Platter Flatts

North Texas Range Riders took advantage of the three day weekend and made our way to Lake Texoma, Platter Flats.  Peggie "Redhorse" Kimberlin and her mule Mary volunteered as the advanced crew and came on Thursday.  Friday, while they were waiting on the rest of us, She and Mary had a great ride with Fran Hilton and her granddaughter.  Later that afternoon, the camp filled up with riders from Oklahoma, Texas and even Arkansas.  Peggie and Gary Aston was the official welcoming committee and helped park trailers, set up picket lines and anything else that needed to be done.

Saturday morning around 7:00am, riders were awakened by a 5.6 earthquake, the largest in Oklahoma history.  Everyone thought someone was out rocking their trailers, we do have a lot of jokers in our group, but news traveled fast it was a earthquake!  Once we were sure no damage was done and everyone was okay, Vicky Shewmake (the new vice president of NTRR) had us all gathered up and ready to ride.

Redhorse and her mule Mary was the trail boss since she had scouted out the trails on Friday.  We had  seven riders that morning  and Delford the camp host dog decided he would go out with our group. The trails were wonderful and easy to follow.  Any trail named John Wayne is going to be great and it held up to its name.  We rode 5.6 miles and 90% of that was in shade and nice sand around the lake and up and down gullies.

Saturday afternoon, Twylight Allison, Christina and Ashley Riggs and Misty took a 2 hour ride and got to encounter some of the local wildlife while making our way to Rooster's Roost.  That  afternoon, Diana Eades ( treasurer of NTRR) and her husband Danny came to join the bunch and Danny brought his boat.

That evening, we had a great pot luck dinner with Bonnie and Forest Martin (mule rider) from Whitesboro and Pauline Nix. Wes and Sandy Blackwell brought okra and onions from their garden and we were entertained by Parker and his stories.

Sunday, Charles Manning came out to ride with us and check out the trails.  On our way out to the trails we stopped and sang a hymn with the Ridin For The Brand Cowboy Church from Sanger  Texas.   Diana and Little Bit was the trial boss that day.  Vicky won the cowgirl up award when her horse decided to roll in the nice sand. We were very lucky that day and seen a bald eagle.  Everyone had their cameras out taking pictures and saluting.

That afternoon we all enjoyed a swim in the lake.   Riders and equine took over the beach.

Ann Sides

If you have not been to Platter Flats, all I can say you are missing out on some great riding and a wonderful campground.  There is something for everyone - fishing, hiking, riding and swiming.
Thank you Colin Walker for all your hard work keeping those trails open for us to enjoy.