July 14-15, 2021
One of the many things I love about moving to Arkansas is that my sister Kathi Erin is only about an hour away in Grand Lake, Oklahoma and finally I get to spend time with her!!!
We decided a trip out to Pawhuska would be a great way to celebrate her birthday and we could not only visit the Pioneer Woman's growing empire but check in on the filming of Killers of the Flower Moon.
I drove up the afternoon before so I could spend some time in the pool, spend the night and then get an early start the next morning. Our plan was to 'try' to have breakfast at the Merc before a very long line formed and see if we could get tickets to tour the Lodge where Ree films her show and entertains her friends and family.
Well, we found a parking space right across the street, walked in and were immediately seated and on the way back from the ladies room I stopped by the counter and got our invitation to the Lodge. Hello? As we were leaving we heard the hostess explaining to arriving guests there would be an hour wait.
We really enjoyed our breakfast, visited the Boarding House (her fairly new 8 room 'cowboy luxury' hotel and then did some shopping at The Pioneer Woman Collection Store. Loved that store!
Next we took some photos of the street that has been turned into a movie set, road covered with dirt and fronts of buildings changed to depict the era - security was very friendly and accommodating as they were shooting up in Fairfax today.
We made a stop at the Bluestem Falls-and felt great that we found them. We had directions from a local who told us to go out past the end of town and take "I wanna say.....the first right" - at the brown and blue building. It was about the 15th right but who knows where the town actually ends and we absolutely knew it when we saw the brown and blue building! lol Not much water in the river which we had to drive across to follow the road and it appears to get the full effect of the falls you need to repel down them - so we took some pix and drove out to the Lodge.
You actually pass the entrance to the ranch miles before you turn off on the gravel road to the Lodge. The ranch is absolutely huge (433,000 acres) and quite beautiful. There was a large herd of horses and it seems the ranch is located across the road from the Osage Indian Reservation.
The Lodge is amazing - really large and welcoming. You really felt you were present while she was preparing a meal - and right at home. You could touch stuff and everyone was posing for selfies with mixing bowls and cook pots. They have 4 large guest rooms with gorgeous bathrooms and one had Ree's clothing hanging up and her steamer etc. for filming. The back room was filled with racks and racks of pots and pans and dishes and spices - everything you would need to whip up a fabulous meal or snacks for a really great party. There didn't seem to be anyone working there - cause everyone was so friendly and fans of the show feel like family!
Finally, we drove out to the tiny town of Fairfax (population 1380) and saw more sets for the movie and were told that Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio were in town and filming down at the bank. As we were walking around we heard several grips talking about a night shoot - which they were not thrilled about - as a backup plan B - LOL!
We stopped at a small coffee shop where they were selling warm, fresh baked cookies and talked to the owners who were very happy to share that this movie had made a very big difference in their lives!
At last we drove back to Kathi's - exhausted and so happy after a wonderful day of non- stop sightseeing and talking!!! and just in time - because I still had an hour drive and a storm was on the way!
Great memories......HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATHI (ERIN)
Gabi
