Blue Hole Spring. Wholesome Family Destination. Unknown Oasis.

Blue Hole Spring is a swimming hole park located about ten miles east of Salinas, OK, itself about seven miles north of Locust Grove, itself forty-five minutes east of downtown Tulsa.   Owned by Ms. Wanda, a revered community elder widow who has devoted her elder years after the death of her husband to making this Oasis open to the public.  Picnic areas, camping spots, rentable cabins, concession stand, solid family-oriented establishment.

Blue Hole Spring

The deep swimming hole is on the other side of that red car and some small 

waterfalls. 

We went there for the 4th of July!   Blue Hole.

Somewhere northeast of Wanda’s super cold, crystal clear water emerges from the ground a size-able  stream.  Which on Wanda’s land forms a large swimming hole, in places 15+ feet deep, which while standing looking down on it looks in its deep places a rich, aqua blue.  Hence the name. 55 degrees F makes it a kind of verifiable spa.

Because when you spend an afternoon dipping in its waters, your body temperature lowers so much that your parasympathetic nervous system kicks in.  Big time.  Stress hormones plumit.  Serenity now.  Not just for hours later but for days, as I can currently testify writing this at the end of the work week 24 hours plus since swimming at Blue Hole.

Blue Hole Springs.  Hidden Okie Oasis. A Diamond in the Rough.  Not an hour from Tulsa.

Along your way stop at famous Country Cottage restaurant in Locust Grove.   One time about ten years ago I was about to get a haircut from a rural barber (I loved that humble soul), sitting there
waiting my turn.  The guy in the chair was talking about how literally awesome was Country Cottage in Locust Grove.   Gen-uu-wiiine country home cooking extra ordinarie. Yessir.   The design and decor is authentically Victorian.   The wait staff as hospitable and helpful as any small town eatery may have to offer.

Blue Hole.  Call me infatuated, but this place is a verifiable gem.

“Ol’ Blue Hole”

By - JH

To an easy, quasi-melancholic tune...

When the love of men is growin' cold
And the arguments are gettin' old
Brother, let's take a break and go
Down to water at the Ol' Blue Hole

Let's relive those times before
When innocence was at the door
Knockin' lightly, "Hey, let's go"
Down to the water at the Ol' Blue Hole

And the conversations, were conversations
Not concealments for altercations
Not a springboard for consternation
Down at the water at the Ol' Blue Hole

When He comes back, what shall He find?
Faith, and love, and all one mind?
Or will most take a dive and go
Down to the fire at the Ol' Red Hole

Do we drown our brothers in the saving waters?
Ignore our kids while we quote the Fathers?
Brother, let's take a break and go
Down to the water at the Ol' Blue Hole...

-JH