Chickasaw National Recreation Area

Eight of us — Aubra, Mike, Curt, Robert1, Robert2, Javier, Chad, and Heinz — made the 2½-hour drive north to Chickasaw National Recreation Area. It was a beautiful, sunny day, pleasantly cool and perfect for hiking.

On the way, we planned a quick BBQ lunch, though our leader’s first two picks were closed. The third stop, RibCrib BBQ, was decent enough, but not a place we’re likely to revisit.

We began with the Bison Pasture Trail (2.7 miles), a well-maintained path winding through oak forest, crossing small creek bridges, and skirting pastures with a bit of elevation to keep things interesting. The AllTrails App helped us navigate the trail whenever we came to a fork. Although we didn’t spot the bison herd, we did see several deer in the distance. Naturally, we were a bit concerned about our friend Aubra, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment, but he handled the hike very well, setting a steady, slightly slower pace.

By around 4:00 p.m., we rolled into Antler Ridge Cabins for the night. After the usual post-hike refreshments and strategic planning session (mostly involving who would sit where and open what next), we lined up a few picnic tables and “Chef Heinz” fired up the grill. Bavarian bratwurst and garlic-pepper chicken breasts soon made their appearance, joined by toasted buns, potato salad, and coleslaw—no Michelin stars, but no complaints either. As the temperature dipped, we migrated into Cabin #4, where Aubra and Mike hosted a lively trivia session. I bunked in Cabin #5 with Javier and called it a night around 10:00 p.m.—which, by my standards, qualifies as a late-night adventure.

The next morning started with a 7:05 a.m. text from Aubra: “Coffee is being served in Cabin #4.” That alone was enough motivation to hit the shower. By 8:00, we were ready to roll. After a quick breakfast at Poor Girls Cafe in town, we returned to the park. Once again, Google Maps did a great job directing us to the trailhead at Travertine Nature Center.

The Travertine Creek Trail (2.8 miles) was just as well-maintained and a bit easier than the previous day. The gentle out-and-back route followed a creek through more oak forest. At one point, we passed a natural sulfur spring—its unmistakable “rotten egg” smell leaving no doubt about its source. Once again, Aubra did impressively well given the circumstances. We kept an eye out for bison, but they remained elusive, which made me consider for a moment to rename this trip The Elusive Buffalo 😎.

The weather cooperated beautifully all weekend—cool temperatures, plenty of sunshine, and the occasional passing cloud. Feeling very satisfied with our hikes and stay in this part of Oklahoma, we capped off the trip with lunch at Cowboys Restaurant before the easy 90-minute drive back home. Thanks to Mike and Robert G. for driving us safely 👏.

Our group comes from a variety of backgrounds, with some traveling from as far as Tyler, Austin, and even Harlingen to join these outings. Over the years, we’ve formed a unique bond and friendship. This trip to Chickasaw marked our 25th “geezer hike” since 2014 - and certainly one to remember.Read more