Oklahoma Life
Sarah and I both loved living in Bartlesville, at first glance it may seem like a small city in the middle of nowhere, but that is far from the case. The quality of life in Oklahoma is to be envied, so much space to breathe, great people and incredible little places to explore tucked away here, there and everywhere. These are just a few of those areas we explored, some close by and frequently visited, some one off visits, but all worthy of the memories.
Boiling Springs State Park in Western Oklahoma was a one off visit in January 2008, a beautiful day with warm air and ice on the lakes. A woodland walk and bubbling springs feeding a small stream combined with a picnic area to make for an interesting wander at a roadside drop in.
Copan and Hula lakes were two large bodies of water close to Bartlesville created by Dams. We visited these very often, swimming, kayaking, walking and fishing were the main reasons. Fishing below the dam always produced good Carp (which are seen as a pest in the USA) No matter what the season we would visit these two lakes very often.
The Great Salt Plains State Park was another one off visit in January 2008 during a road trip around the Western side of Oklahoma
Little Sahara State Park is a 1500 acre site of sand dunes in North West Oklahoma set aside predominantly for off road vehicles, another one off visit during a random drive round.
Osage Hills State Park is a great little park just a few miles out of Bartlesville, I walked here several times a week, fished here almost as often and took the small rowing boats out on occasion. I saw so much wildlife in this park including deer, skunks, raccoons, tortoise, vultures, turkeys, snakes. It was my 'go to' place in Bartlesville and I miss the woodland walks and the tranquillity of this small park.
Kaw Lake is located 1 hour West of Bartlesville, yet another great Oklahoma lake with boat hire, fishing and swimming, when Mark and Hayley came over in August 2008 we took them there to experience a little of the freedom of the open water.
Robbers Cave State Park is in Eastern Oklahoma close to the town on Wilburton and is reputed to be one of the many hideouts of Jesse James, with forest walks, hiking, climbing, horse riding etc it can be a very busy place. We went there in April 2008 and it was almost empty and fantastic, we hiked a small route to the top of a flat plateau overlooking the park, sat in the cave looking out at the tree across the entrance and walked in the woodland finding tons of wildlife as is always the case in any Oklahoma Park.
The Tallgrass Prairie is an exceptional area, largely untouched by the advance of mankind it remains a beautiful return to the true wilderness faced by the very first humans to this area. There is only a dirt road leading to the visitor centre, other than that it is pristine and was a real favourite of mine throughout or time in Oklahoma. The buffalo herds that roamed the grassland and the howling coyotes just added to the feeling that you were truly seeing the land as the first settlers did so many years ago.
Oklahoma life is a wonderful mix of freedom and open spaces, lakes, rivers, friendly people, empty roads and almost constant sunshine, leaving here really felt like losing something.