Robbers Cave State Park

On October 31, 2009, I went on a day trip with Sandi and Nancy to Robbers Cave State Park. 

Robbers Cave State Park is located in the scenic, hilly woodlands of the San Bois Mountains of southeast Oklahoma. This park is a favorite of rappellers, equestrians, hikers and outdoor lovers. The park and adjoining wildlife management area offers acres of discovery and enjoyment including trout fishing in season, hunting, miles of hiking and equestrian trails, rugged cliffs for climbing and fall foliage viewing. Robbers Cave also enjoys notoriety as a former hideout for outlaws Jesse James and Belle Starr.

Read more about the park here:  http://www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.6415
 



We left Oklahoma City early, driving past the skyline...

 

and a roadside herd of buffalo...

Moving east on Interstate 40, we decided to take a short side trip on a secondary road.  We took an exit just short of Henryetta, OK, traveling south through Weleetka and Dustin, OK. 

Very interesting ride, but we decided there wasn't enough time, so we resumed our trip southward on the Indian Nation Turnpike.  After reaching McAlester, we turned east on U.S. Highway 270 to Wilburton, OK.  In Wilburton, we took a break, enjoying some very good Mexican food in Adelita's Cafe on Main Street.

After lunch, we drove north on Highway 2 to the park.

Picnic shelter...

Mountain view...

Places to hide...

Yours truly in a crack...

Jesse James, Cole Younger and Belle Starr...

After a couple of hours hiking up and down the trails, we headed north on Highway 2, going through Lewisville, Kinta, Whitefield, Briartown and Porum, OK to reach Interstate 40 again. 

On the way home, we left Interstate 40, going north on U.S. Highway 177, passing Jacktown and turning west on famous Route 66.  When we arrived at Pop's Restaurant, in Arcadia, OK, we decided to eat supper... I had a bison burger. 

 



The sixty foot illuminated Pop bottle says you are at POP's, where you can buy almost any soft drink you can think of, from anywhere in the country.

From Pop's, in Arcadia, we went through Edmond and back to Oklahoma City.

This was my first long road trip while living here in Oklahoma.  It was a long day, but we saw that Oklahoma was not just flat and dusty... There is much to see and do in Oklahoma...

I hope to see you on the road somewhere!

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without

wavering;  (for he is faithful that promised;)

Hebrews 10:53

Memorial Day 2011

On most Sundays, after church, I go out for lunch with a group of fellow choir members .  One day the discussion was about travel in Oklahoma.  My friend, Leonard, suggested I check out the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, near Lawton, Oklahoma. 

On Monday, May 31, the hills were calling me...

Ten miles west of I-44 on highway 49, just north of Lawton, is the refuge entrance. There you will find a sign warning about the danger of getting too close to the wild Bison and Longhorn Cattle. Just inside of the refuge, is Mt. Scott, the second highest peak in the range, at 2,464 feet.

Managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, this refuge is a transition zone, between the tall grass prairie to the east and the short grass prairie to the west. There are 59,020 acres of unspoiled, pristine wilderness, with granite ridges, scattered boulders, forests and prairies.  The animals are free-ranging, with the only fences on the outer boundaries of the refuge. This land has never been plowed, and looks like it did in 1901 when it was established.  Read more about it here:  http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/oklahoma/wichitamountains/

There are bison, longhorn cattle, elk, deer and prairie dogs.  I didn't see them all, but enjoyed my day very much... thanks for visiting!

Click the photos for larger view!

View from Mt. Scott

From the top...

 

                                            Bison

 Just beyond Mt. Scott, you will find the Holy City of the Wichitas.  This is the only construction inside the refuge other than the Headquarters and gift shop and a few dams.  The Holy City has a passion play set constructed of stone, a chapel and museum and gift shop.  The terrain is said to be similar to the Holy Land, in Israel. 

Collared Lizard

Bison will "go" anyhere they want to...

Another Collared Lizard

Scratching rock

Nature's camoflage

Wild Longhorn

Prairie Dog with the munchies

Helloooo....

Goodbye to the refuge...

Labor Day Road Trip

The highest point in Oklahoma... Black Mesa, in Cimarron County at 4,973'. 

Read about it here:  http://www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.631

Currently living in central Oklahoma area, I decided to explore the panhandle of Oklahoma over the Labor Day weekend.  Having learned that Cimarron County is the only county in the US that borders five states (Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and Kansas) I wanted to check it out.  I went through Texas into Oklahoma, then into Kansas, and back.  After spending the night in Guymon, OK, I drove to Kenton, OK, visiting the Black Mesa State Park, and then Black Mesa.  From there, I drove to the end of the paved road, turned left on the gravel road, stopping at the farthest north and west point in the state.  The marker is labeled New Mexico, Colorado and Oklahoma. 

Tri-State Marker

I'll try to keep my truck out of the pictures from now on... 

I discovered a variety of vast prairies and farm lands.  Very flat in many places, but with rolling hills and finally high mesas.  All of this, with wide open skies, showcases a beautiful area of God's wonderful creation!   



Approaching Cimarron River and Black Mesa

Working on the energy crisis...

Prairie

Bison near Guymon, OK

Spraying...

Wide open spaces...

End of a wonderful day...

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

I enjoyed that weekend, as I drove 845 miles, taking in new places and having time by myself to reflect on things.  Thinking about my life, my family and this great country we live in, I can only praise God and thank Him for His many blessings!