Category Archives: Hiking

Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area

I first started hiking at the Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area in Spring of 2009.

I had no clue I would still be going on a weekly bases in 2011! Two years and I still like to hike there.

I go once a week with other mom’s and we all make are children hike also!

We are mean like that…

And you know what?

For the most part they really enjoy it!

There are meltdowns.

Mostly from my two.

And some tears.

Mostly from me.

But there is also a lot of laughter and awe.

We are setting these kids on a path to get out and enjoy nature. I think a few tears are worth it.

Even if they are mine.

There are three main trails that are marked.

The Red Trail is a .8 mile loop

The Blue Trail is a 1.5 mile loop

The Yellow Trail is a 4.4 mile loop

There a LOT of unmarked trails so if it your first time you really need to pay attention.

I have been going for two years and I STILL need to pay attention.

Of course I am one of those people that get turned around just by looking over my shoulder.

I recommend bringing a compass with you.

Red trail is south going out and North heading back the others are North heading out and South to get back. For the most part.

The moms that have stuck by me and hiked with me over the last two years are awesome and I want to thank them.

They made me life easier by going into the woods with me and enjoying the beauty God has given us.

I will miss it if I ever leave.

I am blessed.

Greenleaf State Park , Geocaching, and Snakes…

My darling husband (I think I shall call him that from now on) and I took are two little rascals to Greenleaf State Park near Muskogee, OK.

We have not Geocached in a long time so we thought we would look up some caches this time.

What is Geocaching you ask?

Pretend like you asked…

It is when you use a GPS to find treasure…

That is what I tell my boys at least.

The less exciting version is:

Someone puts a water proof container (box, ammo can, film canister) in a location (mostly parks but they are sometimes just on the side of the road) and then puts the location up on the Internet. You then get the location, enter it into your GPS device, and try to find what they have hidden.

The bigger caches (containers) hold little trinkets that you can trade another trinket of the same value for.

Here is one of the caches we found (I actually found this one!). It was right in front of me and I just happened to look at it but that is just a technicality…

This is my oldest trading his car for some lego’s.

Warning:

If you have boys and you tell them they are pirates looking for treasure they may think they have to defend it.

Sorry to anyone that met us on the trail and my boys tried to attack you…

This cache was located here.

I saw it and said, “this is Oklahoma, you don’t hide things is a big rock pile. There are snakes.”

Sometimes I wish I was wrong…

This closer shot is courtesy of my darling husband(that nickname is really growing on me).

He was looking for the cache when I hear, “hmm”.

I know what that sound means.

So I very anxiously asked, “what?”

He said that he thinks he found a Cottonmouth and to bring him the camera.

I did, because I am odd like that.

How close was he you ask?

I stayed a little farther back.

One of us needed to live for the children’s sake.

I thought I should end with something pretty to maybe help you forget the snake.

 

You can find more information about Geocaching at geocaching.com

Not all the caches have snakes guarding them. I promise!

Keystone State Park Mountain Bike & Hiking Trail

The Keystone State Park Mountain Bike & Hiking Trail is a mouthful…and it is located between the Keystone State Park and the Keystone Dam on 161 in NE Oklahoma.

It is a beautiful somewhat secluded feeling Trail with different levels of difficulty.

Green Trail- Novice

Blue Trail-Intermediate

Red Trail- Advanced

Black Trail- Expert

Although the Park office located in Keystone State Park does have a trail map I would suggest printing off a color version (here) before going since theirs is black and white and you cannot see the colors of the trails.

The trail difficulty seems to be more for bikes then hikers so if you plan on hiking the trail you will find the “expert” to not be as difficult to hike as most trails with that difficulty rating.

The trails are pretty rough on your feet as there are a lot of rock’s so wear sturdy footwear.

My youngest got a ride this time since he was “helping” his Dad train for a harder hike he and I are going on in the summer.

The picture on the right gives you an idea of what the trail looks like. Lots of rocks.

It was my favorite hiking weather, cloudy and misty. It made everything damp and beautiful!

I am so glad we went!

Everything was blooming and beautiful.

I love it when there is just a hint of spring everywhere.