Palo Duro Canyon Texas 31 days. 4 states. 200+ miles. In July I did the 30 day ride challenge hosted by Trailforks and Anthill Films. The challenge was simple: ride each day, including at least one full trail as mapped on Trailforks. Tijeras, New Mexico trails 3 Bottles - Tijeras, NM My month started off with lots of rides close … [Read more...]
Quartz Mountain Nature Park
Quartz Mountain Nature Park was one of the original Oklahoma State Parks, although I'm not sure it's still classified as a State Park. It is still run by the state of Oklahoma and is very State Park like. It is a gorgeous, unique area that is all the more precious because of the part of Oklahoma it's in. Many people think of Oklahoma as … [Read more...]
Boswell State Park
Boswell State Park is not really a state park. It was once an official Oklahoma State Park, but at one point, they reduced the number of state parks and Boswell was one of the ones that got dumped. It's the second no longer state park that I've visited in Oklahoma (the other being Heavener Runestone). Being a state park junkie, I couldn't help … [Read more...]
Ouachita National Forrest
The Ouachita National Forest is perhaps my favorite place in Oklahoma. I know in my post about Wister Lake State Park, I said the southeast corner of the state was my most favorite. The Ouachita National Forest is in this same area, so I'm not just saying they're all my favorite. Although I do have many other favorites, this area tops the list … [Read more...]
Lake Wister State Park
I have a lot of favorite places in Oklahoma, but I have to admit that the southeast part of the state is my favorite favorite. It's full of rolling hills and tree-covered mountains. It is green in a way that nothing in New Mexico is green. It's the part of the state that I like to go visit when I have a free weekend during business trips. Lake … [Read more...]
Red Rock Canyon State Park
Red Rock Canyon State Park is a very welcome respite when driving I-40 across western Oklahoma. That drive is characterized by fairly flat farmland. In contrast, Red Rock Canyon State Park is a small, luscious canyon lined with red sandstone walls that seems to appear out of nowhere. Unlike some of the Oklahoma State Parks that I love, it doesn't … [Read more...]
Black Mesa State Park
Black Mesa State Park is in the Oklahoma panhandle, above the Texas panhandle, both of which are known for being flat, hot, sunny, and perhaps dull places to have to travel through. Most of these adjectives are probably actually true most of the time. While I can appreciate a certain beauty to the sweeping, desolate, flat plains, it gets pretty … [Read more...]
Sequoyah State Park
They say first impressions are strong and the curvy, tree-lined road that leads into the Sequoyah State Park once you turn off of the main highway makes for a great first impression. It's the sort of road that has you feeling like just around the corner is something amazing waiting to be discovered, even though you know that just around the corner … [Read more...]
Spavinaw State Park
Spavinaw State Park is one of eight that makes up what is collectively known as Grand Lake State Park. I headed out there with kind of low expectations: I could see from Google Maps that it wasn't a very expansive area and knew that it lacked cabins or trails. Basically, it was looking like one of those state parks that is pretty much just a nice … [Read more...]
Great Salt Plains State Park
Great Salt Plains State Park always makes me think of my first night there. I was excited to be there for the first time, and I walked down to the shore of the lake right at sunset and took dozens of pictures, entranced by the beauty of the sun setting over the lake, the gentle clouds, and the reflection of the sunset in the water. I still feel … [Read more...]