When you hear that Oklahoma has 52 State Parks does it stir up an urging inside to get up off that couch, load up the family vehicle and take off on an adventure? Well if it doesn’t it should.

Let me tell you a story.

It was the first time my dad planned something for just the two of us to do together. I was excited my dad wanted to take me on an adventure.

Mom dropped the two of us off in the Osage Hills State Park near Bartlesville. With our backpacks loaded with supplies, we began our three day hiking and camping adventure. My dad taught me how to build a lean-to for shelter; we made fishing poles out of small tree branches. I caught a perch but to a kid it was the greatest trophy catch ever.

My dad brought pure honey, saying that eating the honey helps sustain your energy. I could hardly sleep that night; credit the honey or just my excitement of being there with my dad. Early the next morning I ran to the water’s edge to pull in my perch only to be surprised to find a snake on the stringer which had swallowed my perch whole. My dad came running when he heard my yells. Now for you parents you can just imagine the look on his face to see his son holding a stringer with a full size water moccasin on the other end trying to get free. If that wasn’t enough of a wake up call he noticed that all around my feet were a bunch of baby water moccasins trying to help their momma. Needless to say I let the snake go and instead of fish for lunch we had some more honey.

That trip was over 40 years ago and I can remember it like it was yesterday. Now that I am parent I have tried to make similar memories for my kids and I encourage you to do the same for yours.

Approximately 30-minutes east of Muskogee is Greenleaf State Park offering those adventure memories. Greenleaf has a 900-acre lake, cabins, swimming pool and watercraft. What I recommend is their fantastic hiking trails. You can find the trail head in the park itself then follow it all the way around to the spillway. For the more adventurous you can continue on around until you find the swinging bridge. This is a beautiful spot on the lake with a postcard view and peaceful sounds of nature to enjoy with your kids.

The world offers so much to compete for your kid’s attention and sometimes a parent feels helpless. Take my advice or better yet take the advice from that kid some 40 years ago on a three day hike with his dad. Escaping with your kid if even for just one day into the great Oklahoma outdoors; that one day can become a life long memory.

For more information on hiking at Greenleaf call 1-918-487-5196 or visit Greenleafcabins@oklahomaparks.com.

Rocky Anderson’s column appears on Fridays. Send your comments or ideas to Ra101460@yahoo.com or reach him by phone at 351-5545.