moms.
I wouldn't mind waking up to this!
We took a different route back to Wichita on back roads. It was just a delightful road trip! Wonder where to go next?
