Tag Archives: hiking

Lake Murray State Park ~Ardmore, OK

02/05/2018 Danielle Huddleston 2 Comments

We got to Lake Murray on a Tuesday and it was almost empty at Buzzard Roost Campground where we stayed.

There are several campgrounds all around the lake but this one was recommended online and had a view of Tucker Tower.

We got a spot on the end with plenty of room for the kids to play.

Isn’t this an amazing backyard?!

Tucker Tower!

The Nature Center by Tucker Tower was closed on the day we got there but they had a small one at the visitor center that the kids checked out.

We took a hike that started at Pecan Grove.

I meant to go on the nature trail that started there but went on a different trail by mistake.

But the trail was pretty and had some fun bridges.

Goofs.

Here is a look at the campsites.

They have water and electric and have nice pads and tables but not much privacy.

It was really nice while we were there but I am not sure I would have liked it if it was full.

Just keep that in mind if you go there.

I could not resist Tucker Tower at sunset.

The twins are usually a handful so I would not have usually taken sunset pics while they were with me but I could not miss this sight.

And maybe it was the sunset or the water(or the long hike we had just done) but they were pretty calm.

This boys birthday was the next day!

10yrs old!

Love this kid.

We were heading home that day but wanted to stop at the Nature Center and Tucker Tower first!

I am so glad we did because they were both beautiful and interesting!

Tucker Tower is a short walk from the Nature Center.

I told him he had to wait for us.

Mostly because I did not want to be left downstairs with five kids…

It feels like a castle!

There are two lookout spots on the tower.

One about midway and the other at the very top.

Beautiful views.

Little Bit tried to give it a kiss she liked it so much…

I really enjoyed our stay at this park!

It ended up being a perfect halfway point between our house and Dinosaur Valley State Park!

If you go, make sure you check out Tucker Tower and the Nature Center!

Here is the video I made of our trip.

Hiking, Recreation Area

1st Day Hike! ~2018

01/18/2018 Danielle Huddleston 4 Comments

Because it was cold, I ended up only taking one hiking with me this year for the first hike.

We went to the Washington Irving Scenic Trail at Washington Irving South Recreation Area.

The recreation area does have a $5 day use fee.

This swimming beach looks beautiful.

We did run into some sand burs while walking around though so you would want to be careful near the grass at all.

Ice!

The trail was located on the north side of the park.

It was a little hard for us to find but it is a pretty small park so not too bad.

There is a parking lot right next to the trail.

Some of the trail markers might be hard to find.

I liked reading the little bits of history along the trail.

Taking along another photographer was so fun!

It was hard to read this sign but it said something about treasure hidden in a cave that is now under Lake Keystone.

I tried to convince my son to brave the freezing temps and find the money for his Dad’s retirement…

He did not care about his parents happiness apparently.

The ice probably helps insulate it so that if he dove down it would be warm…

We lost the trail at this point.

I had already heard from someone else that it kind of disappears.

We ended up turning around so round trip was just over a mile.

I am so used to hiking with 5 kids.

This hike was so QUIET.

It was a nice way to start the year.

We saw a lot of deer!

Do you participate in the 1st day hike?

If not do you have another fun tradition for the 1st day of the year?

You can check out my video to see what the trail is like.

Hiking

New Trail at Keystone Ancient Forest ~Sand Springs, OK

01/03/2018 Danielle Huddleston Leave a comment

We went to Keystone Ancient Forest to try out their new trail called “The Less Travelled Trail.”

You take the main trails to get to it.

It says 4.1 miles one way on the map but looks like a loop.

It just finishes in a different spot.

We did not go very far on it though so I can’t confirm that.

It was a nice trail though and we liked it okay.

My boys liked rocky hard trails.

The harder the better.

Little bit prefers flat easy trails.

She kept saying no more “mountains” when we hiked at Palo Duro in November.

As you can see, we turned around at the half mile marker.

There were just enough loose rocks and gravel that it was bothering my back (I hurt it a little while ago) so we turned around before I got hurt.

We took the fire road back when we got to the main trail and it ended up being a pretty short hike back to the parking lot from there.

So if you are just wanting to check out the new trail that might be the shortest route to get there for you.

I am so thankful for this beautiful place that they are developing near us though!

They are doing a great job with the trails!

I am looking forward to trying this one again, maybe starting at a different spot.

Wilson Trail is still my favorite one so far because of the big rocks and pretty views but I have only seen a portion of the new so who knows!

Have you checked out Keystone Ancient Forest?

They are only open on curtain Saturdays but they let you know which ones on their facebook page.

Check them out!

Here is a video of our hike here and one at Keystone State Park.

If you hang out to the end of the video you can see what it is like to be in a vehicle with 5 kids…