Hobbes "Hijack This Thread" Thread!!! (Rolla, Ozark: fit in, rentals)

[ShadowCaver]

If interested in such, here be a thread for all MO'ites and MO'ites-ta-be and those that are just wantin to visit this little happy spot in this one forum in the wide open world wide web to yack. This yackin' can be about anything, about nothing, about something, and/or whateverin tarnation your fingers feel like typing for sharing...

So, c'mon, don't be shy, you are among friends here, so just climb on up here on the porch, dust of that rocker, set down for a spell, grab yourself a cool refreshing drink, nibble on a snack fresh out of the oven, and sit back, smiling, as we fess up a story or two...

[Northwoods Voyager]

Well, now, what can I tell you? I like/love being where I live, just don't like my house. And here I am a Realtor. But cannot change that so have to make the best of it. I do admire and almost envy the enthusiasm of the newcomers. they come here after much scratchin of the head, researchin and don't seem to be afraid to take the chance.

Amazing. I have checked a few of the forums for other states and do not find the same expressions of wonder, joy, happiness, friendliness, and overall downright satisfaction that I find on the Missouri threads.

So much has been said and in so many more descriptive manners than I could ever begin to express about what to love here. And the amazing amount of assistance from so many. Wow, what an educated and special group you all are. I feel so fortunate in having been directed here. You guys and gals are
the tops, the best, you're the cream of the crop.

No amount of stepping on toes, appears to dampen the enthusiasm of any subject being approached. You all take in stride what comes your way and have snappy, short, rambling, amazing, funny, weird, and downright belly shaking stories to tell

So, now it's time for others to sit a spell and share some thoughts with each of us. And I do so much admire and consider fortunate to have some new 'friends'. Love to y'all

Still wanna adopt yas SC

[da jammer]

well I keep getting told what a meanie I am from MrsG so maybe I can hang out in here for a second for some kind of brief respite from the unrelenting verbal assaults.....until she tracks me down that is!

[Northwoods Voyager]

Originally Posted by da jammer

well I keep getting told what a meanie I am from MrsG so maybe I can hang out in here for a second for some kind of brief respite from the unrelenting verbal assaults.....until she tracks me down that is!

What a darlin little critter Oh, quit it, we don't really think of yas as being a meanie, really we don't

You are just too much fun to tangle with and attempt to keep ahead of. Which, by the way, I'm finding impossible. You and SC are just the greatest.

The heart is simply adorable. Name please.

[bentaxlecrew]

You know what? Ive been in the Cali forums. They are pretty depressing. Im an artist and have been in a murals forum but it cant seem to hold my attention. My heart is in the Missouri forum. It brings me to tears to see the friendliness here. I have lived my whole life in So-Cal and never seemed to fit in here. Im a blond, blue eyed gal who does not belong at the beach. Ive always loved the lakes and hiking and fishing.( even though I couldnt catch a fish if he were dead and floated up to me).

I was the only one in my intermediate family who joined the military and the only girl of four children . I was searching for adventure. My basic training was at Ft. Leonardwood. I loved it. Every minute of it. I loved hearing the Katydids and crickets at night. I loved the lightning that lit our barracks. It was so me. They nick named me Annie Oakly. Everyone always thought I was country. They were shocked to learn I was born and raised in Los Angelas. I used to climb our backyard tree every day and just sit there for hours staring at the mountains. Wishing I were in them. It struck me funny to think my ancestors were from the mid west. My papa from Iowa and another from Illonoise. Its like I was meant to be here somewhere. I have to be here.

[northbayeric]

Yeah, I've been in some of the CA forums and have looked at a fair number of additional ones. Missouri might not have an ocean or Mount Shasta or the breathtaking topography of Death Valley. But I'll tell you, there is just something about Missouri--and it's no slouch when it comes to scenic places. And the folks who are in the MO forums who have either lived there their whole lives, or who are just thrilled to be there after relocating from places like California and Arizona--you just know they're down to earth and have hearts of gold. Missouri is a pretty enchanted place in a lot of ways.

It has at least 6,000 caves, including Onondaga, Meramec Caverns, Bridal Cave, Jacob's Cave, Onyx Mountain Caverns and many more that I'd love to see at some point. I'd love going on a float trip on the Meramec, Gasconade and Current Rivers, and remember seeing these turtles sunbathing on the banks of the Meramec next to the caverns when I went on a boat ride there last year on vacation. There's also the Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, with beautiful flowers, plants, and lily pads on the water surface of the ponds there. So many of the state highways go UPPPPPP, then plunge DOWWWWNNNN over and over again. Fort Davidson State Park, in the lovely Arcadia Valley near Pilot Knob and Ironton, is very quiet and peaceful in the 21st century, but it has so many tales to tell from nearly 150 years ago. You can imagine the Union and Confederate soldiers coming down the surrounding hills and mountains that frame the grassy battlefield, and the sound of their gunfire, and you pray that our country will never have another war like that.

Near the main parking area of Taum Sauk Mountain, there's a big wooden deck where you can see the St. Francois Mountains stretch for quite a few miles--old, eroded, tree-covered rolling hills that must knock your socks off during the autumn season.

You know what we both need to do--and definitely for me before I relocate back to Missouri? Off of Highway 395 along the eastern Sierra Nevadas, take State Highway 168 from Bishop and go southwest up to Lake Sabrina and South Lake. A little further north, take Rock Creek Road from Tom's Place and visit Rock Creek Lake, and hike into the Little Lakes Valley. Each of these places are breathtaking--perhaps literally! They are all over 9,000 feet in elevation, and the entrance to the Little Lakes Valley is just over 10,000 feet up. If you've never seen these places in what is a whole different world than your area of Southern CA and my northern San Francisco Bay Area, you must! It's pitiful that more of California isn't like the Highway 395 corridor from Lone Pine going north. It really feels like you're in a different state in the Eastern Sierras. I know South Lake (9,765 feet) has boat rentals where you can putt-putt around the lake and either go fishing or just take in the mountains that surround it. They're just these rowboats with small outboard motors--not these powerful speedboats that would be totally out of place there.

There you go--some scattered thoughts as it nears 1 am--and I'd better pack it in for the evening!

[mamagator54]

Da Jammer: What a cutie, especially with that heart shaped patch on it's side.
What is it's name.

My Gator would like to know if he can come over and play. Yep, Gator...thus I am Mamagator.http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/4646/p5220158pt6.jpg

And yes... He is spoiled rotten too!

[firebll31]

How funny-I have a Gator too, except he is an 18 lb gray tabby cat! Can you believe the strange weather we have had this year? I don't think there has been a single morning yet when the grass was dry. For those of you relocating, we don't normally have this much humidity this long! I guess the rain this year was making up for last year's shortcomings. At least there is plenty of hay around to feed the critters this winter. My husband's pumpkin patch is doing great, without much additional watering. We should have lots of mini-pumpkins as well as regular size, along with Indian corn and strawberry popcorn. However, he failed to plant my favorite squash. Next year I'll have to take matters into my own hands on that one. So far the deer and critters have left things alone. We scatter human hair around the perimeter to scare them away.

[mamagator54]

I have never heard of Strawberry Popcorn. What's the dif between that and regular popcorn?
Thunderstorms here in Indiana this morning. Woke me up about 4:45am and could not get back to sleep.
Sure do wish I was in MO. Few more days and we will be on our way HOME!

[ShadowCaver]

Well good morning ya'll... Hey, look at that beautiful Missouri sunrise would ya!!!



So damn tickled to see such a fine group up here on the porch...

For those of yas that ain't made it yet,,, just follow this path:




And, please don't fret, we do have modern conveniences for when a break may be needed:



Feel free to pet her too... she will lick you to death, while beating you senseless with her tail...





ps: actual MO sunrise, taken Sept 2006... and road in the Ozarks, tad west of Rolla... and outhouse/shed, tad south of Rolla... and my 4-legged sweetheart, Shadow...