About the third day after school was out, I heard the first "Mom, I'm bored!" For the next few weeks, I used up my arsenal of boredom fighters-Omniplex, WhiteWater Bay, Braum's drive-thru for ice cream, and miniature golf. By week four, the kids got demanding.

I racked my brain to come up with something affordable to do with five kids which would also get us out of the house. The solution? Take them to Turner Falls.

Turner Falls
Only one hour from the Metro area, Turner Falls is the perfect day trip for families with children of all ages. I had not been to Turner Falls for about ten years and was pleasantly surprised by the cleanliness of the area. The wading areas in Honey Creek are clean and the water is clear. The 77-foot waterfall is beautiful. Day admission to the park is $7 for ages 13 and over, $6 for ages 6-12, and free 5 and under. Wade up the creek and play in the two swimming areas, one of which is at the base of the falls. Both swimming areas have lifeguards, so the older children can roam the park while you stay in the wading areas with the younger ones. Our trip consisted of me in a car with the younger children and a caravan of cars filled with my teenagers and their friends. The park is so well supervised with park employees and police patrols that I felt very comfortable being the only adult sponsor of the trip.

Bring your own picnic and use one of th park's grils or try the park cafe where hamburger baskets with a drink are about $6. I suggest renting one of the park's tee-pees for the day ($25). The tee-pees sleep six, so if you have small children who will want an afternoon nap, or if you want to get out of the sun, this is a perfect solution. The tee-pees also have grills and picnic tables. The park maintains several camping areas and screened-in cabins that accommodate four in bunk beds.

Another great day activity in the Davis area is the Rose Grocery Washita River Float Trip. The ten-mile trip lasts about three hours depending on whether you want to stop to picnic (ice chests fit nicely in the canoes) or to play in the mud. The float costs $20-$25 per person, and you can choose a canoe or a kayak. Life jackets are provided. Charlene Rose, who runs the grocery, confirms they can accommodate large groups and even dogs. Rose and her nephews Kevin and Hugh want everyone to have "a real good time," so Rose suggests calling ahead to make sure the river isn't too high or too low (580-369-2223).

Under new management since January, 2004, Arbuckle Wilderness features over six miles of drive-through safari and entertainment for all ages including go-carts, an arcade, paddle boats, and camel rides. Open 9am-dusk daily, $14.99 adults; $13.99 seniors; $12.99 kids 3-11; 2 and under, free. Web site.

Chickasaw Recreational Area
Want to spend less money? Plan your day trip to the Chickasaw Recreational Area. This park is one of the most beautiful in Oklahoma. Large, mature trees overhang the roads, providing shade throughout the park. The charming 1930's Civilian Conservation Corps buildings have been well maintained.

Plan a stop at the park's Travertine Nature Center. Younger children can become Junior Rangers by filling out a guide about the plant life and animals found in the park. The program is free, and each child gets a Ranger Badge. The nature center offers films and talks regularly throughout the day.

Older children and teens will enjoy the hiking trails and wading in the streams. Be sure to bring your swimsuits because everyone enjoys playing in Little Niagara-a waterfall about shoulder height to an adult. The "beach" around the falls has picnic tables for lunch. Besides the falls, the park has several springs areas to be explored, and is situated on Arbuckle Lake where you can fish for Bass, Crappie, Catfish, or Spotted Gar. Ranger Randy Fehr is an avid fisherman who keeps up with what is going on in the lake. If he is working the information desk at the nature center, ask him what is biting. There is no charge at the Travertine Nature Center, or to play in the water, so at this park, you can have fun all day for the price of gas and food.

If you decide to stay overnight, the Chickasaw Recreation Area has several campgrounds. Ranger Ken Runyan says that you can choose historic and rustic or new and modern. I don't think there is a “bad” campsite in the park, although some are closer to the showers than others. Call ahead (580-622-3165) and reserve your family a spot for a hike. These ranger-led hikes are offered on Fridays and Saturdays and are great for all ages. Groups consist of 12 hikers.

If you aren't campers, check out the Sulphur Springs Inn. Located right at the entrance to the park, this inn is a converted 1924 bath house with a pavilion, fire pit, hammocks, and bikes you can check out for the day. Owners Charlie and Cheri have three cottage suites that sleep up to six people and are perfect for families. Each unit has a microwave, crock-pot, and a grill in the back. The Inn also has two small indoor swimming pools fed from the springs. At $115-$140 a night, it is the perfect family getaway.

On the way home from Turner Falls, all of the children fell asleep a few miles north of Davis. They had worn themselves out and I had a quiet ride home. The following day I kept them busy planning the next trip. There are websites for all the attractions in the area, and searching using the terms "Davis" and "Oklahoma" brought plenty of entertainment.

One last hint: put plenty of sunscreen on the children before you leave home because it will be hard to keep them still long enough to put it on once you arrive.

Staying at Chickasaw National Recreation Area
Camping
Reserve a campsite at the Buckhorn campground online at ReserveUSA.com.
For campground reservations at Turner Falls, call 580-369-2917 or visit their web site.

Inns, Cabins, and Motels
Sulphur Springs Inn, 580-622-5930 or their web site.
Buffalo Gap Cabins-new, charming log cabins sleep 6; all have kitchenettes and some have a hot tub and fireplace; restaurant (and buffalo!) on premises. Prices start at $100 per night. 580-369-3543.
Need to sleep a group? Deer Creek Cabins have lodges, all with full kitchens, that sleep up to 30. Situated on their own small lakes, the lodges offer paddle boats, canoes, hiking, and volleyball. Prices are based on the number of guests. 580-369-2003.
For historic bed and breakfast lodgings, check out their web site for many listings in this area.

Girlfriends Day Out
Gather the girls for Antiquing on the Dixie Corridor. Take exit 72 off 1-35 and follow old highway 77 through Pauls Valley, Wynnewood, and Davis through an area billed as the "best 25 miles in Oklahoma." There are numerous antique stores, flea markets, and craft shops along the highway or nearby, clearly marked by signs. Don't miss The Swap Shop in Pauls Valley with a booth to satisfy any taste. The Cotton Gin in Wynnewood offers a mixture of antiques, new country collectables, and craft items-all at reasonable prices. The Honey Creek Emporium inn Davis is located on Main Street and provides easily an hour's worth of browsing among its 100 booths. For a complete listing and a map of the Dixie Corridor, stop by the Oklahoma Visitor's Information Center on I-35 and 122nd.

Pam is the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, University of Central Oklahoma. She and her husband Mike have been married for six years and have traveled Oklahoma with their blended family of 5 children.