While driving from Texas to Illinois in mid May with my son who was coming home from college, we stopped for gas in Durant, Oklahoma. The gas station was operated by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, as was the adjacent casino and resort. The gas station had a mini casino loaded with, of course, slot machines. Having just turned 21, and having never been in a casino before, my son had to try his luck. He put a dollar in, and no, didn't win a car! (the Vegas Vacation movie). After a few turns playing the penny slot, he hit a jackpot and cashed out with the grand total of $3.34. First time playing, and he tripled his money! LOL!

Tags:   Oklahoma Durant, Oklahoma Choctaw Choctaw Nation Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Choctaw Casino and Resort Choctaw Casino casino reosrt Indian Casinos I-75 Interstate 75 gas station rayhorwath horwath road trip Texas Illinois Nikon Nikon D700 D700 Tamron Tamron lens Tamron 28mm - 300mm lens

© All Rights Reserved

Just a shot from McAlester, Oklahoma from last May.

Tags:   Union Stockyards Sherrill Livestock Inc. McAlester Oklahoma livestock cattle horses US Highway 69 Route 69 South George Nigh Expressway rayhorwath horwath nikon d700 tamron tamronlens tamron28mm300mmlens

© All Rights Reserved

Oklahoma just North of the Red River and the state line with Texas on US Highway 75/69.

Tags:   Oklahoma Texas Red River US Highway 75/69 highways expressways roads roadtrip state signs state borders rayhorwath horwath nikon d700 tamron tamronlens tamron28mm300mmlens

© All Rights Reserved

Oklahoma just North of the Red River and the state line with Texas on US Highway 75/69. There was a stone sign (see below) in this location in May 2010. Life's mysteries! :-)

Tags:   Oklahoma state signs Welcome To Oklahoma Native America Texas Red River US Highway 75/69 highways expressways roads roadtrip state borders rayhorwath horwath nikon d700 tamron tamronlens tamron28mm300mmlens

© All Rights Reserved

This came out a little soft, but I just like the look of it. I wish that I could say that this was on the side of some grand building, but it was actually the front of a casino and travel plaza combination. Such is life in the US in the 21st Century. :-)


Choctaw Nation businesses generate hundreds of millions of dollars annually and more than 7,600 jobs for tribal and non-tribal Oklahomans. In addition to the tribe’s seven casinos, the Nation has a manufacturing business, a management services company, 13 travel plazas, 12 smoke shops, a printing company and a document archiving company. Proceeds from all the tribe’s businesses provide the revenue stream to support not only the programs that assist tribal members, including, health care, education, housing, senior care and other social services, but enable the tribe to support scores of community programs and charities.
www.choctawnation.com/tribal-economy/

Tags:   The Great Seal of the Choctaw Nation Choctaw Nation Choctaw casinos travel plazas US Route 69 Route 69 Stringtown Oklahoma rayhorwath horwath nikon d700 tamron tamronlens tamron 28mm - 300mm lens

© All Rights Reserved