Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Today we visited the Rogers State University Aqua Lab and Reserve in Claremore, Oklahoma.  We joined our homeschool group for a field trip and it was phenomenal.  While we are studying Oceans this month, this was a great local outing to see what is native in our area.  We saw white-tail deer, geese, snakes, butterflies, tadpoles, poliwogs, frogs, turtles, mosqito eating fish, spiders, etc.  We walked down boardwalks through the wetlands, over ponds and through a nature walk with the smell of  honeysuckle filling the air.We saw many animals in the aqua lab from turtles to snakes.  The children had a blast seeing the animals up close.  The teacher, Mr. Gibbs, was awesome about explaining all the nature around us as well as why we should stay on the designated path....poison ivy (3 leaves stay away).  He didn't have to tell me twice.  I have lived in Oklahoma my whole long 38 years and never knew this place existed.  I am the perfect example as to why you should always look a little deeper for a diamond in the ruff.  This place was a diamond.  We finished up the day (after I paid the tow truck driver to remove my keys from my locked car :)  ) with a picnic at the Reserve and with practicing recycling what remained of our lunch (plastic, cans, paper, trash, etc.).