Category Archives: Weekend Reflections

Weekend Reflections – Pepsi Lake

Turkey Mountain Pond May 2015

This is Pepsi Lake on Turkey Mountain from back in May. Great year on the mountain with all the rain that we got plus it got saved from an outlet mall that was proposed and then cancelled. There was a huge surge in popularity that resulted with all sorts of new people tromping all over the place. Things have died down quite a bit with the heat of the summer and school starting so I’m back to seeing very few people during my weekly run.

Last week’s post on Turkey Mountain was taken from across the lake from this photo and a little to the right.

Where is your go to place to relax?

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Weekend Reflections – Yellowstone Bear World

The #Moose is loose! #YellowstoneBearWorld #Rexburg #Idaho

On our recent trip to Idaho we visited Yellowstone Bear World near the town of Rexburg, Idaho. It is not anywhere close to Yellowstone National Park but you follow the road it is on and you will get there eventually. The facility has lots of bears (all born in captivity) on site in a fairly natural setting and you can drive around (with your windows up) and view them. They also have other animals including this male moose and a female in a separate area with their own marsh.

Bear World Bear in Water

They also had this guy enjoying a dip. It was hot the day we were there and there were lots of bears in the water and under the shade trying to stay cool.

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Weekend Reflections – Palace Theater – Hilo, Hawaii

Palace Theater Hilo 1 - adjust restyleOur guide on the big island of Hawaii took us by the Palace Theater in Hilo so I could take a few pictures. It is a grand structure and fortunately has been restored and is in use as a theater for both movies and musical performances. It was built in the 1920’s. It’s structural columns is redwood imported from the Pacific Northwest.  Land is expensive in Hawaii, even back then so to maximize the use of space stadium seating is used which makes for a spacious lobby located underneath the stadium. This beautiful building was quite a find. I am always happy to see old buildings maintained and in use. Palace Theater Hilo 2 Topaz Restyle Adjust

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Weekend Reflections – Turkey Mountain

I celebrated the news of Simon Property Group abandoning their “Premium Outlet Mall” on Turkey Mountain by going for a run on the mountain. (What the heck is a Premium Outlet Mall anyway?)

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We’ve had lots of rain here in Oklahoma and although we had two dry days there were patches of soggy trails here and there that slowed me down. It wasn’t too bad though. I started out on the blue trail, then did some of the pink trail, then just did my own thing, and then the yellow for a good distance and then did some more of my own thing.

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I made it over to Pepsi Lake and it was great to see it full of water again. It was about to turn into a meadow a few months ago but it is full to the brim now.

There was even some water running over the spillway. It has been a long time since I have seen running water on the mountain.

This is the route I took. For some reason my watch didn’t start when I wanted it to but that’s okay. Life is good up on the mountain. I am very glad they outlet mall threat is gone.

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Weekend Reflections – Morning Pond

Lafortune Park Pond Reflections Impressions Watercolor vi 46pct

I love it when the weather warms up enough to go running in the morning outside rather than the gerbil activity on a treadmill in a gym. This time of year the sun is just barely rising when I pass the ponds on one of my routes. I love how quiet and peaceful it is very early. It is like every day is born with new hope. Of course, other days I just want to sit, read the paper, and browse the blogs I follow.

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Reflections on Turkey Mountain with an Update on the Simon’s Outlet Mall

Turkey Mountain Pond - Impressions Watercolor I 59pct

I went running on Turkey Mountain here in Tulsa last Wednesday night. It felt great, the temperature was cool, and there wasn’t very many people. I had a great time. I stopped by one of the ponds and took a pic of the reflections in the water. We’ve had some rain lately so there is water in the ponds and lakes.

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For those following the status of the Outlet Mall that Simon Property Group is proposing on the mountain:

Simon Property Group, the multi-billion dollar company wanting to build the mall, is requesting a two month delay in its hearing before the Tulsa Metropolitan Planning Commission concerning their project. It is obvious that they were stunned by the opposition they are facing. This is the only time I can remember when a developer was ever slowed down in Tulsa even for the most cheesy of projects.

A local Tulsa magazine “The Tulsa Voice” has a great article on how people in Tulsa love Turkey Mountain and oppose the proposed Outlet Mall.

The city has had to reopen the upper parking lot and start putting up signs trying to prevent people from parking on the streets. The mountain is getting more and more popular.

Todd Huston of Tulsa went to Simon’s headquarters in Indianapolis and tried to present them with a petition signed by 8000 people asking them to cancel their mall plans and a t shirt.

Believe it or not some people actually want a mall at the location and are beginning to make themselves heard. Hey this is a free country.

Check out the Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition for more news, photographs, links and other information on Turkey Mountain.

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Weekend Reflections – Glassy Building

TCC Building - Topaz Glow

I’m experimenting with a new Topaz Labs product “Topaz Glow.” I thought it made the reflection in the building pop out quite a bit. They have a 30 day free trial program on almost everything they sell which is quite handy.

Do you use Topaz products? What do you think of them?

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Weekend Reflections – Woodward Park

Woodward Park Pond

A freezing Friday morning in Tulsa’s beautiful Woodward Park. I am continuing to experiment with the Topaz Impressions filters. This particular filter is called “Oil Painting III.”

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