THE LAST ROAD TRIP?
THE LADY AND LITTLE SISTER, NATURAL FALLS STATE PARK
DR. OMED VISITS THE LADY
Pilgrims and seekers, aside from the poke I received from Fiona, this image is the numinous entity you have to thank for the return of Yours Truly to the blogging fold: The Lady, the naiad in residence at Natural Falls State Park. This is one of Oklahoma's numerous small state parks, tucked away in odd corners off blue two lanes all over the state. To reach this one, you drive almost to Arkansas and watch out for the small sign that marks the turn off. Blink and you'll miss it. The place is small, and betrays its origin as a private, commercial resort--Dripping Springs I think it was called. The movie Where the Red Fern Grows was filmed "on location" at the park. The ferns do indeed grow in the mist from the Lady's dress.
I go to see the Lady to find some peace--the peace that passeth understanding, if you will--from the weather of the world and my own dark heart. She does not fail. In spite of all human 'improvements', glamour, in the old sense of the word, clings to the place where she pours herself out. Don't go to her immediately. Walk the trails for a bit, cross your own path, then go down to the pool in the grotto by her foot, sit, and breath. That's all. Breathe out the bad ions and breathe in the good ions. Watch the falling water braid itself in a recursive spiral. Go on your way renewed.
CROSS YOUR OWN PATH
SIT, AND BREATHE.
WATCH THE FALLING WATER.
That's all.
When I filled up my tank that day, on the pilgrim path, a gallon of gas in Tulsa was selling at three dollars and nineteen cents per in Tulsa, which consistently has the cheapest fuel in the country. It was a selfish indulgence, I must admit, but I figured I'd better get in that last road trip, and visit the Lady, before the price of gas goes through the roof. I'm glad I did.
12:25:53 AM 
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