Digging for rose rocks Next we went in search of rose rocks, the state’s official stone. The Noble area has the largest concentration of rose rocks but Lake Stanley Draper also has plenty and is closer. Rose rocks are found most easily near the water. We gathered garden hand tools and found a not-too-muddy area near the lake. The toddlers occupied themselves making mud pies while grandson and I dug into the sandy dirt. It only took a few minutes to find a handful of rose rocks. The biggest was about 3 inches across.
ROSE ROCK PHOTO BY STACY NOAKES
Plentiful plants The main categories left on our Oklahoma state symbol list were plants. We visited the Will Rogers Arboretum near NW 36th Street and Portland Avenue in OKC and found Oklahoma roses galore in the rose garden. Redbud trees were winding down their blooming season; most had already leafed out, but we did see a few of their iconic pink, fuzzy flowers. Our preteen pointed out that these trees are abundant throughout the state and named places where he’s seen them. It’s easy to find Oklahoma’s plant symbols in our own yards, neighborhood parks and roadsides. We spotted plenty of mistletoe, the state’s floral emblem, in a neighbor’s blackjack oak trees. Another neighbor had Indian Blanket flowers, the state’s wildflower, in her front yard. Autumn will find Oklahoma’s roadsides afire with these beautiful red and yellow blossoms. We talked about the name of the flowers, which prompted the grandson to Google traditional Oklahoma Indigenous blankets. Their bright colors and intricate designs rival the beauty of our state wildflower. It’s easy to see where the flowers got their name. Our treasure hunt for Oklahoma’s iconic plants, animals, foods and rocks prompted lots of conversations and further research into the different habitats found in the state. Oklahoma is one of the most geographically diverse states in the nation. Our state has hardwood and conifer woodlands, prairies, mountains, hills, salt plains, sand dunes, swamps, rivers, lakes and a crosstimbers region where prairie meets the more forested eastern portion of the state. We discussed how plants fit into the ecology of the regions we visited and how plants and animals rely upon each other to survive. We talked about how Oklahoma’s Indigenous people and early settlers relied upon the state’s rich and diverse animals and plants to survive and thrive. Celebrating our adventures We finished our state symbol quest with the family’s first barbecue of 2021. The state steak is the ribeye and the state veggie is watermelon. (Yes, it’s a fruit; and yes, the state legislature proclaimed it the state’s official vegetable). We decided to feature side dishes that reflect the diverse cultures found in our state. We ate elote (Mexican-style corn on the cob) as a nod to our Latinx neighbors; fry bread to honor Oklahoma’s Indigenous people; collard greens and sweet potato pie to connect with African American tradition; and Vietnamese spring rolls. The music playlist for our final day of exploring Oklahoma’s symbols included the state’s signature waltz, Oklahoma Wind ; our anthem,
REDBUD TREE
INDIAN BLANKET FLOWER PHOTO BY STACY NOAKES
EASTERN COLLARED LIZARD
72 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / EVERYTHING GUIDE 2021-2022
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