May Camping

In the midst of the May madness, our family stole away for a three day - two night camping trip to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Southern Oklahoma. For more information, you can check out wichitamountains.fws.gov. We camped here a couple nights last year also. Springtime in Oklahoma, as I imagine just about anywhere, is full of life. The hillsides are green with blossoms blooming everywhere. The wildlife refuge hosts lots of wildlife, including a few rather large herds of buffalo. And, it was calving season. There would be groups of the females and their offspring, and even the younger bulls. The main bulls for the herd are free birds, and could be seen roaming across the refuge by themselves. There are also longhorn steers. We saw several, including their babies as well.
Last year, when we drove back into our campsite, there was a rather large bull bison at the next campsite. So, we could hardly imagine that happening again even though the campground is in the middle of the open range. But, while we were setting up camp, Sam looked over across to the next campsite and yelled "BUFFALO". We named him KungFu and he was our companion for the remainder of the afternoon, and even returned the following afternoon for several hours.

After he meandered off, we checked out his spot. Turns out that campsite number eight really is his spot. He has used that post as a scratching post many many times. Instead of being rough and splintery like the other campsite posts, it has been polished to a smooth finish. There is also buffalo hide stuck to the tree bark. Quite amazing really. We are convinced that KungFu was the same buffalo from last year. While it was bizarre and exciting to have him be our visitor for hours on end, I was relieved that we weren't actually in campsite number eight, and did give a heads up to the camper waiting to move in there come Friday morning. Eventually, he slowly meandered off while Sam and Dellen continued to fight all afternoon over the one hammock we had. Apparently, Dellen had gum. Meanwhile, I tired wastefully away doing tent repairs. We have a rather old worn out three bedroom tent. The zipper hasn't worked on the middle room ever since Russ took it down to Mexico on a missions trip several summers ago (only one of several youth group demises of our belongings). I had the ingenuous idea to use Velcro, and spent the entire afternoon fastening Velcro. What is funny here, at least to me, was that Russ snapped this photo of me on constant buffalo surveillance. I found it eerie that he appeared out of nowhere. He had to be kept an eye on! Evenings around the campfire are always fun. There were more visitors in the forms of deer, raccoons and a raucous group of wild turkeys.After we set up camp, we went to the visitor's center. Sam was asked by one of the Rangers if he'd like to take down the flag. That was another exciting highlight to our camping trip. In the morning, we went for a hike. There are several trails in the refuge. They remind me more of Colorado. I grew up camping in the mountains, so it has been a bit of an adjustment to camp on the plains by lakes. The refuge is very satisfying for me however, and while the Oklahoma mountains aren't comparative to the Rockies, their boulders and views offer a familiar comfort.

We chose a two mile trail, and felt quite accomplished that we were able to complete it. And truthfully, we also felt some freedom that accompanies the departure of the baby years. Yes, the hike did take all morning. Yes, Russ carried Dellen on his shoulders off and on (we figured about a third of the way total, not bad). And yes, we did listen to lots of moaning and whining from the tired or hungry or thirsty lot of us. But in the end, we did it and that was fun!

Dellen loved the hiking, but he didn't love the feel of the tall grass brushing past his fingers. Thus why he hiked quite a while with his hands held high.

Later in the afternoon, we drove to the top of Mt. Scott. The third highest mountain in Oklahoma, at a whopping 2464 feet above sea level. The boys loved climbing up and down the boulders. Turns out I have two rather daring climbers. Between their adventurous sides coming through and my awareness to keep an eye out for rattlesnakes hiding in every crevice, my mind had plenty to think about.

We had a marvelous time. It is tricky to find a few days that we can get away. Russ can't up and leave on a weekend, and now that school has started for Sam that has really affected the flexibility we'd once felt during the week. So, in February or so, we marked off these three days and felt such victory when we managed to hold onto them and enjoy our family time. It was an added plus, that we didn't have cell phone coverage. We had Daddy all to ourselves!

We are planning another camping trip at the end of July. This time, we'll go four days and three nights and are planning to camp in the mountains of Colorado. We've already bought a new tent, with three large rooms (we bring air mattresses) and zippers that work on all. My only concern now with this trip, is that it is in bear country. It is one thing to have a the bull bison ten yards away, quite another to be face to face with a bear! We'll share the story though.