After leaving the IHOP in Norman, Oklahoma, we spent several hours paying for the turnpike system in Oklahoma. Their payments are done differently from Kansas. Drivers pay before entering the turnpike and pay by the axle. No tickets are issued. Then, periodically, there are other toll booths between ramps where you pay more to continue on your journey.We stopped in a WalMart at Burkburnett, Texas (right over the border, north of Wichita Falls). This was the last day that WalMart was open and many of the shelves were empty. Employees were also inventorying and removing items. The cashier told us the employees were transferred to the new SuperWalMart that was built in Wichita Falls.
Cotton-pickin' times in Texas.
Kathy picks cotton to raise funds for the vacation.
Chris says, "Unpicked cotton smells just like clean underwear!" Kathy is considering telling everyone he is just a hitchhiker she picked up!
We stayed the night at Abilene State Park outside Abilene, Texas. Did you know that it was named for Abilene, Kansas? The campground was was nice with lots of space between sites and the showers were nice and warm. We needed the warm showers because our feet got really cold during the night. The ranger told us the temperature had dropped to 33ยบ during the night. Pecan trees were all around the park.
There were rustlings in the bushes from the time we pulled in. We discovered that it was armadilloes! (The Texas State Small Mammal, for those of you who didn't know that!) When we were walking to the showers, we caught up to one little fellow. He did not seem too scared of us, but wanted to get back to his rooting through the dead leaves.
It rained on us most of the first two days.
