The Oklahoma Gloss Mountain Stretch - By Guest

I drive this route a lot from my home in Norman to my ranch northwest of Freedom. I suggest extending this ride north from Bouse Junction (which consists of a vacant house) into Waynoka where there is a very good German restaurant, Cafe Banhof. On the way you pass Little Sahara State Park, an area of sand dunes very popular with dune buggy enthusiasts. The Waynoka railroad depot is a restored Spanish style building that once included a Harvey House and was briefly part of a transcontinental plane/train route that took travelers from New York to LA in two days (late 1920s). It now houses a mediocre Mexican restaurant.Head north out of Waynoka and look for the back road into Freedom, a paved county road marked by a sign on the right pointing towards Freedom. Freedom has a great little museum and a decent restaurant if you catch it open (Longbranch Cafe). There is a gas station/convenience store with a limited menu and long hours. Head south out of Freedom and stop at the Alabaster Caverns State Park. Tours are offered hourly, and in the hot Oklahoma summer the 55 degree constant temperature of the caverns is a welcome respite. Head on south to Mooreland (two gas stations at the highway intersection with 412) and turn left to return to Orienta where you started.