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No whale hunting allowedBy Susen Foster Just 66 miles north of the Red River and a few miles west of I-35 off Highway 29 is some of the most beautiful back country in the Great Plains. Though it is roughly halfway between Oklahoma City and Dallas/Ft. Worth, the land that encompasses Table Top Mountains near Foster in south central Oklahoma is remote enough to be an exceptional getaway destination and Hidden Hills Hideaways is the place where those dreams come true. Living up to all that their name suggests, the fishing and bird watching are superb, the woods are loaded with wildlife, sunrises and sunsets are of biblical proportions, and the night skies are filled with more stars than you'll see outside an astronomy presentation. A few years ago, owners Don and Karen Gardner found themselves tiring of city life. More and more frequently they were escaping to places where they could enjoy a little "elbow room." It finally dawned on them that with a plan, and a whole lot of chutzpah, they might someday call this kind of environment--home. As that dream unfolded, they also saw how they could share the 100 acres of Table Top Mountain wilderness they purchased with a select few and still maintain their own privacy. While their own hideaway haven was under construction, they drew plans for what would become two unique and very private, self-contained cottages where guests can enjoy the healing qualities of Hidden Hills. Both studio cabins have all the amenities of home such as a fully equipped kitchen and a DVD/VCR, plus unmatched privacy, wood burning fireplaces, patios with chimineas and charcoal grills, plus everyone's secret desire--a French bidet. Coyote Moon is pueblo styled and is literally "off the grid." Don has seen to it that the source of electricity for this adobe retreat comes from the abundant hillside sun and wind. There is a queen size bed in this cabin and the woods that surround it are home to some eerie, though moderately friendly, tree people. Windmill Ridge is a charming redwood cottage with a king size bed, a tiled shower, with a view of the woods through the bay windows that surround the two person soaking tub. Both cabins are decorated with Karen's great taste and sense of comfort. As I toured this wonderland of hills, lakes and ponds, woods and wilderness, I was making a mental list of what to bring when I come back to stay: my favorite books, comfy sweats and warm jammies, a bottle of wine and a pile of easy listening CDs. Oh...don't forget the chocolate. Although Don and Karen provide a delicious continental breakfast and coffee to enjoy in the cottage at your leisure, guests need to bring other food and drink, as well as charcoal if they plan on grilling. The Gardners also provide earth friendly soaps and bubble baths because, as Don likes to say, "Hideaway management embraces a 'save the whale' attitude. Hunting whales in the woods is strictly prohibited." Every season has its beauty at Hidden Hills Hideaways. Reservations can be made online at www.hiddenhillshideaways.com or call 580-432-5690. 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. 1/21/08 Date: 1/14/08
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