Lake Arrowhead State Park in Texas

Once we left Lake Bistineau State Park, we headed for the Panhandle of Texas.  On our way, we stopped for one night at Lake Arrowhead State Park.

Lake Arrowhead has several pull-thru sites with electric and water hook-ups.  It is a nice park and when we were there the rangers were looking for a Park Host.  Jeff was offered the poistion but declined because we were heading to New Mexico during the next month. 

We checked out the bath house incase we wanted to visit in the future. They were clean and warm. The park has a playground and it has a great place to ride bikes.

After all the children were settled down for bed and Sierra was watching TV, Jeff and I decided to take a walk.  It was around 11:00 at night with very few stars in the sky so I grabbed a small flashlight and we headed out the door.  We walked about 200 yds when I heard a noise. I shined the flashlight expecting to see some eyes glowing from a small critter. Nothing. 


We walked a little farther and I grabbed Jeff's arm.  I said, "the noise it getting louder."  It was a ch-ch-ch noise.  Jeff said, "It is probably some birds."  As we rounded the corner, I was pulling Jeff back slowing him down. Ch-Ch- CH-CH-CHCHCH the noise continued on.  I told Jeff that it sounded like an animal rubbing his back on the tree. I was shinning the flashlight the entire time to no avail.


As the noise level rose,  "CHCHCHCH", the sound appeared to be getting faster and faster.


 I stopped!!


Jeff approached slowly with me on his heels. He started laughing because this is what was making the sound.

These are called "Nodding Donkeys"

The Nodding Donkey or Grasshoppers as they are sometimes called are seen all over Texas. We have seen lots of them from afar. However, we have never been close enough to one to HEAR the sound that the motor makes as it pulls up the oil from the ground.

Before we left the next morning, we brought all the children to see the Nodding Donkey up close. Well as close as we could get because of the fence.

Posing in front of a Nodding Donkey

After the picture, we learned how the Nodding Donkey actually retrieved the oil from the ground.

We love it when the park provides educational information.

This was worth the overnight visit to Lake Arrowhead State Park.