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Introduction with Resources

Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma & Kansas

ARKANSAS/MISSOURI/OKLAHOMA/KANSAS

Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma are easily accessible to much of the United States, and have much to offer.

Arkansas blends great national parks, a vast array of watersports activities on its many lakes and rivers, and cultural centers and museums enough to interest just about anybody. There are forts and historical reminders of the westward expansion as well as the Civil War. Be sure to check out Eureka Springs, the Ozark Folk Festival, the theme park Dogpatch (anyone remember Li'l Abner?), Hot Springs and the state capitol, Little Rock. The country is beautiful and the people are friendly.

To many of us, Kansas is where Auntie Em and Dorothy live. Somehow this state ends up starring in songs: We know there are pretty little women in Kansas City, and of course the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe passes through. The Wichita Lineman will be on the job as you drive by, and check to see if you're as corny as Kansas in August.

But in reality, Kansas is mainly a farming state with a strong railroad tradition and it's famous for cattle ranches and cattle drives. Favorite sons and daughters of Kansas include Carrie Nation and President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Like Iowa, Kansas recreation centers around water sports and hiking, with the added excitement of greyhound racing.

Missouri, like Arkansas, is bordered to the east by the Mississippi River, which has been a major influence throughout the state's history. Altogether, in Missouri you will find plains, prairie, the Ozark Mountains and Mississippi River flatlands. For many years Missouri, and especially St. Louis, was the gateway to the west, the jumping-off point for early travelers going off to start new lives in Oregon or California, Colorado or New Mexico. This was the end of the comforts of civilization - the door to the wilderness.

Popular destinations in Missouri include Branson, Six Flags in Allentown, Mark Twain's Hannibal, Kansas City, St. Louis and Independence. Catch a riverboat or a wagon train to a new adventure.

Oklahoma is the home of the Dust Bowl and Will Rogers and cattle drives. Quite arid in the western panhandle, eastern Oklahoma has rivers and lakes enough for anyone looking for water sports and hiking terrain.

Here are some resourses to help you get started planning.

ARKANSAS

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & TOURISM

1 Capitol Mall

Little Rock, Arkansas 72201

(800) 628-8725

U.S. FOREST SERVICE

1720 Peachtree Street, N.W.

Atlanta, Georgia 30367

(800) 280-CAMP

GAME & FISH COMMISSION

2 Natural Resource Drive

Little Rock, Arkansas 72205

(501) 223-6300

KANSAS

KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Travel & Tourism

4005 West Eighth Street, Fifth Floor

Topeka, Kansas 66603

(800) 252-6727

(913) 296-2009

DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE & PARKS

Route 2, Box 54-A

Pratt, Kansas 67124

(316) 672-5911

MISSOURI

DIVISION OF TOURISM

P.O. Box 1055

Jefferson City, Missouri 65102

(314) 751-4133

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

P.O. Box 176

Jefferson City, Missouri 65102

(314) 751-3443

CONSERVATION/FISHING & HUNTING

P.O. Box 180

Jefferson City, Missouri 65102

(314) 751-4115

NATIONAL FORESTS

401 Fairgrounds Road

Rolla, Missouri 65401

OKLAHOMA

OKLAHOMA TOURISM & RECREATION DEPARTMENT

500 Will Rogers Boulevard

P.O. Box 6078

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73146

(800) 652-6552

(405) 521-2406

DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

1801 North Lincoln Boulevard

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105

(405) 521-6535 fax

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