Weekend Recap

Last Saturday we set out for a little day trip. We like to take day trips when the weather is nice and we don't have any other plans or obligations. Day trips are ideal because you can explore an area you are unfamiliar with and you have something to look forward to when you are bogged down in the drudgery of the work week.

We headed north and east to Osage County, our state's largest county which also happens to be larger than two states! Our specific destination was Pawhuska to check out the nearby Tallgrass Prairie Preserve.

That particular area of our state is unique as there are large ranches and the ground is very rocky and rolling. It was  picturesque even though there was quite a bit of controlled burning going on. We stopped off for a look around at the Osage County Historical Society Museum which had some pretty neat Native American artifacts as well as other interesting items related to the prairie, ranching, the oil boom and even Boy Scouts!

After lunch we headed to the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve which is run by the Nature Conservancy. It is actually several miles north of Pawhuska down a gravel road. Once we entered the Preserve, it didn't take long before we started seeing the bison.

Driving through the Preserve, it almost seemed like taking a step back in time. There were very few cars and we felt like we could envision the pioneers who settled the area over a hundred years ago. It was a relaxing journey through the Preserve and we really enjoyed the scenery and the beautiful weather. The visitor center was at the end of the drive, and we learned a lot of insightful information about the Tallgrass Prairie from the volunteer working there.

Leaving the Preserve, we made the mistake of thinking we knew where we were going, but after some turns this way and that on dusty gravel roads, it was clear we were lost. Thankfully, T's phone has turn by turn navigation and were were able to eventually find a state highway, but not before we drove into a controlled burn and several men on 4-wheelers likely wondering what the heck a couple of cityfolk were doing wandering around their ranch. Never a dull moment!!

All in all, it was a great day trip with my favorite person and my batteries felt recharged! What do you do to recharge your batteries?

P.S. Sorry my pictures are so bad! I am working with an OLD point and shoot. I hope to get a new camera one of these days - maybe a digital SLR? Any thoughts?