A new year will be upon us before we know it. What are you planning to do with it? Could this be a year of new adventures? Of seeing the places you’ve always wanted to see and experiencing everything this life has to offer?With the promise of new possibilities on the horizon, a bucket list is a great way to map out the kind of year you plan to have for yourself. After all, it’s a journey – you might as well take the scenic route. If you’re planning on a year of exciting adventures and awe-inspiring destinations, be sure to add our top five stops in Choctaw Country to your list: BEECH CREEK NATIONAL SCENIC AND BOTANICAL AREA If you love the beauty of the Broken Bow landscape but hate the crowds, your solution lies just a few miles north in the Beech Creek National Scenic and Botanical Area. The isolation of this untamed area of the Ouachita National Forest makes it a haven for the wilderness wanderer. Explore over 32 miles of rugged trails catering to intermediate to experienced hikers with water crossings, obstacle climbs and plenty of opportunities to seriously put your pathfinding skills to the test. There’s no camping on-site, but the Winding Stair Campground is virtually right next door, offering a peaceful respite amidst the pines, and is located just off the Talimena National Scenic Byway, which runs through the heart of this area. If you have “complete submersion into the untamed wilderness” on your bucket list, this is your destination. ENDANGERED ARK FOUNDATION How many people do you know who can say they’ve had a personal encounter with an elephant? If you visit the Endangered Ark Foundation (EAF) in Hugo, Oklahoma, you’ll have the chance to do just that. Established in 1993, the EAF is a sanctuary for Asian elephants and offers educational presentations as well as opportunities to feed and even pet these majestic creatures. It’s one of the few places in the country where you can experience this kind of hands-on interaction with elephants, making it worthy of any North American bucket list.POTEAU BALLOON FEST Every autumn, the skies of Poteau, Oklahoma come to life with a kaleidoscope of brilliantly colored hot air balloons. It’s truly a breathtaking sight, but there’s more to the annual Poteau Balloon Fest than taking in the sights. Plan for a fun-filled weekend of ATV races, pet shows, kite flying, carnival rides and more. For an extra charge, you can even take a ride in a helicopter, monster truck or hot air balloon! This is one you’ll have to pen into your calendar so you don’t forget, but we promise … it’s so worth the wait. GROWLER PINES TIGER PRESERVE Have you ever dreamed about what it would be like to be face-to-face with a real, live tiger? The Growler Pines Tiger Preserve allows you to get close – but not too close! – to these incredible apex predators. Reservations are required to visit this private facility dedicated to the conservation and preservation of the endangered tiger. Your guided encounter includes meeting the tigers (from a safe distance), watching the handlers demonstrate tiger care and training, and the “Lend a Paw” experience, where the handler takes a paw print of the tiger with washable paint. You can even take one of these one-of-a-kind prints home when you visit the gift shop! CHOCTAW CULTURAL CENTER When you think of exhibits, you might think of a sterile hall with roped-off relics in glass cases. The Choctaw Cultural Center is not that. Many exhibits are activated by touch and offer creative ways to immerse guests in the Choctaw story. You can also tour the life-size replicas of ancestral structures in the living village, take a basketweaving or jewelry-making class, and let the kids explore and play in the activity center. If you want the full experience, dining on indigenous cuisine – including tanchi labona and Indian tacos – at Champuli Café is a must. The Choctaw Cultural Center is on our bucket list because it’s an experience that will change you, no matter who you are or where you come from.TOP 15 ITEMS TO REMEMBER FOR YOUR ROAD TRIP: 1. Car ChargerWe’d all be lost without our phones – literally. 2. First-Aid KitYou never know when you might need a bandage. 3. SnacksSweet, salty or both – packing snacks ahead of time means you don’t have to search for a stop when you get hungry. 4. Reusable Water BottleCost efficient and environmentally friendly, good hydration is important on any trip. 5. BlanketThe perfect accessory for a sleepy passenger princess. 6. CoolerFrom beverages to cold cuts, having a cooler on hand is like bringing your own portable mini fridge. 7. Roadside Emergency KitThere’s nothing worse than being stranded on the side of the road, but these kits will have you back on track in no time. 8. Spare Tire. . . and a jack to go with it. 9. SunglassesUV protection is top priority (and so is looking cool). 10. Hand SanitizerYou can either wish you had soap (and regret it later) or be glad you brought a backup. 11. PlaylistAbsolutely paramount to any good road trip. 12. Multi-Tool Handy for everything from screwing in a loose bolt to popping open a bottle (not while you’re driving, of course). 13. Umbrella/Rain GearWet clothes are never fun, but especially not in a car. 14. HeadphonesWatch your videos in peace without disturbing the other passengers. 15. Paper Map Especially important if you’re traveling somewhere off-grid or with spotty service.