[linicx]

OK summers are not nearly as hot and miserable as Mississippi in July. The wind on Grand Lake tends to change directions in the late afternoon. Its a challenge for sailors. Its also a nice break on a hot summer day.

[HeatherDawn]

Originally Posted by Synopsis

I was born in Ada and raised in a small house East of Calvin off highway 1 and we moved to Gerty when I was just a few years old. If I could return to Gerty and live out the rest of my life, I'd be a content man. Sadly, that probably won't happen.

Calvin is where I deer hunt!

[sameoldsonganddance]

Originally Posted by nightbird47

Ditto the air pollution. Who cares whats there to see if you can't see it for the grey muck. I really love air you can't see.

Wind... I lived right smack in the middle of the santa ana wind tunnel, where the last gasp of costal moisture meets the desert air and maked humidity. 20mile and hour winds aren't winds. they are a breeze. When you get to the 50mph gusts then you notice them. Everyone says its so windy here. Once in a while it clearly is but that is sort of normal for me. Just your gentle normal breezes are dissapointing.

And my skin is always dry since the humidity seems to be lower here (not that I have a problem with that .

So if someone says its windy or humid or cold, check it against what your used to.

You are right about those Santa Ana winds! Even though its windy up here, I'll take it over the "Cali Valley" any day.

[nightbird47]

Originally Posted by sameoldsonganddance

You are right about those Santa Ana winds! Even though its windy up here, I'll take it over the "Cali Valley" any day.

I remember a friend visiting from LA and we were waiting for a bus. He was all hunkered down and complining about the 'wind'. Yeah, the limbs were whipping around a bit and the palm trees were flapping but it was a breeze. He was not convinced. It was the first time I realized how we see 'normal' as how we're used to it.

I've been looking through my pictures, trying to make sure everything was downloaded to the laptop before wiping the camera. I noticed how blue the sky shows up here. I wonder if those who have always been here notice how extra beautiful it is or is it just 'normal'.

[mkfarnam]

Originally Posted by nightbird47

I remember a friend visiting from LA and we were waiting for a bus. He was all hunkered down and complining about the 'wind'. Yeah, the limbs were whipping around a bit and the palm trees were flapping but it was a breeze. He was not convinced. It was the first time I realized how we see 'normal' as how we're used to it.

I've been looking through my pictures, trying to make sure everything was downloaded to the laptop before wiping the camera. I noticed how blue the sky shows up here.

Exactly.......blue skies and fresh clean air was the first thing I noticed before I was at my destination. Too bad all Oklahomans don't realize how big the difference really is........

[Taboo2]

Originally Posted by sameoldsonganddance

Try Oklahoma. You might like it! I think a few things may take getting used to. Like the wind! I lived in the San Joaquin Valley for half my life. I don't miss the smog or the crime or the traffic. Yes, Cali has beautiful mountains that I dearly love. But, truth be said, you can't even see them most of the year for the smog. And my house faces the mountain where I am now living. People here are very nice. Laid back and friendly. That part fits my Louisiana roots. I do miss some of my fave restaurants. But, my main complaint is sometimes its too windy. That being said, I am at the top of a hill. We have some of the most beautiful skies here. And no smog. As for traffic, if I pass more that 5 or 6 cars on our main road it looks like a lot of traffic. You just have to find the spot that fits "you". Good luck!

Oklahoma, the accents take a bit of time. Tulsa- They have nice little hills and a nice little river and it gets REALLY WINDY.

Utah- Windy over by the Wasatch but beautitful mountains. The only prob is lots of LDS who may not be open to foreigners. They have accents as well (mountain is mou-in).

[Mattie Jo]

Originally Posted by Taboo2

Bugs?? What Kind Of Bugs??

Maybe I never answered you. All kinds of bugs, but I like most kinds. It is the ticks, chiggers, and mosquitoes that get to me.

[Mattie Jo]

Originally Posted by Carolinemoveswhere?

I love reading the diversity in experience. (with the exception of the DMV and the friendliness...gotta love that!)

Not that I want to start anything, but I really am interested to hear the negatives of your experiences, too. As my Oklahoma cousin says, "Nothing bad ever happens in Oklahoma!" Well, I was born at night, but not last night. It can't be completely perfect, can it? With good humor of course, please describe the challenges.

Thank you!!!

Well, I can think of one. During the last election racism reared its ugly head, and I was ready to run back to California or somewhere else, and then my California friends were telling me that racism had reared its ugly head there too.

I have mentioned the negative as being mosquitoes, ticks, and chiggers. I can certainly rid them in my yard here, but then I kill other bugs, and I hate killing other bugs. I am still working on this, and when I find a solution in my lab I will let you all know.

Outside of wishing we had a Trader Joe's and a Costco I am not missing anything else. I shop a lot on line now. And the stores I miss all come with heavy traffic, so I do not wish them that much.

When my family comes to visit we take trips to other cities in Ok and Ar, and so I get my shopping needs met then. My niece drives, and we all have fun together.

I had to laugh about the tag office. In CA I always said that I would rather to go the dentist, less stressful. I walk in to this office, and it is fast, and the test is too easy, and I leave. Voting was the same. I think I was number 33 in Cherokee Co. and it took all of 5 minutes. I voted early.

I love how people talk and talk to the clerk in lines, and I never complain, and when I am talking to the clerk no one minds.

I love how helpful people are. I am still always in shock.

we had a guy come and mow next door. he was a city worker and told me who to call in the city so we didn't have to pay next year. being a retired city worker he noticed the pond next door. he called the city and in five minutes they were here. he also noticed that our water meter was way out back and we had little flow. within a few days the city came back and gave us a new meter. they also found that the pond next door was city water. when they house was torn down they forgot to turn off the water. now we have a lot of water pressure after my husband put in a new pipe line. in the city i can't imagine things happening so fast. problem is, when it rains the pond refills, and i think it will bring in a lot of mosquitoes.

Oh, I am sorry. This was supposed to be all negative. Can't think of anything else.

[Mattie Jo]

Originally Posted by J1ndo

I don't really care about fiddle-backs, and I haven't heard many racist comments here, fortunately, but all your other cons are right on in my book, especially the complaint about the roads. The potholes are insane here. I've never seen anything like it.

Ture the roads are bad, but you know what? From driving all over Mexico I would say that Mexico has us beat by a mile.

I think I killed all of our fiddlebacks. Have not seen one since the exterminator came, and even though we bring in wood to burn, still none. I have a feeling that maybe they are not in our yard, and I have gardened a lot and not seen any. Perhaps previous renters brought them in. But instead of paying high price to exterminator one woman told me to go to Farmer's Supply and get some bombs. she did and hasn't seen a fiddle back in 8 years. So much cheaper.

And speaking of friendliness. When I bought a dog bone, knuckle bone, the clerk asked me if I was going to make soup out of it, saying it was good. He was joking. I told him that the bird seed I was buying makes good pie crust.


Just read this:

there is 24-hr Walmart with groceries

And you know what? In my small town of Tahlequah I would never be afraid to go to these stores at night, not even walking.

And you want to know what else? People you know, not just the elite, get there photos in the paper, from kids to adults, and it is so much fun reading the articles. We have a great newspaper here, and it is mostly liberal.

I've been looking through my pictures, trying to make sure everything was downloaded to the laptop before wiping the camera. I noticed how blue the sky shows up here. I wonder if those who have always been here notice how extra beautiful it is or is it just 'normal'.

Yes, blue skies. We didn't have blue skies in San Diego area, just marine layers. few clouds. I was so excited when I came here and kept saying, "Look clouds! Look, the skies are blue!" And when you drive where it is flat, you can see big skies.

[Synopsis]

Originally Posted by nightbird47

I've been looking through my pictures, trying to make sure everything was downloaded to the laptop before wiping the camera. I noticed how blue the sky shows up here. I wonder if those who have always been here notice how extra beautiful it is or is it just 'normal'.

Kind of like these photos I took of Gerty and the surrounding areas last year? The blue skies are beautiful.