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Oklahoma
“Oklahoma! Land of the Native Americans: Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Pawhuska (Drummond Ranch).
“The wife and I set out on our annual adventure to the Sooner state, stayed at the Hard Rock hotel and Casino (the wife won a few $$$) … onto a Professional Bull Riding (PBR) event at the Paycome Center, then to Pawhuska, where cooking show host Ree Drummond, a.k.a. the ‘Pioneer Woman,’ films and shares her cooking recipes and family activities on their Drummond Ranch.
“The town of Pawhuska began to thrive after the popularity of the Pioneer Woman show’s success. Tourists like ourselves traveled to experience the small-town vibe, and dining and shopping at an area invested in and rebuilt by the Drummond family.
“A fantastic trip and beautiful state with trees as far as the eye can see … and the Oklahomans themselves, as you would imagine, are down to earth and caring.”
— Sgt. Mike Alva, Retired, Port Police, and Maria Alva
Letter From Iguazu Falls
Wildlife and Waterfalls
I have seen Victoria Falls between Zambia and Zimbabwe while working as a safari guide in Africa, and Niagara Falls between Canada and the United States as a tourist. It’s clear why they are listed as wonders of the world. But despite their worldwide notoriety, tucked away in the northeastern corner of Argentina, sharing the border with Brazil, lies one of the world’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders, Iguazu Falls. Cascades of more than 275 individual drops make it taller than Niagara Falls (269 feet) and 3,000 feet wider than Victoria Falls.
From Argentina, the fastest way to the Iguazu Falls is a two-hour flight from Buenos Aires City airport or a 24-hour coach ride to Puerto Iguazu, the town closest to the falls. Three days is the perfect time to visit both sides of the falls. (Cruise ship passengers can see both sides of the falls, but it’s a very long, expensive day.)
A sample itinerary:
Day 1: Fly to Puerto Iguazu. A coach leaves the airport for downtown every 20 minutes, costing about $8.50. It is also possible to hire a driver for the day, either outside the airport or near the bus station downtown. If on a budget, stay near Puerto Iguazu’s central bus station. Resort-style hotels are farther away from the airport, so check if they offer transfers to the airport and downtown.
Air conditioning is a must after a day at the falls in the jungle heat, regardless of where you stay.
Visit the three-country landmarks of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, then enjoy a cocktail from the El Hito restaurant balcony while watching the sunset over the magnificent Tancredo Bridge in the evening.
Day 2: Visit the Brazilian side of the falls overlooking Argentina. Coaches from Puerto Iguazu bus station are cheap (Rio Uruguay Co, leave every hour). The border crossing is very casual; it is just a passport check. The coach will stop at a bird sanctuary and picnic area before arriving at the park. If you are taking a self-guided tour, buy a ticket at the entrance kiosk machines. No Brazilian Reals, no problem; all the vendors in the park accept all major credit cards. With the ticket in hand, join the line for the double-decker buses. Sit on the open-air top deck, as the drive is through six miles of rainforest.
Unless you have a mobility problem, get off at stop two, a well-marked half-mile trail that passes all of the fall’s best views. Watch out for wildlife, especially the coati; at the trail end, there is a raised platform directly beneath the central crescent of the falls. Being so close is not only a humbling experience but a wet one, so place your phone in a plastic bag and remove only for photos; if not, it will get wet, like you. There are restrooms and refreshment stands with enclosed cages to protect you from the hungry coati while eating. Check the time of your return bus to Puerto Iguazu, Argentina, from the park entrance. It takes about 20 to 25 minutes to return from the falls.
Day 3: Take an early coach to Argentina National Park. There is no bus stop, so pay attention. This is also your return point. Like Brazil, it’s straightforward to buy a ticket at the park’s entrance and board a little train to the trail called the “Devil’s Throat.” Take a raincoat or poncho, as the viewing platform at the end of this half-mile path can be very wet. This trail, including the train ride, takes about 90 minutes to visit. Of the five trails, this is the best; the other four depend on how much time you want to spend walking.
Trail 2: Upper Circuit. This trail, along the top of all the falls, is the most impressive and takes about 1 hour.
Trail 3: Lower Circuit. This trail offers opportunities to photograph rainbows forming over waterfalls and butterflies in the rainforest canopy.
Trail 4: Green Trail. This quiet jungle greenery trail starts near the main entrance and leads to the start of paths 1, 2 and 3.
Trail 5: Macuco Trail. This is a two-hour walk for serious hikers along a very remote trail, perfect for bird watching and the chance to meet native animals. Ensure you take enough drinking water, comfortable shoes, sunscreen and a hat.
There is no better time to visit Argentina than now.
Cheers!
— The Captain
