Tag Archives: state parks

Lake Murray State Park ~Ardmore, OK

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.

 

MN Trip ~Days 1&2

zip

Day 1

We drove all night and got there around 1 or 2 in the morning on Saturday.

My boys always bounce right up in the morning, ready to play.

frog

My little nephew holding a frog.

thesetwo

I could follow these two around all day.

They are just so cute!

lake

Day 2

Maplewood State Park

maplewood

We try to hike at Maplewood every time we are up.

path

road

sumac

look

iphone

I would hand off the camera to Nick and then proceed to take pictures with my phone.

I am a little bit addicted…

chip

These guys liked to yell at us.

leaves

woods

I walked ahead of everyone.

There is something about walking alone in the woods that just makes me breath deep and relax.

light

I spent a lot of time walking in the woods behind my parents house growing up.

It was one of my favorite places to be.

call

Grandpa making calls at Nick.

Nick was stalking us from above.

pathlight

withgrand

him

frog

teach

He is a great teacher.

walk

grass

color

We made sure we were going to MN when the leaves were changing.

So pretty.

frog2

chip2

Another chipmunk to yell at us.

water

The Trumpeter Swans were migrating when we visited!

reflect

road2

her

This girl has me wrapped around her finger.

laugh

She wanted to take turns taking pictures of things with my camera and phone.

My turn consisted of pictures of her.

smiles

road3

Nick and I headed back to Maplewood to catch some pics in the evening light.

It was cloudy…

I decided to roll with it.

us2

Tripod and interval timer to the rescue.

leaf

Maplewood is a beautiful park!

Make sure you go if you live in the area!

Do you have beautiful fall colors where you live?

 

Lake Tenkiller ~Strayhorn Landing & Hickory Flats

strayhornlanding

We first swam at Strayhorn Landing on Lake Tenkiller.

lake

It is a nice rocky swimming area.

float

The boys had a lot of fun playing around and practicing their swimming.

inwater

water

swim

naturetrail

There is a nature trail between Strayhorn Landing and Tenkiller State Park.

It is only a mile out and back (two miles total) but I was not really dressed appropriately.

sandles

It just goes from a parking lot to the Overlook park.

You can drive to the overlook park as well.

path

boys

snakes

We stopped at the Nature Center in Tenkiller State Park and happened to be there when they were feeding the snakes.

boyswatch

These rodents have zero survival skills…

close

We also went to the Hickory Flats area in the state park, it was a no fee area for swimming.

It had a really nice beach area but was really crowded so we went to a creek at goose neck bend to let the boys swim.

This lake has really nice clear water and I can’t wait to take the boys during the week when it might be a little less crowded!

wind

Have you swam in Lake Tenkiller?

Do you have a favorite area?