Rogers State University Nature Reserve

Trying to decide which trail to take.

A few days ago a new member in our homeschool group mentioned that Rogers State University in Claremore has hiking trails. I was intrigued so I asked about a location and decided it would be fun to take the kids soon. This morning Mike and I woke up and were talking about it and decided it might be fun to go ahead out there this morning. Im so glad we did.

Here are two links with maps of its location and some photo's. http://www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.6453. http://www.tulsaaudubon.org/guides/rogers-state-conservation-reserve.htm

The trail is paved which is nice as it allows you to clearly see the trail and where it goes. Its got signs all over. The trail are well maintained as well.

As we were walking it was very peaceful and quiet. You can hear the birds and insects. We started out and eventually came upon a bridge across a medium pond. The photo below (I got off a website because I forgot to take one) is of the bridge over this pond. Its beautiful. On the shore we saw turtles, frogs and a snake! It was so neat to see all these things in their natural habitats.

The bridge over the pond

As we were walking back over the bridge I stopped to see if I could see more frogs and I instead saw a large snake just hanging there in the mud. As Mike looked closer he realized it was a copperhead! It slithered off into the mud, the kids thought it was great!

We continued down the trail when I noticed a floating dock off in the distance. We wound around to it and took the opportunity to get real close to the shore and see animal tracks and lily pads.

Checking out the shore.

It was really neat to show the kids things like bag worms in the lower branches of the trees up close. At one point we walked into the brush a little to get to the shore and as I was standing there I looked down and right in front of my foot was a snake! Im not sure what kind but it was a little too close for me so I went back to the paved trail.

We got around to the floating dock, from it you could see frogs, turtles, fish and some crazy looking algae.

The floating dock in the distance.

Past the floating dock was an area that looked like they have classes or groups out to do stuff. There was a building called the aqua lab and opposite it was a little areas with benches and bird houses. The area out there is so beautiful and peaceful I know Mike and I are going to back for sure and have a picnic and explore more. The kids got hot and tired so we had to head back but it was worth the time we spent and I will definitely be taking the kids back.

The kids starting to get pooped.

A small area set up outside the Aqua Lab.