[Sherry Hamilton]

I lived In Idabel for the first 21yrs. of my life.Then moved to Jacksonville Florida and I have been here ever since.And that was 20 yrs. ago.I go back to visit family but would never move back.

[Jammie]

Sherry, didn't you have severe culture shock when you moved?

[rob0575]

I relocated to Boise, Idaho in 2000 for my job. Lived in the Oklahoma panhandle 1964-2000 (Rhode Island before that). I love OK (except for the indignant conservative mindset that you encounter sometimes).
I lived there 36 years and traveled all over the state. I found most people to be helpful and kind (except the religious fanatic types, and you can find those about anywhere).

People that say OK is just humid, have never been to the western part of the state. Those that say it's just flat and sun-baked haven't been to the eastern part of the state.
My father was in the Navy and used to say, "the two best ships in the Navy are always the one you used to be on, and the one you're going to be on"
People seem to bash the place they are currently living (often unfairly).

People can say what they want about Oklahoma. I lived there a long time and know the state. I think it's beautiful in many ways. We didn't leave because we dislike Oklahoma, and we may move back when I retire.

We live in Boise, Idaho right now, and it's a wonderful city. It has lots of eye candy (scenery) and many nice people. We were surprised to find that the weather is so nice here. People had told us that we'd freeze to death up here, and that people up here were "haters".
You can't always believe the negative things people say, because it's all a matter of perspective.

[Crosstimbers Okie]

I've lived in Germany, Kansas, and Kentucky. The past six years I've lived in Kansas City, MO.

I can hardly wait to move back to Oklahoma. What Oklahoma lacks in comfortable weather it makes up for with warm, friendly people. The scenery of eastern Oklahoma compares favorably with that of Missouri & Arkansas. Cultural attractions in Oklahoma City are as numerous as those of Kansas City. Oklahoma has the 6th lowest unemployment rate in the nation, and better educational opportunities than Missouri or Kansas City.

Besides, the fishing is better in Oklahoma than anywhere else...

[Goodpasture]

Originally Posted by Crosstimbers Okie

Besides, the fishing is better in Oklahoma than anywhere else...

Only if you like catching them.........when you try and nap, the pesky things keep waking you up..........

[linicx]

One of the most under-rated and overlooked places to live in Oklahoma is in the NE corner in Grove. It is located in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains on one of the largest manmade lakes in mid-America. The hospital is pretty good and so are the doctors. Now, whereas most of Oklahoa was too conservative for me, Grove is not. In fact it is rather progressive for its size. Distance wise it is about 75 miles to Fayetteville and 100 to Tulsa; 200 to Kansas City or OKC; about 350 to Dallas and 50 to Joplin, MO. There are a lot of intersting thigs to do in the Eastern part of the state that most people don't mention. One of them is the Azalea Festival in Honor Park at Muskogee. Grove is right in the heart of Civil War history.

Stand Wattie, a full-blood Cherokee, was the last CSA General to cease fire at the end of the Civl War. Pea Ridge National Battlefield is just over the border in Arkansas. There's a battlefield near Sprinfield and national cemegtery in Springfield. There is also a battlefield in Carthage, Missouri where according to local historican the first shot of the CW fired on land was at Carthage.

Harbor Village, the world's largest antique museum is in on the shores of Grand Lake outside of Grove, as is a wonderful Japanese Garden and Tea House. The world's largest multiple-arch dam is at the south end of the lake.. Tours are free.
The Cherokee Queen cruises the lake. Theire are several casinos if you like to lose money. There are some nice golf courses in Grove and the russounding. One of the prettiest is an 18 hole in Carthage. The pelicans should be on Grand Lake by now, too. These big white birds tank up onn shad before the continue their flight to Mexico where they winter.

One of the prettiest sights you will see is when you come out of the high bluffs that surround Grove and see the lake. It's awesome.

I move from Grove years ago to be near the Cardiologist in Joplin. He moved his practice to Grove and I moved to Illinois. If you like four seasons and everything from upscale shopping to fishing you would like central Illinois, too.

[Crosstimbers Okie]

Stand Watie is buried in Oklahoma, just across the state line from Southwest City, MO.



Stand Watie's "Iron Cross" Re-Dedication

[Crosstimbers Okie]

Here's his headstone. Marker

[CENTER]Stand Watie's historical marker is located on the outside of Polson Cemetery. Stand is also buried inside the cemetery near Major Ridge and John Ridge.

Stand Watie
Degataga Oo-watee
Stand Watie was only American Indian to attain rank of Brigadier General during the Civil War and was last Confederate general to surrender. Born in Georgia December 12, 1806, he spoke only the Cherokee language until he was twelve years of age.
When Federal Government began urging Cherokees to move to Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina, to a home west of the Mississippi, Stand was one of those who believed it best for Cherokees to make such a move as signer of the Treaty of New Echota in 1836, which provided for removal of Cherokees to the west. Stand Watie gained enmity of those opposed to such treaty provision.
After removal to the west, Watie married Sarah C. Bell to whom three sons and two daughters were born.
At the outbreak of Civil War, Stand Watie espoused the Southern cause and soon received commission as Colonel in Confederate Army. Among the battles in which he participated were Wilson Creek, Bird Creek, Pea Ridge, Honey Springs, and Cabin Creek. He attained rank of Brigadier General on May 10, 1864.
Was joint commander with General R. M. Gano at Battle of Cabin Creek, fought September 18, 1864. In this battle, Confederates routed Federals and captured about 300 wagons loaded with supplies thus for a time enabling the destitute Indian Confederates to continue the war.
General Stand Watie surrendered his command at Doaksville near Ft. Towson on June 23, 1865.
He died on September 9, 1871. A man of courage, leadership, and loyalty.
Oklahoma Historical Society 1971[/CENTER]

[seahawksweetie]

Thanks for that bit of OK history. I grew up in OK and did not know that about OK. I agree Grove is a beautiful area. I am from OK, born in Tulsa and raised in Sand Springs, just west of there. I left there to move to Long Beach, CA when I was 19. I've never seen my daddy cry like he did that day. I swear I still have nightmares about that and I'm 41. I am fortunate enough to still have both of my parents living and every day I worry about me not being there for them. I currently live in the Seattle area and have made it my mission to get back to OK this year or beginning of 09. I have been away far too long.

I miss the gorgeous springs when the redbud trees get their blooms. And the summers spent at Keystone Lake catching Bass, Crappie and the occasional catfish. I miss the falls and my Oklahoma Sooner football. And I miss the beautiful winters with the freezing rain and occasional snowfalls. I miss Christmas at home and summers spent picking fresh blackberries and peaches.

Yes, I have been away far, far too long.

As the song says, Take Me Back to Tulsa....

[tuindecisive]

I plan on leaving the state after I finish my graduate degree. I like it here, and with an aging family, I'm sure I will end up here again!

I have to say, the statements about the crime rate here are surprising. I can't imagine the crime rate here is anything near that of NYC. I grew up in Houston, and there are no neighborhoods in Tulsa or OKC that can even rival some of my old haunts in Tx.

And, to agree with a previous poster...I think Tulsa is much prettier than Okc

So, yeah, we do leave the state! But there are plenty of people who live here their whole lives simply because they love it here. (I've lived here so long, in part, because I travel outside of the state about every six months - as much as I enjoy my life here, I need to get outta dodge from time to time!)