This past weekend I lucked out and got to for two short hikes into some woods. The first hike was at Tulsa’s Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness. I go there frequently and Saturday I loved it. It was overcast although warm. I love dark and moody. That doesn’t mean that I am a dark and moody person. At least I don’t think it does.
I was actually kind of happy. I had just been asked to join the Advisory Board of the Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition and had accepted. TUWC are the group of people that got together when Simon Malls wanted to build an outlet mall on Turkey Mountain (of all places!!!!) and got the community outraged and ended up convincing Simon to go build their stupid outlet mall somewhere else. Talk about a David and Goliath situation.
Anyway, they are not a militant environment organization and are into positive things so I am honored to be part of the organization. The Advisory Board of course is mainly honorary but I plan on redoubling the volunteering and advocacy that I have been doing.
Turkey Mountain isn’t much of a mountain and it isn’t that big, about two miles by one mile, but it is special.
On Sunday, I went geocaching at some soccer fields at the Tulsa suburb of Broken Arrow. Little known fact is that many soccer fields are bordered by woods that separate them from surrounding neighborhoods. These are forgotten pieces of woods by everybody little neighborhood kids and geocachers. The going is a little rough because there are no trails and lots of nettles, stickers, and thorns.
Broken Arrow Sports Park
I only found one of the three geocaches I was looking for. One appeared to be beyond the park boundary behind a tall metal fence. A quick check on my iphone showed that it looked to be part of a private estate. I love geocaching and outlaw hikes but out and out trespassing on somebody’s home place? Count me out! So that was a big did not find on that one.
So I looked for three and found only this one. It is kind of like fishing though. If you caught fish every time you cast your line they wouldn’t call it fishing, they would call it catching! To me, finding caches is fun but the major fun is the looking. (If you want to know what geocaching is check this video.) Be assured there are two types of people in this world, those who are on fire about geocaching, and those who don’t get it.
Those edge pieces of woods are pretty neglected. I soaked my legs and shorts with DEET and was wearing a treated shirt but the thorns did a number on my legs. You know something, I don’t feel the cuts when they happen. I call it “suffering for my art.”
So I am chilled out this past week, two times in the woods. How was your weekend?
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Great photos! I saw the monkey in the tree and then scrolled down to read that you had seen it too. I’m always seeing things in things. 1 find out of 3 is better than 0 out of 3, right? Those thorns look painful, ouch! Your geocaching posts make me want to try it.
I just don’t get it…geocaching?? I love that it takes you into the woods though because I like seeing the photos. I don’t see any leaves turning yet. Ours are late this fall. That “frog” tree reminds me of a totem pole.
Congratulations on being selected for the advisory board! I know how much you love Turkey Mountain and other local open space, as it should be–we all need [places of nature in our lives. I’ve never geocached but I’ll look at the video to see what it is all about. That tree definitely has a face–very spooky!
Wow, good for you for being on the board of such a neat wilderness organization! The tree with a frog face or (to me) elephant and tusks is a work of art in the forest.
fun post as usual.
Hello,
Looks like my kind a walk. I love the forest and trees. The stickers are awful. Congrats on being elected onto the board. Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy new week!
Perfect environment for walking. That tree is totally unique.
It’s amazing the little pains that we ignore when we’re involved in something that we love to do. Have a blessed week Yogi.
ouch! thorns are always painful, our weekend was very quiet.
Beautiful ‘woodsie’ shots ~ looks more like Fall there than here in New England ^_^
Happy Day to You,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Anytime you can get into the woods for a hike is a good day. Congrats on your appointment to the Board. Perfect fit for you I’d say.
Dark and gloomy makes for good photos, I think. Good for you to re-vitalize your volunteering and advocacy. We need everyone we can get! I am like you, but with bruises. I am forever asking myself where they came from! I know about geo-caching but have never tried it. One of these days.