Oklahoma

I'm going to be in Oklahoma this coming week attending the NATJA (North American Travel Journalist Association) Annual Conference.

That's part of the "Beyond" in Kitsap and Beyond.

Day One, prior to the actual conference I'll attend an onsite photo class at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.

Established in 1901, the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is the second most visited wildlife refuge in the country - hosting more than 1.5 million annual visitors. The refuge hosts a rare piece of the past - a remnant mixed grass prairie, an island where the natural grasslands escaped destruction because the rocks underfoot defeated the plow. The Refuge provides habitat for large native grazing animals such as American bison, Rocky Mountain elk, and white-tailed deer. Texas longhorn cattle also share the Refuge rangelands as a cultural and historical legacy species. More than 50 mammal, 240 bird, 64 reptile and amphibian, 36 fish, and 806 plant species thrive on this important refuge.

I hope to get some great photos and will post some as I have time during the conference.

My post trip will take me on a tour to learn more about the Wild West (a favorite subject) and the Oil Barrons - more photo ops!

During the conference there are seminars and classes to choose from as well as speakers and most importantly networking.

I can't remember ever being in Oklahoma, although I've been in every state it borders, so this will be a learning experience all around.