C.W. submitted a post from his travels on US Highway 281 for some fun and excitement. His earlier post is a story about a Demon Car, very entertaining. Listed in the Oklahoma categories. "Don't flip me off, it's the car". Thanks Clarence. Always fun to read your stories. jh...
I was out on US Highway 281 last weekend April, 2009. I went to Waynoka, Oklahoma for the big annual Rattle Snake hunt. Waynoka is normally a small town of about 1,000 people. During the snake hunt it would be a easy estimate that at least 5,000 people show up. It's kind of a carnival atmosphere complete with a real carnival set up in the middle of town. Lots of fun for all.
They have a big Rattle Snake pit area where they put them. At any time there will be at least 200 snakes in this so called pit. It is actually a round plywood wall that's about 4 feet high and about 25 feet across. I am no fan of snakes and I don't know why I go to these kind of things I guess it's the quest for some thing exciting that exists in all of us the secret desire we all have to get the wits scared out of us. All of these snakes are in there shaking their rattles and some how you know that sound before you even see a snake. I saw a lot of people going into a place called the butcher shop so I thought I would check it out. I wiggled my way through the crowd and finally got up to a counter and was wedged in there by the push of the crowd. In the back I saw them pulling Rattle snakes out of a 50 gallon drum and milking the poison out of their fangs. I was told this is all purchased by pharmaceutical companies.
They were also selling the snake skins and the rattles. I watched about 4 snakes get butchered and I couldn't take it, all of the rattles going & the push of the crowds. I turned around and shouted make a path I'm coming out of here. I must have had a bizarre look when I shouted because they made a exit path for me. I did have a snake burger before I left town on US Highway 281. It was very good no fat to it at all.
Just a few miles out of town I stopped at the Little Sahara Sand Dunes. There was a big crowd, people come from all over to ride the sand dunes. Over 15,000 acres of sand with dunes going from 25 feet to 75 feet high. There was also a big crowd there with the snake hunt going on and I saw several people with the burlap sacks in the back of their trucks that I knew were full of snakes. My skin was crawling what was I doing here?
There was a guy who had a dune buggy which was like a small school bus. It would haul 12 people so I bought a ticket and went for a ride. We climbed sand dunes went down some of them side ways. I saw so many crazy people out there on dune buggies. It was amazing they didn't wreck into each other, like organized chaos.
When we finally got back it took more then a few bottles of beverage to get the sand out of my throat and I couldn't wait to get home and take a shower. There was sand inside of every article of clothing I had on. I had dreams that night of Rattle Snakes coming after me. I don't know why I put myself through this kind of tension I guess just looking for that rush that makes you feel more alive.
Hey C.W., sounds like a big gulp of excitement. Great read, thanks again. jh...
That is what this site is all about. Neighbors sharing information, stories, tips, advice, etc. We are as informal as leaning on the fence post shoot'n the breeze, pass'n the time over our favorite beverage. Weather it is in our own back yard, the neighbors and/or visiting two international countries by way of this ribbon of a highway that runs thru the fabric of America. Planning a trip? There is lots to see and do up and down this main street of North America US Highway 281. Drive safely and ya'll come back.
Links: Little Sahara State Park Website:
City of Waynoka Website: Waynoka Chamber of Commerce Website:
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