As the national pandemic COVID 19 continues, many of you will find yourself in exactly the same place that James and I did.  Nothing like feeling like we are under house arrest!  We decided that we could use a road trip.

According to a report from the National Academies of Sciences: “Social isolation has been associated with a significantly increased risk of premature mortality from all causes,” including a “50% increased risk of developing dementia;” a “29% increased risk of incident coronary heart disease;” a “25% increased risk for cancer mortality;” a “59% increased risk of functional decline;” and a “32% increased risk of stroke.”

The Harmful Effects of Staying Inside for Too Long, According to a New Study

 

We really wanted to find a way to get out, get some fresh air, and still social distance and be safe, so we decided to take a drive to the Quartz Mountain Resort, 17 miles North of Altus, OK in the Wichita Mountains.  We started our drive though the Wichita Mountain Wildlife refuge and were greeted with buffalo sightings!

Just a short hour and a half of so drive and we arrived at one of Oklahoma's best kept secrets.  Quartz Mountain Resort features a beautiful lodge with a fantastic restaurant and surrounded by mountains.  They also have cabins for varying numbers of guests.  And a little grocery store and bait shop. So whether it's hiking, boating, or fishing that's your jam, this is a close, great location.

One of my favorite things that we did as we turned around at the lodge to leave was to stop at a little walking bridge at Lake Altus.  There are 4 different boating ramps there, but many visitors were just fishing off the shore!

Whether you are a land lover, or feel more free on the water, Quartz Mountain Resort in Lone Wolf Oklahoma is a great choice for a super quick getaway.  Next time we get to visit, we are going to stay the night.  There are tons of things to do all over the surrounding area!

Whether you are looking for a weekend getaway or a short day trip you can find great places in our state to visit by checking out TravelOK.com. Or if you want to explore and NOT leave your house, check out the OK Virtual Tours!

What's Nearby/Things To Do:

• Altus Air Force Base
• Altus Speedway
• Resort near Black Kettle National Grassland
• Main Street Altus Car Show
• Museum of the Western Prairie
• Quartz Mountain Nature Park
• Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge
• Western Oklahoma State College