Egon and Bird, Thanks for the replies my friends. I drove the Prius which is comfortable for 4 people and very fuel economical. The Ford is great for 4 too but gets less than 1/3 the fuel economy of the Prius. However one night on the way to Ada for BBQ at the famous Bob's BBQ I wanted to drop off my tractor for some maint so I took the Ford as the Prius doesn't do trailers with tractors on them.

I pulled into the parking lot and tried a turn. Another couple cars got in the way and things got confused and went from mediocre to yuck in about 10 seconds. I unhitched the now empty trailer, put a chain on the tongue and turned it 90 degrees and re hitched now facing OUT of the parking lot.

I got a family sampler which the waitress said would feed 7 (we were 4) and it was magnificient. The left overs went into an insulated bag which the restaurant filled with ice. The leftovers made a dinner and a lunch for 4. The total at the restaurant including ice tea was almost $30. We were not an expensive date!

We got fairly close in an area of open range to a small herd of buffalo (American Bison). My SIL in tan with back to camera was designated photographer for the great shaggy beasts and I am still waiting for copies of those shots which I will sort through for a few to post here.

I previously parked the Prius on the edge of a blacktop road in the wildlife area and a HUGE buffalo walked slowly by on the edge of the road. We could have reached out the window and touched it. You could hear the breathing very clearly and also hear the animal rip a mouthful of grass and chew. It was fun and interesting but not a good photo op as we were too close to get the animal in the frame and the pilot in command (me) refused to let anyone out of the car (as if there wre volunteers.)

Bird, You may have some difficulty adjusting to the changes that have evolved in the Lawton area, including Ft. Sill. The area has grown considerably and the population has grown a bunch. Lots of sub divisions within a few miles of "town" where before there was just scrub and prairie. My aunt is still living in the same house as from the 50's. A cousin, her daughter, lives out near Cache in a subdivision where everyone has a small acreage. Houses are so far apart you can sneeze with a window open and not have neighbors shout back gesundheit!

Oh, and if anyone cares, I'm the one in the Johny Cash suit (all black.)

Pat