"Happy Trails"
Trip Start
Unknown
1
Trip End
Ongoing
What I did
The Golden Pony, Rv Park and Cowboy Pizza
Summerfield, Oklahoma
Saturday, March 17, 2012
"Some trails are happy ones, others are blue. It's the way you ride that trail that counts, here's a happy one for you." Even if you are like me and the old signoff on the Roy Rogers show was way before your time, chances are you’ve still got that old song strummin’ around somewhere in your head. Clark and Pama Nowlin owners of the Golden Pony, Rv Park and Cowboy Pizza in Summerfield, OK know a thing or two about 'happy trails.’ Whether you’re an avid RV’er, horseback rider, or cowboy pie fan this top of the line chuck wagon has something to make you happy at the end of a dusty trail.
Clark Nowlin, a retired Aerospace Engineer for Tinker Airforce Base is not only extremely intelligent but an accomplished craftsman and carpenter, as well. Pama states, “ Clark has cut every stick of wood in the building.” In fact, he cut it, prepared it and crafted it into some of the most beautiful cedar furniture you’ve ever laid eyes on.
Pama, a dedicated former guidance counselor for 30 years, was as equally excited about owning an RV park. The park’s character as well as the restaurant, provides an old timey cowboy feel, complete with Lonesome Dove and Tombstone appeal that includes red pine and cedar tables, a horseshoe laden fireplace and some pretty cool olden days décor.
If you’re asking yourself, why should I venture all the way out to Summerfield, Oklahoma, just for pizza, the answer is simple, according to Pama, “We have the only brick oven pizza heated with hickory wood. There’s no propane or gas heat in the oven.” In fact, she says, “The last 30 seconds we cook the pizza, we place it directly into the hickory smoked fire.” The pizza has a distinct and specifically delicious flavor.
So, let me paint you a picture, if Gus and Captain Call didn’t have Bolivar, the retired Mexican bandit to fix their vittles, they would have cooked their pizza on the trail to Montana, in much the same way.
Recently I had the pleasure of dining at this fine, yet laid back establishment with a group of my friends, and boy was I impressed. The Pulled Pork dinner was amazing along with the Brisket Stampede pizza. My cousin Carol Dewitt brought her guitar and strummed a few cowboy songs for us, too.
The restaurant is roomy and is perfect for birthday parties, get togethers and family reunions. Although encompassing the cowboy spirit, it still offers a friendly family environment, so you won’t have to worry about Wyatt Earp coming out of nowhere saying “You skin that smoke wagon and we'll see what happens!”
The Cowboy Pizza portion of the RV Park is open Thursday-Saturday from 11-8 with live music (announced), a karaoke machine (which is put to good use) and an old timey 25cent jukebox that plays all your favorite tunes. They have plenty of karaoke music to choose from but in case you have that favorite song you just have to torture people with, feel free to bring your own cds along.
If you’d like to spend a little time in exploring the many trails on Winding Stair Mountain, Holsum Valley, or Cedar Lake the RV park is a perfect campsite destination.
The park offfers spaces with full hook-ups (water, electric & sewer), and a horse motel where you can board your horses overnight in the park. With access to thousands of acres that are great for horseback riding and hunting within close proximity, hickory smoked pizza, brisket and cold drinks an arms reach away, a stocked fishing pond and friendly neighbors, you can make your Spring Break relaxing, affordable and an explorer’s dream.
For more photos on my recent visit to The Golden Pony check out my “Cooking with Happy” facebook page. You can reach The Golden Pony at 918-677-2277.
Although my mom says I don’t sing as good as Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, “Happy trails to you until we meet again, Happy trails to you keep smiling until then. Who cares about the clouds if we're together, just sing a song and bring the sunny weather Happy trails to you 'til we meet again.
