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EXTRA BUZZ
Water, water... everywhere
By Joe Mack
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Even
though we didn’t have
a hard winter, I’m ready
for warmer climes and
the cooling waters of our
region.
Oklahoma’s and western
Arkansas’ lake levels
are optimal for boating,
fishing, water skiing, jet
skiing (or cooling your jets,
pal) just in time for prime
time beginning Memorial
Day in late May and
running through Labor Day
in early September.
Here’s a list of some of our
favorite wet spots in our
circulation area.
Illinois River
t
&
t
)
The Upper and Lower
Illinois River attract
thousands to enjoy
its prime fishing and
floatability.
At press time, gauges
showed levels averaging
5 feet at Watts, Chewey
and Tahlequah; above
normal but idyllic for
rafting, canoeing or
kayaking (swimming and
fishing, too).
Several outfitters offer raft,
canoe and kayak rentals,
as well as several lodging
options to accommodate
your entire group or solo
outing. Be sure to befriend
Hanging Rock Camp,
Peyton’s Place, Sparrow
Hawk Camp, War Eagle,
Arrowhead Camp and
Eagle Bluff on social media
for breaking news and
specials. county – not to mention
ice cold adult beverages
for those old enough
to consume. Piddle’s
Place also features live
music on select weekend
nights, and lodging is
available from the Resort.
Learn more at www.
pettitbaysideresort.com.
For more information on
Lake Tenkiller, head to
www.laketenkiller.com.
One outfitter imparticular
– Diamondhead Resort
– offers a bit more than
gorgeous campgrounds
and personal/group
floatation devices.
Catch live music at
Diamondhead resort,
including, starting with The
Vox Squadron and Dave
Kay Band on May 26,
followed by the Red Dirt
Rangers on May 27. Don’t
forget the season-ending
Medicine Stone music
and camping event Sept.
21-23 (please remember
to not call Diamondhead
for information regarding
Medicine Stone – logon to
www.medicinestoneok.
com for festival ticket
and camping packages).
Diamondhead Resort
also owns and operates
the only full-service bar
and restaurant on Hwy.
10 – The Gravel Bar – open
to both resort residents
and the general public.
For more information visit
www.diamondheadresort.
us or call (800) 722-2411. Lake Eufaula
Lake Tenkiller
Lake Tenkiller, officially
dubbed Tenkiller Ferry
Lake, is what separated
the Illinois River, and has
done so ever since 1952
when the Tenkiller Dam
was finished and the area
began drawing from
Tenkiller’s hydroelectric
potential.
Several communities
surround Lake Tenkiller and
thrive on its natural beauty
and tourist draw, including
Keys, Cookson, Gore, Vian
and Aqua Park, as well
as Tahlequah. The lake’s
numerous “fingers” are
tucked away in rolling hills
and treetops, providing
ample opportunity
for camping, wildlife
observation, hiking, fishing,
golfing, scuba diving
and other water sports.
Lake Tenkiller also boasts
several marinas, parks,
boat ramps and numerous
dining opportunities (even
some that float). Many
marinas are also host to
live music and events,
namely Barnacle Bills,
which is widely known to
‘rock the dock’.
Then there’s Piddle’s Place
at Pettit Bayside Resort,
a converted grocery
store that now pushes
some of the best burgers,
pizzas and wings in the
Lake Eufaula, known by
locals as “The Gentle
Giant” for its ability to yield
calm waters, no matter
what wind and water
conditions may be, is the
largest lake in the state of
Oklahoma.
The expansive lake began
to take shape in 1964,
upon completion of the
Lake Eufaula Dam, which
stopped up the flow of
the Canadian River and
was then used to draw
hydroelectric power.
Lake Eufaula is surrounded
by numerous parks,
resorts and communities,
including Eufaula,
McAlester, Krebs,
www.thecurrentbuzz.net
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