Husband was off work today so we went of a drive. I live in Mountain View Missouri our drive took us down to West Plains across to Gainsville Mo down to Mountain Home AK up to Moody Mo back through West Plains Mo up to Willow Springs Mo and back home to Mountain View Mo. How wonderful living in the Ozarks are!! Did you know Gas was 1.55 down in AK. We are paying 1.65 here! Of course I filled up down there, every little bit helps. I told my husband 8.00 for food (hamburgar joint) 15.00 for gas and a whole day of fun! That is not bad. How close to your house did I get. Dose anyone live around the loop I went. Hahahaha I was thinkin about that on the whole drive today. Hope this milder weather is making everyones day better.

-- Teresa (c3ranch@socket.net), September 04, 2001

Answers

Oh my, we were concidering moving to Missouri, but those gas prices are discouraging. Up here in Harrisonburg, VA, you can buy regular for $1.25. And drives in the country here with veiws of the Blue Ridge... oh my, we just might stay here. lol

-- daffodyllady (daffodyllady@yahoo.com), September 04, 2001.

We drove from S. E KS to Tulsa OK today. Gas prices in Coffeyville are 1.79. prices in OK are 1.59. Maybe we should go to VA.

-- Belle (gardenbelle@terraworld.net), September 04, 2001.

You didn't get too close to my house, but I'll be in the area you described this weekend. The Ozark folk dance festival in Mt. View Arkansas. My daughter and I are cloggers. Can't wait!

-- Mona in OK (modoc@ipa.net), September 04, 2001.

Hello Teresa, Depending on which way you came from West Plains you could of come within five miles of my house if you went down CC and 181 or 16 miles from my house if you went 160 torward Gainesville! We usually take CC to West Plains (60 miles from our house) and we take 181 and 160 to Gainesville (about 35 miles from our house). Mountain Home, Arkansas is 50 miles away! Sincerely, Ernest

-- http://communities.msn.com/livingoffthelandintheozarks (espresso42@hotmail.com), September 04, 2001.

Yep, been noticing the gas prices here too. I live near yellville, AR and work in harrison, AR. its more expensive in harrison, guess maybe because branson, Mo is so close. For those of you who wonder, Branson is likea little grand Ole' Opery place.

You were about 25 miles from our ranch here from MT Home, AR. next time ya are in the area stop in and visit, coffe's always on and our goats LOVE comapny. Visit our new grade A dairy, not finished but almost.

Bernice

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), September 04, 2001.

Teresa, you got nowhere near my house, but you were probably close to where I work in West Plains. BTW, I filled up in W. Plains today for 1.53 - and they pumped.

Dafodyllady, gas prices here are typically less than what I see when I drive through MO, IL, IN, and OH when I drive up to visit my dad. Mid August I was paying 1.11 - it jumped 50c a gallon for Labor Day Weekend and is already dropping now that Labor Day has passed.

Ernest, I gotta ask - do I know you? Are you the Ernest who came and helped me frame in the gable ends of my house last year? Helped, hah! You (if you're that Ernest) and Gene did all the work. Except for the roof that the Amish guy put on (which I am having to have repaired because the dormer leaks) that's the only part of this house I didn't do myself.

-- Sojourner (notime4@summer.spam), September 05, 2001.

Sounds wonderful! I hope it is, because we are moving to the Springfield area in about a month. We were homesteaders in MS for 10 years and can't wait to get back to it. Once we get a place, we will return to MS to get my horse and our goats. We are looking to move somewhere between Springfield and Ava. I dont' know much about the area, just that we will be there soon. Being here in Germany really makes you appreciate the good ol' US of A!

-- Chris Tomlinson (horsewhisper411@hotmail.com), September 05, 2001.

Thanks everyone, and Chris are you in the Service? My husband is retired Marine Corp. The only doc for tri-care is in Mountain Grove Missouri and Fort Leonard Wood. Check you provider if you are going to keep military ins. Because you can travel a long way to get treated. Just a thought.

-- Teresa (c3ranch@socket.net), September 05, 2001.

Funny you should mention Missouri. I was just remembering that state this morning. About 25 years ago, I was briefly married to a man from Missouri, so I visited it a few times. It's a wonderful stare with very nice people. His father and step mother lived in Black, Missouri which I believe is in the south east part of the state. About this time of the year, it is so pretty!

-- Ardie from WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), September 05, 2001.

You made me a little homesick! I grew up in Conway, MO (between Lebanon & Springfield) and my mom lives in Fordland now. I agree the Ozarks are a bit of heaven on earth. Thanks for sharing!

-- Pamela Hood (pamandmatt@earthlink.net), September 05, 2001.

since I live in Gainesville I guess you came to visit and I didn't even know it. Tea and Coffee is always on. You should come to Hootin & Hollarin on the week-end of Sept. 21st great fun good country music crafts and food. Sally

-- sally stanton (mallardhen67@hotmail.com), September 05, 2001.

Well, I live out of Vanzant, about 20 or so miles south of Mountain Grove (30 east of Ava) the gas prices are usually cheaper in Mt. Grove than in West Plains. I don't know what they are today but yesterday they were @ $1.57, down from a week ago by .14 cents. You weren't far from me, glad you had a good time! Tana

-- Tana Cothran (tana@getgoin.net), September 05, 2001.

Hello Sojourner, This is the same Ernest that helped close in the ends of the second floor of your house! Have you finished and/or you moved in yet? My wife and I are building our own house and plan on moving in before winter arrives. You can see pictures of our progress on our website. Sincerely, Ernest

-- http://communities.msn.com/livingoffthelandintheozarks (espresso42@hotmail.com), September 05, 2001.

Hey, Ernest! Have I finished etc? In a word - NO! I have advanced since you were out here but still not there, having made little progress for almost a full year now. HIt a cow in October of last year and totaled my truck, the guy who owned the cow said it wasn't his. Well, if the dead one wasn't his, I'd guess the live ones weren't either, ya think? If I knew then what I know now I'd have gathered up the other black cows in the dark of night and called my friend who has 140 acres and a stock trailer to come get them. So I was out a vehicle to haul supplies, and then out the money it cost me to replace it since I had no other vehicle to drive. Then I played musical jobs for awhile - if I was working, had no time. If I was NOT working, had no money. Now I am working steadily, fairly secure, halfway decent income. Bought a van for $275 and will get it out of the shop next week, get it inspected/licensed, and will be back in business, supply hauling wise. Since I am down to one sheet of siding and need several things before the guy can even come fix the dormer, this has been a sticking point.

If I'm not in before the cold weather hits I swear I'm going to ... do SOMETHING drastic. I've spent THREE winters in this camper. I will NOT spend another! LOL!

-- Sojourner (notime4@summer.spam), September 06, 2001.

Teresa,

I am not in the service, though I was was some time. Currently, I am a contractor for the Army in Germany. My contract ends on the 28th and I am coming back to the real world! I still have to line up a job, but I have a few good leads. We expect to find a place between Springfield and Ava where we can bring my horse and our other animals and start the homestead again.

-- Chris Tomlinson (horsewhisper411@hotmail.com), September 07, 2001.

HI EVERYONE. TO COMMENT ON THE GAS I LIVE IN NORTH EAST PENNSYLVANIA GAS IS BETWEEN 1.25 AND 1.29 A GALLON.. GOOD HERE TO US BUT MY PROBLEM IS IM TRYING TO MOVE TO OR AROUND FLIPPIN AR AND CABOOL MO INBETWEEN THOSE AREAS BUT IT LOOKS AS IF THERE IS NO WORK HERE EXCEPT FARMING WHICK I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT?? CAN ANYONE GIVE ME ANY POINTERS WERE TO LOOK FOR WORK AND WHAT AND WHAT NOT TO DO IN YOUR AREA?? TAHNK YOU DAN

-- DAN... (DTKENT@HOTMAIL.COM), October 14, 2001.

Dan~ Glad you know that Arkansas is AR and Alaska is AK!!! Anyway, Ranger boats used to be made in Flippin and I think there were a few other fishing oriented businesses around there. Not sure about MO, but look and see if Ranger has a website.

-- Ivy in NW AR (balch84@cox-internet.com), October 14, 2001.

Teresa - well you werent too close but closer than I am! We have a place on Hwy. 32 West near Licking where our daughter and her family lives. We (DH and I and our 13 yr old son) still live in Roanoke VA until DH retires in 4.8 years - then we are off to Licking. We have 40 acres now and buying more - starting a campground by the Big Piney River and Mark Twain Natl Forest. We loved MO - recommended by friends near Ava and we went out there to check it out and fell in love! Great folks out that way.

-- Dottie Shafer (shaferd@msn.com), October 15, 2001.