We're finally here! And now - Settling In! (Ozark, Branson: movers, live)

[gone-island]

I guess that's why it's called a tooth brush and not a teeth brush.

[lone sailor]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

We finally made it after cancelling two earlier trips due to my wife's surgeries. We arrived in Branson late last night and are ready to go look at houses!

First impressions from a Californian: It's green, green, green here; grass, trees, crops, people's lawns, you name it. The highways we traveled are just two lanes in every direction, most have a speed limit of 70 and most people observe it. Traffic doesn't seem to exist and the roadsides are clean, clean, clean. Trucks can also drive the full speed limit and truckers here love to dress-up their rigs with lots of exra lights in amber and red. They used to do that in California but naturally, there's now a law against it.

It was fairly flat until we headed south from Springfield and hit the hills of the Ozarks. Then it was like a roller coaster ride up and down the hills. Shortly we were in lake country -- Table Rock, Bull Shoals and Taneycomo, and then Branson. The entire way from Kansas City there was water; rivers, streams, branches, Truman Lake, Stockton Lake, ponds, etc.

A couple of things we noticed: They take seriously and preserve history here with museums of all sorts, halls of fame, historical parks and preservation; it's nice to see, as were all the tall flagpoles in front of houses proudly flying our country's flag; people thanking me for my service (noticed my cap), et al.

I think we're going to like it here A LOT! Lunch with Lake Junkie and the adventure begins!

Thank you for your service, sir.

[northbayeric]

Originally Posted by lone sailor

Thank you for your service, sir.

A hearty Amen to that! Wait'll Veteran's Day and Memorial Day back there. My wife and I drove through the town of Clinton, MO on Memorial Day a few years ago while on vacation, and while driving by a nearby cemetery we had never seen so many American flags on display in our lives. Clinton's not that big of a town either!

I do think in many ways the very best is yet to come for Curmudgeon!

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by lone sailor

Thank you for your service, sir.

And I thank you in turn, Squid!

Originally Posted by northbayeric

A hearty Amen to that! Wait'll Veteran's Day and Memorial Day back there. My wife and I drove through the town of Clinton, MO on Memorial Day a few years ago while on vacation, and while driving by a nearby cemetery we had never seen so many American flags on display in our lives. Clinton's not that big of a town either!

It's a big part of what I love about the mid-west and the south -- those senses and observances of history, tradition and unapologetic (Mr. President, take a lesson) patriotism!

Originally Posted by northbayeric

I do think in many ways the very best is yet to come for Curmudgeon!

I couldn't agree more. Three weeks from tomorrow we're outta here and four days later we're in God's Country!

[lone sailor]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

And I thank you in turn, Squid!

Hehe!!

[Lake Junkie]

Originally Posted by northbayeric

A hearty Amen to that! Wait'll Veteran's Day and Memorial Day back there. My wife and I drove through the town of Clinton, MO on Memorial Day a few years ago while on vacation, and while driving by a nearby cemetery we had never seen so many American flags on display in our lives. Clinton's not that big of a town either!

I do think in many ways the very best is yet to come for Curmudgeon!

One of the most awesome Veterans Day Parades I've ever attended is in Branson...the whole week is set aside as "Veteran's Week"...and we usually have tens of thousands of veterans in town, besides all the groups that are IN the parade...



It's getting to be a family tradition around my house.

[northbayeric]

LJ, I take a look at that photo and then when I think of Berkeley I feel like I want to grab the nearest barf bag and hurl. Seems like two different universes. I'm a little over an hour north of Berkeley but it's not a whole lot better up here.

O.B. might have some justifiable fears about how Ozarks living might change in the coming years, but I don't see it ever losing a single iota of respect or appreciation for those who wear or who have worn the uniform. An entire Veteran's Week in Branson--that is absolutely fabulous! Whenever I feel down about how things are out here, I'll try to replace that with thinking about Curmudgeon's great fortune. Hopefully a honeymoon that won't end!

And I'm counting my blessings too. Getting less in debt, I still have a very good job, and we'll either grind it out here and vacation back there whenever we can, or just go for broke and probably head for the Tulsa area (my career field makes it pretty necessary for me to live in or near a major metro area) and try to have a job lined up there beforehand. Just a few hours up I-44 to SW Missouri from there! We've got to make to one of your OTFCC (Over the Fence Coffee Club) gatherings before I get too old and gray, huh?

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by northbayeric

LJ, I take a look at that photo and then when I think of Berkeley I feel like I want to grab the nearest barf bag and hurl. Seems like two different universes. I'm a little over an hour north of Berkeley but it's not a whole lot better up here.

O.B. might have some justifiable fears about how Ozarks living might change in the coming years, but I don't see it ever losing a single iota of respect or appreciation for those who wear or who have worn the uniform. An entire Veteran's Week in Branson--that is absolutely fabulous! Whenever I feel down about how things are out here, I'll try to replace that with thinking about Curmudgeon's great fortune. Hopefully a honeymoon that won't end!

And I'm counting my blessings too. Getting less in debt, I still have a very good job, and we'll either grind it out here and vacation back there whenever we can, or just go for broke and probably head for the Tulsa area (my career field makes it pretty necessary for me to live in or near a major metro area) and try to have a job lined up there beforehand. Just a few hours up I-44 to SW Missouri from there! We've got to make to one of your OTFCC (Over the Fence Coffee Club) gatherings before I get too old and gray, huh?

Right with you on all counts, Eric. As for getting old and gray, not to worry. I'ver already achieved that status and it's not holding me back too much!

[Arkie4Life]

Hey CM: Do you gotta be old to turn grey, or turn grey to be old?

Think about it.........

[Darlynn0217]

Hey there NBeric!! It's been awhile! I know someday you'll make it for a OTFCC meeting, and we'll all be there!!

**My hairdresser calls "new growth" ROOT ROT, (when it's grey) so I am SURE there is age involved, maybe even some decay.... !!**