4th Annual Homesteaders Fall Campout on the Buffalo River

All of the pictures are wonderful!

Noah,
The very first time Dennis and I talked, I heard about the "I Believe" Shirt. He was deeply moved by your gesture.
Now, I at last have laid my eyes upon it. I have been to the mountain top!!
It never ceases to amaze me of the goodness in the hearts of our Homesteading family!

Don

Corky, I like the way you can just see the mischief in his eyes in that picture; He's just having way too much fun. Dennis, considering the type of friend you are, wearing a funny t-shirt was hardly anything in return for all your kind thoughts and deeds. You know how if you are very very fortunate there are people you just know no matter what you can count on them being there for you -- well, that's the type of person Dennis is. And I'm getting the strong feeling that Don is very much like that also.

I don't know about the rest of you but I look at those pictures of Steele Creeke and I just want to be there...I can't wait to see what group camping looks like. Last Saturday there were not a great deal of people around, but I did note a dozen or more trucks with horse trailers lined up need to a trail set up for trail riding; I bet that will be a pleasure for those who can come with a horse. We still need to find out if there are any stables nearby that lend/rent or whatever you do with horses you wish to make available for such.

I sure hope you can make it Bob Clark...where about will you be coming from if you can?

Do ya'll think the river will still be warm enough for swimming the first week of September...I'm thinking it's usually pretty warm then. Make sure ya'll pack you and your children's (if any) swimwear - or do like some of us do - just go in in your shorts and a t-shirt.

Concernnig the Herb Lady, if we can find a place near enough, and the owners will allow us to gather samples, I'm going to think up a way to make up booklets for those who go on the walk to collect samples. I'll also pack some plant identifical books so that we can look up anything we find that the herb lady can't idenify. She's from California and relatively new to this area so there are a few she doesn't know off the top of her head yet.

Hugs
Marlene

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It is the one with persistence and determination that brings great ideas into being.

Thanks for the support and good wishes all! A point has been made in another thread about children being present. I think that's a good point. Rest assured we'll scout the area out for a more private place to have the ceremony whoever wishes to attend can do so and those who don't are accomodated also.

Thanks again!!

Dennis & Don

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Rudeness is a small man's imitation of power.

Not to worry Dennis.... the regulars are aware that our get togethers are family oriented...it's pretty much a given that we (as the village?) all look out for the children who will be in attendence first and fore most.

I did post over on the thread in General Chat that the one thing we do have in common is an interest in homesteading. And that we as a group seem lean towards celebrating our diversity. All we ask is that you have an interest in homesteading and would like to share sometime with others who have that in common.

We don't care what your religion is or not , what you sexual preference is or not (infact we hope we don't even need to know that ) ; what your political affiliation is or not just that you enjoy people and sharing time with them in a beautiful setting .


Truth is it's a well kept secret that we have sympathy for those who don't get to come spend time with us at our campouts.

Hoping to see old and new friends there .... in 93 days

Hugs
marlene

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It is the one with persistence and determination that brings great ideas into being.

if i can make it i will be comming from southern Iowa. just found out today the friend that would be comming with me is looking for another truck. he doesnt think the one he has now will make the trip and all i have is a jeep that dont run.

I will be working hard to figure something out

Bob, I don't know the route yet so I don't know if it would take a lot of extra gas/miles for you guys to carpool with me since I'm so far south but maybe we can meet somewhere between your place & mine and head over. I'm defininitly going to try to make it and tnborn from E. TN commented to me that she's thinking about meeting up with me in Memphis & then carpooling to Steele Creek.

This could very well be the biggest gathering so far!

Marlene, thanks for reiterating our "philosophy". Good for new people to hear and know what to expect, lol. We don't all always agree on points of view, but we do respect the fact that we can agree to disagree and enjoy each other's company.

Looking forward to meeting the new people, and welcome!

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Rudeness is a small man's imitation of power.

It will b eeven bigger when I bring my family after I come home. Their are 6 of us.

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marching to the beat of a different drummer

Are you saying that there are people who have a problem with their children witnessing the confirmation of a loving and committed relationship???

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Critical thinking -- the other national deficit

As posted in GC:

Actually Dutchie it's the Homesteaders Campout days. We're just a part of it and thought it would be nice to have a commitment with our friends included. Some of us agree to disagree about gay subjects and it's not our way to push our views on other people. Either way, a more private area or a field trip away for those not wishing to participate is fine with us.

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Rudeness is a small man's imitation of power.

Yipppeeee! This IS shaping up to be the biggest yet....let's hope that all who may get to come, actually make it there! I think you will be as determined as those of us who haven't missed one, to make it every chance you get.... Me, this is better than christmas, newyears, etc....

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I support our troops, I love my country, but fear my government.....

I was just reading the thread "Missouri Bound" -- by Jokey -- I was thinking most of you guys around her new place are within in a couple hours of Steele Creek and we sure would like to meet ya'll too. And of course we would like to see Big Rockpile and wife Tina who've managed to make it to some of our campouts.

Dave -- you give really great directions...I could drive right up to Jokey new place.

How about it donsgal, FolioMark, Jokey, and et al??

Hope to see ya'll there.

Hugs
Marlene

P.S. Edited to add, cowbaby, linn, Hummingbird, and Christj to that list of Missourians welcoming jokey to the neighborhood, and to this invite to the campout.

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It is the one with persistence and determination that brings great ideas into being.

Hey Ya'll I'm back..........has been a really wild ride here recently we're still trying to get things all set up an going for my dad's kemo treatments for his cancer an then my mom had to have heart surgery (she is coming home today ) so I haven't had time to check out things on here as much as I would like to .............

not sure if anyone answered for a fact about tables at campsite ......Yes there are tables, fire rings, an lantern hooks at the sites .............

Looking forward to the gathering I sure could use a break hahahahaha

Just wanted to warn people that the last few miles of road to get to the Steel Creek campground are VERY winding(and that's saying something for here in the Ozarks), but of course that makes for some very scenic views. Don't let the views distract you too much from the driving job, though. I drove through that area last weekend and it is hard to keep your eyes on the road and look at all the views.

"Noah,
The very first time Dennis and I talked, I heard about the "I Believe" Shirt. He was deeply moved by your gesture.
Now, I at last have laid my eyes upon it. I have been to the mountain top!!
It never ceases to amaze me of the goodness in the hearts of our Homesteading family!" Don

Thanks, Don

I had hoped Dennis would take the shirt as it was meant(that way). Welcome to our Ozark family.

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"I don't want everyone to like me; I should think less of myself if some people did."
— Henry James

Thanks Marlene for the invite! It would be great to meet everyone in person and it sounds like a really fun time.Can't make any promises that we'll make it but we will keep the dates in mind and try our best to come.

Those Planning on, or Hoping to be there:

Dec429/Don and Westwood/Dennis
okgoatgal/Laura & posifour/Russell - 4 children
mamabear and hubby (if they can get off work)
rannie/Tina and family (3)
Obser/Dave and Annie (unless far far away)
MTNwomanAR/LaDonna and her wonder dog Phoenix
MarleneS and FourDeuce/Noah
BostonLesley (Lord willing and no raising creeks)
TanaMc (highly interested...nag fact finding mission etc.)
Corky and Sultan of Wolf Mountain/Milt
Frenchy (if at all possible)
bob clark (if transportation can be worked out)
tnborn
KY Guest
jokey (will try their best)
BigRockPile/Dave and wife Tina (if Tina gets her way)
Tramp/Paul and his lady (really going to make an all out effort)

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It is the one with persistence and determination that brings great ideas into being.

It's been a couple of pages since I updated the list; if I've accidently missed someone please let us know...wouldn't want to leave anyone out.

Frenchy - Dennis and Don are going doing there on Saturday - hopefully they will note what is available at campsites. If it's anything like Buffalo Point, Rush, and Tyler Bend there will be tables and fire rings, etc.

Let's see how many days is it now... 92 -- times just a flying by.

Hugs
marlene

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It is the one with persistence and determination that brings great ideas into being.

Since this is my first time; how does the group work out the food/meal situation? Do we all contribute and cook/eat together or is it more of each site just hauls stuff for their own family/group? Is there a sign up list or anything??

Sorry if this has been covered; I haven't read back through previous gathering threads yet.
I never read all the posts since I never expected I'd get to one before now!!

KY Guest -- Forgive us but we have no rules - In the past we pick one site as the main one and everyone pretty much shares as they see fit. However, if for whatever reason you are not comfortable with such an informal communal food preparation and sharing -- no one will think much of it, if you wish to do your food preparation etc. at a separate site. We've had some interesting meals...but no one has ever gone hungry.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Hugs
Marlene

P.S. I was once signing up recruits for rules and procedures and lots of planning and schedules...4 years into it...and I'm pretty much given up and joined the crowd.

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It is the one with persistence and determination that brings great ideas into being.

marlene, is someone calling gail to give him a heads up? or are you going to thrust that one upon me again?

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-when life gives you lemons, find a big slingshot!!!-