America Found:
LeFlore County

America Found: Leflore County

July 29, 2025

LeFlore County, Oklahoma feels a whole lot more like Arkansas than Oklahoma. The reason I know this is because I’ve lived in both places.

Every time I visit LeFlore County, which is about twice a year for work, the road forks at U.S. Route 59 and I get all turned around. Google maps tells me to go right, but it’s really a wonky spot in the road and I’m actually suppose to go left. I don’t visit this part of Oklahoma often enough and I always forget to turn left.

📫There’s just something enchanting about a mailbox, especially if it’s painted in two shades blue.

Going right instead of left is how I ended up on State Highway 31 headed toward Twilight Road and Bokoshe, a town of about 400. Eventually, I made my way to Panama and then on to Poteau, the county seat.

Lost in Rural America

Many times I have been lost on rural roads in Oklahoma, I actually scare myself once in awhile. We own three Jeeps and these days, I only take the newer one when I’m heading out. I don’t want to become some freak’s crime of opportunity. I try to be careful but I do occasionally take a calculated risk. I took risks getting all these pictures. Do you like them?

I was once a very good photographer, but I lost my muse during a series of traumatic events. I hope I can get it back. There were some orbs dancing in some of my photos by the tall pines. I’m sure they’re just particles of dust, but it’s nice to dream that they might be fairies or friendly spirits. I them to my son, a filmmaker, and he said, “What is that, a finger print?” Let me, dream Son, let me dream.

Most of these pictures were taken with my iPhone, but I got a few with my Nikon.

I am completely fascinated with people who pile organized junk in their front yards. They seem to make such grand sense of it all and I can’t help but it admire it. I bet they had so much fun painting those tires purple and turning them into a wishing well. Also, can you imagine what it sounds like when the wind rushes through all those wind chimes. Again, I find it all enchanting.

While shooting this one from the road, I hoped nobody would come outside and yell at me. I figured if they went to all the trouble to put these decorations on their porch they’d be happy I was photographing them. Still, I click-click and move on.

She Shed Oklahoma

Poteau, which lies in the Ouachita Mountains, is far from the flat plains of Central and Western Oklahoma. It’s an old coal mining town and home to Cavanal Hill, the tallest hill in the world. It’s also home to Momma’s She Shed. 🌱🍄💗🧿🌈🪴