I was starting in similar years, some time in high school (03-07) I set up a dual boot with Ubuntu. I’ve dabbled on and off since. Usually put Ubuntu on old laptops to give em some more life, current work laptop is that way. It’s never been my primary OS. But I’ve had either a dual boot or laptop running it most years since then.
The Oklahoma high point is right near the border so you can see each state, the marker for the border is like a two minute drive from the parking lot for the highpoint trailhead.