Who doesn't like to play in a sandbox, especially if it contains buried treasure? The Great Salt Plains area, just northwest of Enid, is a treasure hunter's paradise. Adults and children alike can spend the day digging for selenite crystals, birding, visiting the only sod house in Oklahoma, and fishing the Great Salt Plains Lake.

Digging for Crystals
The Great Salt Plains is the only place in the world to find selenite crystals with hourglass inclusions of clay and sand. Digging for these crystals has long been a favorite field trip for scout troops. The first time I took my children, I was totally unprepared. I loaded all three kids in the car, and we took off with only a couple of paper bags for equipment. We came back muddy, and the children were disappointed that they didn't have proper digging equipment. When we got home, nearly all the crystals were broken. So if you plan to dig, take the proper supplies.

Digging should only be done in designated areas as sites are rotated to allow crystal growth. The best way to dig for crystals is to lie on your stomach, but even if you sit on the ground you are going to be covered in red mud, so wear something old and bring a change of clothes plus plastic bags to put your dirty clothes in. (A blanket could serve as a changing curtain.) I recommend old spoons or plastic shovels for digging and egg cartons for safe transport of the crystals. They make great show and tell items and are interesting additions to a rock collection.

Birding
If you like to watch birds, The Great Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge offers one of the largest collections of species in Oklahoma. Since the refuge offers salt flats, wooded areas, marshes, and grasslands, many unusual and endangered species have found homes here. In the middle of the Salt Plains is Ralstin Island where ibis, egrets, herons, and cormorants nest. Last year, cameras were installed on the island so that visitors could watch these living treasures without disturbing their habitat. There are viewing screens in the refuge and in the park offices. In May, visitors can view the birds building nests; later in the summer, birds will be feeding their young. Set aside time to walk around these 32,000 acres of refuge, and be sure to bring binoculars. For more information, call 580-626-4794 or visit their web site.

Sod House
My children are not big museum fans, particularly historical museums, but the Sod House Museum with its hands-on displays was a big hit with my little kids and my teenagers. The Sod House is located on State Highway 8, just south of the Great Salt Plain Area. The museum building serves as a shelter for the actual sod house that was built in 1894 by Marshal McCully. The sod house contains authentic, period furniture and household implements, and there is a Plexiglas section of the wall which offers a view of the inside structure. The museum explores the world of women's work during early pioneer days. View a short video of sod house pioneers on the Oklahoma plains at the visitors' center. The Sod House Museum is open Tuesday-Friday 9am-5pm; Saturday and Sunday 2-5pm. Call 580-463-2441 for more information.

Fishing
Great Salt Plains Lake is stocked with channel cat, striped bass, and saugeye, but come prepared to fish from the shore boating is restricted. The Jet Recreation Area, on the southeast side of the lake, near Jet, is a nice place to swim. The shoreline is also great for watching the birds or having a picnic. If you don't want to fish, or if the fish are not biting, take a quick trip to the Byron Fish Hatchery. Open year round, 8am-5pm Monday-Friday, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife-run hatchery offers educational tours. In May, you should be able to actually see fish eggs hatch. Call 580-474-2663 for more information.

Spend the Night
If your family camps, plan to stay at the Great Salt Plains State Park. The park has 171 tent and RV sights, pavilions for groups, and clean showers and restrooms. Cabins, which sleep up to six, are equipped with kitchens. Call 580-626-4731 for information or reservations.

Take a day to play in the sand at the Great Salt Plains, relive the life of a pioneer woman at the Sod House Museum, learn about the birds in the refuge area, and watch fish hatch at the Byron Hatchery. You won't regret the time spent in the northwest region of Oklahoma.

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