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Wild animals, wild time in the Arbuckle Mountains of Okla.This month we set sail on a new compass heading. We will be making our way south through the Arbuckle Mountains of southern Oklahoma. Just off Interstate 35 at Exit 51, about halfway between Oklahoma City and Dallas, is one of the most intriguing attractions in America's Heartland. In fact, this awesome destination has been recognized as one of Oklahoma's finest. We will be embarking on a journey through the famed Arbuckle Wilderness, where we will get the amazing opportunity to visit Africa, Asia and South America through the windshield of our touring vehicle. We begin our wilderness adventure in the tempting gift shop where we stop to receive our travel visas. It is here that we experience our first wild animals, as brilliantly colored parrots screech their Latin welcome. The gift shop hostess then directs us to nearby glass enclosures which house lazy iguanas and the largest pythons we have ever seen. No matter how "sweet" the keepers tell us they are, we are glad that a glass window separates us. After this heart stopping escapade, we get back into our vehicle and drive through the welcoming gates of the Arbuckle Wilderness --destined for a safari of a different stripe. As we tour the 400 plus acre animal park, single humped camels gather at our passenger windows and wiggle their funny, slobbery lips at us. From the driver's side we can see a brand new baby giraffe taking her first wobbly steps toward her mom. In the near distance, a herd of water buffalo munch on indigenous grasses; while beyond them, we watch in fascination as an immense rough-hided rhinoceros keeps pace alongside the park manager's jeep. In a couple of hours we have literally been face to face with zebras, elands, tigers, llamas, and gigantic flightless birds--just to name a few. There are so many of God's remarkable creatures in this one place that it is hard to grasp it all. The park is huge and exhibits an interesting variety of geology and topography. It is home to hundreds of animals who are living comfortably in environments very similar to their far away native habitats. A drive-thru zoo is one way to describe it, but it is much more than that. The year round fun at this unique attraction doesn't stop at the gift shop and drive-thru tour. There is a one-of-a-kind petting zoo and walk-thru enclosure where we get friendly with lemurs and kangaroos; and in the summer, the lavish lakes on the property become the site for paddle boating. Once-in-a-lifetime camel rides are also on the agenda, along with a superb figure eight go cart track. This destination is one that deserves repeat visits. I hope you will consider bringing the family down for a few days. It would be fun to rent a completely furnished lakeside cottage from Premier Lake Property (www.premierlakeproperty.com) in Davis and spend a few days touring the Arbuckle Mountains where waterfalls, natural springs, and the nooks and crannies of the Chickasaw National Recreation Area which surrounds the Lake of the Arbuckles, are bound to make a memorable getaway. And don't forget to take in the world class Arbuckle Wilderness (www.arbucklewilderness.com). See you next month as we continue our voyage through America's Heartland. Editor's note: Susen Foster is the owner of Greater Success Advertising. She is the author of numerous travel books. Susen can be reached at www.greatersuccess.com or call 580-622-5408. Date: 1/9/07
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