“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page”

— Saint Augustine

Hey, adventurers.

I’m really happy to be sharing a travel related post today! They are few and far between this year! A weekend trip an hour and a half from my home feels like a HUGE deal.

Oh, the flow of life…

A couple of weeks ago Lin and I were treated to a weekend stay at Blue Doors At Tenkiller. Blue Doors is a gorgeous place to get lost in nature this fall and just relax, rest, & find balance. A change of scenery is so good for the soul!! Lucky for you-we did the “summer excursion” to get this review our for you in the perfect season! All though I know many of you enjoy summer and all seasons so just know Blue Doors has it all- fishing and kayaking in summer, hiking and cozying up by the fire in the fall…there just really isn’t a bad time of year for renting a cabin here! (all though they are closed in the Winter and that is when i would really love to visit..LOL!)

When planning any type of getaway we do have to think out of the box due to the current state of the world. And Lin and I are actually being very careful still and will not travel anywhere too far! (a public restroom terrifies me right now) So if you are like us, you are going to enjoy the socially distant immenties at Blue Doors. And I am going to give you plenty of tips to prepare so you can feel very safe on your getaway.

Consider this a “nearcation” if you will!! But Tulsa and all of Oklahoma, really…you are in for such a special treat!!!

Blue Doors has the perfect motel style lodging (only 12 cabins) which is the ticket to even more space in the great outdoors! The courtyard is beautiful and there is plenty of room to spread out if you wish! The cabins have some space between them and you do not have to use the common areas if you do not want to.

I have so many photos that are really going to just speak to the property. Can I just say there are so many instagrammable opportunities!?

“Blue Doors at Tenkiller is dedicated to the exploration of achieving a sustainable life.”

BLUE DOORS IN A FEW WORDS

Comforting – the cabin is equipped with A/C & Heater ( a must in Oklahoma) , bathroom and shower, and a cozy cozy bed with nice linens! (The best of GLAMPING)
Inviting – The owner and staff are very warm and friendly and responsive! Jane lives on the property too so she is always close making sure you have everything you need.
Mindful – Blue Doors at Tenkiller is dedicated to the exploration of achieving a sustainable life. BEE KEEPING: they are so excited and grateful for the hives at Blue Doors. BUTTERFLY AND HUMMINGBIRD GARDEN: The butterflies and hummingbirds love the flowers and feeders. They are so grateful for how many critters call Blue Doors home. Jane is very passionate about seeds…preserving heirloom seed varieties to avoid the extinction of them by our commercial farming industry! She is so knowledgeable in this area…if you stay there-ask her about this! The space also lets you appreciate nature and your surroundings that we so often take for-granted.
Rustic + Artistic – I loved the rustic vibes! And I love what Jane has done for the property! There is beautiful art murals everywhere and gorgeous colors, textures, and details. (love the community rustic wood-fire pizza oven too speaking of rustic!)
Rejuvenating – I left this place feeling super relaxed and the experience left a mark on my life about reconnecting with nature and just taking a moment each day to reflect and focus on myself. So often we get so into our work and what we do that we forget to take care of ourselves in the process. This was a great space to sit and quiet my mind as well as helping me feel inspired again about photography and being creative.
Dog-Friendly- We did not take our boys because they are not great off leash! If your dog is a good off leash dog..he or she will love this place! Dogs are really encouraged. Here is Jane’s sweet dog that I absolutely fell in love with. (Love Corgi’s)

Pics from Blue Doors

The community Courtyard

The courtyard has two community kitchens with grills, sinks, counter top space to prep meals, etc. There are fridges too for your perishables! (We did bring our own ice chest though as we are being very cautious right now during the pandemic but I just want to give you all the information) Jane also has a community coffee maker but we brought our own stuff to make pour-overs from our room!

You will also have access to the wood-fire pizza oven!

Gore does have plenty of restaurants too so do not feel like you have to do any cooking if you do not want to! They have a few local spots and some fast-food chains! We loved the The Tiki Cabana for snow cones! There is also an incredible pizza place in Muskogee…about 40 minutes from Blue Doors. We actually grabbed stuff from there on our way to Gore. It’s called American Pie Wood-Fired Pizza and you will not be dissapointed. The owner and head chef was trained at Le Cordon Bleu! Everything is made from scratch, all their sauces, the dough, salad dressings hummus, pesto, you name it! I will be driving there to get a pizza to go from Tulsa as soon as I am done with my Whole30. (we started it right after we got back from Blue Doors)

Read more about everything you will have access to here.

There is plenty of spread out seeing and Jane even had live music Saturday night. It had been 7 months since I had seen a live band so that was such a nice treat. The music does not last too late either which is nice. I really loved that she treated this as more of a “listening room” then some rowdy bar concert where people are just shouting over the music. She really wants to honor the musicians with such respect and I think that is just wonderful.

The grounds at The Blue Doors is a lovely place to just walk and explore! There is a pond and a nice little hiking trail (definitely better suited for fall though because Lin is still battling chigger bites and it’s been almost a month…poor guy!) There is a lovely community garden too.

Here are some of the snaps I took from the weekend.

BLUE DOORS ALSO HAS A KAYAK RENTALS FOR GUESTS!

A trip down the lower Illinois on a kayak, is an adventure you won't forget! You truly become one with the nature that surrounds Blue Doors. On occasion you may see beavers, bald eagles, and many varieties of fish. This is a 6 1/2 mile trip with plenty of places to stop for picnics or just a dip in the cool water. For any nature lover or fisherman, this is a trip you will remember!

1/2 Day ~ $25 (4 hrs.)
Full Day ~ $45 (8 hrs.)

There are plenty of things to do as well close to Blue Doors! (You will need to get in the car but still a lovely experience)

Paddle The Lake!

Or Rent A Boat!!!

You go to the lake for a reason, right? The water!

It’s simple – but sometimes the best adventures are the most obvious! Lake Tenkiller’s emerald waters, and wooded landscape make for an incredible paddling experience. The lake almost invites you to jump in and enjoy.
Along the lake you’ll find dozens of opportunities to rent paddleboards, kayaks canoes and more! It’s the perfect way to get acquainted with one of Oklahoma’s most appealing features.

Discover an Underwater World.

Due to the lake’s clear waters and great location, Tenkiller has made itself host to a wide array of SCUBA enthusiasts from across the world.

This popularity eventually led to Lake Tenkiller’s very own underwater dive park. The park includes a wide array of unique pieces, including a plane fuselage, bus and even a sunken helicopter!

Meet Eagles, Hawks and More

If you’re looking for more of a tranquil adventure, then you’ll definitely want to get to the nature trails. Lake Tenkiller is renowned for it’s winter-season bird watching, in which bald eagles generally make themselves known. Year round, you’ll also find a wide array of beautiful birds, including hawks, warblers, woodpeckers and much more.

Aside from birds, the trails are great for viewing many forms of wildlife, and it allows you to kick back and enjoy the fresh outdoor air.

America’s Real Favorite Pastime: Fishing!

When it comes to fishing – Oklahoma can’t be beat! This has been common knowledge of professional fly fishermen, and just buddies with boats.
The same can be said ten fold for Lake Tenkiller, because not only is the lake beautiful to look at, it also happens to be packed with bass, crappie, catfish and more.

Unwind with a Round of Golf.

The Wolf at Tenkiller is an expertly maintained 18-hole golf course settled on the beautiful Oklahoma landscape near the lake. The course opened in 2012 and features Tifeagle Bermuda greens and an incredibly serene setting. On site, enjoy the pro golf shop, and regular lessons to help improve your game.