#2: [09-Apr-24]

08-Oct-2000 -- Outside Red Oak, Oklahoma

It is the 8th of October, and the weather is perfect for confluence hunting. The quest for today is several hours north. I am headed for one of the prettiest areas in Oklahoma, the Sans Bois Mountain Range area. Very close to one of Oklahoma's scenic areas, which is just east of Talihina.

I came across the southern border with Texas on highway 69, and at Durant I turned east towards Hugo. I worked my way across Choctaw county and then north through Pushmataha County along highway 271 up to Lake Sardis. Marvelous country to gaze at.

At Lake Sardis I continued north through Latimer County and the Winding Stair Mountains along Highway 2. In Wilburton, the junction of highway 2 and 270, I turned back east, closing in on Red Oak, the nearest community to the confluence. I continued through Red Oak and a few miles later I found a county road that led north.

I had a good time following the section road(s) north and east but ended up about a mile east of the target with no access. So I worked my way 2-3 miles back south, west 2-3 miles, then north again 2-3 miles and finally back east. It would appear that there is only one way in. I am driving around in a rather large valley, and surprisingly, with helicopter activity. There are two of them carrying loads from a location in the general direction of the confluence.

The confluence is now a quarter mile away down a marked private road. There is a farmhouse here. The owner informs me that it is OK to use the road and cross fence lines if needed. He is somewhat interested in my confluence hunting activity. He also explained the presence of the helicopters. They were hauling seismic equipment around for a gas company searching for natural gas in the valley.

The confluence was just a short stretch from the road, out in a pasture. I took the normal pictures and a couple of the helicopters that were approximately one mile south. It has been a long hunt, but as usual, very satisfying and enjoyable.