Oh Betsy! We’ve been busy! However, I thought I should take a break and share a few things I like about Tahlequah. I also posted some Instagram photos earlier today, so feel free to take a look. One more thing worth sharing: Fantom (our seven-month-old white german shepherd) went kayaking for the first time. She wouldn’t go unless I got in a kayak too, and I’ve already ruined one camera in the water, so I unfortunately have no pictures of her aquatic feats… yet.

1. Illinois River - Forget floating, it is so passé. Really though, this river is also great for fishing, swimming and kayaking… especially for beginners. Shallow rock bottom beds are great for kids to wade, swim, and fish in - the water is so clear they can see the fish swimming. Check with the Oklahoma Scenic River Commission (OSRC) about rules and regulations. And, please, make sure you know how to swim! 

2. Oklahoma Scenic Route Highway Ten - Gorgeous. Also known as the Cherokee Hills Byway, this route comes second only to the Talimena National Scenic Byway in my book. Take this drive and remain glued to your windows for nearly a half hour. There are also several public access points to camp, grill, fish, kayak and swim all along the route as you approach Tahlequah.

3. Cherokee Heritage Center - If you’re Cherokee, you should go. If you’re not, you should go. Includes a museum, and a model Cherokee village in a pre-Euro-invasion state. Actors weave baskets and portray lives of the Cherokee people. 

4. The Branch - In my opinion, this is the best place to eat and drink in Tahlequah. The Nouveau-American fare is quite pricey, but considering it is the only restaurant in town with good food (other local establishments include Chilli’s, Pizza Hut, and sub-par [American-]Mexican restaurants), shucking out the extra bucks is well worth it. The building is neat and includes an upstairs deck over a stream. Sometimes they have live music. *Also, you should take a peak at The Twig next door - they feature gelato, pizza by the slice, and cafe-style seating outdoors.

5. Iguana Cafe - When you go in here you suddenly feel like you’re in Colorado. Well at least I do. It’s neat, eclectic, and is owned and operated (I have heard) by a friendly family. Fantastic sandwiches (vegetarian friendly too!) and the possibly the best coffee and smoothies in town. A bike shop is next door. This joint has outdoor seating on a covered deck, Wi-Fi, and live music every week.

6. Pizza by Manooch - Screw Sam & Ella’s (no offense). Manooch’s pizza has real cheese - and it tastes as if they obtain it from a local dairy farm. Other menu items include gyros, pastas and calzones. They have a drive-thru window so you can call ahead and pick up a box of scrumptiousness. I am pretty picky about pizza pies; their’s is soooo filling, and soooo goood. 

7. Tahlequah Farmers Market - Every Saturday from 8 AM-12 PM. Local farmers, gardeners, artisans, artists come together and showcase some wonderful things.

8. The Dream Theatre - Scenes from a recent documentary about Wilma Mankiller were filmed here. The owners of the company we work for also own the Dream and are currently restoring it. The single-screen theater was built in the 1920s-1930s and has subtle bits of Art Deco throughout. Eventually they’d like to use it as a music venue, as well as show movies. It very well might also include dining : )