Category Archives: Parks

Springtime at Ray Harral Nature Park~ Broken Arrow, OK

04/20/2015 Danielle Huddleston Leave a comment

Ray Harral Nature Park is a great place to go for easy trails in a beautiful setting.

The Nature Center is a great learning environment and it is located right in the city!

It is located east of Elm Place on 121st(Tucson).

You turn into the school to get to the main parking lot.

This is such a great time to go!

The weather is not too hot and the bugs are not too bad.

We saw a harmless Northern Rough Green Snake while on our walk.

There are a couple pavilions to eat at on the trail as well.

Everything is so pretty right now!

Do you live in the BA/Tulsa area?

Have you ever been to Ray Harral?

Camping, Hiking, Parks

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park

01/06/2015 Danielle Huddleston Leave a comment

We went to the Smoky Mountains after Christmas!

I thought I would share some of my favorite pics!

Laural Falls

Chimney Tops Trail

Snow!

There were a lot of steps on the Chimney Tops Trail!

Really cool homestead at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center.

Beautiful hike on the Appalachian Trail from Newfoundland Gap.

We went up to Daniel’s Bunion.

It was 9+ miles total, out and back.

Gorgeous Views!

This hike was definitely my favorite!

This part made me nervous but it was beautiful.

Mingus Mill.

Beautiful sunset on the Carolina side.

Our last hike was on the Alum Cave Trail.

We just went up to the arch but it was still really neat to see.

I can’t imagine what this place is like during the summer since it was pretty crowded during the week in the winter!

So beautiful though!

Have you ever been?

What was your favorite spot?

Hiking, History, Parks

Heavener Runestone Park, Heavener, OK

12/01/2014 Danielle Huddleston Leave a comment

On our way back home from the Ouachita National Forest we stopped by the Heavener Runestone Park.

It is no longer a state park, the city runs it.

I visited the Heavener Runestone as a child while visiting family in the area so this place is always a bit nostalgic for me.

The path to the Runestone is only about 200 yards but filled with beautiful scenery.

As a child, I enjoyed all of the steps the best!

Although I would not travel very far to just come to this park I would definitely recommend stopping while in the area.

The Runestone is unique and filled with history.

I like discussing controversial history like this with my boys.

There are other short nature trails you could take while there as well.

You could stop by on your way to the Ouachita National Forest/Talimena Scenic Drive like we did or visit the Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center.

If you are coming from the Tulsa area you could stop at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge on the way down.

There is a lot to see in Oklahoma so get out there and look!