#2: [09-Apr-24]

#1: [08-Oct-00]

23-May-2026 -- As I had a multi-year tradition of setting aside a few days, preferably near the summer solstice when I would have the most daylight, to get out onto the landscape and see fields, old railroad depots, trails, and confluence points, and as I would be teaching soon at a geotechnology conference at Dallas College, and as it had been six months since I had last visited a point, the weekend had finally arrived. I had been looking forward to this field trip for quite some time and it exceeded all my geo-hopes and dreams!

The Approach: I flew into DFW airport in Dallas and was soon traveling northeast in a rental vehicle. The Texas DOT is a huge organization, but I was impressed by the highways--all concrete, and not a single hole or divot anywhere. Smooth as glass. Dallas goes on and on: It was a good 90 minutes before I saw a field of greenery on US 75. I was just about in Oklahoma before I saw any sort of what I considered to be rural community. But the weather was holding, despite severe storms in the western part of Texas that day. Traveling northeast on US 75, I had never been on this stretch of road before, so I was thoroughly enjoying myself, adding many new counties. And once I went to the east on some truly small rural roads, things became even more interesting.

Standing water was everywhere and I knew I had a wet hike ahead of me. I left US 75 on Oklahoma 63, then east on US 270 to Wilburton, through tiny settlements and on to Red Oak, north on Oklahoma 82, stopping on the side of the road to set the GPS. I had some challenges finding satellites. I traveled on local roads, heading north and east. I stopped about 1/2 mile north of the point at a driveway heading east. Excellent timing: As I pulled over, the land owner pulled up, and I explained my mission. He asked me if I had any boots as he said the whole area had been soaked recently with rains. I looked down at my running shoes. I knew I was going to get very wet. But, permission thankfully secured, I set off walking to the south. I preferred getting some steps in because I have been sitting on the airplane and in the car all day.

The most challenging first obstacle was how to get across the fence to the field to the west. The fence was barbed wire, quite sturdy with no gaps, and also ringed by very thick, thorny roses and other plants. I walked back back-and-forth a few times before I decided the best place to get across. On the other side, I was immediately ankle deep in water. After splashing around a bit, I angled off toward the north west, when I realized that the entire field was underwater and not just the wetland. The grasses were knee high and I kept an eye out for snakes. I angled off to the west and then to the southwest, crossing one more fence before I found the confluence point.

The Site: The confluence lies on a small rise, with some thicker shrubs. I had to be careful that I didn’t trip over the vines. I posted a video here. The views were quite lovely in all directions, especially to the south to the low mountains. Only a few structures are visible. I saw no animals, people, or birds. Some natural gas or oil infrastructure is visible to the south. I had not been to an Oklahoma confluence in 3 years and it was great to return. I am only missing two now in the state with a goal of adding one more today before sundown. I was in the lovely land of the Choctaw. I thought about the people living here on the land and admired them. I have stood on 35 North many times in the past from California on the west to North Carolina on the east. I have also stood on 95 West many times, from a snowy forest in Minnesota on the north end to a muddy field in Texas on the south end.

Weather Conditions: The temperature stood at about 82° F (28 C). Under partly cloudy skies, it was still quite humid from the recent rainfall. Only a moderate breeze was blowing in this glorious day. It was late spring late afternoon. Upon exiting the point, I made a short tour of the infrastructure to the south, which was sitting in a large puddle. Then I angled back to the east and crossed the rivulet flowing briskly with water, getting my shoes, even wetter. The landowner from the south drove up in a truck and we had a pleasant chat. I explained that I received permission from the landowner to the north. He even asked if I needed a ride, which I appreciated but declined, preferring to walk, even though I had to traverse several puddles and cattle guards. I arrived back at my vehicle after about a 90 minute trek.

Next Stop: 36 North 95 West. This point had taken longer than I had expected. Could I reach this point before sundown and then still make my campground destination? Only one way to find out!

Onward with gratitude!

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When the trip was all said and done, here are the final statistics:


-------------------------------------------------
Days set aside to visit points:  4.

Confluence points attempted:  14.  

Confluence points successfully visited:  13. 

Points where I met the local landowner = 5 of 14 points. 


Miles = 1,945, Kilometers = 3,130.
  
Percent of travel on interstate highways:  15%
Percent of travel on US, state, county roads, and the "back of the back roads":  85 % Hooray!

Campgrounds = 3.  

Rainy confluence points:  3 of 14.
Beautiful confluence points:   14 of 14.

Convenience store stops = 7.  

Points that turned out to be

                easier than I thought they would be =           1 
                about the same as I expected them to be =       8 
                more difficult than I thought they would be =   5 
		-------------------------------------------------------
			                                     14 points.
Points          in prairie or scrub      3
                in woodlands             5
		in non-tilled fields     2
		in agricultural fields   4
		-----------------------------------
			                14 points.

Points along 	36 North = 1 
		35 North = 4 
		34 North = 2 
		33 North = 3
                32 North = 4  
		----------------
			   14 points.

Points visited on 	Day 1 = 2 
			Day 2 = 5 
			Day 3 = 4 
			Day 4 = 3
		-------------------
			   	14 points.  

Points visited in the 	morning = 	6 
			afternoon = 	5 
			evening = 	3 
		-------------------------------
			   	       14 points

Points visited in 	Oklahoma =       2
			Arkansas =       4
			Louisiana =      2 
			Texas =          6
		-------------------------------
			   		14 points 

The most frequently visited latitude line:  
-------------------------------------------- 
                       32 and 35 North:  4 points each.

The most frequently visited longitude line:  
-------------------------------------------- 
                                      94 West:  4 points.