Hello, 2015!

Hello lovely readers!

Please accept our heartfelt wishes for the year 2015! We hope everyone of you has a wonderful, healthy and happy year!

As many of you may know, Hope's theme is fairy tales. It's such a fun project turning one of our vacation homes into something whimsical and special. It's a never-ending project of a small touch here, a small touch there and occasionally a larger project thrown in (like painting the exterior of Hope...). We have so much fun thinking of new ways to put love into our business. Our concept is different from all the other lodging places in the area. Most hotel chains in Lawton do not have a theme. They're chains after all. And the lodging in Medicine Park tends to be rustic (perfect for Medicine Park), but that's just not us.

Personally, I'm all about whimsy and spunk. And, I love bright colors! I also like thinking outside of the box, so there's a lot of upcycling at the Stone Turtle - Lodging. Sometimes I find furniture pieces that don't quite fit yet, so they get a temporary spot. Some furniture gets swapped between homes. Some stuff just fits right off the bat. Some pieces of furniture get a makeover. Most furniture and deco pieces get moved around many times before they find a permanent home. 

Here's a little upcycle project you could find in Hope's Beauty and the Beast room if you booked a weekend stay at the Stone Turtle Lodging, or if you're in town for a Fort Sill Graduation!

Greetings from the Stone Turtle!

Danielle

This blog is brought to you by the lovely (biased opinion, we know) Stone Turtle – Lodging, a small family owned and operated hotel / lodging business near Lawton, Oklahoma, Fort Sill,  the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Meers and Medicine Park. Yeah, that’s right we’re a small lodging business close to all the awesomeness Oklahoma has to offer!!

Fall Kayaking

If you're a kayaking fool like we are then do we have some tips for you! If you find yourself in Southwest Oklahoma make sure you bring your mountain bike and kayak. Not only can you kayak around Lake Lawtonka, but the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge has quite a few lakes open to the public as well.

Lakes for kayakers:

Lake Jed Johnson
French Lake
Rush Lake
Quanah Parker
Elmer Thomas

Of course, if it's your first time kayaking in the Wichita Mountains it's always a good idea to check in at the Visitor Center for the latest information.

This blog is brought to you by the lovely (biased opinion, we know) Stone Turtle – Lodging, a small family owned and operated hotel / lodging business near Lawton, Oklahoma, Fort Sill,  the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Meers and Medicine Park. Yeah, that’s right we’re a small lodging business close to all the awesomeness Oklahoma has to offer!!

Come September!

No, not the Rock Hudson movie (although I am keeping my eyes open for it). Yes, it feels like September is finally here. Medicine Park welcomed the month with the Mayor's Blues Ball. Always lovely listening to blues music in the Park! The temperature has cooled off a bit and took some of that humidity with it. Perfect time to go hiking in the Wichita Mountains!

Works of William Faulkner and Mary Shelley have officially joined the library in one of our vacation homes! Nothing says fall is in the air like some outdoor reading and coffee drinking, right? Right!

We promised some restaurant recommendations so here they are:

Basically right down the road, we recommend:

Meers
It's an absolute must, because if you don't you'll be sure to run into someone who did and have to explain why you didn't have yourself a Meers burger. It's old-timey and credit cards are still a no-no. Our recommendations: a Meers cheeseburger, fried green tomatoes, and a peach cobbler with ice cream. FYI, one cobbler will serve four people. You'll be sorry when you didn't believe us about the cobbler.

Ann's Country Kitchen
This literally is right down the road. The service is always friendly. Not once have we been there and the service was not friendly. Plus, it's one of the only places open for breakfast in the area and not closed on Sundays.  Win-win. We recommend you try some of Ann's pies.

Near by we recommend:

Tiny Mae's
Located in Elgin, it's just a short drive away. The food's great, the servers are friendly, and they have a beer on tap. Open for lunch and dinner.

The Blue Cow
It's a little further to drive than Elgin, but it's worth it. Want a real small-town dining experience? Then wander on over to Sterling and eat at the Blue Cow. The burgers are amazing!! They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. To the ladies at the Blue Cow, thanks for giving me a menu!

I didn't see the special because I wouldn't have been able to resist ordering the Oklahoma Outlaw burger which had a description that made even my stomach churn. So I double-dog dare you to order it if it's still available (and report back to me, of course).

Daylight Donuts &Thai Food Express
Don't let the name scare you away. They have the most amazing Thai cuisine ever. Especially in Lawton.The quality of the fresh produce is wonderful and the quantity is right. Watch out for the spicy level (0-4) and you'll be alright. Don't eat meat? They have a tofu option for every dish they make! Did I mention that the service is great? Because it is!

Those are the top contenders. We've been exploring some of the new restaurants in the small towns, so we hope to be able to share more.

In other news,

Medicine Park is getting ready for it's annual Flute Festival and Art Walk! September 20-21, 2014. We're excited. What's better than strolling through the historic cobblestones of Medicine Park listening to enchanting Native American music and looking at art? Not too much besides that outdoor coffee-sipping reading mentioned earlier. Need a place to stay for your Flute Festival trip? Mozy on over to our Facebook page and check us out.

Lawton's annual International Festival is also right around the corner (Sept. 26-28).

I don't know about you, but I'm kinda hungry now. Have an amazing and cheerful week!

Danielle

This blog is brought to you by the lovely (biased opinion, we know) Stone Turtle – Lodging, a small family owned and operated hotel / lodging business near Lawton, Oklahoma, Fort Sill,  the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Meers and Medicine Park. Yeah, that’s right we’re a small lodging business close to all the awesomeness Oklahoma has to offer!!

Hope's theme

This blog is brought to you by the lovely (biased opinion, we know) Stone Turtle – Lodging, a small family owned and operated hotel / lodging business near Lawton, Oklahoma, Fort Sill,  the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Meers and Medicine Park. Yeah, that’s right we’re a small lodging business close to all the awesomeness Oklahoma has to offer!!

Importance of Nature

 

Our location is pretty close to Lake Lawtonka. It's a super-short drive and bicycle ride to enjoy a walk (or ride) along the shoreline or even just to wander down the road connecting camp sites. We believe nature is essential to one's overall well-being. It's a way to recharge our souls. Enjoying, appreciating, and taking care of nature builds a connection that is holy. When that connection is lost, we aren't well. This concept is not new, of course, but it definitely seems to be forgotten in our society of working, buying, buying some more, and always going.

As we were strolling along the lake the other morning we were in shock as to how people left their campsites and the beautiful shore. How can we not take care of something so beautiful and perfect which was made for us?  How can we recharge when nature has been trashed? We believe that it's because that connection to nature is not seen.

In central Europe this connection has been cherished and cultivated. Place of nature, something left green, within a town or close to a town which is easily reachable offering a reprieve from the hustle and bustle from the hectic lives we live can be found all over Europe . It's a place to recharge. An emotional and mental retreat. In Europe they have many opportunities for the public to enjoy nature; to breathe fresh air! In the U.S., at least in our area, most land is privately owned and fenced in. Which is why living near the Wichita Mountains and the lake is such a blessing! We are able to enjoy nature, breathe in fresh air, and recharge our souls. In Germany they have a word for such a place. It's called a Naherholungsgebiet. Literally it means, close recuperation area. As far as we know, there is no term for this type of place in the U.S. other than park. But, it's so much more than a park.

These areas are meant for daily use (and appreciation). Something to be valued and not used and abused. To be cared for and protected. Not just for us, but for others to enjoy as well.So when we find such an area, let us be thankful and respectful. Enjoy it, but do not abuse it; A trashy area is not very recharging.

With the increasing use of technology (always being reachable), this type of place is even more important today than it was 10-20 years ago. As the Germans would say, nature is "Balsam fuer die Seele." Roughly translated it means that nature is a healing remedy for the soul Actively seeking out quiet and nature is important for our overall health. This is the main reason we do not offer cable or internet in our cabins.

"Study Nature. Love nature. Stay close to nature. It will never fail you."

                                                             - Frank Lloyd WrightGreetings from the Stone Turtle - Lodging!

This blog is brought to you by the lovely (biased opinion, we know) Stone Turtle – Lodging, a small family owned and operated hotel / lodging business near Lawton, Oklahoma, Fort Sill,  the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Meers and Medicine Park. Yeah, that’s right we’re a small lodging business close to all the awesomeness Oklahoma has to offer!!