Summer Adventures: Searching For Bigfoot & Digging For Diamonds

Oklahoma certainly has its share of natural beauty. News 9 Chief Meteorologist David Payne took fellow meteorologist Cassie Heiter to one of his favorite spots in the state -- and then he crossed the state line into Arkansas to dig for diamonds.

"Our summer adventure starts like most for me in this neck of the woods... with a search for Bigfoot," David said.

Or at least some really cool Bigfoot stuff!

Locals at the stores told David and Cassie that they had to check out the best new lunch place in Broken Bow, called the 'Eat Out.' When they pulled up, they immediately recognized it as an old favorite under new ownership, but now with a patio and back yard bar.

The next stop was called 'The Maze,' and it's a relatively new destination in Hochatown, one that is already popular with groups.

"We get bachelor parties, bachelorette parties, big family groups," said Michelle Chewning.

After all that fun, it was time to relax and check in to a luxury cabin at Mountain Vista with a special dinner being prepared for David and Cassie. Tabb Singleton was the executive sous chef at Emeril Lagasse's NOLA as well as the grand prize winner of Chopped on the Food Network and Destination American Deep Fry Masters.

Singleton has back home in nearby Idabel where he opened Phat Tabb's BBQ.

But on this night, Singleton and another chef from Phat Tabb's were cooking David and Cassie a gourmet meal.

With the cabin industry in Broken Bow booming, these chefs are busy. But they can be booked by calling Phat Tabb's or connecting with them via social media.

Day 2 of David and Cassie's summer adventure took them to Arkansas and Crater of Diamonds State Park. The State Park is at the top of a volcano where 120 miles underground, a combination of heat and pressure created diamonds. Then 100 million years ago, a volcano exploded, blowing up the mountain, and bringing all those diamonds to the surface, scattering them throughout 37.5 acres.

For the past 50 years, park visitors have been finding an average of two per day, including some big ones found on top of the ground. However, visitors have better chances of finding a gem by wet sifting, washing all the dirt away and hoping a diamond shows up on top.

Some diamond hunters are regulars, coming out once a year for a full week of hunting. Or even every day. It's estimated that about 35,000-plus visitors have found diamonds at the park in the past half century.

***

There's also a place in Oklahoma where you can dig for buried treasure. About two hours north of Oklahoma City, you'll find Salt Plains State Park. It's the only place in the world where selenite crystals can be found, just below the surface. Experts said the salt is leftover from an ocean that covered Oklahoma in prehistoric times.