Summer fun part two - Arcadia adventure

Okay, so you read last week's blog and managed to hit every family hotspot Edmond has to offer. Right? No really, you did, didn't you? Well, I'm not going to give you the third degree, but I do hope you put some time and energy into constructing the perfect Edmond playdate, because this city is pretty great.

But maybe you're ready for an adventure. Not an "eight hours in my car while my kids scream for McDonald's" adventure, but something quite a bit closer to home. In fact, it's just a hop, skip, and a jump over I-35. Technically, a good part of the area is still Edmond, in case you were wondering.

That's right. I'm talking about Arcadia Lake and the surrounding sites. Maybe you've visited them, and maybe you're certain you've had all the fun there is to be had. But if I were a betting woman, I'd say at least one item on this next list would go down in your "haven't done it yet" column.

So check it out...

Morning activity...The question is, what can't you do at Arcadia Lake? Actually, the answer depends on what you have at your disposal. For some activities you will need a boat or watercraft of some sort. However, if you don't have a water-worthy vessel on hand, don't despair. Paddle boats are available for rental, and fishing and hiking are free (once you pay the lake entry fee). Horseshoes, volleyball nets, and tents can also be rented.

Picnic lunch...Well, you are already at the lake, so you might as well take advantage of the numerous pavilions available for rental. Take your favorite eats and enjoy the shade, and bring some colored chalk, bubbles, or a T-ball set to occupy little ones who finish eating early. Oh, and as I always like to remind picnickers, don't forget those paperweights! Oklahoma wind plus baggies equals mass littering.

Afternoon cool down...Spend you afternoon at the Arcadia Round Barn, a historic site certain to give those rambunctious children something of interest for an hour or so (and make for some ah-mazing photos). The town of Arcadia has several historic sites, but chances are, if the kiddos are under 10, viewing old buildings won't be high on the to-do list. Instead, check out the nearby Parkhurst Pumpkin Patch, which offers a petting zoo, pony rides, and activity fort. (open Thursdays through Sundays)


Family-friendly eats...There is one place you are not going to want to miss, whether it's for lunch, dinner, or a quick afternoon snack. POPS is a landmark in Arcadia, with it's giant sixty-six foot tall soda bottle. The restaurant offers an old-school fountain service, hand-dipped ice cream, and a gift shop that will definitely having you using the word "no" every few seconds. But the bright colors and personality of this friendly place make it one of Arcadia's must-dos.

 

 

To spring break and back (in one day)

Spring break is almost here! I remember the excitement I felt when I was a student—especially in college—about having an entire week off from the grind and the opportunity to travel.

But now, things are a little different. For a few years, as a professional woman, the arrival of spring break didn’t even make an impression on me. I took my vacation when I took my vacation, and most often, it was not in March. Then, I started working from home when I had kids, and suddenly, I was reintroduced to the weeklong hiatus from everything school.

Am I excited about a week with no preschool? Of course! Absolutely! It’s awesome!

Okay, so maybe I’m trying too hard. The real issue is that I’ve got to find time to get a little work done, but I also want to make an effort to do some special activities with the kiddos. We’re not headed for any weeklong vacation, but I got to thinking, there must be some awesome day trips that would feel like an actual trip, but without the expensive hotels, tanks of gas, and a weeks-worth of meals.

So here are three options you could drive to and back in a single day. My kids, both under the age of four, may be a little young yet for these, but I get excited just thinking about the fun of these future adventures.  

1.    Tulsa. The second largest city in Oklahoma will feel like a trip to a big city, but you won’t need to spend too much time on the highway (it’s just an hour and a half from Edmond). The city offers a zoo, aquarium, air and space museum, water park, art museums, and several  beautiful parks. Of course, OKC has most of those things too, but Tulsa offers a chance to get out of town without going too far afield.

2.     AlabasterCaverns State Park. It’s been a few years since I’ve visited this attraction, but let me tell you, for any spelunking enthusiasts (or not, I mean, you don’t have to love caves to enjoy it) this is a hotspot. The three-quarter mile cavern is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and tours run on the hour. The drive is just under three hours from Edmond, so it’s probably not a bad idea to plan a breakfast and/or dinner stop to add to the fun.

3.     Arbuckle Wilderness. Then there’s the always popular Arbuckle Wilderness. Also just an hour and a half from Edmond, this destination is a kid-pleaser for sure. With roaming exotic animals, go-karts, rides, and their Safari store, everyone is bound to have a little fun.

This is just the tip of the iceberg, as Oklahoma has so much to offer for every age. Sometimes it just takes cozying up to Google for an hour or talking to in-the-know friends to find a creative outing that makes for an exciting trip—one where everyone still sleeps in his or her own bed at the end of the day.