Leaving Minnesota

[bvar22]

Leaving this:









For This:






8 Acres in an very rural, undeveloped area of the Ozark Mountains.
Normally, I wouldn't post a picture of my home on the INet, but believe me when I say, "Nobody will be able to find it."

[F.Gordon]

1. Hey, I know where that house is

:rofl:

Quite a cultural change for ya'. Are you "getting out of Dodge" before winter hits in MN? Have a fun move.... are you going to be unwired? No web? I'm sure there has to be a couple dozen Starbucks within walking distance. :)

[bvar22]

3. Drop in next Sat night.

Beers on me! :)

Seriously, if you're ever in the area (west central Arkansas), PM me for directions, and a night in the woods.

[Blue_In_AK]

2. It looks lovely, Bvar22...

I bet you'll enjoy country living. Is there a town of some sort not too far away or are you going to subsist?

[bvar22]

5. I'm originally from New Orleans,

and have some knowledge of this area.

I was really just passing through Minnesota, and decided to stay for a while that turned into 7 years. 4 years of my time in Minnesota was spent living on a HouseBoat on the Mississippi River experimenting with sustainable, alternative energy living. My Houseboat was Solar Powered (Passive and Active). I became an advocate, but wanted more. A Southern location is preferable for the longer growing season for Organic veggies, fruits, and herbs. Also planning on some chickens and goats (impossible on a House Boat).

Living on a House Boat on the Mississippi River during a Minnesota Winter was Spectacular. Incredibly beautiful. That was before the Nikon.

This is from my old Point and Shoot.


I've been shopping for a place for 2 years. I want to try organic farming in addition to alternative energy stuff. I wanted an earth hillside with a Southern Face where I could build into the hillside that was at least 10 miles from any development and surrounded by a National Forrest (Ouchita), AND had access to an unpolluted river large enough to fish.
This place fit all parameters.

I found it on EBay, bid on the it (the downpayment) sight unseen (my grandfather rolled in his grave). I did study about 50 pics, a geo survey, demographic info, sat pics, stats for the area, and several long phone conversations with the owner.

I drove down two weeks ago, and after inspecting the property, closed on the deal.
It is perfect. The cabin, water well, septic tank, private road, livestock fencing, phone line, and electricity, (all less than 3 years old) were a bonus. I would have paid the closing price for the property only. Property is a bargain in Arkansas now. Bubble Proof. You can't buy a swamp lot in rural Minnesota for 3 times the price.

My new place is about 3/4 up a mountainside (in Alaska, this would be a hill), on the very top of a knoll, with an 180 degree unobstructed view of the Southern horizon. If you look at the right side of the "cabin" picture with the red arrow, you can see a part of the horizon.

This area, in fact the whole Central, NW Arkansas is undergoing expansion. Hot Springs, with a large Art Community, is about an hour or so away.

The downside:
The area is currently Baptist, fundy Christian
Dry County
Conservative
Backwards
DLC DINOs Pryor & Lincoln are the Senators, at least they are Dems ( a plus I guess).


I am very excited, and plan the move for this Wednesday.

[Blue_In_AK]

6. It sounds great...

I think you'll probably be glad that civilization is at least within driving distance. I often wonder how the people in Alaska who live out in the villages (especially white people who aren't used to it culturally) can handle not having a grocery store nearby or an occasional movie or something. They don't even have anywhere to go for a Sunday drive unless they take the four-wheeler (or snowmachine in the winter)...and even then, where are you going to go? Just more of the same. I like the wilderness as much as the next person, but I think I'd have a hard time with that, even though I don't go out that much now. It's just nice to know that I could if I felt like it.

I admire you for your lifestyle. Good luck with the Baptists. :)

[regnaD kciN]

7. So, you're saying...

The downside:
The area is currently Baptist, fundy Christian
Dry County
Conservative
Backwards
DLC DINOs Pryor & Lincoln are the Senators, at least they are Dems (a plus I guess).

...that the place might be "Bubble Proof," but is definitely not "Bubba Proof."

:evilgrin:

I hope, at least, that they have decent Internet service!

[bvar22]

9. LOL

I'm expecting a lot of guys with two first names.

I'm planning on a Sat link for the Internet. My cell phone (Sprint) works there, and they are advertising a broadband cell hookup if the Dish Net doesn't work.
I would go nuts without a reasonable InterNet link.

:hi:

[Blue_In_AK]

10. LOL. I had an attorney boss once from Texas

whose given name was Jimmy Dale. Needless to say, he had changed it to James D. once he was one o' them high-falutin' lawyers.

[JeffR]

4. Wow

Can't wait to see more pics of the new Secret Undisclosed Location, I mean locale.

ON EDIT: I guess that's Secure Undisclosed Location. Not that the Bush Preznitsy is over in all but name, I'm already forgetting some of those clichés of yore.

[Eurobabe]

8. Hey Bvar, you taking BUG with you?

And the kitten, how old is she now?

[bvar22]

11. Yes. Mr Bug and MaggiePie are making the trip.

I have gotten them each an individual "Kitty Carrier", and have acclimated them to the carriers. I put their blankets inside with a few toys, and they occassionally nap in their carriers.
A friend is driving down with me, and we are taking two vehicles. A GMC Jimmy (mine) and a U-Haul Truck.

Bug and Maggie are going to have the back compartment of the Jimmy with their carriers and their food dishes and their regular litter box.

I'm a little worried about them traveling well. Bug has some experience, but nothing like 16 hours. Maggie has never been outside since she was a small kitten. I'm going to get the natural stuff (Feliway), but also something from the vet just in case.

They will both be allowed outside at the New Place. Bug will love it. He has never forgottten the House Boats, and still cries to go outside. I'm curious how Maggie will deal with outside. She may choose to stay inside since that is all she knows. She is more domesticated and even tempered than Bug, who has not completely lost his wild side.

I had to count on my fingers, but I believe that MaggiePie is about two.
Bug should be almost four. I'll have to ask them.

[Eurobabe]

12. I see they are hiding already!

Wow, Maggie got so BIG, she looks just like my mom's cat Magellan. With a little bit of maine coon in her?

Best of luck with your move, rescue remedy works well, but there's also kitty xanax for emergencies. I did not have to sedate Demon when I drove him 8 hours to Oh from VA. I was pleasantly surprised. Sounds like you are escaping the icky weather just in time...when do you move?