A pleasant MO drive

Callieslamb · #1 09/11/11, 10:27 PM

This week I had the opportunity to attend a memorial service held for a friend from my growing-up years. The burial was actually at a little dent in the road called Denlow. It's near Mt Grove off Hwy 76. As I drove HWY 5 south from Lebanon to Ava where my mother lives, it struck me how long it had been since I have seen a large herd of cattle (no holsteins) grazing the hillsides. It was the most pleasant drive I have enjoyed for a while. Brown cows, black cows, white and spotted cows. The grass and trees were green and it was such a peaceful scene. Up the hill around the corner, down the hill, around another corner. The full pleasure of the road can only be felt at 60 MPH with your windows down, so that's what I did. I could almost have moved back home. The day of the service, we drove down the old roads where I grew up- Brushyknob, Cold Springs, Skyline School and into Denlow. I was raised on a farm near Denlow on Fox Creek and finished my teen years at Brushyknob and Ava High School. It was an ideal childhood. It's fun to go back and remember. You Missourians have a beautiful place to live. Thanks for sharing it with me this weekend.

salmonslayer · #2 09/11/11, 11:36 PM

You drove right by my farm then. Too bad the leaves havent started changing yet eh?

Callieslamb · #3 09/12/11, 01:01 AM

My thought exactly! I am a month too early! Sorry I didn't recognize your place! Hang a Salmonslayer sign out there! LOL!!!

HilltopDaisy · #4 09/12/11, 01:11 AM

I have land there, to retire to; when the NY snows become too much.

ceresone · #5 09/12/11, 08:17 AM

I see a hit in the trees down our creek--just a faint hint of color to come. I thought as I read that, I dont know if I'd want to run 76 at 60 MPH-its crooked on our end--I think we have the most beautiful place in the world to live-the Ozarks, course everyone probably think that where they live.

Classof66 · #6 09/12/11, 09:52 AM

My S/O was from Bakersfield. I have made many trips down that way. He made his final trip April 30, so he is home again. He has a semi truck on his tombstone. We all miss him so!

big rockpile · #7 09/12/11, 09:12 PM

I had a Girl gave to me from Ava

Long story but I met my Ex while I was with her.

big rockpile

gone-a-milkin · #8 09/12/11, 09:17 PM

You were real close to my place too.

Yes, MO is a beautiful place to live.

Ozarks Tom · #9 09/12/11, 10:03 PM

Ever wonder if maybe whoever named these the "Ozark Mountains" was exaggerating a little? I would have called them the "Ozark Hills".

whiskeylivewire · #10 09/12/11, 10:42 PM

You weren't that close to me, Callie, but I know where you were and it is beautiful! DH and I got married at Rockbridge(kinda between Ava and Gainsville?) and it was awesome...next time we go there it will be when the trees are green or have some form of leaf on them!

Well, if you took I-44 you would have been within 25 miles or so of me

Callieslamb · #11 09/12/11, 10:55 PM

BRP- I don't want to know.....

I took I44 from St Louis to Lebanon and then south. I reversedthe trip on the way home. I think the cows must have been sleeping in the shade. I REALLY enjoyed gas at $3.29...I stopped and gassed up in 3 different towns just for the novelty of cheap gas! I managed to get lost in Mansfield and had to get out the map on my phone...I told myself I was looking for a Dairy Queen. I found a very nice Tastee Freeze instead. Yum!

salmonslayer · #12 09/13/11, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozarks Tom

Ever wonder if maybe whoever named these the "Ozark Mountains" was exaggerating a little? I would have called them the "Ozark Hills".

We moved from Alaska Tom and the first time we visited here my wife had never been in the area and she kept looking for the "mountains". I like not being so closed in though.