Devastation in Oklahoma

As the details emerge in news channels and other media the devastation in Oklahoma becomes apparent. The thunderstorm has caused more devastation at Oklahoma than the one in Hood County, TX last fortnight. According to a newsreport on Weather the death toll of yesterday's events is about 24 as reported by the state's medical examiner.

Hundreds have been injured and more left homeless as the thunderstorm with winds upto 60mph plowed through Moore, OK and surrounding counties. One TV report even suggested that the thunder storm traveled as far as Kansas and wrecked havoc there. A weather bureau warning I heard on the radio last night said that there would be heavy rains with golf ball sized hail in north Texas area. Luckily there was no storm hitting us in Denton, TX.

To me this sounds like the scenario in India where every year during the monsoon floods occur and cause widespread death and destruction. Of course India is a poor third world nation with corrupt establishment and politicians so preparation for such calamities doesn't happen. But in America the world's richest and most powerful nation this kind of tragedies taking lives, is totally not acceptable. I sure hope that further calamities of such kind will be prevented.

I know that weather can't be controlled but people's response to the weather changes can be. When there is a thunderstorm warning, people can be evacuated. America is a large nation with a relatively small population. There is enough space to resettle these people for a short time so that they are alive and can safely return home once the severe weather passes.

Related articles

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• UPDATE: Severe thunderstorm warning issued for Cleveland County, Moore area
• Death Toll in Okla. Tornado to Rise
• Slide Show: Oklahoma in the Tornado's Wake

Water - the Elixir of life

Water - The Elixir of Life 

A compound that contains just two elements
Two atoms of Hydrogen and one of Oxygen
Seems amazing nobody can live without one
The world would not exist without this essential liquid

We people don't seem to value this gift of god
We think that the water supply to our homes will never end
We wash, clean, bathe, and waste it without thinking for a second
We might be a little more respectful of this gift of god

On this day, let us make a solemn vow,
That we will utilize as little water from now,
That we will conserve it for the future starting now,
That we will share the resources we have with fellow men and animals

Remember! access to clean drinking water is a basic human right
But how many people in the world have this thought
Most people are busy living a life rather than think about water
Water maybe everywhere but very soon there wont be a drop to drink

Do we want to live in such a world?
A world where nations fight for water
Friends become enemies,
Families become feuding relatives
Brothers would kill each other for water

Young couples would not have children
because they can't afford to pay the water tax
That is when the world would come to an end....

Eisenhower State Park & Lake Texoma

I was off work for couple days after the long weekend during which America remembered its war heroes with respect and adoration. Now that I have the Texas State Park Pass I wanted to explore all the state parks within easy access. So we decided to drive an hour north to Denison, TX which is home to two major attractions: Eisenhower State Park located on the banks of Lake Texoma and the Eisenhower birthplace museum. The former is located outside the city and is a quiet, wooded and hilly locale.

View of Lake Texoma

Lake Texoma is actually a dam built across the Red River bang on the border of Texas and Oklahoma. The lake spans across a vast area of nearly 100,000 acres and has an additional few thousand acres of wooded parkland around. The wilderness around the lake teems with wildlife, deer, possum, armadillo, and other creatures live in harmony with visitors to the park. The park has a 3.5 mile hiking trail which weaves and winds through the wilderness. The path is not flat like in other state parks I have been to, it is actually undulating and hilly and has adequate tree cover to protect us from the harsh summer heat.

Hiking Trail in the Eisenhower State Park

The only disappointment here was the really small swimming beach in such a large lake and park. Then the amount of trash that was left over after the long weekend visitors had left. I wish there were a more efficient trash management system in place.

Swimming Beach in Eisenhower State Park on Lake Texoma

Vistas of India-Homa

Vistas of Lost Lake and Surroundings

Continuing my report on the short but eventful visit to Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, India-homa, I would simply say that our hike turned into a mini adventure after I coaxed everyone into climbing down the rock face into the depths of the valley rather than follow the trail that snaked around the hills to form a natural slope. Once down at the water level we crossed the shallow stream via a trail of rocky outcrops and started retracing our steps around the lost lake.

Here are some pictures:

View of the waterfalls from the base of the hill

The world is full of insensitive people who will litter even the most pristine natural spots.....

Sweeping view of the valley and rock face we just descended

Views of Lost Lake and around!!!

We hiked for couple of hours in the lost lake area of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. The terrain reminded me of the rolling rocky hills that I was so familiar with in India. This is the first time since arriving in Dallas that I am coming across such terrain. The lost lake is indeed a dam built in a small valley between two tall rocky hills. The stream collects in the deep gorge walled at a strategic location and the excess flows off the wall creating some sort of a waterfall out there. We walked beside the waterfall and down the rocks to cross the stream and walked alongside the lake on the other side.

Dam that creates the Lost Lake

Lost Lake facade

A couple brought kayaks and hit the water enjoying the stillness of the lost lake. Swimming is not allowed at this location... perhaps because of the rocks in the lake bed or maybe because of the depth... I don't know. Kayaking and fishing are allowed and there were few people enjoying the therapeutic and relaxing activity.

Couple enjoying kayaking

The Visitor Center @ Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

I had blogged earlier about the visitor center and nature museum at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, India-homa, Oklahoma. Here are some pictures of the innovative, informative, and interesting exhibits in the center. The folks here have tried to recreate natural scenarios that represent the park areas and the flora and fauna present within. I must say that they have done a wonderful job at that, the exhibits and soft lighting together provide a fantastic birds eye view of the park environs. We spent a few hours in the park including taking in the visitor center, I would suggest visitors to spend half a day at the visitor center and then proceed to explore the park for the next two days. Otherwise a visit to this wonderful wilderness area would be in vain.

At home in India-Homa

Continuing my saga on the trip to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. For starters it was a pretty long (3.5 hours) drive through the prairie lands of North Texas and Southern Oklahoma. The drive was pretty boring except for the colorful spring blossoms that line the highways. There were blue, yellow, pink, and other colored flowers moving in the wind.

After what seemed like an eternity we finally pulled into the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge and were greeted by a large American Bison grazing beside the road. We stopped to take a closer look and get some pictures of the giant beast that was grazing away oblivious of the attention it was getting.

Wild Bison grazing in Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

After spending some time at that site, we moved to the swank, and sprawling visitors center-cum-nature museum. Every wildlife sanctuary, national park I have visited be it in India, Nepal, Bhutan or US has an information center/ museum/ history center meant to provide information about the park's history, geography, wildlife, etc.

A giant mural at the visitor's center

The only difference is that in India the information centers are built with earthy materials like stucco, concrete, and brick and are mostly not air-conditioned. Here the building was built of wood, metal and drywall and of course it is centrally air-conditioned and heated. The natural history museum/ visitors center was one great documentation of the park's history, flora, and fauna. There were two huge stuffed wild bison's welcoming the visitors into the display area. There are numerous other stuffed creatures displayed in almost their natural settings. The museum is pretty interactive and simulated, the small theater showcases films on the night creatures of the park.

Stuffed animals on display

Stuffed animals on display

After spending about 45 minutes (short, we need at least 2.5 hours to see the museum thoroughly) we moved to do a short hike at the Lost Lake area. More tomorrow.

Hills, Rocks, and Boulders of India-Homa

The visitors Center

It has been several months... almost years since I touched a rock with an intention of climbing it. There are no rocks or hills in Dallas area, which is in the heart of the Panhandle Plains of Texas. Last Sunday I was lucky enough to visit a place known as Indiahoma in the neighboring state of Oklahoma. This small town is home to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.

The sprawl of Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, India-homa

As we drove on flat-as-a-Dosa landscape I was joking that Indiahoma and Oklahoma get their names because one of the ancient Hindu saints... Rishi Kapila traveled from Kapilaranya (California) with his cattle (Akalu in our language) and performed some sacred rituals to rid the land off its curses. Hence the state came to be known as Akalu-Homa and later became anglicized to Oklahoma. The place India-Home is the exact location of the sacred rituals and hence even today it is associated with India and Homa.

Anyway Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is quite different from Texas and I simply loved the rolling rocky hills that mark the area. This is a 59,020 acre refuge and is protected habitat for several native species that have managed to survive the Whiteman's Greed. When the first Europeans landed in this country, their sole intention was to plunder and destroy whatever they found here so they can become rich. It was only after several decades that they started settling down and forming this United States of America. Some of the commonly found species in this wildlife refuge include the American bison, (We saw many of these gentle giants) Rocky Mountain elk, white-tailed deer, Texas longhorn cattle (what are they doing in Oklahoma??? Oh! these were the ones brought in by Rishi Kapila to perform the Yanga, and they are protected because, here they are sacred). Apart from these notable creatures there are over 50 mammal, 240 bird, 64 reptile and amphibian, 36 fish, and 806 plant species thrive here.

Rocky Terrain

I will talk about the short hike we took in the refuge in my next post. For now I have to get ready and get to work... enjoy the pictures.

Lesser known places in the US

Honestly speaking when I was in India I thought I knew quite a big about the US, especially from a travellers perspective. But having come here and travelled 6 of the 50 states of this continent-sized country, I believe that this country too has several interesting landmarks worthy of visiting. There is not much in terms of ancient historical monuments or well preserved cultural heritage but the natural wealth of the country is simply immense. Given its size there are vast areas of sparse population which has enabled the government to creat national forests, sanctuaries, national parks etc.
But one thing is certain though US has five times India's land area and about a fifth of India's population, it is certainly a crowded country. Whichever road you may be travelling on, there will be several big fuel-guzzling cars passing you. Finding accommodation or even a camping spot in the wilderness during weekends is difficult. There is an over supply of housing which has lead to a massive real estate slump across the country triggering a near-recession kind of scenario, but still people don't seem to stay at home. They are always out on the road or visiting some place or the other.

Last weekend was a long one owing to it being the Memorial Day, a day on which America remembers its men and women who laid down their lives serving the nation. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it was enacted to honor Union soldiers who fought the American Civil War, then later after World War I the scope was expanded to cover all Americans killed in any war or military action. And we decided to head out of Flat Texas and visit some hill country in neighboring states of Oklahoma and Arkansas.

We chose to explore the Kiamichi Country in Oklahoma state, which was a thriving Native American settlement before the white people came, massacred them and took over their lands and forests. Anyway today there are no natives in this part of the country. Our plan was to visit the Ouchita National Forest which spans across both Oklahoma and Arkansas. The entire forest is criss-crossed by several well-marked hiking, bicycling and walking trails, the longest of which is about 192 miles.

Our plan was to drive across the 54-mile Talimena Scenic Drive and then camp at Cedar Lake. So we started our drive early in the morning and sped off on America's big roads towards Oklahoma, first on Tx-121 and then on US-75 and then I lost track of highways. After making enquiries we finally turned off the scenic drive and reached the banks of Cedar lake only to find that most of the lakeside campsites were taken. Luckily we found one in the farthest campsite and took it immediately ($10).

The undulating water body sprawls across 86 acres and is surrounded by pine and Oak covered hills. According to the national parks website the lake maintains its water level even during fierce droughts. The forest around the lake is infested with a diverse array of wildlife including, black bears, deer, rabbits, armadillo, raccoons, possum, etc. The lake itself is a great place to get a refreshing swim, fish, boat, kayak and just hang out.

Images of Cedar Lake and surroundings
Modern Campsites
Campsites in America are highly evolved and offer all the comforts of the city. Many people travel in airconditioned Recreational Vehicles which are hooked up to the power points at campsites and then set up a portable dish antenna and TV to watch their favourite shows. Others who don't own an RV bring in huge tents and camp furniture and set up their temporary home at the campsite. Every campsite has a barbecue pit, a fire place and two benches and a dining table. There are clean toilets and bathrooms within easy reach of the campgrounds, so output is not a problem here. The super rich even bring horses and ride through the forests on them.

Activities
We were not too well equipped for our camping. We carried enough food for two days a tent, some sleeping gear and reached there. We forgot to carry a torch and that was not much of a problem because we used the car's headlights to light up the dinner table.

I enjoyed a refreshing swim in the icy waters of Cedar lake. When I first entered the lake at the shallow end I felt it was rather dirty for American standards, instead of being azure the water was brown and murky. I reluctantly went over to the pier where people were diving, here the water was much clearer and inviting. I just jumped in and boy... was it cold??? refreshing in the hot afternoon sun. After enjoying in the water for about an hour we went for a long walk in the wilderness and retired into the tent for the night.

Coming SoonRoad Kill and Queen Wilhelmina State Forest, Arkansas.

Views of Cedar Lake, Oklahoma

It was long weekend and we decided to head out into the open and take in some part of neighboring states of Oklahoma and Arkansas. During the two day drive, hike, camp and swimming outing we were able to take in a tiny part of both the states. Here are few basic pictures... more to come soon. Tomorrow I have an exam so I am not able to blog completely about what I saw. Will be updating the blog with detailed stories and lots of pictures in the next couple of days. For now enjoy the sneak preview.

Starting point of Talimena scenic drive and national park

These roads are too scenic and seem to stretch endlessly in to the world

Strategically placed signage help visitors find places easily

Vast and beautiful Cedar Lake

Thick forests and hiking trails around Cedar Lake

Sun bathing groups on the banks of Cedar Lake

Teenagers elected to run two US Cities

What is common between Bedford (Tx)-based Chris Brown (19) and Muskogee (Ok)-based John Tyler Hammons (19)? They both are going to cast vote to elect the American president later this year. They both are underaged to buy alcohol or enter into a nightclub in the US. They both are in their college and studying hard for future careers. This is what most young people of their age are doing anyway, what is special about these two?

For one thing both of them were recently elected to the City Council and Mayor positions in their cities, with thumping majorities. While John Tyler Hammons won the Mayor's post with 57 percent of the vote over former Mayor Hershel Ray McBride, Chris Brown, successfully won a heavily-contested race for the Bedford City Council by an overwhelming margin. Hammons is a freshman in at the University of Oklahoma and Brown is a political science major in University of North Texas.

Commendable achievements considering the youngsters age. These young men have swayed huge populations (Bedford: 48,000 and Muskagee 38,000) in their respective cities to win with overwhelming majorities which even seasoned politicians find difficult to achieve. What is the secret of these victories? I would say a combination of self-confidence, enthusiasm and hardwork.

According to newsreports Brown worked diligently on his campaign, including spending several days going door-to-door to meet voters. He also raised about $5,000 – much of it in contributions of $5 or $10 from college friends. The results paid off, with Brown sweeping to victory in the Place 6 race with 83.7 percent of the vote. Opponent Jim Wallace, a closed-captioning editor, took 16.3 percent.

What is impressive about these young men is that though they have been elected to key city positions, they retain their youthful humility. Brown will take a break from school during the summer and return to his part-time job as a waiter at Raven's Grille at Texas Star Golf Course in Euless. And Hammons will continue with his studies at the University.

I think this kind of opportunity will help give confidence and enterprise to youth and should be emulated in other parts of the world. This is the only way we could make sure that the world is in safe hands.

Read more on: Houston Chronicle and Dallas Morning News