So You Want to Visit Picher, Oklahoma: A Guide for the Urbex Curious (and Slightly Reckless)
Ah, Picher, Oklahoma. A place that's equal parts fascinating and falling apart. A ghost town sculpted by mining booms and busts, leaving behind a landscape of empty shells and a whole lotta "what ifs." But the question remains: can you even visit this post-apocalyptic playground?
The Answer, My Friend, is a resounding... Maybe!
Picher's official motto might as well be "enter at your own risk." This former lead and zinc mining town is a Superfund site, meaning it's contaminated with enough lead to make your inner child hide in the corner and suck its thumb. So, it's not exactly a vacation destination for the health-conscious.
However, if you're the adventurous type, with a penchant for urban exploration (urbex for the cool kids) and a disregard for pristine air quality, then Picher might just be your cup of...well, let's not say tea.
Tip: Keep your attention on the main thread.
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| Can You Visit Picher Oklahoma |
But Wait, There's More!
Exploring Picher: Not Your Average Walk in the Park (Because There Aren't Any Parks)
Here's the thing about Picher: it's a shell of its former self. Buildings are hollowed-out husks, streets crumble like stale cookies, and the only sounds you're likely to hear are the whispers of the wind and your own nervous laughter.
Exploring Tips for the Discerning Daredevil:
QuickTip: Look for lists — they simplify complex points.
- Dress for the apocalypse (or at least a bad dust storm): Think long sleeves, pants, a bandana for your face, and shoes you wouldn't mind sacrificing to the Picher gods (read: lead dust).
- Bring your own entertainment: Unless you find a chatty chat pile (those are the mountains of mining waste, by the way), you're pretty much on your own.
- Don't be a lickety-split: We mentioned lead contamination, right? Avoid touching anything you wouldn't want to ingest (and seriously, don't ingest anything).
- Watch your step: Sinkholes and crumbling structures are a common theme. Don't become part of the abandoned scenery.
So, You've Survived Picher. Now What?
Congratulations! You've braved the abandoned heart of Oklahoma and lived to tell the tale (or at least post about it on social media). Now, go take a long shower and contemplate your mortality...or just grab some pie at a diner in the next town over.
Picher FAQ:
How to get to Picher?
Picher is just off Route 66 in Ottawa County. Just follow the signs for "desolation" and "unsettling beauty."
QuickTip: Break reading into digestible chunks.
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How to explore Picher safely?
Stay on main roads, avoid anything that looks like it might fall on you, and resist the urge to become a human popsicle (licking things is a bad idea).
How long does it take to explore Picher?
Tip: Look for examples to make points easier to grasp.
A half-day is plenty. You'll see most of what there is to see, and then some.
How to take cool pictures in Picher?
Black and white is always a good choice for that post-apocalyptic vibe. And dramatic poses are highly encouraged.
How to avoid getting arrested in Picher?
Don't trespass on private property and be respectful of the area. Remember, it's a contaminated site, not your personal playground.
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