Exploring Black Kettle National Grasslands & Norman's New Waterfront Dining | Only In OK

Today, we're showing you why Roger Mills County is home to a "prairie masterpiece." We're diving deep into the Black Kettle National Grasslands, a sprawling 30,000-acre network of untouched beauty that's part of a massive 1.9-million-acre "sky island" system managed by the Cibola National Forest. From the soul-stirring big skies of Western Oklahoma to the somber history of Peace Chief Black Kettle and the Washita Battlefield, this episode covers the ecological recovery of the "Dirty Thirties" and the best ways to enjoy the land today. In the first half, we discuss: The "Sky Islands": How Oklahoma's grasslands connect to New Mexico's mountain ranges. Outdoor Adventure: Kayaking the "No Wake" zones of Dead Warrior, Skipout, and Spring Creek Lakes. Film History: Why the landscape near Sayre was the perfect backdrop for The Grapes of Wrath. Travel Tips: Why you should pair your visit with a classic Route 66 road trip. After the break: We head to Norman, Oklahoma, for some "oceanfront" property news. For nearly 20 years, a 10,500-square-foot building has sat vacant on the water. We have the scoop on Uncle Julio's Mexican from Scratch finally moving into the infamous Wayne's Waterside Grill location. We dig into the foreclosure history, the $1.7 million sale, and what this means for the Norman dining scene in 2026. Links Mentioned: Cibola National Forest & Grasslands Washita Battlefield National Historic Site #OnlyInOK #OklahomaRoadTrip #BlackKettleGrasslands #ExploreOK #NormanOK #WesternOklahoma #OklahomaHistory #Route66 #TulsaToOKC #OutdoorOklahoma