Weekend Explorers

Sometimes we try to cram too much into one weekend. That's basically what happened the past few days, but it was full of fun and memories.

One of my best friends from high school was back in Oklahoma for a baby shower (she's having twins!) and I couldn't miss the chance to see her. The shower was Saturday in Enid which is about two hours from where we live, so Michael and Gray woke up early to make the drive with me and then we were going to explore a bit in northwestern Oklahoma.

First stop, Starbucks for coffee! And a few treats for Grayson too. After three tries, this was the best photo I could get. Not sure why we're in an awkward smile stage, but this was the most "normal" I could get him to look. He's all decked out in his junior park ranger duds to go adventuring!

You can't really see Kristina's adorable bump in this shot, but she really is just the cutest. I'm so excited for her and her sweet hubby. 

While I was celebrating the bundles of joy, Michael took Gray to nearby Vance Air Force base to check out some planes. After that, we drove north about 45 miles or so to the Great Salt Plains. 

There's a national wildlife refuge and a state park there where you can dig for crystals. This is the only place in the world where you can find selenite crystals which feature sand in the shape of an hourglass inside. 

There's a designated dig area that featured unrelenting wind that was easily 40 mph the entire time we were there. Despite the crazy wind, we hiked out and staked our claim to dig a few holes. 

You don't have to dig very far, just under a thin layer of salt and you'll find layers of clay and soil that you scoop up and comb through to look for the crystals. It helps to bring water to sift through the dirt. 

Here's Gray holding one of the small crystals

Here's what they look like cleaned up. We found enough to fill a dixie cup and several were larger but not as clear as these.

After an hour or so, Gray and I were tired of being beaten down by the wind so we retreated to the truck. He was also itching to eat the skittles we bought him earlier.

Meanwhile, Michael kept digging for a little bit longer. He's in the middle/right side of this shot, but you can also see a small portion of the other folks who were out digging. I was surprised to see so many people there, but it was definitely the time to go before it gets really hot. 

Afterward, we drove over to the other side of the plains where there's a lake and checked out the visitor center. It was a fun day and we were all worn out by the time we got home!