Oklahoma travel guide can help with ’09 goals

BY KELI CLARK Comments 0
Published: January 4, 2009
Modified: January 5, 2009 at 4:18 pm

New Year’s resolutions are hard to keep.

We have the best intentions when we pledge to drop the extra weight, exercise more and kick our bad habits.

"Oklahoma: The 2009 Travel Guide” offers information about destinations in the state.

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For more information about travel destinations, go online to TravelOK.com or call (800) 652-6552 for free publications.

But often we tend to lose track of those self-made promises and fall off the resolution wagon.

However, if your 2009 list includes eating good food, spending less money and enjoying more time with your family, there’s a little book full of information and helpful tips guaranteed to help you achieve those goals.

It’s called the "Oklahoma: The 2009 Travel Guide.”

You know you have the right book in your hand when the cover boldly states, "The adventure starts here.”

With so many activities, one-of-a-kind attractions, events and natural wonders, Oklahoma is indeed a hot spot for adventure.

The free guide is produced by the state Tourism and Recreation Department.

It is full of vibrant, colorful photos of places to go, things to do, sights to see and wonderful culinary delights.

When you first pick up the travel guide, you’re tempted to flip through it and look at the pictures. But don’t stop there.

Once you’ve gazed at the award-wining photography, take time to read the articles and advertisements that contain information and ideas to get you motivated about travel plans.

The guide is separated into travel regions coded by different colors. Color tabs on the side of the guide help users easily distinguish the sections.

In northwestern Oklahoma, Red Carpet Country can be defined as rugged. It’s a whole different world there with the flat-top mesas and canyons and is incredibly beautiful. The region extends from Kenton eastward to Newkirk and south to Watonga.

Farther south but still in the western part of the state is Great Plains Country. The highlights include grasslands and the magnificent, rocky Wichita and Quartz mountain ranges.

To the south and east is Arbuckle Country. The Arbuckles, our state’s oldest mountain range, is the predominant feature, along with the flowing waters of Turner Falls.

The southeastern region, Kiamichi Country, can be described as breathtaking with forests of green trees, lush mountains and sparkling rivers.

Green Country encompasses the northeastern part of the state and stretches from Miami, OK, to Eufaula. Although the area is known for abundant lakes, the bustling metropolis of Tulsa is in the middle of this region, giving visitors the chance to stay and play in one big area.

The final region, Frontier Country, has the lure of big-city lights to sports and big-name entertainment. This region includes the college cities of Stillwater and Norman, as well as Oklahoma City.

City-by-city listings in the back of the 2009 travel guide make it convenient for easy access to phone numbers and Internet listings for hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfasts and casinos throughout Oklahoma.

Keli Clark is marketing assistant for Oklahoma Parks, Resorts and Golf.