It's also where the dirty dishes are waiting to be washed, laundry spills out of the hamper and the endless list of chores hangs on the refrigerator.
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If you're looking for a reason to escape the monotony of everyday life and those never-ending household tasks, pull out a map and mark the location of a nearby Oklahoma state park with cabins.
The rustic atmosphere and natural surroundings are the main appeal to those who choose cabin lodging. Plus they offer privacy and home comforts such as showers, heating and air conditioning, and some have fireplaces.
With long-awaited major funding, cabins at Boiling Springs, Great Salt Plains, Roman Nose, Beavers Bend, Keystone and Tenkiller state parks have undergone renovations and have new, improved looks.
With emphasis on recycled and ecologically friendly materials, interior fabric and building resources, the improvements are all part of the "greening” of our environment.
Exterior paint, new roofs and wood siding, which feature a back-to-nature theme, give the cabins an updated yet comfortable feeling. Even the furniture inside the cabins offers visitors the outdoor experience. Hickory from managed forests was used in the construction of the furnishings. Hickory is dense and strong and will endure years longer than other types of wood.
Near Woodward, Boiling Springs State Park features four cabins with fireplaces for warmth in winter months. The woodlands surrounding the park and the natural spring of bubbling water make it a fun getaway destination. In summer, the swimming pool at Boiling Springs is one of the more popular attractions.
The most extensive cabin work has been done at Great Salt Plains State Park near Jet. Visitors who flock to the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge for a day of wildlife and bird-watching can settle in and enjoy comfort and privacy in one of six renovated cabins. New wood siding, furniture and accessories have given these cabins a polished finish.
Adventurers who like to hike, bike and ride the equestrian trails through the canyons at Roman Nose State Park near Watonga can settle down after a busy day in one of 10 cottages at the park. The Fairway Cottage on the golf course has been remodeled and refurnished and is perfect for a group to relax in after a day on the golf course.
Close to metropolitan life but far enough away to enjoy peace and relaxation, Keystone State Park near Tulsa has 22 cabins with fireplaces to snuggle in front of and enjoy the warmth of a fire. Two specialty cabins have large whirlpool tubs and offer a scenic view of the lake, which makes them perfect for romance and privacy.
Near the trout-filled waters of the lower Illinois River, Tenkiller State Park near Vian is surrounded by cliffs and hills with awesome views of the clear-water lake. Some of the 39 cabins in the park have fireplaces, convenient for warming up by the fire after a long day in the streams with a fly rod. Children will especially enjoy wetting a hook in the children's fishing pond and touring the Driftwood Nature Center, with its live animal and wildlife education displays.
Farther south near Broken Bow is Beavers Bend State Park. The Mountain Fork River that flows through the park is the ideal spot for trout and cold-water fishing enthusiasts. Family activities include the Forest Heritage Center, hiking, backpacking and nature trails, horseback riding, hay rides and a nature center. Eagle watchers flock to the area in the winter to observe the beauty and grace of the eagles in flight.
Most of the 47 cabins in Beavers Bend have fireplaces. The riverfront cabins that sit above the Mountain Fork are popular during all seasons.
There are other parks to visit if you feel a bout of cabin fever coming on, including Greenleaf, Lake Wister, Hugo Lake, Robbers Cave, Sequoyah Bay, Sequoyah/Western Hills and Lake Murray. Get away and enjoy a fun family experience at an Oklahoma state park.
For information on which parks allow pets, contact the park before making reservations. All cabins offer linens. Be advised, though, that some park cabins do not furnish cooking utensils.
Keli Clark is marketing assistant for Oklahoma Parks, Resorts and Golf.
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