<a href="http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=9191" rel="attachment wp-att-9191"><img src="http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/hiking1-500x347.jpg" alt="by Sasha Martin" title="Keystone Ancient Forest" width="500" height="347" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-9191" /></a>

I had my doubts as we pulled into the gravel parking lot for <a href="http://sandspringsok.org/category.php?cat=1001">http://sandspringsok.org/category.php?cat=1001">the Keystone Ancient Forest Trail</a>. I wasn't worried about the trail - I'm always up for an adventure - but rather about taking my then-20-month-old daughter hiking. Especially considering she only started walking at 15 months.

<em>This could be a huge mistake</em>, I thought to myself.

I hoisted Ava out of her car seat and we walked over to the trail head. My husband, Keith, put together our equipment: An apple, water and a backpack for Ava, should the trail prove too difficult. Five volunteers greeted us with guide books, smiles and a pile of walking sticks. We chatted for a few minutes about what we could expect from the short, three-mile trail. We were given the option of going with a guide or alone.

We were feeling brave, so we opted to go alone.

The trail was wide, at times the width of an average one-car drive, and mostly flat. Ava took great pleasure in chasing the dragon flies, running from the one snake we saw and, most of all, carrying a walking stick, just like mama and papa.

We took our time, going Ava's pace, and were soon passed by a group of 10 year-olds, all chattering excitedly. This was definitely a family-friendly trail. No bikes. No pets. Nice, roomy.

About halfway out we stopped to admire the view of the water, just visible through the still-bare trees, and snacked on our apple. Down the hill at the side of the trail was a cluster of small, scraggly, old trees - 500 years old, to be exact.

So there we were with our 15 month-old, a smattering of 500 year-old trees, and an apple, on one of the 12 days each year these ancient trails are open to the public. It was a great Saturday. 

<em><a href="http://thislandpress.com/08/22/2011/the-forest-that-ate-washington-irving/">Read more about the Keystone Ancient Forest at ThisLandPress.com</a>. </em>


<a href="http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=9192" rel="attachment wp-att-9192"><img src="http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/hiking2-500x347.jpg" alt="by Sasha Martin" title="Ancient Forest" width="500" height="347" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-9192" /></a>

<a href="http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=9193" rel="attachment wp-att-9193"><img src="http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/hiking3.jpg" alt="by Sasha Martin" title="Ancient Forest" width="432" height="500" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9193" /></a>

<a href="http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/?attachment_id=9194" rel="attachment wp-att-9194"><img src="http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/hiking4.jpg" alt="by Sasha Martin" title="Ancient Forest" width="432" height="500" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9194" /></a>