Stone Stairway to Heaven

Someone I know climbs the iconic stone stairway at Quannah Parker Lake. Located across the dam, it's one of my favorite places in the refuge.

Mother and Daughter

My lovely wife Cindy and daughter Dixie somewhere in the mountains.

The Next Generation

Just as my grandparents brought my mother and her sisters here, and my parents brought my sister and I here, and we, in turn, brought our children here, this is the next generation - standing tall.

Cooling Off

Hiking along a dry, rugged trail, over boulder-strewn canyons in mid-summer is hot. But there are times, along Cache Creek, one can remedy that problem, as Zach is doing here.

Dad and Mom on Mount Scott

This is a special memory for me. My Mother was already showing symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease. My Dad was serving in the Oklahoma legislature and increasingly involved in her care. My daughter was visiting from Kansas, and we all four rode up to Mount Scott to enjoy the view.

Cobblestone Dam at Lost Lake

Why did the kids cross the Dam at Lost Lake? Because it was fun! (And no-one fell.)

Prickly Pear Cactus

These can be found all over the refuge. Their reddish-purple fruit (called "tunas") is sweet, and often used in jams and candies.

My Daughter and Her Firstborn

Close to the Elk Mountain Trail Head, pictured here is my lovely daughter and my grandson.

Frozen West Cache Creek

The creek was frozen, but the ice was not too thick. When Zack threw a rock into the stream - what happened next surprised us all! It also became the subject of another Ethelbert poem of mine.

Three Generations

My Aunt Betty (far right), her daughter Tammy (middle), and her daughter Heather as the daylight slowly disappeared on top of Mount Scott.

Little Baldy Buffalo

From on top of Little Baldy, I zoomed in to get this lone Buffalo, enjoying a drink not far from Quannah Parker Dam.

Lanceleaf Coreopsis

Scattered throughout the refuge, these small yellow flowers provide early nectar in the spring, before many other plants have begun to bloom. The flower heads of young plants sometimes track the sun—just like their cousins, the sunflowers.

Grazing Near Jed Johnson Lake

We came across these two buffalo while driving near Jed Johnson Lake. In the distance stands the old Fire Observation Tower, sheathed in cobblestone, and built in 1941.

Lace Cactus

It's blooms only last a few days, so I was super-fortunate to find this group in flower. Each flower has a green stigma in the center, contrasting vividly with the magenta petals and golden stamens. No wonder bees are attracted to it!

Splash!

Nothing like a big splash from a small rock! This photo was taken near the broken cobblestone dam behind the parking/picnic area at the Elk Mountain Trail Head.

Cloudy Reflection

Taken from the middle of the Quannah Parker dam, not long after a rain, the smooth surface of the lake perfectly reflects the clouds above.

Turkey Vulture

Not a true vulture, it is named for its bald, red head, resembling a wild turkey. It’s a master glider, using thermals to stay aloft with minimal effort, often soaring for hours. Many times we would see them around Mount Scott.

Near the Forty-Foot-Hole

Mason stands at the top of the tall cliffs that border the forty-foot-hole, a popular hiking spot in the Wichitas.

Mount Scott Lookout

Here are some family members enjoying an iconic lookout perched on top of Mount Scott.

Lake View From Little Baldy

From atop Little Baldy, this is the view of Quannah Parker Lake, with Mount Scott in the distance. It's a short hike and a great view.

Boulder Hopping

Well it's what you do to get around in these rugged, granite mountains. Here Zach poses in front of Quannah Parker dam.

Smiling Faces

With Elk Mountain in the distance, and the broken dam too, we paused in the shade for a photo. Everyone was so happy!

The Narrows

The view from the Narrows, where West Cache Creek turns south.

Precious Memories

Sometimes when you're little, you need a lift, even on short hikes. The landscape here is very rugged after all.

One of my earliest memories is riding on my dad's shoulders. Here I pay it forward with one of my grandsons.