Saturday, SuperPizzaBoy and I took a road trip about 75 miles east of Tulsa into the Ozarks to Natural Falls State Park. It used to be a private park called Dripping Springs and when Oklahoma took it over they renamed it because we already had a Dripping Springs Park.
We pretty much had the park to ourselves because of the cold and windy weather. One of the things we did was log an Earth Cache named "Dripping Springs." Earth Caches are part of Geocaching except that you don't look for a container. They are more educational in nature and lots of fun.
The star of the park is of course the waterfall. You can't tell it from the photographs but the water falls about 77 feet.
Down in the canyon where the water lands it was much warmer. No wind of course but I would guess the temperature seemed at least five degrees higher than up top.
There is something about falling water that is very peaceful. The park was used in the filming of the 1974 version of "Where the Red Fern Grows" based on the book by Wilson Rawls.
There is a bridge across the chasm. Hey, who's that kid up there?
SuperPizzaBoy, that's who. I wondered where he got off to.
There is more to the park than the falls. The creek flows from the falls to a small lake.
You can tell this dam has been here for a while. Full disclosure, to keep the falls falling, they pump water from this lake back up to the falls. We have been having a drought here and the falls would probably be a trickle if anything.
Son and I did a big part of all the trails until we called it quits.
I love the goofiness found in some of the State Parks.
We only went about two and a half miles but it was fun.
The trails vary from easy level hikes through the woods to "where did the trail go?"
You can follow our very slow route on Garmin Connect by clicking on the green tag above. It will take you to another screen. Click on the button that looks like your "play" button on your dvd player.
Anyway a great time was had by all.
Our World
Geocaching 101 Video
18 comments:
Looks so very peaceful. Thanks for the information on this park. It's quite far from me, but I'd love to check it out.
Nice exploring new parks and especially to get out with your son.
What a great day the two of you had! And such a lovely park! I love waterfalls! Fun captures for the day, thanks for sharing the fun with us!
Looks like I am going to have to put visiting Natural Falls State Park on my bucket list.
An Arkies Musings
It would be hard to take every trail all in one visit as you'd have to walk some paths more than one. But, hey! It could be interesting to see what you missed when walking the other way. Sometimes I like hiking with very few other people around. My husband and I were in a fairly empty park yesterday. Sadly, many of the birds we were looking for were also NOT there.
I think it's great that you and SPB have so many adventures. It looks like a beautiful place. Where the Red Fern Grows is one of my favorites--so touching.
You're right. Without something to give a sense of scale, there is no way to tell how big the falls are. Nice photos though.
Great water shots Yogi, and I liked the portraits a lot, too.
Yogi, you tell a fine story with your photos. Amazing waterfall, even if it is fed to keep it flowing.
Ilove waterfalls, they're so soothing. Give SPB another year and he'll be able to see over your head!! Over here we have a saying "I'd rather keep him a week than a fortnight"! Meaning, obviously, not on a personal level but on the amount of food he must consume:-)
sounds like a great place .. love how there was already a park with that name
A great adventure! The waterfalls are beautiful. Great shots!
Great hike!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Great shots, great park, great kid!
You are right about the sound of the water falling as well as the sight. Loved it.
You are right about the sound of the water falling as well as the sight. Loved it.
Beautiful and scenic place.
Love the State Parks...
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