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Rush to Oklahoma
Just like it did when settlers came flooding in a century-plus ago, the state offers a trove of treasures to today's visitors.
People bolted across the Oklahoma border when it was first opened for settlement in 1889. History says it was to get their own plot of land or fashion their own version of the American dream. But down deep surely some were simply motivated to get a sense of the wonder that is Oklahoma.
While that guess may be akin to repurposing history, it makes complete sense in the present. After all, millions of travelers spend more than $5 billion in Oklahoma. That does not happen unless there is a lot to offer.
On the Outside
And the offer starts with the landscape that had folks so eager at the starting line. Though it is trite to say, Oklahoma's ground truly has something for everyone. In fact, Oklahoma's 11 distinct eco-regions make its terrain the most diverse per mile in the nation.
There's no better way to see those miles than on foot. Illustrating the point is the Ouachita National Forest and its more than 500 miles of trails. Meanwhile, ardent hikers rave about the Jean-Pierre Chouteau Trail, a 60-mile hike through eastern Oklahoma that runs alongside the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation Channel from the Tulsa Port of Catoosa to Fort Gibson.
Elsewhere, urban trailblazers can stretch their legs in Oklahoma City as they explore the 17 colorful acres of the downtown Myriad Botanical Gardens, or traverse the new trails alongside the Oklahoma River. Tulsa's Mohawk Park, with seven miles of interpretive trails and the River Parks Trail, along the Arkansas River, are favorites among joggers, bicyclists and those just out for a leisurely stroll.
No matter where visitors wander in the Broken Bow area near Beavers Bend State Park, they are never far from the Mountain Fork River, Little River and the last free-flowing river in the state, the Glover. All offer tame waters, class II rapids and outfitters to provide a canoe or a kayak. Plus, there are myriad hiking and biking trails in the area, ranging in length from one mile to 15-plus.
Guests itching for more water action need to check out the new underwater dive park, located at Lake Tenkiller State Park near Vian; it is the first of its kind in Oklahoma. Divers can skim the surface or check out the sunken boats and the school bus that lie below the depths of the crystal clear water. Lake Tenkiller is nestled near two state parks—Greenleaf and Tenkiller—and boasts a host of activities, such as kayak, canoe, pontoon or paddle boat rentals, mountain bike rides; miniature golf and stargazing.
For a trip back in time, travelers should make for the Wichita Range, which, at 650 million years old, is one of the oldest in the United States. The mountains were named for the Wichita Indians, who believed the mountain's quartz and granite boulders held the spirits of their ancestors. President Teddy Roosevelt tamed the area a bit in 1905, when he designated 60,000 acres as the country's first wildlife refuge. Today, the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is home to a herd of about 500 bison, as well as elk, longhorn cattle, white-tailed deer and prairie dogs. It's also home to one of the most awesome views in Oklahoma—2,364-foot Mount Scott, the second highest peak in the range.
Flatter, but no less fascinating or geologically significant, are the massive salt plains in northwest Oklahoma. The blinding white layer of salt measures 7 miles long and 3 miles wide; they are all that is left of an inland sea that once covered this part of the state more than 200 million years ago. Animals and humans have always been attracted to the salt plains, and today, the area is much more hospitable to both because of the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge and Great Salt Plains State Park. More than 250 species of birds have been spotted in the area and a 2.5-mile road takes visitors past habitats, while hiking trails provide an even closer look.
Every year from May to October, a portion of the salt flats are opened to allow people to dig for the hourglass selenite crystals hidden beneath the crusty surface. Oklahoma's salt plains are the only place in the world where the crystals are found.
On the Flip Side
Despite its bountiful natural riches, Oklahoma is not a one-trick pony. Indeed, there are some truly one-of-a-kind spots fashioned by Oklahomans' hands.
For starters, there is Tulsa, known as Terra Cotta City. Awash with oil money in the 1920s, Tulsa's affluence coincided with the Art Deco movement. So many buildings were erected in the architectural style that only New York City and Miami rank ahead of Tulsa in the number of Art Deco structures. A walking tour is an ideal way to get close to Tulsa's golden age.
Then, there is Guthrie. Its style reaches back a little farther, but is just as impressive. It has 400 blocks listed on the National Register of Historic Places—the largest urban district on the register. The town's more than 1,000 pre-1910 Victorian buildings and 22-block commercial district provide for nostalgic visits, and plenty of opportunities to shop, dine and sleep amid the ornate detailing.
Going back even farther is the 140-acre Spiro Mounds Archaeological Park near Poteau, which holds the key to a American Indian culture that inhabited the area from 600 to 1450. A mile-long trail takes visitors near 11 earthen mounds that once served as the religious center for an estimated 60 tribes. (The mounds are considered one of the four most important prehistoric Indian sites east of the Rocky Mountains.) The mounds also served as the homes and underground tombs for an elite group of priests, and also acted as a calendar to signify planting and harvesting dates based on the position of the sun. Artifacts and exhibits are on display in the park's interpretive center.
A more recent manmade marvel captures Oklahoma's —as well as the nation's—transition from a far-flung frontier to a well-connected, multi-faceted community. The marvel is the Mother Road—Route 66. Since 1926, Oklahoma's stretch of Route 66 has been dishing up kicks, adventure, blue-plate specials and a healthy dose of quirky to travelers who believe half the fun is getting there. With more drivable miles of the original highway than any other state,
Oklahoma is a virtual time capsule of signature icons, landmarks and characters. The 426-mile stretch of the famous road through Oklahoma not only shaped the towns along its path, it also became an artery for Okie spirit and expression.
A fitting role in a place that is always ready for a rush of visitors looking for their favorite corner to explore.
For more information, visit www.TravelOK.com.
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