I have just experienced one of the very best and most impromptu weekends in Oklahoma in ages. It started a little bit early on Friday. My mother-in-law had been in Missouri, visiting with her mother(age 89), who is recovering from heart surgery. She was on her way back to Austin and she called us to say she would be meeting us at our lake cabin near Pryor/Adair.
First of all, this is just a one hour drive from Tulsa. And we had dinner at a smorgasbord in Locust Grove. The food there is fantastic! And the buffet is just $6.95 a person with discounts for seniors. Its down home cookin with things like great fried catfish, chicken fried steak with cream gravy, and the list goes on and on. It's always packed but they are set up to deal with the crowds.
Several people I know have been mentioning "Blue Hole" lately. Its not just a legend. I know, I've been there. The last time was in the early 70's. Well, we asked the waitress if she had heard of it. She gladly gave us directions and we left her a big tip.
We followed her cryptic directions and managed to find it. Its actually located about 7 miles east of Salina, Oklahoma. Take 412 East from Tulsa to Highway 69, go North on 69 to Chouteau and then to Pryor. At the stop light for Highway 20 in Pryor, go right (East) to Salina. In Salina, go to the 4 way stop sign and go straight for 7 miles. Blue Hole is on the right.
Blue Hole is privately owned and operated. They have carved out a large pool by diverting the Saline Creek for a section and have created an ice-cold, clear water, swimmin hole. The cost is $5 per car and $10 to camp overnight. It was fantastic! I mean it.
You never hear about this place in Tulsa. I wonder why? Let's get the word out for a day of family centered fun in Northeastern Oklahoma.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Blue Hole
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11 comments:
Thanks for the report! What is the name of the smorgasbord and where is it exactly?
The restaurant is County Cottage. Its located on Highway 82 on the North side of Locust Grove, like you are headed to Salina.
I was fortuante enough to spend my summers here, growing up nearby. I live in Dallas now, but try to make it up there a couple of times per year. The only two drawbacks are that now (since just before 'Norm' passed away) beer is against the rules. And too many people are crowding into the area in the summers. We (locals) used to think of it as our own private gataway, but now, it's hard to find a place to swim with the crowd when it's hot. Something else that few people know is that the place was seeded with farm trout (Brown and Rainbow) several years ago and the population has become native, growing every year. I'm headed there with my own kids in a few minutes for some fishing and camping!
This is a wonderful little spot. Went there a few times in my youth, I was really happy to be able to take my children, this past weekend. Cold, but refreshing!!!
Except now, the Country Cottage can kill 'ya if you eat there. They had the largest E. coli breakout in USA history. You couldn't pay me to eat there now! LOL
My husband and daughter went yesterday. He said it was 99% Mexican.
I love talking my kids to blue hole even my one year old loves it the water isn't to deep in most spots and he can sit and play with the rocks. The only down fall is it is going mexican 99% but they arn't two bad since theirs no drinking it's very family orinated we have become good friends with the owner. Would recommand this place to everyone
Who cares if it's 99% mexican, why even post it. They like to spend time with family and cool down just like you and anyone else. I'm sure the water at Blue Hole doesn't mind. Sincerely, White Girl
GREAT PLACE TO EAT!!!!! Right on the way!! Make sure you stop in at JL's BBQ in Pryor. I've been eating there with my family since I was a kid. I have yet to find a better BBQ joint.
Really, are the Mexican comments really necessary. I love Oklahoma but it sure seems as if we have more than our fair share of ignorant, racist did i mention ignorant people. Sincerely, another White girl.
They aren't Mexicans they are Indians and if you have a problem with them then you probably shouldn't be in Oklahoma!!
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