The forecast for Tuesday was snow starting late in the morning. I decided to skip my yoga class and go for a hike while the hiking was good. Turkey Mountain had closed their trails though and so I went over to nearby Bales Park to see if I could find the future connector pathway between Bales and Turkey Mountain. The two parks are separated by a freeway US 75 but I heard the highway department was going to put in a “shelf” or something on an overpass that could be used for a trail.
Bales Park was empty, one other vehicle when I got there so I took off on their recently constructed trail. Bales has some of the most picturesque trees in Tulsa. I just love their shapes. The sky is kind of bleh but that’s okay. It is what it is.
I love the Bales Park wicket. I can see future trail runs here with maybe this the start and finish gate.
I meandered up the Ridge Trail that runs parallel to US 75.
I got to the vista at the top where three trails converge. You can also get a view of downtown Tulsa way off in the distance. I actually felt sorry for my former coworkers who are slaving away down there making sure that we have enough energy to power the economy, and provide a return to the shareholders but mostly to keep those pension payments coming!!
So I headed north along this old road, not on the designated trail. True Confessions. I was looking for a way to cut under US75 where it meets I44. But I ended up having to go off trail.
I got to me destination. The Feds are financing the construction of a new interchange at US 75 and I 44. All of Oklahoma’s congressmen are hurrahing the project. What they don’t say is that they all voted against it. But enough of that.
So I found where the new trail cuts under US 75. It’s almost like a road. Really nice.
So I got over to the other side of US 75 where the YMCA is and followed a trail there. They have put a disc golf course up. YMCA’s are multitaskers!! It looks like they leased a site for a billboard at the same location.
I couldn’t tarry so I didn’t spend too much time on the east side of US 75 so I doubled back across the trail under the freeway.
And back to Bales Park. I love the trees there. I hardly ever see anybody at Bales Park. On Martin Luther King’s birthday, Turkey Mountain’s parking lots were jam packed. My wife and I went to Bales Park and didn’t hardly see anybody the whole time we were there. I saw literally nobody today.
Lots of gray sky and beautiful trees though. That’s Turkey Mountain in the background.
So I see how they are going to connect Bales Park and Turkey Mountain via the YMCA. The freeway interchange construction is at a pause right now and I don’t know when they are starting back up but I don’t see the trail connections being made until the interchange is complete. Obviously I went across and anybody else can but there is really no trails to connect to on either side. Not everybody is going to be willing to overland it like I did.
Here is a map of my adventure. Only about two miles but a million miles of fun.
And a little video.
And a slick map from Garmin showing my travels. If you don’t map your adventures did they really even happen?
It’s Skywatch Friday time. My skies are gray but hey can’t all be blue skies or dramatic storm clouds. Gray clouds are part of the as well.
Genial paseo te mando un beso.
You do have very nice parks and hiking trails. I do agree, the trees are beautifully shaped.
Your trails and parks are very nice. We also have many hiking, biking, and horse riding trails. The longest one closest to my house goes through the Withlacoochee State Trail and is paved and 46-mile long. It runs through the Withlacoochee State Forest next to our house, I always rode my bike on it . Some go alongside rivers, and those are my favorites.
Your gnarled tree photos look a lot like van Gogh paintings, Yogi! I’m glad that you are able to hike even in winter.
It has been unusually cold and grey here along the Colorado front range, too. There is lots of ice everywhere–even our trails– so we have not been getting out as much.
The snow is leaving Idaho. I like the first photo.
Coffee is on and stay safe
…your pictures are what we have been “enjoying” this week, overcast skies. Take care and stay well..
When I was growing up in Tennessee I found winter – January, February, – to be sad with empty trees, gray skies, and cold rain. I am though fascinated by the beauty of an empty tree like that first photo of yours. It has a real beauty to its symmetry.
I like your sense of exploration and finding new things. Cool to see the underside of US 75.
Nice detective work! I haven’t seen the word wicket. Use that way before.
Love the views of the trail and the trees. Take care, have a wonderful weekend.
We share the same gray skies currently. Love those gnarly trees … kind of like arthritic fingers. Funny how the connector now is a great idea, albeit they didn’t vote for it. Even in my neck of the woods, we hear of these hypocrisies.
A lot packed into a bit over two miles. It seemed to be a longer walk to me, not sure why. Maybe all of your finds? So enjoyable. We have those same gloomy skies.
Yes, those trees are interesting. I love your map of your squiggly hike! Our politicians do like to take credit for things they voted against, don’t they? My state is having an issue with passing a law the votes voted for. Why bother taking it to the people if they aren’t going to accept the results?
Whaat a nice hike. The trail will be a great addition when it’s done and connected. Love the first photos of the beautiful tree, Thanks for sharing your hike with us. Have a wonderful weekend.
That does go a distance through different scenery, I like the poles that are the entranceway too.
Great photos, such a wonderful hike!
The lone bare tree against the sky always makes a wonderfully dramatic photo. I always love the trail photos you show. They make for much better walking than city walks that’s for sure. Enjoy your weekend.
I’ve visited you already yesterday, but the google-translator wasn`t working…so I tried today again, but it`s the same! Honestly, I cannot understand all by myself, never learned English.. but I enjoyed the photos, especially the trees.
Have a nice weekend
Gorgeous series of cloudy day photos ~ wonderful tree photos ~ Xo
Want to see a pic Kodie after being groomed ~ it is exhausting to them ~ Xo
Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Love the idea of joining the two parks.