PONCA CITY, OK – When choosing a campground, members of the Wheelers Dealers Camping Club sometimes return to a favorite from previous campouts. The May monthly campout was one such campout held at the Seminole Campground in the Sequoyah State Park on the shore of Fort Gibson Lake, a group favorite.

The campground with full hookups also has a pavilion the group often rents for group meals and games. It’s well maintained with plenty of sites for the growing club membership that are far enough apart to give room between campers. In addition. it is close to Wagoner, Muskogee and Tahlequah with their various museums, wineries, and restaurants.

Hosts for the May campout were Charley Bottger, Ponca City; Elaine and Larry Stevens, Bartlesville; and Mark and Annette Corbell, Owasso. They arrived early in the week to set-up and prepare for the campout. Others arrived Wednesday and Thursday. Wednesday evening members gathered for a hamburger/hot dog cookout and to visit. Thursday evening members provided various appetizers, enough for a full meal. This was followed by games of corn hole and bunko.

Friday some of the members rode their bikes throughout the park exploring the other campgrounds, trails, and the park Nature Center. Others took a trip into Muskogee to walk through Honor Heights Park and tour the Five Civilized Tribes Museum. Famous for its spring azaleas, the 132acre Honor Heights Park in Muskogee was built as a tribute to World War I veterans. Although it was past the height of the azaleas blooming season, a few were still spotted in the park.

The five Civilized Tribes Museum is located at the southeast corner of Honor Heights Park. It honors the rich culture and heritage of the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee Creek and Seminole tribes of the area with artifacts representing their history in Oklahoma. In addition, temporary art exhibits upstairs feature the art work of well-known tribal artists.

The structure housing the museum was built in 1875 as the first Union Agency, constructed by the U.S. Government to house the Superintendence of the Five Civilized Tribes.

Friday evening the group went out to eat at Smokin’ Sisters BBQ in downtown Wagoner. They have a new large room which easily held our group of over 30. From the pan full of onion rings as an appetizer to the ribs, brisket, bbq loaded baked potato, smoked bologna, and more, many in the group took back seconds to their camper to enjoy for lunch the next day.

Saturday some Wheeler Dealers headed to Tahlequah for lunch at Sam and Ella’s Chicken Palace. The name best describes the décor because it serves pizza, not chicken. We’ve eaten there on past campouts and enjoyed it again. This was followed by some of our group going to the movies before returning to camp. Saturday evening was the traditional pot luck with a Cinco de Mayo theme. Members all brought a side dish to accompany the taco’s, enchilada casserole and more. Following dinner some members engaged in games of Mexican Train or cards.

Sunday Wheeler Dealers concluded the monthly camp out with a traditional pot luck breakfast and business meeting. Guess you could see we like to eat.

Most camp outs are held in Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas or Missouri with two couples planning the local activities which often include visiting area attractions, eating at a local restaurant, games, crafts and pot luck meals. Wheeler Dealers monthly camp outs are held weekends from March to November with only a lunch gathering in August and February and a special Christmas Party in December.

Current members are from Bartlesville, Nowata, Owasso, Ponca City, Sand Springs, Stillwater, and Tulsa.