[linicx]

Melissa.

You might consider Grove, OK. It is located in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains and generally outside of the tornado corredor that follows L-44 to Missouri. The food is pretty good , but not nearly as good as LA (where I found the best Cobb Salad in the world) unless you go to Tulsa. It takes a cultured palate quite a while to get adjust to rural cooking. However, Tomcat Corner has great BBQ - pork, chicken and beef that is smoked onsite - and the little Chinese Buffet in Lakeview center isn't too bad. Braum's ice cream has a pretty good breakfast and great icecream. You can also find a few of the national food chains like Subway and Dairy Queen.

Grove is on a 60 mile long lake called Grand Lame. Truthfully, you cannot experience rural life unless you live on a farm or a working ranch for 3 months. But you can experience life in a small town for a week or two and enjoy it,

Some of the things you can do in and round Grove from 2 -200 miles. .
1. Grand Lake cruises aboard the Cherokee Queen
2. Private club in rural Grove with launch welcomes visitng day sailors.
3. New Library. Read tge best area newspapers, read a book, search the gebeakigy section, use the Internet.
4.Tour LenDonwood Gardens - a japanese style gareb reokeat with Koi, foot bridges, bonzai and tea house.
5. Visit Harbor Village- the world's largest antique museum - built on the shores of Grand Lake.
6. Grove is a photographers delight.High bluffs front the lake in Grove.
7. Casino gambling
8. Art galleria and museums
9, Camp at Bernice Honey Creek State Park - one of the prettiest full service parks in NE Ok.
10. Sleep, fish or grab a movie at the new multi-plex theater.

Day Trips
1. Visit the annual Azalea Festival at Honor Park in Muskogee, OK - first two weekends in April.
2. Eureka Springs, Arkansas Ab artsy colony built into the side of a mountain
3, War Eagle grist mill - nestled in the forresed bed of the Oxar Mountains. Near Roers, ARk
4. Drive through Pea Ridge National Civil War Battlefield at Pee Ridge AR on the MO border.
5. Visit Carthage, MO. Photographic, historic, voted Maple Leaf and Main Street City. Home of Precious Moments studio, Civil War museums and battlefield, tough 18 hole golf course, and one of the most unique hardware stores in the midwest (Tru Value on the square. While you are there you can walk across the street and visit the working Romanesque courthouse built after the Civil War, ride in a 100 year old elevator. Visit 3 museums.
6. Visit Branson - Missouri's own Nasvhille.
7. Tour the World's Longest Multiple Arch Dam at Langley, OK - south end of Brand Lake.
8- Visit Gilcreast Museum, shop and dine in upscale Tulsa. Check out Utica Square, too.
9, Visit Lake of the Ozarks in central MO.
10 Visit wineries at St. James and Hermann, MO.
11. Learn to hate the lame cable companies like the rest of us.

[Mattie Jo]

When I lived in CA I used to drive up to Mt. Shasta. Much closer and very woodsy up there, as well as beautiful. Not sure why you are thinking of Oklahoma unless you are looking for a place to move, but you say you just want a vacation. 7 to 10 days. Driving? Most of that time would be used in travel.

[mkfarnam]

Originally Posted by Synopsis

Good points David. Rural living is not for everyone. I grew up in the country so that is where I feel most comfortable. However, having lived in a mega-city for 20 years I can say that I prefer rural life.

I have to agree with Synopsis. I lived in SoCal most of my adult life but5 I
was born and rased in the country.

[mkfarnam]

Originally Posted by nightbird47

Generally, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Keep in mind that San bernardino county is larger all by itself than a number of counties and hits the arizona border.

Way long ago the whole area was largely ranching and agriculture. It was famous for its oranges. So as it wasn't a population center it wasn't noticed. Now it should be not the IE but Riverside County and San Bernardino County like LA and Orange and San Diego are, but tradition is tradition. Only recently has the state begun splitting up the offices for the two counties into seperate areas. Which was way late considering the hordes of people who moved there in the last 20 years.

Not at all surprised that a lot of the posters here came from there.

I'm from the IE., San Berdo, San Bernardino County is the size of Rode Island and New Hampshire together (appox, 4,9000 sq Miiles). The largest county in the country. Including the the San Bernardino and San Jasinto mountains. I livewd at the foothills of the SanBerdo's. Just below Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead.

[_redbird_]

Originally Posted by Mattie Jo

When I lived in CA I used to drive up to Mt. Shasta. Much closer and very woodsy up there, as well as beautiful. Not sure why you are thinking of Oklahoma unless you are looking for a place to move, but you say you just want a vacation. 7 to 10 days. Driving? Most of that time would be used in travel.

I used to drive up Hwy 101 for a getaway. Now THAT was cool. Pacific Coast Hwy up to Seattle from L.A. We also used to go to the Sequoya National Forest for a weeks getaway. Took a coleman pop up trailer and said see ya!

Either way, KS and OK has about a 3 week window of perfect weather in the spring and fall, otherwise it is going to be blazing hot. But of course, a spring tornado will make you forget about OC too!

[melissaca25]

Definitly not driving.

Considering mid west states because I have never been there and want to see how others live in a slower pace. This vacation for me wont be the usual sight seeing, just laying low, enjoying the scenery, a time to reflect upon my crazy Southern California life.

Thanks for all the info! I've been busy on google!

xo

[linicx]

Grove is laid back and much slower paced than where you live. You can sleep, eat, read a good book, watch tv or meditate for two weeks and no one will disburb you. It is calming to sit by the lake and daydream. When I was in CA in Ocenside visiting, I loved to go to the dog park, collect rocks, walk on the beach and watch the ocean - especially at night. The only thing I miss is Tj's and the ocean. There are many places on the lake whee you do the same thing. Unfortunately you need wheels to visit rural America.

[Rickd203]

Sounds like a couple weeks in an Oklahoma bed & breakfast might be just the ticket. It may not be a realistic view of small town life but they are great places to relax and unwind.