Most of us have a bucket list of things we hope, dream and plan for. Personally, I try to plan one special trip every year. If I do that until age 60, I have only 11 more. Sound depressing? It could be. . . but one way around it is to appreciate nature and the outdoors locally. When possible, I make short visits to nearby Lake Overholser and Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge to take photos of amazing sunsets and native wildlife. Travel time is less than five minutes, but the physical and emotional recharge I get is far greater. These two areas are on the west side of Oklahoma City, between Bethany and Yukon. Stinchcomb has been named one of the 100 largest parks within cities in the United States. It includes over 1,000 acres of hardwoods including sycamore, oak, red bud, hackberry, and cottonwood trees with swamplands and several small lakes and incredible wildlife. If bird watching interests you, you will find great diversity in this area because of the multiple environments for both song birds and waterfowl. You don't just have to walk the trails. You can also canoe or kayak through the refuge, up to a nine mile float trip if you put in west of Yukon. If you want to hike the best trails, start on the east side of the refuge that will lead you to four lakes which are linked to the North Canadian River. If you continue south from these trails you will connect to the 2.5 mile paved walkway along the east side of Lake Overholser. This is the perfect area to watch the sun set or watch an approaching storm build. You can walk yourself, your dog, run, bike or even rollerblade this paved walkway. This trail ties into the projected trail master plan of Oklahoma City that will have 208 miles sponsored and maintained by local governments and partnerships with neighborhoods and private sector organizations. In addition, there are mountain biking trails south of the dam, boat docks, picnic areas, a fishing pier, and a large modern outdoor playground on the far west side. I love to see pride and enthusiasm for a city-owned outside resource. If you want to join local volunteers in making a difference, come on Earth Day, Saturday, April 21 for the clean-up. OKC Kayak offers free use of canoes to help clean the lake. Materials will be sorted into true trash and recyclables, helping reduce our carbon footprint. Doing this will help you enjoy the outdoors, meet like-minded people and if you commit in advance they will provide great BBQ, a steak or veggie sandwich. For more information go Earth Day Overholser-Stinchomb This is where I connect with the outside on a regular basis to watch the seasons change and observe wildlife. Being a ultimate outsider to me does not just mean finding my happy area and enjoying it. It means taking a pledge and being committed to preserve and sustain these natural treasures. I believe we can make a difference and enjoy it. Join me on April 21 at your special area and take care of it.

I have heard it said that "it is not the destination, but the journey" . I believe this to the fullest. We concentrate so much on where we are going that we forget or passively ignore the here and now. Black Mesa is a little that way for me being in the extreme corner of the panhandle of Oklahoma. On my way to New Mexico or Colorado I usually travel I40 and put my head down and foot down to proceed to the mountains, but several years ago on a family trip we decided to detour to Black Mesa and spend an extra couple of days. What a fantastic choice!

There are two separate points to this destination, Black Mesa State Park and Black Mesa Nature Preserve. The nature preserve consists of 1,600 acres and proudly possess the highest point in Oklahoma at 4,973 feet above sea level. Although there are many summits in the lower 48 that are more dramatic and more difficult to get to, the views from top of this mesa are sensational. It takes approximately four hours to hike to this high point and return to your car (8 Miles). The area is called the Black Mesa because of the black lava rock that makes up this plateau. This region represents the true division between the plains and the Rockies. In this preserve there are 23 rare plants, 8 rare animals and a bird population that makes this an ornithologist's dream. The preserve is only open from dawn to dusk and camping is not allowed within its borders. In my opinion the best time for this hike is early in the morning or at sunset, especially in the summer heat.

Camping will have to be done at Black Mesa State Park, located 15 miles from the nature preserve, next to Lake Carl Etling. There are RV campgrounds, tent sites, rest rooms with showers and a group camp with bunkhouses located in a valley between two bluffs. The facilities are simple, but clean and comfortable. This park is rarely crowded and is an exceptional location to camp with kids with the old nostalgic type playground and trails everywhere with first-rate views. If fishing is one of your intentions, you should call the park to verify adequate water is present. The recent drought has taken a toll on the water level, but the lake rapidly fills because of the large area that drains to it, therefore, the water level can swiftly change.

If you long for an experience in this remote area, but would prefer not camp you can stay at Black Mesa B&B, a 1910 ranch house. Even though I have always camped when in the Black Mesa area, this is another means to experience the unique Dry Cimarron Valley area on a very picturesque and historic ranch. At Black Mesa B&B there are multiple rooms, family rooms with multiple beds, and breakfast is always included.

If you are continuing west consider traveling highways 456 and 72. These roads will take you through a high plateau area that has magnificent opportunities to see wildlife and awesome landscapes. Be aware that even though it is called a highway there are close to 20 miles of dirt road, but the pay off is spectacular.

I may have started going to Black Mesa as a side trip but now it has become the destination as well. Check out Black Mesa State Park Website for more information on hours and fees.

The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is about 60,000 acres, one third of which is open to the public. The rest is restricted from visitors and reserved for the wildlife. This outcropping of granite in the prairie is actually some of the oldest mountains in the world. The park was established in 1901, six years before Oklahoma became a state. The land was used to reintroduce buffalo, long horn cattle and elk to the area. This was possible because chunks of granite in the soil prevented the land from being plowed and used for farming.

Today this is one of the exceptional recreational areas around. This granite is superb rock for climbing with its many clefts, crags and excellent stability. There are numerous climbing areas throughout the park. The Narrows, Mount Scott, and Crab Eyes are some of the more established climbing locations. If climbing interests you, a very informative book is "Oklahoma SelectA Climber's Guide" written by Tony Mayse. Even if scaling up the side of a cliff is not your thing, watching an accomplished climber is absorbing. Think you want to try to travel vertically? Talk to the guys at Backwoods or contact guideforaday.com . They will have advice.

Hiking is another magnificent pursuit in the park and has diverse trails for all levels. There are many trails along creeks, around boulders and through scrub oak forest. It does not matter what season you visit. In the spring there is blooming bright pink barrel cactus, the brilliant yellow prickly pear and fresh pale ivory yuccas. In early summer there are meadows full of the beautiful red and yellow indian blankets and fall has the spotted deep red sumac throughout hills and along the trails. As you hike keep you eyes alert for the incredibly diverse wildlife. Seeing buffalo cows with young calves, the radiant colored collared lizards, a lone longhorn bull resting in a low meadow area or a flock of wild turkeys walking through the sun are all possible.

Whether climbing or hiking, staying in the park at Camp Dorris is a real joy. There are numerous tent and RV sites that are nicely integrated throughout the camp giving a sense of privacy and seclusion. The camp has had a very famous visitor in Teddy Roosevelt as he stayed there when he was in Oklahoma on a wolf hunt. If the camp is full and you have not made a reservation, don't panic! The nearby Great Plains State Park almost always has openings and is about 20 miles west.

One of the best-kept secrets is the backcountry pass into Charon's Garden. It is an easy day hike, but permits are at a premium as there are only ten a week and you can stay a maximum of three days. These passes must be reserved three months in advance. The planning and early call to the park services will be well rewarded. The Charon's Garden area is full of wildlife and very little evidence of man. This is the best secluded, protected location to watch the sunrise, sunset and star gaze. To sit there in the fall hearing the elk bulls bugling, projecting their sounds through the canyons and valleys, is a special thrill. The romantic in me cannot help but imagine the lives of the indigenous people that walked and lived among these undisturbed sacred hills.

Restricted area is a little like the forbidden fruit. You just want a taste. You're in luck. Tours into the restricted areas for eagle watching, elk bugling, wild flower hunting or stargazing are well worth the time. The volunteer guides are well informed and do a great job pointing out the special secrets. Once again, reservations are a must to get a seat.

On your trip home, stop by Meers for a longhorn cheeseburger or hamburger served in a pie plate. Be patient as a two-hour wait is not uncommon, but all drinks are cold and the peach cobbler with homemade ice cream solves all of the world problems...........for a while.

With the Wichita's being only 1.5 hours away, it is hard for me not to go every time I have an free afternoon, especially this time of year. The reason is a story from a close friend. When he was a young adult he went to the Wichita's on a cold winter day. Tired after climbing they sat down to eat as it started to snow and snow and snow. The park ranger pulled into an empty campground and found this group. He was there to inform them of the intensifying winter storm. They convinced him that they were experienced and well equipped. The ranger wished them luck and they retired to their tents. After several hours there was a full blanket of snow. The skies cleared revealing a full moon. Not to waste the perfect time they explored the hills and meadows with the aid of the moonlight and perfect virgin snow. He still recoun ts that moment with a tranquil, reverent smile of someone who received a special gift. His story got to me! Now every time it snows I think, "Can I get there?" Haven't yet, but the gear is packed. Come on snow! Who wants to go?