Oxley Nature Center and Our Favorite Swimming Hole

Got outside yesterday on a gorgeous sunny Oklahoma day and drove out to the Red Bud Valley

Oxley Nature Center Tulsa, OK

hiking trail in Catoosa. We drove out fairly early before the day got too warm – I on my favorite Yamaha 650 and my beautiful wife drove her Tahoe and took our little princess Sabrina with her. After driving the 50 miles to the trail, we were greeted unexpectedly with closed gates and signs that told of business hours on certain days that didn’t include yesterday. Major upset to say the least. But, since we were already practically in Tulsa, we decided to take a short drive to Mohawk Park, just a little ways farther down the road. At this point, the sun was starting to warm up a bit and we arrived at the Oxley Nature Center in Mohawk Park about 10:30 a.m.

            On rolling into the parking lot, we noticed a sign that read, “No Dogs”, now to us this meant that we couldn’t take our baby into the Nature Center but more than welcome on the primitive hiking trails around the center. The center is located inside the Mohawk Park grounds, about a mile from the Tulsa Zoo. So, we got all leashed up and walked around the outside of the Nature Center to one of the many trails that criss-cross the area. It was really nice in the shade and a cool breeze was welcome. Our hike began on a pleasant note- aside from some muddy areas close to the center. (Here's a link to the video - https://www.facebook.com/johnsphotographicarts/videos/660496208129310/ )

Being the devout adventurers we are, we separated from the initial “Red Fox Loop” trail and walked about a quarter of a mile down the “Bob’s” trail when we encountered a rather large pavilion structure with bathrooms and a couple of fireplaces. This type of pavilion seems to be common in the park area and I know of at least one other in a different area of the park. What really caught our attention though was a half-built debris shelter that was located close to the pavilion. We stayed and took some pictures of the shelter and enjoyed the wildlife, such as Red Fox squirrels and white-tailed deer. One of which decide to grace us with their presence while we were videoing. 

            After the pavilion, we hiked along some everglade-type swamp land, crossed a couple of wooden bridges, and had just turned down another trail called “Blue Heron”. We had just started on this course, and noticing a wooden blind used for observing the wildlife, when a young man carrying a wooden sign approached us and informed us that “dogs were not allowed on the trails”.

This knowledge was concerning, seeing how we had already hiked almost an hour into the property and were just getting ready for some Blue Heron watching. But we thanked the young man, (who seemed very knowledgeable about other hiking trails in the park where we could take our little Sabrina with us) and went back the way we came, but not totally without some opposition and meandering down another canine-forbidden foray. Well, honestly, we may have gotten a little mixed up on exactly which trail we had initially came in on. However, we did manage to eventually find our way back to the parking lot, had a cool drink of water, then headed out for our most favorite spot ever. A place where the water runs clear and the owners don’t mind if you bring your best friend along. An hour later we were immersed in ice cold, clear flowing creek water.

          

We dropped the motorcycle off and traded the Tahoe for the Silverado; stopped by the local Harp’s store for hotdogs, drinks, and other accouterments for a cookout over an open fire. Oh, Robin did bring her marshmallows and I had to eat one just because it was such a nice day. After swimming and walking around our favorite swimming spot, the sun was sinking lower and everything just seemed to gel. It’s like the cosmos had come into alignment and all was right with the world.

There were no protests, no rioting, looting, talking point rhetoric, or general anarchy in the streets. The creek was sparkling and rolling towards its ultimate destination, indifferent to the misfortunes of the world. At this moment, this was my reality and I embraced every minute of it. I was with my loved ones. The ones I care for and who care for me. It was so very peaceful, relaxing, and sublime.