I believe, the trending term for vacations in your own state, is “staycation”. Staying close to home. Well, staycations in Oklahoma are the best! There is so much to see and experience. Wonderful day trips, overnights, or whatever your pleasure, there is much that awaits you to enjoy!

So today, we are heading south on I-44, or what I still call H. E. Bailey turnpike, to Lawton, OK. Probably at the top of the must-know list for Lawton is that it is home to Fort Sill Army Post since 1869! Fort Sill is now a U. S. Army Field Artillery Post. However, it started as a frontier cavalry post. After almost being abandoned around 1900, a visit from then-Secretary of War, William H. Taft in 1907 was the beginning of the pivotal change to field artillery. Mr. Taft loved the history and old buildings of the Post and was instrumental in preserving the history you can see still today. The new was built out from the old. Take a tour, check out the post-Civil War fort, museums, and exhibits!

When I was a kid, we had wonderful little Oklahoma vacations (as I still do today!) and I have fond memories of staying at the Lawtonian Hotel in Lawton. When we were at the Lawtonian, you would have thought we were staying at the Skirvin Hotel in Downtown OKC! No need for an indoor pool or workout room. We were just so excited to stay in a hotel room and swim in the clear blue waters of the outdoor pool soaking up the sun! The Lawtonian Hotel is now apartments. Somewhat sad, but at least the building is still there and part of the history told by Lawton. A recent trip to Lawton also brought me to Wayne’s Drive-In. A definite must-see and visit! Delicious and so retro! Loved it! Open since 1957!

Now when you are in Lawton, you are a hop, skip and a jump from the Wichita Wildlife Refuge, home to Mount Scott. Hike or drive up Mount Scott for beautiful views of the Refuge. And don’t miss the Bison (Oklahoma historians say there are no Buffalo in Oklahoma, only Bison!) roaming on the prairie lands. You also can’t miss the Wind Farms with the majestic wind turbines dotting the land as you head north.

On the way to Mount Scott, you will definitely want to check out Medicine Park! A very artsy little town founded in 1908 with many buildings constructed of cobblestones from nearby cobblestone deposits! So interesting! It was also considered Oklahoma’s first resort with it’s first name being Medicine Park Summer Resort and Health Spa. Nearby Medicine Creek was said to have medicinal qualities as told by the Plains Indians. You can still enjoy swimming in Bath Lake complete with waterfalls in the summer or fish for trout in the winter. Or we just love sitting on the banks and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. There are several cute shops to check out and a nice assortment of specialty eats!

But you must not leave this southwest corner of Oklahoma’s Great Plains Region without visiting Meers, Oklahoma! Home of the famous longhorn burger that is the size of a dinner plate! And soooo good! Now there is not much in Meers like antique shops or additional restaurants; but who needs more? Meers is an antique in itself! It is worth the trip and, sometimes (oops, many times!), the wait!

So much history in Oklahoma! Our history is not as old as the eastern United States or as old as castles in Ireland that are 1,000 years old or more. Nevertheless, Oklahoma history is interesting and rich with lessons. I have been to Ireland and been to the birthplace of the United States, but in all honesty, coming back home to Oklahoma is always a joy!