There's nothing much to do.

Except . . . . Ride the golf cart
Back to the range and shoot the
Birdshead Vaquero just before
sundown, then watch about six
big Vees of Sandhill Cranes head
South, while listening to some dogs
bark at the next farm, while considering
which direction to run the rows when
I replant the pines this fall, then
admiring the sunset as I head to the
house for a hot supper.

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Georgia On My Mind

I used to have Deer , Road Runners, Foxes and such as neighbors. There was an oil boom in the area and now they are gone, replaced by loud music and dozens of mongrel dogs running loose. I'm going to buy a lottery ticket.

Yeah I know what you mean and feel your pain because I also live in
the country :>) I don't have an actual shooting range like you do, I
just walk out my back door. But game is plentiful around my house
and I have taken a few deer by just opening a window and taking the
shot. Unfortunately I have not killed a deer in the last three seasons,
even though I could have easily done so because of my ongoing back
problems. After the shot the work begins and I just haven't felt up to
it. But the serenity and calm peacefulness that comes with the
"every day is the same" feeling of living in the country is priceless.

32 years ago we moved the kids to the farm. Closest neighbor was an 85 year old widow 1500 feet away (I went to school with her grandkids), the next closest was 1/2 a mile (he was my school bus driver in elementary school). The about 5 years later my Zip code became "Hot Property) and my brother sold his portion of the farm to developers (and kept his farm down the road.) The first thing to go were the stars at night. Then the wooded swale that drained the East field, and with their cover, the pheasant, the last of the quail, and the deer's favorite bedding place. These were replaced by teenagers with dirt bikes and no work required of them and time on their hands.

As time went on my kids grew up, learning what makes things grow, learning how to earn a dollar, and learning to drive... on a tractor. The older sons went in the service to earn money for college and the younger got scholarships, and they like the quail were gone. I was the pick-up truck guy in the mini-van world. I still walked out the back door to try a new load, or shot raccoons in the garden. I was the dinosaur!

Now the wife and I live in a condo, that is built in a hay field that both my F-I-L and I worked as kids. To try new or old loads I drive to the club, to shoot over 100 yards I drive almost 2 hours, when I use to shoot 500 yards out my back door. The night sky is naked of stars, the dogs are louder, and the BMW's are plentiful. Gone is the 5 a.m. put-put of a tractors plowing and apples fresh from the trees I planted the week my youngest son was born.

But we have progress.

Ivan

I'm truly envious. I'm getting closer, though. Someday...

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Because of the metric system?

Been there, done that. Now I'm a city dweller.

Wish I lived somewhere like that.

I'd like to live so far out in the boonies, even a John Deere salesman couldn't find me.

SOME call it "progress". I am not one of them.

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Stay protected my friends.

Well, there goes the Tenth Commandment.

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Back to back World War Champs.

I have lived in the country since my I was in my 20's. While growing up in the metroplex, Dad always had a weekend get a way two hours east. First it was 80 acres, then 450 acres as he prepared to retire. We have almost nine acres on a busy road, but it is still in the country. I could not live in a city or town ever again.

That my friend is worthy of a short story!
Thank you

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Patriots Forever!!

Great pictures ..... talk about "Red Georgia clay".............in that first picture....... we're getting our first real snowfall here in "the burgh"......2" at dawn another 1" since.....

Nice working from home..... but still have to get the Kids out to HS and the wife to her job................

Ivan.............."I'm The Pickup Guy In The Minivan World"..........That's Good!!!!!........I'll use that somewhere.

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S&W Accumulator

I miss country living. Eleven years age I bought a few acres about 1/2 mile off the blacktop, carved out 2 acres in the middle of the pines and built my house. Deer, turkeys, cyotes, and once in awhile a black bear and lots of pet rattlesnakes came to visit. Shot my guns off the back deck. Got two big german shepherds and life was GOOD! Then comes the bulldozers. I now live in the middle of a subdivision, loud music, the roar of Harleys, and noise of every db has taken the place of turkey calls and the distant call of the yotes. I cry myself to sleep every night. Lost in FL!

I wish I went to Alaska in my early twenties. That's were my heart is today. I would of been farming.

[QUOTE=redlevel;138894338]There's nothing much to do.

Except . . . . Ride the golf cart
Back to the range and shoot the
Birdshead Vaquero just before
sundown, then watch about six
big Vees of Sandhill Cranes head
South, while listening to some dogs
bark at the next farm, while considering
which direction to run the rows when
I replant the pines this fall, then
admiring the sunset as I head to the
house for a hot supper.
/QUOTE]

It was before my time but I have heard old people talk about check planting corn. Check plant the pines and there will rows which ever way you look. I have always lived in a rural area and since I quit public work in 02 my days are as stressful and hectic as yours. I have been blessed. Larry

SWEET, living the good life. There are a lot of things to sit back and admire in those pics. Most people never notice. If you ever need help let me know, I retire in 17 days. Larry

I'm 76 and have lived in the country 70 of those years. I'm also from NE Kansas and only have 6 1/2 acres now, but can still shoot out my back door and hear the coyotes nearly every evening. Like you, living in town is not an option.

This morning after breakfast I strapped on a Ruger .45LC. Took a chew and climbed on my John Deere to do some food plot work.....All here at home......Country living is a bit of heaven on earth.

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S&W Accumulator

Man, that must suck.
No sirens, no car horns, no intermittent gun shots (well, maybe a few) no people running screaming down the street, no street racers.
How do you sleep at night with all the quiet?

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Foster Positivity.

There's a country song in there somewhere.

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Back to back World War Champs.

I'm probably not quite as rural as you, but I'm country enough. That's my driveway looking away from the house with my "nearest neighbor" across the fence. Closest two lane road's about a mile away. At my age I know I can't stay out here forever but I'm sure going to try.

Ed

Good GAWD Man! I nearly had a stroke when I read the thread title then saw you name below it! I should have known it was a ruse. As always, beautiful pics of the farm. Have a happy new year my friend. Don

My first COF in my first IDPA match was an invasion robbery while at a party at the neighbors.

I proceeded to drill a "no shoot" through the head. When they told me about the procedural, I replied I don't even like my neighbor (true statement) and the COF was stupid, anyway. There's no way they'd invite me over!

I'm the neighborhood redneck.

I grew up tromping the family ranch every weekend and would love to live in the boonies.

All the acreage would be bulldozed and turned into either ranges or food plots for critters. I HATE yard work.

Living in the country is tough, but some of us gots to do it.

Good Thread!

Thanks, Don.
I hope the Norinco is serving you well.

I just started work today on a small bunkhouse/cabin
on the back side of the place.
Should be finished by next deer season.
Here's your invite to come spend a weekend and
maybe get some meat for the freezer. Or, just relax
and enjoy the quiet.
Mark

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Georgia On My Mind

I love it here in the Ozark Mountains. I ain't got no golf cart but I ride a lawn tractor with no deck that was given to me. I go across the lane and shoot anytime I want, day or night. No close houses on this road. I got some electronic ear muffs last year for Christmas and I like to set out in the evenings and listen to all the different sounds of nature. This is just how I like it, retirement is a little boring but I always find things to do, right after my soaps.
Peace
Gordon

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better have that checked

I feel sorry for having to suffer through that country living. Here in the burbs we get to shoot Smith & Wessons at our club. : )


Rugers a nice gun too, but I'd take a 625 over it any day.

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My sgntr is mor thn 30 chrctrs

I think i have posted this before maybe......Before we planted most of our place in pines it was farmed. When they cut the beans in the fall I would drive my pickup out in the field at night. i would set 1 gal. clorox jugs up at a distance and sit between the headlights while leaning back on the bumper and shoot at them with big bore sixguns.........Never had a a LEO or Game warden come check on me............Still don't have night lights........We like it dark & quiet.

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S&W Accumulator

Wish I could get away from all this and live in the country. Anyone have some space for me??

Farm living is the life for me. Made immortal in Green Acres. Well it's true.

City kids learned how to ride their bikes and skate on sidewalks.
I got to learn how to take rocks out of my knees after spills on the gravel road. Or learn how to pedal faster than the wind, lift my legs and coast past the neighbors biting dog.

Growing up I could take a gun and head out in any direction to squirrel, rabbit or quail hunt. Dad had 200 acres and all land west, north and east of us were farms whose owners lived in town and we had permission to hunt thousands of acres. Dad sold the farm in 72, a guy sat on it for years, sold it to an investor who built some 1/4 million dollar homes on it. My brother has never been there to see the place since this happened.

My daughter lived there for a few years, her house was in the NW corner of Dad's farm. On that spot I've killed, Deer, coyotes, fox, squirrels and assorted vermin. It was unreal to stand in her yard and look at what had happened. Makes you want to puke.

We bought the remainder of my wife's paternal grandparents farm, 160 acres, for retirement. The bad thing is my job was 6 hours away. We retired there about 2.5 years ago. The place needs all new fence. We put id 1/2 a mile. 150 acres is 1/2 a mile by 1/2 a mile. The remaining fence row were overgrown hedge. Too much for a 67 year old. We sold it and bought 80 acres south of Lawrence. Plenty of small game and I can shoot anytime I want. One can hear the coyotes start just at dusk, hear quail during the day, yes quail, kick up rabbits and we have 2 neighbors 1/2 a mile away.

I worked in St. Louis for 20 years right up to retirement. I hated every minute of the suburbs. I was only alive when staying at the on the farm.

Today going for a walk or riding the 4 wheeler on my farm is where every turn is an adventure just like when I walked or rode horses as a youngster.

Before WW II the US population base was rural and farming. Today it is urban. The problem is when folks return to the country it is not to visit relatives, it is to bring their homes, strip malls and convenience stores with them.

I like living where I am the only home owner in my home owners association. In our STL we had Queen numchucks on the board who was constantly knocking on our door or mailing out ******* like your vehicle has been in the same spot for more than 48 hours, why isn't your car in the garage stuff. Well neither of those are on the little rule book, get lost. Just like a hemrhoid she'd be by every day or two to gripe about something that was not a rule but she thought it would be better.

Since I am a homeowners association of one now it will be simpler. I've already done this 3 times. It seems to work. Pilgrim you are trespassing. See the gravel road off in the distance? That is as close to me as you get. Oh the gun on my hip I see you staring at is for thieves, rustlers and trespassers. You were told to leave so I guess you are one. Twice I did a show and tell with my 45 ACP, no speech require.

Maybe I don't want to be buried, just have a headstone close to the family. Spread my ashes on Dad's old farm. Yea, come riding through after dark on my buckskin quarter horse, shooting sixguns, whooping it up, building campfires in their front yards while listening to hounds run and coyotes howl. My Bro and our adopted bro Wild Bill will be there. It was the best time of our life.

Wouldn't hanging around live folks at night make their day.

Yea it ruff. Closest nieghbor is about 1/8 mile away. My folks. Then another 1/2 mile away. My grandma. Then bout a mile to town. It's a metropolis. At least 300 people. Closest stop light is over 20 miles. It's ruff haffin to walk all the way to the porch to shoot.

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No gold. Only lead. Bobby

You poor devil. My heart pumps Pennzoil for you.

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Oh well, what the hell.

I'll mark the calendar redlevel!

My wife and just had our offer accepted on a slice of Arkansas countryside. We can't wait to close and take possession. It will be a recreation property for us and our boys. Looking forward to many country living moments. Oh yeah...it has a natural backdrop for a shooting range.

I feel your pain. Nothing better then being able to walk out my front with my AR and taking piss off the front porch without someone saying "hey what's that guy doing over threre".

You have to work for it, but country living is freedom. You can be as busy as you want to be doing what you want to do. Been on the ranch since 74, worked hard, but I was and still am free!

I absolutely cannot understand why folks spend their whole lives on the place, retire, sell out and move to town. Makes absolutely no sense to me!

I agree, country living is hard to take...

Out my front door a couple weeks ago


Summer view

We did the opposite, retired and bought 4.5 acres with the house here in Louisiana. Rabbits, possums, snakes and what have you. Don't miss the fire trucks one block over, no police sirens,car alarms. Can hear the coyotes howling at night. Got used to the quiet very fast. Been back home twice in 20 years. Mom and Dad have both passed away, sister too. Just my younger brother who I finally saw here after 15 years. So basically got no where to go but here. Best darn decision we ever made. You can keep NYC and Long Island. Frank

Another thing I don't like is crowds.......Our church congregration is about as big a crowd as I am comfortable being in. I wouldn't go to a football game in a stadium for a zillon bucks..........Would give me the heebie-jeebies.........And really prefer dirt under my feet rather than concrete or asphalt.

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S&W Accumulator

Amen brother! Even when I had to live in suburbia to work, I never, ever would own a house where there was an HOA. In years of talking to friends who were victimized, harassed and even sued, it seemed pretty much universal that HOA's attracted female petty tyrants; busybody biddies who were not satisfied to confine their henpeckery to their husbands, but thought they knew best what was good for everybody.

I still live in suburbia for medical reasons, but have a 60 acre wooded retreat about an hour away where I can wander in the woods or shoot or just lean back in an adirondack rocker in a big clearing and watch the Milky Way ease by.

Ha! I did the same... I was going to offer to drive him through Atlanta to remind him of what he's NOT missing.

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Proud anachronism

We moved from the urban area near where my career was for 30 years to the NC coast and will be building on land we've had there for awhile.

A few acres in a rural area that is coastal, but not the beach. Boat ramp is 2 miles away. Small pond on the lot. Wood Ducks nest in two boxes I built.
Have already built my range, and have lots of steel to shoot, since that became verboten at the club I used to belong to.
Looking forward to this hopefully being my last place.

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Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

As model70hunter posted it is nice being the only member in a HOA. Once I overheard a couple of people talking about changing some trees and shrubbery on their property and they would have to get permission from the HOA. The week before my better half and I decided one of the Holly trees in the yard didn't suit us so I hooked the tractor to it and drug it in the woods and left it. We planted a Crepe Myrtle in the hole and didn't have to get anyones permission. I was reared in a different time and place than many people and living with people jammed up against me and telling me I need to keep the homestead to their specifications is not living to me. Larry

[quote=tops;138894982]When I was a kid we "check planted" watermelons. We'd lay the rows off in the field in a grid pattern both ways. Then hand plant the seeds where each row crossed the other. This way we were able to plow the middles both ways This eliminated "lots" of hoeing.

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S&W Accumulator