Ooook-lahoma, where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain
And the wavin' wheat can sure smell sweetWhen the wind comes right behind the rain.
The wheat has been out of the fields for a while now, but we can vouch for the fact that the wind comes sweeping down the plain. And it whistles. And it howls. And it intimidates just a bit as well. I have been in full fledged hurricanes that didn't make as much noise as the wind has the last two days here in Oklahoma.
But undaunted, we headed out on our one full-day foray into Oklahoma, determined to find something that makes the place special. And sure enough we did. In a state that is essentially a "plain", that is to say basically flat, what exactly would we find if we drove a ways to go see the highest waterfall in the state at Turner Falls State Park in the Arbuckle Mountains? At its recorded height of 77 feet, it is far from the most impressive waterfall we have seen, but it had that "oasis in the dessert" kind of beauty that takes you quite by surprise. And it is essentially an all natural water park- falls with slides and diving areas, swimming pools in crystal clear and mighty cold spring water. Rainbow and brown trout abound in the waters above and below the falls and fishing is allowed here as well. There are caves in the sides of the cliff leading to and opposite the falls, and while in summer season, no climbing is allowed, it was a slow day and a super cold day- so I did the up the hill and over the rocks thing to get a few unusual shots.
In the slide show that follows (all Oklahoma shots) keep an eye out for the "QUIG" making its very first official stream crossing to date. While I did drive it across into the park, Marilyn drove it back out so I could get the mid-stream shot. Looking good! And look for some overview shots from the "high points" (literally and figuratively) of our Oklahoma adventure. The Quig took us up some super steep paths intended for hikers. Everybody got a good workout!
But undaunted, we headed out on our one full-day foray into Oklahoma, determined to find something that makes the place special. And sure enough we did. In a state that is essentially a "plain", that is to say basically flat, what exactly would we find if we drove a ways to go see the highest waterfall in the state at Turner Falls State Park in the Arbuckle Mountains? At its recorded height of 77 feet, it is far from the most impressive waterfall we have seen, but it had that "oasis in the dessert" kind of beauty that takes you quite by surprise. And it is essentially an all natural water park- falls with slides and diving areas, swimming pools in crystal clear and mighty cold spring water. Rainbow and brown trout abound in the waters above and below the falls and fishing is allowed here as well. There are caves in the sides of the cliff leading to and opposite the falls, and while in summer season, no climbing is allowed, it was a slow day and a super cold day- so I did the up the hill and over the rocks thing to get a few unusual shots.
And lo and behold- we found more mistletoe. If you read the most recent post you saw where we were a bit amazed to find some in Texas. Now, not only have we found it here in Oklahoma, but Marilyn found out today it is the state plant. Which just goes to show you: what is a marvelous discovery for one is just plain common knowledge to a lot of folks, especially those living here in Oklahoma. Traveling, it turns out, teaches a person much about things that they THINK they already know pretty much about!
In the slide show that follows (all Oklahoma shots) keep an eye out for the "QUIG" making its very first official stream crossing to date. While I did drive it across into the park, Marilyn drove it back out so I could get the mid-stream shot. Looking good! And look for some overview shots from the "high points" (literally and figuratively) of our Oklahoma adventure. The Quig took us up some super steep paths intended for hikers. Everybody got a good workout!
You're doin' fine, Oklahoma!
Oklahoma O.K.!
Oklahoma O.K.!
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