Tag Archives: hiking

Heavener Runestone Park, Heavener, OK

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.

runestone

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

path

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

cliff

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

stairs

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

runestone2

The Runestone is unique and filled with history.

I like discussing controversial history like this with my boys.

runestonewriting

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

beauty berry

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!

Boardstand Trailhead, Ouachita National Forest ~Day 5

boardstand

We really like loops but since the Boardstand Trail & Old Military Trail loop is over 23 miles I knew that would not work.

We went ahead and went, thinking we would do an out and back.

When we got there we saw a road that kept going past the trailhead and decided to see where it went.

It ended up following the Old Military road trail with several intersections with the trail!

You can check out what we did on Endomondo.

trailmarks

Check out the trail map, here.

We just started on the trail at one of the intersections with the road, hiked on the trail for a while, and came back on the road.

Making our own loop.

berries

trail

road

The road was almost like a wide trail anyway.

hike

beauty berries

Beauty Berries everywhere!

road3

Starting back on the road.

road2

beauty berries2

him

boys

We ended up with just over 5.5 miles and our very own loop!

trailhead

Here is the start at the actual trailhead.

fire

Smore’s!

eating

roasting

smores2

smore

reeses

Smore’s are better with Reece’s Cups…

smores4

nick

Last night camping!

We started the trip back the next day!

 

Earthquake Ridge, Ouachita National Forest ~Day 4

landscape

I got winter weather for my 31st birthday!

There was frost everywhere and snow/sleet coming down.

leaffrost

You could barely tell it was snowing and it was the kind of snow that feels like it is trying to kill you but that did not stop me from dancing a jig.

And squealing…

statelinestart

The boys did not exactly share my enthusiasm.

cold

stateline

It was so moody and beautiful.

landscape2

tower

It was freezing and very windy but the boys were still hoping to climb the tower.

I was not that disappointed to find out that it is only open on the weekends.

look

view

graveyard

They have an old graveyard that you can see right off the Talimena Drive.

earthquake

The Earthquake Ridge Complex Trail system is located right outside of Mena.

orchardtrail

They have a lot of different trails.

The Orchard Trail is nice and easy and less then a mile.

orchardtrailnick

pineforest

deck

boys

us

We went into Mena to get lunch and then did another short hike.

fern

markers

They seem to be a little worried that you might lose the trail…

throw

bridge

bridgewater

building

The boys decided to build a bridge.

Because obviously they needed a bridge to cross the creek.

bridgecreek

landscape3

pie

Pumpkin pie on my birthday!

I bought myself cupcakes but I could not wait until my birthday and ate them.

I thought about buying myself more cupcakes but thought it might be a bit much.