One of the cool little secrets of northwest Oklahoma is the artesian well near Cherokee, in Alfalfa County.

This is seriously awesome.

We went here when I was a kid, and it was a little different then. I remember wild watercress growing underneath the pipe, which emptied into a big puddle/spring area. It’s easier to access now.

The well has been northeast of Cherokee on Hwy. 11 since 1954, when it was first drilled. The water has been free and available to the public 24 hours a day since then.

You kind of have to watch for it, because there’s no signs or anything. There’s a bit of a pulloff, and most times there’s other people there. Lots of folks bring their own big jugs and have fresh spring water at home all the time.

A company bought the area a few years ago, and they bottle the water and sell it for a delivery fee – so the water’s still free, basically. But the public is still welcome to come and get water anytime, right there at the source.

It’s only a little bit from Cherokee, and there’s other great things to do in Alfalfa County, what with the Salt Plains and sod house. This is a hidden gem for adults and kids alike. Don’t forget your bottles.

There’s so much fascinating history there. The figure of Abraham Lincoln…the freeing of the slaves…Gone with the Wind and Lee and Grant and Confederate money not worth the paper it was printed on. Brother against brother. Since I was a kid I’ve always wanted to know more. I also always wanted to see a battle reenactment, but I knew I’d have to go to the “real” south to see one. This is Oklahoma. We’re barely the south.

Then I learned about the Battle of Honey Springs, which took place near present-day Rentiesville.

According to the state travel website, the fight that took place on the Honey Springs Battlefield was the largest of 107 documented hostile encounters of the Civil War that occurred in Indian Territory. Additionally, it was one of the few if not the only battle that involved African American, American Indian, Hispanic and Anglo American soldiers. Records show it was the heroics of the African American regiment known as the First Kansas Colored that won the victory for the Union. The Battle of Honey Springs took place July 17, 1863.

This is a big place, and there are trails all over it for walking around and learning more. There are also signs along the way that have information about what happened there.

The director, Christopher Price, was there when we came and invited us into the little interpretive center trailer, where they had videos, a model of the battlefield, and other items of interest – plus gift shop items that held my children’s interest. My children liked the models, especially the horses, but they mostly liked running around in the wooded areas with Price’s sons, who were out of school for the Thanksgiving holiday and spending the day at work with their dad. They were pretending to be soliders for part of it, so that was hands-on education, I think.

The interpretive center was very small, but a new one is currently being constructed. A 5,000 square foot visitors’ center will replace the existing interpretive center soon.

They also hold reenactments each year, and this is going to be a big one, since this year is the 150th anniversary of the battle. Even though it was originally in July, the reenactment will be held November 8-10, 2013. I’ve never been to a reenactment, but I can’t think of many reasons that I won’t be there this November.

This picture came from their facebook page, and shows some reenactment scenes. You can also sort of see the little picture of what the new interpretive center is going to look like.

It’s free to visit the battlefield; hours vary for the interpretive center. It’s always closed Sundays, Mondays and state holidays. Other days, send an email to cprice@okhistory.org to ensure someone will be there to let you inside.

Here’s a link to a pdf flyer that has more info about the battlefield.

The place was a little hard to find at first. The address is 1863 Honey Springs Battlefield Road in Checotah. We tried putting that in the GPS and it wasn’t particularly helpful. Try these old-school directions instead: From I-40, take exit 264B north on Hwy 69 to the Checotah/Rentiesville exit, turn left onto old 69 and drive north 1.75 miles to the Rentiesville/Honey Springs Rd, then turn right and drive east 2 miles to DC Minner St and turn left. Drive north 1 mile where the road turns east, drive east 1/4 mile then turn back north.

From the outside, the Territorial Museum is absolutely adorable. it’s in a old schoolhouse, and looks so small its hard to imagine there’s much museum inside. But the historical society has definitely figured out how to put a lot in a little.

I’m going to wager the Territorial Museum is not ADA compliant, which is a shame. For those lucky enough to be able to enter, there’s a lot to see. A sweet older lady was running the museum when we arrived, and she showed us everything in the impressive display. The museum is filled from floor to ceiling with artifacts from the early days of Henryetta. There’s also displays for Aikman and for Jim Shoulders, sixteen-time world champion cowboy and inventor of the mechanical bull.

There’s so much in the museum, in fact, that it’s a little much for small children to take in, and I started to worry they were going to get into trouble while other people in our group inspected things at their leisure. Nothing is really protected from small people, and it’s up to parents to pull little hands away from the collection.

So we looked through, had our fill of the museum, and then went outside while everyone else kept looking and talking to the volunteer curator. Behind the museum, we found a playground! Hooray!

What luck! The museum appears to be part of an entire block that includes city offices and a park. The big play structure kept my small people entertained and worked off some energy after sitting in the car. When we got done with this, we moved on to the gazebo (you can see it at the right in the first photo) and played there. My son found a dime. Good times were had by all.

This is a great museum and a nice stop if you’re tooling down the interstate and need something to break up the monotony. There’s no charge, but there is a donation jar. Everyone can enjoy seeing the displays, and when the kids grow weary, they can run outside and not bother those who want to look a little more. I’d only caution about very little people – you wouldn’t want something to get broken, so you might want to hang on to them inside. I think you could maneuver an umbrella stroller, but anything bigger wouldn’t work inside.

Enjoy it!

The parkwas built to surround the Heavener Runestone – a large stone inscribed with what many believe is proof of Vikings in early Oklahoma. A definitive origin for the markings has been disputed, but it was intriguing enough for me to want to visit. Other rocks with similar markings have also been found, and those stones (or replicas) are also on display.

Last year, Heavener Runestone State Park, was one of seven state parks that Oklahoma decided they could no longer afford. I was a little worried that I wouldn’t ever get to see the runes in person, but the city of Heavener took it over in July 2011. The park is still nice and well kept, with a big gift shop. Admission to see the runes is by donation only.

The path was nice and wide, and the stone edged walkways were good for pictures. The runestone itself is in an enclosed building, so even though it was a little misty, we were able to look them over easily. You have to climb stairs to get there, so it’s not wheelchair or stroller accessible. If you do bring really little ones, make sure to hold on to them tightly, because there are a few drop off areas along the walkway. It seems perfectly safe but you don’t want to get too close to the edges.

Everyone looks quite a bit closer to the edge here than it seemed in real life. Hold those little hands tight!

All in all, we really enjoyed our visit to the Heavener Runestone Park. Of course there are geocaches in the area, so there’s more fun to experience. There’s also additional hiking trails and a pretty waterfall during rainy weather. I’m glad I finally got to experience the park…and I got to see it with my kids!

The weather was changing when we drove, and a cold front came through, but we still got a good look at the changing leaves before fog rolled in.

We started in Talimena, and visited the rest stop there and got some pictures.

The kids weren’t crazy about looking out the windows (we were in their grandparents’ van, and it has a DVD player) but when I pointed out the beautiful views, they looked out and suitably oohed and aahed.

We stopped at several of the early turnoffs, but stopped when the cold weather rolled in.

The best stop we got to visit was the Horse Thief Spring Historic Site. The spring was supposedly used as a water source by
outlaws who preyed on travelers using the Fort Smith to Fort Towson Road. It was enclosed by stone walls during the Great Depression. There’s also some informational signs here. The kids really enjoyed exploring the area and posing for pictures.

That was where the cold wind blew in, and we got back in the van. We drove on, planning to stop at the Queen Wilhelmina State Park for dinner. However, it is closed for renovations until 2013. That was a big disappointment but also a lesson – always check before you go.

We didn’t have time to hit the letterboxes and geocaches this time, but we’ll plan on that next time. There’s a lot hidden along the drive. Pack snacks and drinks for sure if you do, though, because the drive is long and there’s no convenience stores amid the natural setting.

I would like to take this drive again in 2013, after the lodge opens up at Wilhelmina State park again, and spend more time hunting for treasures and stopping at every place along the way. It’s a good trip for adults and children alike – as long as the kids have something else to keep them busy in the car when they tire of looking at pretty fall foliage.

You’d think it would be sort of a rinky-dink production, since it’s in a small town and serves as a fundraiser for high school students. But they’ve been running this thing for so long, they have it down to a science. Parents and sponsors put in a ton of work at this thing, which is held in a wooded area. It’s only a couple of miles to from the highway, but you’d never know it once the sun has set and you’re wandering around with creepy clowns and chainsaws everywhere.

Tickets are $10 – not bad for what you get. The trail is really big and full of scenes and spooks.

Of course, now I’m an old lady with kids, and we don’t do super-scary Halloween yet. My oldest is getting close, but I’m not sure she’ll want to go with her mom to a haunted house.

So we take the kids to the trick-or-treat trail.

On Halloween night, they open up early, and all the spooks hand out candy along the trail while the sun is still up. The kids love it – just enough scary to be cool but not enough to make nightmares. Trick or treat trail is $5 a kid, and adults are free with them.

To find the trail, go south on I-44 to exit 108 (Tuttle-Minco). Go west on Hwy. 37 to Sara Road. Go south on Sara four and a half miles or so. You’ll see the Bell gas station and the signs.

I don’t think I see as many butterflies anymore – and definitely not as many monarchs.

You can see them again in an historic rural Oklahoma area though.

In between the towns of Washington and Cole, in McClain County, sits a building marking the Jerusalem Community Heritage Center and Park. It marks a former black community. Many residents moved away around World War II. Recently, people who live nearby decided to clean up the area, which includes an old cemetery and historical markers.

Kids love the festival, and there are tons of them around. They have different things each year, since it’s relatively new. I’ve seen face painting, clowns, a butterfly parade, and the crowning of the butterfly queen. They have food for sale and monarchs to see.

There’s a lot of awesome photo opportunities for your kids. Bring money. It’s free to go, but there’s a lot of fun things to do – like releasing a monarch or playing games – and your kids will want to do that.

This is also a port-a-potty only event. My youngest child used a port-a-potty for the first time at the Monarch Festival. She was horrified. I took a picture. (Bad mom.)

The Monarch Festival is held in September – last year on the fourth Saturday. I think the actual date depends on the butterfly migration. All in all, it’s a fun time and a neat experience for kids.

I might not know if I didn’t live near it.

We’ve been to others, and we’ve been to bigger, but I sure like this one.

It’s got what I like in a spash park. It’s wet and fun, and it’s in a super-safe place. I feel good about letting my kids run and play here. There’s benches around it, and there’s even a covered picnic table right next to it – perfect for hosting a splash park birthday party!

I also like that since it’s out of the way, it’s usually not crowded. Sometimes we even have the whole area to ourselves. I like that…I think the kids like having other kids to play with. Either way, we win!

I didn’t until I was looking for something different for my daughter’s birthday. She was turning 12, and I wanted something fun that wouldn’t break the bank. I found out that I really like Cactus Jack’s.

It’s a game hall…but instead of being all bling and tiny kids, it’s an old-fashioned game hall. It’s wooden paneled walls and Ms. Pac-Man and pool tables.

We went during the week, so it was pretty empty. The tokens were a good value, and the tickets were plentiful. We ended up with tons of tickets and lots of prizes. The staff was young but nice. They really took care of us and we were glad we had our party there.

Yeah, some of the stuff was broken, and it wasn’t as exciting as the kids might have liked, but I loved that I could keep an eye on everyone while we were there. The place is really big, but open, and since it was a slow night, it was easy to count heads. The best part? I liked showing my kids what a real arcade was like…not like Chuck E. Cheese, which is great it in its own right, but not a real, old-fashioned arcade.

Neighborhood seemed a little sketchy but our cars were still cool when we got back out, so maybe I shouldn’t be so judgy.

Cactus Jack’s is recommended!

Cactus Jack’s ic located at 1211 North Council Road in Oklahoma City. You can find out more at their web site: cactusjacksokc.com .

Now Chickasha is just far enough from me that it didn’t make sense to go home. The camp was four hours long. I had two smallish kids with me.

One day it rained. We hit the library. Now, it was all right, but I’ve been spoiled by our favorite library, at Mustang, and so the kids area didn’t last us nearly long enough at Chickasha.

Then we headed for the parks.

There are sooo many parks in Chickasha. According to the City of Chickasha website, Chickasha Parks and Recreation Department has over 2,000 acres of land in the Parks System which includes seven park sites, one swimming pool, one recreation center, one community center, six tennis courts, four softball fields, one football field, eight baseball fields, seven covered picnic pavilions, fishing at Shannon Springs Park for persons under 16, over 65 or handicapped, agility course, ADA accessible walking path, three basketball courts, one lake with camping, fishing, hunting and recreation areas.

That’s a lot of parks.

They don’t even mention that this includes two splash pads and a skate park.

The website, which informative to a point, doesn’t give directions to all of the parks. That’s not cool.

But I’ll tell you what I know.

The awesome wooden park is Centennial Park. It’s in the 600 block of West Texas Avenue. This playground is so stinkin’ cool, it should have been crawling with kids.

We were the only ones there. It had an almost ghost town feel, and it looked a little neglected. There was some graffiti. That’s a shame because I remember when the community came together to build this great ADA compliant park. People volunteered and got this thing built. I don’t know why no one was here. Maybe it is some kind of drug user hangout and I just don’t know. Didn’t see anyone creepy…didn’t see anyone. Kids had fun anyway.

We also like the Shannon Springs Park. This is THE park in Chickasha. It’s got the pond and the splash pad and the playground and the little kids’ area and all the fun stuff. This is the one that has the big light display at Christmas. This is the good one.

Even a real, honest-to-goodness old-fashioned metal merry-go-round. Craziness.

Those are the only two parks we went to that week, but we also like Borden Park (the skate park is here) at the east side of Borden Park just off of 18th Street, and the Washita Valley Park, which they don’t have directions to, but basically when you’re downtown Chickasha, you sort of go east to the train tracks and then go south for a while. It’s got some cool old-fashioned playground equipment and another splash pad.

There’s also a newish sports park that isn’t of much interest to those looking for playgrounds and non-organized fun. The Chickasha website says there are more parks: Twelve and Alabama Park, Austin Park (which has no address listed), and Richie Park (also no address). Anyone know these parks? Are they fun?