Talimena Scenic Byway
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We entered the "Drive" in the middle, from OK-259. This junction is shown on the left side of our map on the previous page. Consult the Big Map before you get serious.
Just east of this junction is the Kerr Arboretum. This complex is a product of the Robert S. Kerr family, like most everything else in this area that required taste, money or legislative approval. While this might sound like a real yawner, it's actually pretty neat. It's located near the halfway point of the scenic byway, so it's a great place to stop for a stretch.
We hiked one of the shorter trails,
although none of them are really "long." Don't believe the time estimates
offered at the trail's entrance, they're extremely pessimistic. As you can see, I was
eager to contemplate the trail called "The Soil and You."
Next stop was Cedar Lake. This is a picturesque lake surrounded by, as the name implies, a forest of cedar trees. There are campsites here and plenty of picnic tables in the cool shade. For those of you that fancy "non-mechanical" horses, there is an equestrian trail here that is nationally known. An excellent detour from the Talimena.
On this particular trip we continued west to Talimena State Park, and eventually back to Lake Wister. Following the Drive east takes you to the Queen Wilhelmina State Park near Mena, Arkansas. The lodge there offers excellent accommodations and one hell of a view. The restaurant serves hot food and cold drinks so long as the drink you have in mind isn't alcoholic. The Wilhelmina is in a dry county.
This aspect brings us to our next out-of-the-way diversion. Just below the lodge about a mile is US-270, which parallels the Talimena Drive. A few miles west on this road we found the Choctaw Nation Monument standing on the state line (see map). Before we had our helmets off the drone of Waylon Jennings could be heard from nearby. We had discovered the State Line Tavern.
This is another great spot that you won't find in any tour book, none that I've seen anyway! Just one more reason the Talimena Drive is definitely a "must see."
Resources:
Topographic
Map of Area
Originally published October 1999, Places2ride.com
