Travel / Ideas for getting out there
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Find fresh places to explore, practical trip-planning advice, and gear notes. This is the home for a dedicated travel guide that can grow over time.
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Latest stories
How I Somehow Ended Up Fighting Wildland Fire
How does an Oklahoma National Guardsman and software developer end up in wildland fire? From FFT2 and prescribed burns to FFT1, S-290, aviation operations, and helping build the program, this is how I found my way into wildland fire and why I am still figuring out where it might lead.
September 27, 2026
Flagstaff Might Be One of My Favorite Places in Arizona, maybe one of my favorite places period.
I've been to Flagstaff twice and somehow got two completely different versions of it. From hiking around Snowbowl and exploring the Coconino and Kaibab forests to wildfire smoke, downtown food, outdoor shops, and views toward the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff has become one of my favorite places in Arizona.
September 15, 2026
Las Vegas Was Fun. I Just Wouldn’t Stay at the Strat Again.
Las Vegas was a hell of a trip, but I definitely learned a few things along the way. From a $1,000 hotel surprise at the Strat to canceled tower attractions, brutal desert heat, and slot machines in the airport, here’s what my Vegas trip was actually like and what I’d do differently next time.
September 15, 2026
Firsthand notes
Firsthand reviews
Amazon Basics 50°F Sleeping Bag Review: A Lot More Bag Than $20 Should Buy
The Amazon Basics 50°F sleeping bag is comfortable, reasonably light, and surprisingly well built for the price. At around $20, it feels more like a $40 sleeping bag and stands out as an excellent value for mild-weather camping.
Sequoyah Bay State Park Review
Sequoyah Bay State Park is a clean and practical lake access park on Fort Gibson Lake, offering straightforward water recreation and a simple outdoor experience.
Sequoyah State Park Review
Sequoyah State Park is a well-rounded Oklahoma park on Fort Gibson Lake with camping, hiking, horseback riding, scenic views, and a stronger state park identity than most lake parks.
Arrowhead State Park Review
Arrowhead State Park is a solid Oklahoma lake park on Lake Eufaula, offering boating, fishing, camping, and a relaxed outdoor atmosphere that makes it a dependable weekend getaway.
Lake Eufaula State Park Review
Eufaula State Park is a spacious Oklahoma lake park on Lake Eufaula that offers boating, fishing, camping, and relaxed outdoor recreation in a straightforward getaway setting.
Tenkiller State Park Review
Tenkiller State Park is a strong Oklahoma lake park known for swimming, fishing, camping, and scenic water access on Lake Tenkiller, making it a dependable destination for outdoor recreation and weekend getaways.
Robbers Cave State Park Review
Robbers Cave State Park is one of Oklahoma’s most well-rounded parks, offering hiking, canoeing, swimming, horseback riding, wildlife watching, camping, and beautiful seasonal scenery in a setting that feels worth the trip year-round.
Keystone State Park Review
Keystone State Park is a practical Oklahoma lake park that gives visitors straightforward access to Keystone Lake for boating, fishing, camping, and simple outdoor recreation.
Greenleaf State Park Review
Greenleaf State Park offers a well-rounded Oklahoma lake experience with solid camping, good water recreation, and a pleasant wooded setting that makes it feel more complete than a basic access park.
Grand Lake: Twin Bridges State Park Review
Grand Lake: Twin Bridges is a decent Grand Lake option that does the basics well, offering solid lake access for boating, fishing, and camping without trying to be overly elaborate.
Grand Lake: Spavinaw State Park Review
Grand Lake: Spavinaw is a quiet, scenic getaway centered on Spavinaw Lake rather than Grand Lake itself, with creekside camping, dam views, and a secluded atmosphere that makes it feel like a hidden escape.
Grand Lake: Little Blue State Park Review
Grand Lake: Little Blue is one of the more unique spots in the Grand Lake state park system, with a spring-fed creek, cliffs, waterfall-like scenery, and a quieter, more secluded atmosphere that feels more like a hidden natural area than a typical lake park.
Grand Lake: Honey Creek State Park Review
Grand Lake: Honey Creek is one of the more developed and convenient Grand Lake areas, especially because it is close to Grove and nearby attractions like Harbor Village. It offers strong lake access along with a more comfortable, destination-style feel.
Grand Lake: Disney State Park Review
Grand Lake: Disney is a practical access point to one of Oklahoma’s nicest lakes. It is best suited for boating, fishing, and simple lake recreation, with Grand Lake doing most of the heavy lifting.
Grand Lake: Cherokee State Park Review
Grand Lake: Cherokee offers solid access to one of Oklahoma’s best lakes, with the usual Grand Lake strengths of boating, fishing, and water recreation. It’s a convenient lake destination, though the experience is more about the water than the park itself.
Grand Lake: Bernice State Park Review
Grand Lake: Bernice is a practical, no-frills access point to one of Oklahoma’s nicest lakes. It’s strongest for boating, fishing, and general lake recreation, though it feels more functional than destination-driven.
Cherokee Landing State Park Review
Cherokee Landing State Park is a solid Oklahoma lake park with standout swimming, strong fishing access, camping, and a scenic setting that also makes it a great choice for weddings and family gatherings. It’s not the flashiest state park, but it delivers where it matters most: water recreation, outdoor relaxation, and practical event space.
Osage Hills State Park Review
Osage Hills State Park is a peaceful, wooded park in Osage County that offers a quiet escape, decent hiking, fishing, camping, and a handful of amenities. It is not packed with attractions, but it delivers a calm, secluded atmosphere that makes it worth visiting for a low-key outdoor experience.
Natural Falls State Park Review
One of Oklahoma's most beautiful state parks, with excellent scenery, hiking and a spectacular waterfall. The painfully tempting no-swimming rule hurts its recreation score, but the protected natural setting helps make Natural Falls a standout.
6.5/10Lake Thunderbird State Park Review
A convenient central Oklahoma lake for kayaking, fishing, camping and swimming, but cleanliness, tight spaces and a sometimes-rowdy atmosphere hold Lake Thunderbird back from being one of Oklahoma's better state parks.