Talimena scenic drive. Photo by Amanda Lester By Amanda Lester G
et out and explore the winner of the Best of OKL’s best outdoor scenery with the Talimena Scenic Byway through the
Ouachita National Forest starting in Talihina, Okla., and ending in Mena, Ark. The drive started in 1832 as a gravel military
road. As more people used it, its beautiful views were discovered and talked about. President Lyndon Johnson decided in 1969-1970 to make
Best Outdoor Scenery: Talimena Scenic Byway
the road a highway and it was dedicated by his daughter, Lucy; this began Oklahoma State Highway 1. In 1989, the roadway was named a National Forest Scenic Byway. In 1998, it was made an Arkansas State Scenic Byway and an Oklahoma State Scenic Byway in 2002. In 2005, it was renamed the Talimena Scenic Byway. “Talimena Scenic Drive is a God-given venue,”
says Mike Doughty, marketing coordinator for the Talimena Scenic Drive Association. “A person could take a whole week to explore it and the areas
around it and not see everything.” Doughty adds the drive includes more than 20
vistas with trails, historic facts and campgrounds along the 54-mile stretch of byway. There is some- thing for everyone from horseback riding to hunt- ing and fishing to ATV sites, biking and hiking—not to mention the drive itself. At each end of the drive, there are visitor centers to help plan the drive from Talihina to Mena. For more information or to plan a trip visit
www.talimenascenicdrive.com.
Best Kid-Oriented Event: Science Museum By Amanda Lester S
cience. To some that is not a fun word, but to the staff and visitors to the Best of OKL’s Best Kid-
Oriented Event, the Science Museum of Oklahoma, science is fun and more. Located in Oklahoma City, the SMO
was the Omniplex until 2007, when they wanted to restructure how and what science was displayed. SMO has physics, chemistry, biology and every- thing in between. Leonardo da Vinci once said, “The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding.” The SMO takes that to a whole other
The Science Live show helps children gain a
Dylan Baskett at the OKC Science Museum. Photo by Amanda Lester
level by engaging budding scientists through play. “‘Revealing the wonder and relevance of science through play,’” says Clint
Stone, director of education at SMO, “that’s our motto and we strive to make it a reality.”
basic understanding of chemistry and physics. Throughout the museum are oddities: a tinker- ing garage, a Segway course, a space exploration, a planetarium and a train, among other exhibits. Children of all ages can find something in the massive museum to play with, but more impor- tantly to learn while playing. Until January 8, SMO is hosting a da Vinci exhibit, including models of his inventions. The exhibit originated in Australia and was in Japan before coming to Oklahoma. Some items are not to be touched, but there is a hands-on section. “This is the first time an exhibit like this has ever been to Oklahoma,” Stone says. “The ex-
hibit has items that da Vinci invented and they are put together using tools and components he would
have had.” Load up the kids, and head to OKC to the SMO for playtime learning
and fun. For more information, visit the SMO website at
www.sciencemu-
seumok.org.
JANUARY 2017 15
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