Photograph by David Sutton
Our country is full of natural beauty! Exploring America not only gives us the opportunity to see God’s wonderful creation, but it also gives us the chance to learn more about our history, try lots of wonderful food and enjoy time with those we love. My husband, Dave, is a photographer, and we have had the best times in his truck, armed only with his camera and my Trip Advisor app. If you want to venture outside OKC for a long weekend, here’s an adventure I recommend…
LONG WEEKEND - BARTLESVILLE/PAWHUSKA/PONCA CITY
Day 1
Head northeast on the Turner Turnpike to Bartlesville and Woolaroc. Stop for lunch in Tulsa at Andolini’s Pizzerria, then take time to reflect on the Tulsa Race Riot in the Greenwood District at John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park. Read the history of the riots on your phone while you sit here. I’m ashamed to say it’s something I didn’t know about until several years ago when we accidentally stumbled upon this park while on another photo shoot. Every Oklahoman should take the time to educate him or herself on this important part of our state’s history. Tulsa also has several fun landmarks, including the Tulsa Golden Driller and the Center of the Universe. Some other options are shopping at Utica Square, exploring The Gathering Place (Tulsa’s exceptional riverfront park) and visiting the Philbrook Museum of Art.
Be sure you arrive in Bartlesville in time to tour Frank Phillips’ mansion, founder of Phillips Petroleum Company (open Wednesday through Saturday 9:30 – 4:30). Let me know what you think because we arrived on Sunday and had to settle for portraits on the steps outside. After almost going bankrupt, Frank hit a series of 81 successful oil wells, providing funds for his home and the land for Woolaroc outside of town. Since my dad was a petroleum engineer, I was also interested in knowing that Oklahoma’s first commercial oil well, the Nellie Johnstone #1, was drilled right outside of town.
If you’re a Frank Lloyd Wright fan, you must stay in the hotel he designed, the Inn at Price Tower. It’s supposed to be a “kick” with a 1950s vibe and signature odd angles throughout.
Day 2
On your second day, head outside of town to Woolaroc, a museum and wildlife preserve in the Osage Hills. It was established in 1925 by Frank Phillips as a retreat. There is a museum with an amazing collection of artifacts and western art (Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell). I could have spent all day just looking at the Native American artifacts. It also contains one of the finest collections of Colt and Winchester firearms in the world, along with the Woolaroc plane that won the Dole flight in 1927. You have to see this entire collection to believe it. I had no idea it was here until I looked up “things to see” in Bartlesville. Also, be sure to tour the lodge on the grounds.
From there, take the short, one-hour drive northeast to the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve. This is supposedly the largest protected remnant of tallgrass prairie left on earth. It is maintained by the herd of 2,500 bison that roam free-range, and the preserve gets its name from the bluestem and switchgrass that reach heights of 6-10 feet in the fall. The ten-mile driving loop was one of the most peaceful drives I remember. The simple sound of pure nature was beautiful. The main rule is to stay in your car because bison can be unpredictable. So where was hubs and his camera? Outside the car approaching the herd. Shaking my head…
Head back to your hotel for the night and be sure you eat dinner at Murphy’s Steakhouse (more of a 50s diner) in Bartlesville—home of the hot hamburger and “gravy over all.” The specialty is an open-faced hamburger topped with fries, then smothered in brown gravy. I went with my standard boring grilled chicken salad, but those hamburgers looked amazing! As usual, mom had the whole life story of our server, but that’s for another episode.
Day 3
On your last day, head to Pawhuska for lunch and shopping at The Pioneer Woman Mercantile! Since we were last there, they have also opened P-Town Pizza, and the P.W. Steakhouse and Saloon. Ree’s Boarding House is apparently booked through the end of time, so you might have trouble getting a room. Before you leave home, be sure and check www.themercantile.com for dates that the lodge will be open and schedule your trip on one of these dates. This is where she shoots her Food Network shows. While you’re shopping, ask for a ticket to tour the lodge that day. Tours close at 5 p.m., so be sure to allocate time to make the drive there (about 30 minutes) and get in the self-guided tour.
Time to head toward Ponca City and eat dinner at El Patio. It wouldn’t be a weekend trip in Oklahoma without some delicious, local Mexican food to wrap things up before heading back to OKC via I-35. You might just catch a beautiful sunset with cow photo-bombers!
We hope you are able to get outside this year and experience “America the Beautiful!” If you have additional suggestions about photographing this part of our great state, email me at sutton@councilroad.org.
Meet the Author!
Sarah gave her life to Christ as an 11-year-old in a tiny town in northern Montana. As a junior at OBU, she surrendered her life to Christian service and has served at CRBC for over 30 years. She loves playing her custom-made flute in the orchestra, catering to her Savannah cats and is obsessed with growing peonies. She and Dave love to capture sunsets on whatever remote location the latest airfare sale leads them and have learned the more lost they are, the better the adventure!