Green Country Roads – The Lavender Festival and Burgers & Brats on the Bluff

I ventured out onto Green Country Roads this afternoon, with the threat of storms looming.

Fortunately, as I headed to Stone Bluff, OK in Green Country, the storms were also “bluffing.” The weather was windy and warm as I traveled over the rolling hills of the Muscogee (Creek) lands to attend the annual Lavender Festival at Lavender Hill Farm. Coming from Tulsa, I used Memorial Road, and Highway 65 to get there, although on the way back, I used Highway 72 and 51 – and preferred that route, noting that it would be safer on a day when flooding was a concern, because there weren’t as many low-lying areas.

Once I turned onto Stone Bluff Road, I noticed a sign informing travelers that the roads were maintained by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. As I pulled into Lavender Hill Farm, I wondered to myself why the tribe wasn’t handling the roads in the rest of the state – they were wonderful – smooth, easy to traverse – just the way you like your roads to be.

There were two major events going on, the Lavender Festival at Lavender Hill Farm, and Burgers &bBrats on the Bluff at the Stone Bluff Cellars, with wine tasting at each. There were also several area homeowners with gift-shops open along Stone Bluff Road, definitely worth checking out…but back to the festival.

There were vinyards (and wine tasting, to enjoy the fruit), and rows and rows of lavender. There were fuzzy bees, totally enamored with the lavender blossoms. Craftsmen and plant growers had booths, and there was an abundance of wonderful-smelling food vendors – all with long lines of hungry festival goers.

Not surprisingly, the longest line at the festival was at the wine-tasting booth. I enjoyed listening to Susan Herndon’s signing and guitar playing as I searched for lavender lemonade. They were out, but I was told to be sure to call to get the recipe, as it is well worth it.

Then, I was off to enjoy Burgers & Brats on the Bluff at the Stone Bluff Cellars. So many people had the same idea that the mowed parking areas quickly filled up, and I had to park in the tall grass, but did not mind. The longest line here was for the Burgers and Brats. I got there just as Heartland Express was winding down, and got to enjoy some great bluegrass music. What a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

Now, seriously, why isn’t the Muscogee (Creek) Nation handling all of Green Country’s roads?!