Hiking, Wildlife Preserve/Reserve

Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge ~Indiahoma, Ok

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We did the Elk Mountain hike at Wichita Mountains and it seems like no big deal since it is only 1.1 miles but it is going up.

If you look to the upper right of this pic you can see our destination.
We did it one other time but I had to stop before going to the top so I was pretty excited to make it all the way to the top this time.This is definitely my favorite hike we have done here.The view is definitely worth the hike up!It was very windy and chilly up there!Our four oldest were in front of us on the way down and got off the trail(some of it is not marked clearly). So my husband had to go back up to where they had gotten off and bring them back. After we got down we went to see the cute prairie dogs at the prairie dog town but they did not hold my kids interest long this time.

I guess they are used to seeing them now.After that we drove to the other side of the refuge to drive to the top of Mount Scott.

It is a nice easy way to see beautiful views.

I thoroughly enjoyed this trip and loved Quartz Mountain and Wichita Mountains!

Hiking, Parks

Quartz Mountain State Park ~Lone Wolf, Oklahoma

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Quartz Mountain was just turned back to a state park last year.

So it is slowly getting upgrades and looked a lot nicer than the last time we visited. My kids favorite area is the Baldy Point Climbing Area to the west of the main area of the park.There are places for serious rock climbers but thankfully there are giant boulders that are fun for my kids to climb on also.And the views are beautiful.My boys like to push the limits of what is safe and keep wanting to go higher. They were sure they saw a way to the top this time but I said no.

HaWe went to a less challenging area after that so all the kids(and the dog) could make it to the top.See those specks?

Those would be my kids, leaving me in their dust.

I was pretty determined to make it to the top, even though it felt like I might die in the attempt…I liked to stop and take in the view often and give myself a chance to breathe.

Thankfully you can’t tell in the pics that I was gasping all the way up.

These cactus caused problems on our way back down.

Always at least one kid that puts their hand where it should not go.

After making it down we decided to check out the other parts of the park.
I am so glad we did!

This is a swimming beach! Wouldn’t this be an breathtaking place to swim!I usually avoid this area in the warmer months because I am a bit concerned about rattlesnakes but I might have to go back just for a swim here.

This is such a fun place to visit, glad we were able to go again!

Camping, Wildlife Preserve/Reserve

Boondocking in South Western Oklahoma

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We decided to boondock (or disperse camp) at a Wildlife Management Area in between Quartz Mountain and Witchita Mountains on our most recent trip. The road in was pretty nail biting(especially in the dark) but we made it to our spot okay.

I was really hoping my camping choice would not cause damage to the camper so I was really relieved that we made it.

The kids loved the spot and found lots of pretty shells.

The spots seclusion and beautiful sunsets were just what I needed.

You will notice the boys are not in many of these pics, I barely see them at the campgrounds. Unless it is time to eat…

They are usually playing games in their tent or playing on tablets.

Guess they are too old for bubbles and singing.

These girls took full advantage of having no one around and sang as loud as they could.

Ha

Caught him.

We had a perfect evening for kite flying! I loved this beautiful field at sunset. I don’t know what this face was about but it made me laugh.

Thankful for this spot with nature as far as the eye could see.

And for this man driving a big trailer on crazy roads in the dark.