Matt is now our official photographer

Staff member Matt Guffey is sending back some great pics from the panhandle area!

Notes from the Road

From Andy Ekdahl…

Photo by Matt Guffey

Well it's my 1st time to the panhandle in about two years and Matt's first time ever! So far, so good and we have two more days of treatment scheduled. I thought I'd let you know what's been going on! We had a 14+ hour day yesterday, working in Cherokee all day and then driving out to Guymon. This morning we finally got to see the northwestern part of Oklahoma called "The Panhandle" since the sun was down when we came in last night. One can’t help but travel back in your mind to a time when buffalo roamed freely out here, travel was done by horse and wagon and bandits were more than legends from long ago.

Photo by Matt Guffey

We were amazed with how much snow was left over from their snow storm two weeks ago that dumped around 20" of snow! The odd thing was that it seemed to be random where the snow remained: one field was dry and the neighboring field still covered. The really exciting thing? Two camels outlined against the horizon as we drove out to Boise City! That's right, camels. Last I checked those things live in Africa, India and Asia but there they were sharing the field with the buffalo! As we got further and further out here we saw herds of pronghorn and even a lone...wolf? I don't know, it seemed too grey to be a coyote, but who knows, it's Oklahoma!

On the Road...

So I'm on my way to Austin to look at some new mobile dental units. That's exciting. Except the weather in Texas is terrible and I'm stuck in Houston waiting for things to clear up in Dallas. It's all one big puzzle or game of chess.

Anyway, funny story. On my way out of Oklahoma I got stopped at security for having something suspicious in my carry on. I couldn't image what could possibly be suspicious until they pulled out a shade guide. I'd forgotten I had it in my computer bag. I don't even know why I had it in my computer bag.

I guess it does look a little weird, right there next to my Vitamin water and lame novel. They were pretty quick to understand what it is used for and that it wasn't dangerous. Actually, I think they were trying to impress the boss man who was passing through at the time and checking to make sure they were doing their job. They did. The world is now a little safer. And the security dude could use some bleach, judging by a quick comparison with the shade guide.

One exciting thing, other than getting to check out brand new mobile units in hopes of replacing the 5th wheel we just sold. This blog was nominated for a 2009 Okie Blog Award. If you have an Oklahoma blog or know someone who does, vote for us in the Best Business Related Blog category. Click here to see the voting guidelines. You must be an Oklahoma blogger to vote.

OKMOM 2010 Is History!

The first Oklahoma Mission of Mercy is over, the portable chairs are off to another state, the mobile dental unit is back in its home. More than $850,000 in free dental work was performed Friday and Saturday at the Tulsa Convention Center. 1,800 people benefitted from the two-day event.

I don't know about the rest of the volunteers, but my feet hurt! It was worth the 3:00a.m. wake up calls on Friday and Saturday and the very long days.

The 2011 OKMOM will be held in Oklahoma City. I think a lot was learned at this event and the next one will go even more smoothly. Kudos to everyone involved!




Dental assistant Kimberly Kennedy and Dr. Justin Beasley work on a patient in the Tulsa Convention Center during the Oklahoma Mission of Mercy on Friday.

Photo from the Tulsa World.

Setting up for OKMOM

Dr. Jeannie Bath has been giving tours of the mobile unit all day to volunteers as they help set up for the Oklahoma Mission of Mercy. Tomorrow is the big day! The first OKMOM.

See you at OKMOM

The van got an on-site wash last night before pulling into the Tulsa Convention Center for the Oklahoma Mission of Mercy. We hope to see many of you there!