We moved to Pomona (Howell County, MO) from Wisconsin the end of last September. We're on 3 acres of pasture with beautiful, huge oaks and hickory trees. I'm a Wisconsin Master Gardener but we didn't have a chapter on rocks! I've decided to befriend them rather than fight them and am making a huge rock garden bed in part of the yard. I'm starting from scratch so would appreciate any "extras, thinnings, etc." anyone in my area might have. I came with two hostas, two day lillies, a couple of Iris corms, a bunch of daffodil bulbs and not much more. Connie, Pomona, MO

Hi, All... Jan-MO, My name is Jan, too. From Violet's recent posts, it sounds like there is an active gardening community in Springfield, Sounds like an Alpine and Rock garden is the way to go, there. (No dirt hauling required!) This spring, my husband and I drove across the top tier of Arkansas from Fayetteville to Cherokee Village getting a feel for the countryside. At this point in time, we hope to be moving to Eureka Springs before winter. We met REALLY nice people everywhere, and saw lots of great property, Our favorite place was outside of Mountain Home on a couple of acres, with a view from the deck that looked out to forever, across Bull Sholes Lake and on what must have been on the Missouri side, green hills and valleys. We thought the price ($139,000) was reasonable and I liked the fact that there was a garden spot already established. However we would have been rar away from anything but a small country store, and we do enjoy the company of civilization from time to time. (grin) Marian, your property is gorgeous! I hope ours is almost as lovely in twenty years time! I have learned a lot about gardening in conditions of alkaline soil, extreme heat, ravenous critters, winter nights below freezing, and late psring frosts here in the desert. I feel like I am ready to tackle anything, now, and another place will only be an improvement. Bornagain, it sounds as though we'll need to learn about lasagna gardens. I've also been researching chicken tractors for soil improvement (and free eggs.) Nancy, is Heber Springs near Mount Magazine? Those pictures that someone posted were breathtaking! I have a feeling we will be exploring the state for a long time. Willaim, we looked at a place in the River Valley down a remote graville road, near Flippin. We stopped to talk to one of the residents who was out walking his beagle, and were impressed by how close-nit the community seemed to be, even though the homes were usually out of each other's sight. I think you'll like it there. Fuzzy, I hope you are starting to get settled in Harrison, if that is where you are planning to stay. AlaskaJack...HOT is a relative thing! We are looking forward to being cool in August. (LOL) I'm sure you won't have any problem finding exatly what you want. If the house near Mountain Home, with the great view sounds like what you might want, we saw it courtesy of a nice gentleman named Pat at Century 21 there. It has been on the market for some time in May, so it may be gone now. Kaye, thank you for the warm welcome. I'm looking forward to learning a lot more, here!

Sharbear50 - we have friends in Bella Vista!!! I have to confess that the grunt work on these projects was done by someone else. I'm in my 70's and there is no way my body would let me do any of this. The fountain has an interesting back story. At the close of my professional life, I was a self-employed web site designer. I did a site for a fellow who installed fountains and ponds and, due to his circumstances, never got paid. After several years, I simply wrote off the debt. Then, out of the blue, I got a call from him. Seems he got "religion" and wanted to compensate me for my work. He asked if I would like a pond or fountain installed at his expense. I leaped at the opportunity. He traveled more than 600 miles, and spent three very hot days here, digging the hole for the tank, installing the fountain, etc. We did put him up and feed him, but he worked like a mule! In the end, we were both very happy with the results.

Fantastic photos and report Scott! I like the level of detail of the report including the interaction with an untrusting homeowner and where you had dinner and the like. It gives a great sense for the whole experience. Thanks too for the acknowledgement in your report. Looks like you had a really good trip even with the unusually dry and thus poor glade herping conditions. The coachwhip is a real beauty. Also liked the obligatory Southeast Missouri multiple cottonmouth "aha they're everywhere around me" moment.