Oklahoma Trips on a Tank Full

With summer fast approaching you may be wondering like me, how do I keep these kids entertained all summer?  Luckily, if you live in Oklahoma like me, there are many opportunities that this great state has to offer.  I've included a link to the Oklahoma State Department of Tourism where you can request free brochures and receive free coupons for children friendly museums and activities.  http://www.oktourism.com/literature-request/

From trips to the Oklahoma City Adventure District visiting the Oklahoma City Zoo or the Oklahoma Science Museum to trips to Frontier City Amusement Park and White Water, there is so much to do. Of course, the Oklahoma Aquarium and the Bricktown Ballpark are great destinations for summer fun but have you also visited Andy Alligator's in Norman or Leonardo's Discovery Warehouse in Enid? Looking for a cool place to eat with your kids that won't break your bank?  Check out Pop's on Route 66 in Arcadia or Meers Restaurant in Meers near Lawton and Altus. If you're near Stillwater of course you have to check out the world famous Eskimo Joe's.

My family travels frequently and we love to travel around Oklahoma.  You don't have to travel far or spend a lot of money in gas (which is going up again!!!) to find something to do.  I encourage you to look around Oklahoma before making your expensive travel plans for the summer and notice all that Oklahoma has to offer.  Is this a great state or what?

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Shelly Perkins Photography

God's Beauty at Oklahoma Lake

The Wichita Mountains in Southwestern Oklahoma has several lakes and many gorgeous viewing areas. This is an image I created in the spirit of Ansel Adams and his idea for black and white landscape photography. I am not, by any means, saying I can duplicate his amazing talent but I'm learning and loving what I'm doing. I'm proud to live in Oklahoma where we have a diverse landscape from flatlands and prairies to hills and mountains. I hope you enjoy this shot of God's Beauty that I found at Ketch Lake near the Wichita Mountains. Shelly Perkins Photography www.shellyperkins.com

Fun at the Nature Center at Lake Thunderbird

I wanted to share a few pics of our afternoon at the Lake Thunderbird Nature Center in Norman, Oklahoma. This is a great place to spend a little time with your kiddos. It is located off Oklahoma State Highway 9 on the south side of the lake. The center is free since Lake Thunderbird is a state park and is open everyday 9-5 except Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

The center has an official park ranger on duty to talk about the wildlife found in Oklahoma and locally in Cleveland County around the lake. The park ranger can also give you maps and point you to great hiking and biking trails or places to play in the water, even if you don't own a boat or a ski-do. The Lake Thunderbird Nature Center is a fun place to spend an afternoon.

For more info check out:
http://www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.4386


Shelly Perkins Photography
www.shellyperkins.com

The Oklahoma Aquarium Offers Family Fun

Recently two of my daughters and I were able to visit the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks, Oklahoma for the first time. What an amazing place not so far from home. I've heard great things about the aquarium but never took the time to visit. It is a public, non-profit aquarium just minutes from Tulsa devoted to their mission "Conservation Through Education."

We had a great time and I would love to share a few photos from our visit. Who would have known that such an amazing aquarium existed in land-locked Oklahoma? If you are near Jenks, Oklahoma or visiting the Tulsa area, I suggest you stop in for at least a few hours and see what you've been missing. My girls had a great time and I'm sure we'll be back.

Checking out Rick Sinnett's Work for Public Arts Project 66

I was able to meet Rick Sinnett this past weekend at The Womb Art Gallery.  Great guy and amazing artist doing some colossal things in Oklahoma along Route 66 and throughout the state.  He showed me his drawings which will stimulate the old wheat elevator that now houses Rocktown Climbing Gym in OKC.  What a great idea to not only use public art to revitalize an area but also to tie the state together.  I can't wait to see it and photograph this talented artist's work.  Thanks Rick for sharing your vision.

Meers Longhorn Burgers at Meers Store and Restaurant

Wow, what a great burger joint we discovered in the southwestern part of Oklahoma near Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma. This place is located in an old gold mining town called Meers and is pretty much all that's left of the town. Meers Burgers are quite famous in its parts and as we discovered from the many articles hanging around that it's actually famous nationwide. Several newspapers and foodies have been there and trumped it, even including the New York Times, Travelocity Editor's Pick, Tulsa World, made a list on Man Vs. Food, and has been included in a documentary.

Getting to Meers Store and Restaurant is half the fun. Traveling just a little over an hour southwest from Oklahoma City on I-44, you'll head to Lawton. Hungry patrons will find it located in a little spot in the country near the Wichita Mountains, which is hidden but easy to find. You'll discover the fun decor which makes you feel like you've stepped back in time going out for a bite with your grandpa. Meers is a place where people can put their business cards up for those who made need your services or where military members hit up the doors with their "zaps" from their squadron. My husband, a retired Air Force pilot, noticed a sticker from his New York squadron zapped proudly on the men's room door.

When you look at the menu you'll notice that everything is made to order. Served in gold panning plates, the HUGE longhorn burgers are cooked well done and the "cowboy burgers" include mustard. However, for all of you ketchup lovers who eat "yankee burgers" or the mayo burgers which are "sissy burgers," you can order them up also. Our family ordered BBQ brisket, a Meers longhorn burger, a chili cheese dog and even cheese fries. They were served with several sides of potato salad, cole slaw, beans and a hot roll. Everything was delicious. Our drinks were served in glass mason jars which my daughters thought were cool and wanted to take home. We really didn't have room for dessert but when we found out they have IBC root bear floats and cherry cobbler a' la mode made with real homemade ice-cream and served in giant bowls, we HAD to have some. We left with full tummies and headed for a drive up to the top of Mount Scott in the Wichita Mountains. My kids had a great time at Meers Store and Restaurant and I'm sure we'll return again.

www.meersstore.com

Shelly Perkins Photography
www.shellyperkins.com

Route 66 Kicks by Shelly Perkins Photography

I recently was able to spend an afternoon with my husband cruising in my convertible down Route 66. Living in Oklahoma, we are lucky to have a strip of this historical mother road with some really cool attractions and sites. One of my favorite places to take my kids is Pops in Arcadia, Oklahoma. It's so fun to watch them debate over the hundreds of choices of soda.

We had a great day trip driving on Route 66. Luckily, my husband is a pretty good sport and never growls when I want to stop somewhere to shoot pics. I wanted to make sure I made a funky shot with the Route 66 sign to signify the fun associated with the road. I hope you enjoy this shot which I'm going to metal print and hang in my own home.

So if you or your kiddos get bored, jump in your car and get your kicks on Route 66.

Shelly Perkins Photography
www.shellyperkins.com

Downtown in December - Family Fun in Oklahoma City

Hello friends ~ Looking for something to do while your kids are out of school, take them to DOWNTOWN OKC. Tons of stuff going on, including snow tubing at the Brick and Ice Skating on the grand lawn of the Civic Center. ENJOY all that our city has to offer. I've listed the website below so you may access the site to see for yourself.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Family Fun
Downtown in December
http://www.downtownindecember.com/

Shelly Perkins Photography
www.shellyperkins.com

POPS with Pops by Shelly Perkins Photography

If you live in this great state of Oklahoma or are fortunate enough to travel through, I must suggest you head out to old Route 66 in Arcadia for an afternoon. It's only five miles off of I-35, so you can make a quick stop and get back on the interstate if you're headed North or South.

My husband and I had a great family day with two of our daughters and my father at Pops. The girls said let's take "Pops to Pops today!" What a great idea. I know I'm sounding like a commercial right now, but it's a great place to grab a good ole' burger at a good price and have some fun with the family. There are so many types of sodas to choose from (Yes, I said Soda...living in New York for a time keeps the 'Soda' word in my vocabulary. LOL) Of course you can't take a trip without taking the infamous tourist photo in front of the 60 foot soda pop bottle, so don't forget your camera.

After you have a meal at Pop's, head a little farther East on Route 66 to check out the Round Barn. My kids loved standing in the middle listening to their voices echo. Downstairs is a little museum with an old timer who is pretty interesting to speak to and will share stories of the old round barn if you just ask. This summer is going by so quick and I want to make memories with my children they will remember.




Shelly Perkins Photography
www.shellyperkins.com