Salt
Plains north of Jet, Oklahoma
Who
would believe that there is a 7 mile long and 3 mile wide
"ocean" of salt in the middle of Oklahoma? Well,
here it is!
Great
Salt Plains State Park is the only spot in the world where
you can dig for "hourglass" selenite crystals. The
digging is from April 1 through October 15.
A
photo of my dear hubbie walking on the sea of salt!
Birds
too!
A
View of the Crystals up close.
This
is a view of the Salt Plains from the Great Salt Plains State
Park side of the lake. You can see the salt on the other side
of the lake.
A
view from the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge looking
west towards the Salt Plains. You can't see the Salt Plains
very well from here but the scenery is beautiful!
Treaty
with the Creeks, 1933, Article 7. "It is hereby agreed
by the Creek nation, parties hereto, that if the saline or
salt plains on the great western prairies, should come within
the boundaries defined by this agreement, as the country of
the Creek nation, then, and in that case the President of
the United States, shall have the power to permit all other
friendly Indian tribes to visit said salt plains and procure
thereon and carry away salt sufficient for their subsistence,
without hindrance or molestation from the said Creek Indians."
(http://digital.library.okstate.edu/kappler/Vol2/treaties/cre0388.htm)
This
makes a great trip for the the whole family. You can camp,
hike, bicycle, swim, bird watch, picnic and even dig for selenite
crystals in the spring! If you are traveling a distance, then
visit the Sod House Museum in Aline and the Railroad
Museum in Enid.
For
more photos, check the Oklahoma Parks website: http://www.touroklahoma.com/detail.asp?id=1+5U+3596
For
more info and directions to the Great Salt Plains, call 580-596-3053
or see this website: http://greatsaltplains.com/.
All
Photos © copyright 2005 by Bill and Cindy Downes
. |