It cooled off overnight. Temperatures were in the low 50's and it was cloudy when we woke up this morning. After breakfast at the Mercantile we departed the cottage at 8:45. It was still cloudy and 54 degrees. As the day progressed the sun came and went but the temperature never topped 58 degrees and the wind really picked up.
My plan was to drive through the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve just north of Pawhuska and photograph the bison said to be there. I envisioned a nice paved road weaving through the Preserve with bison grazing along the road. The reality was 12 miles of nasty, dusty, washboard, gravel road each way. The scenic viewpoints did provide decent views.
When we arrived at the visitor's center it was closed and we had yet to see any bison. A sign on the door advised that this was bison roundup season and to see the bison we could drive two miles north (part of the 12 miles of gravel) to see the bison in the coral. Ends up the bison were about a half mile away from the viewing area and getting a decent photo was impossible due to the distance and the strong wind, which made it impossible to hold the camera steady.
After escaping the Prairie Preserve we drove south on Hwy 99 to Hominy, OK to tour an old mansion called the Drummond Home. The home and the sign in front of the home appeared to be in disrepair so we decided to pass on the tour. We did hit a car wash in Hominy to remove most of the dirt/dust that we picked up in the Prairie Preserve.
Back in Pawhuska we stopped at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church hoping to see the stained glass windows that were supposed to be beautiful. It was closed.
Pawhuska is home to the Ben Johnson Cowboy Museum. Ben "Son" Johnson was an actor, a 1972 Academy Award Winner, a cowboy and a World Champion Team Roper. Chris did a little online research to find that he was born here in Osage County and buried in Pawhuska's city cemetery. We located Ben's grave there.
After some ice cream at Charlie's Sweet Shop Chris did some shopping in downtown Pawhuska while I finished cleaning up the car. It was dusty on the inside and there was still a large amount of residual dust on the back.
Later we enjoyed a late lunch (early dinner?) at the Mercantile. Chris had the tomato soup with cheese sandwich dippers (sandwich cut in strips). I had the grilled chicken and bacon sandwich with homemade chips and a side of cheesy grits. It was all LARRAPIN good!
We drove 88 miles today and did some relaxing at our cottage. Tomorrow we head home.
To see all the photos taken today click here -
Day 2 Pics
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