Day 13

Looked around Ft. Worth area a bit while waiting for Megan's plane to land. Lots of homes to buy and rent at reasonable prices, but none on the water with a dock. Am more convinced that I should rent something month to month, even if it's in the city, to give me time to look and find something ideal.  That takes the pressure off me to find something now.

Met Megan at the airport. We had a nice dinner at a local steak house, did some grocery shopping, and then to the Finley's house for some needed sleep.

Plan to investigate the month to month rental opportunities tomorrow. Love to all, Dad.

Day 11 and 12

Nothing positive to report. Still looking and not finding. I think that I have created an unrealistic expectation that creates too much pressure to find the "ideal" house and find it now. It is a process that will clearly take more time. I need to eliminate or reduce the pressure by giving myself more time. That may mean that I will need to rent something month to month in the city, and store my boat until I can determine where I want/need to be. If that takes 2-3 months of living in the city...so be it.

Had a beer with John. He had some good advice and ideas. Helped to focus my thoughts and prioritize my goals.

Called Trent and got his ideas and advice about Ft. Worth, etc. Plan to get together with Trent and John while I'm here to pick their brains further.

Miss you guys terribly. Looking forward to seeing you soon. Love, Dad.

Day 10

Drove from Lufkin, TX to Cedar Creek Lake. Megan, the Finleys, and I looked at houses there a year ago. I wanted to find out what houses would be available to rent should I choose to rent there. Saw 3: one old and rustic, one new but badly decorated, and one new, really nice one that was on the far end of the lake. Liked the last one, but am afraid that it is too far from DFW.

Then drove to Granbury Lake, which is where I always expected to end up. It is the lake that is closest to DFW ( 45 min to 1 hr.), and is only 30 min from Ft. Worth. It has a Lowes, Home Depot, and WalMart right in town, and everything looks new. Of all the "rural" towns it has the most going for it.

I hope to be able to look at the available rental homes tomorrow. If I find something nice I will probably agree to lease it for 6 months. Wish me luck. Love, Dad.

Day 9

Toledo Bend Lake... La. and TX sides completed today. Lots and homes are less expensive, but nearest airport ( Shreveport) is 2 hours away; and you can't get anywhere from Shreveport without flying to another more major airport. Plus the tickets are real expensive. Unfortunately, I have to eliminate Toledo Bend, because it is a GREAT bass fishing lake.

Drove to Lufkin, TX for a night's rest. Don't know exactly what I'm going to do tomorrow. I am close to Lake Fork and Cedar Creek Lake. May visit one or both tomorrow. I think, however, that I will ultimately eliminate Lake Fork because it is 2 hours from DFW ( without traffic), and is very isolated from civilization ( read a social life). Man does not live by bass alone. That narrows it down to Cedar Creek (11/2 hrs from DFW) and Granbury Lake (1hr. and 20 min. from DFW).

I think my next step is to find a rental lake house at Lake Granbury. I don't expect that there will be a lot of choices of waterfront homes with a dock, but I need to find out. If I can find oue, that is where I will tow my boat beginning on 7/1. Who wants to go on a long road trip?

Days 7 and 8

Was too tired to post yesterday, so will combine two days in one blog. Spent Friday looking at Beaver Lake area and a few homes. I have revised my search method. I now spend more time looking at/analyzing the lake and surrounding area and less time looking at homes. I figure that once I decide that I want to live on a certain lake I can move there and take my time looking for the "perfect" home or lot. I look at just enough homes in my price range to determine whether my type of home can be purchased in that area at my price range. Seems to make more sense and is less frustrating.

Spent this morning looking at the Table Rock Lake area. Only saw 3 homes. Have decided that Beaver and Table Rock are still in the running.

Drove to Texarkana, TX. (look it up), where I stopped for the night. Will drive the remaining 3 hours to Toledo Bend Lake which is south of Shreveport an straddles the La./TX border. May spend a couple of days there looking at the La. homes and then the TX. homes.

I am well ahead of my schedule. Will probably end up in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area with more than 10 days left before my 6/12 return flight. I'm thinking that I will ultimately decide to rent a lake home somewhere in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area so I'll have somewhere to go on 7/1. Then if I want to return to a lake I have visited on this trip, I can easily do it from my Dallas base camp.

That's all for now. I miss all of you; and wish you could be here helping me with my decision.

Love, Dad

Day 6

Looked at some large waterfront lots today that would hold a big, custom log home. Unfortunately, the US Corp of Engineers owns the land from the waters edge up to the high water line. All that land can't be developed. Makes it difficult to create the perfect look/approach to the dock. For that reason alone, I think Bull Shoals Lake is in the reject pile.

Drove 2 hours to Eureka Springs near Table Rock Lake. Will look at some homes beginning tomorrow AM. Drove through a real thunderstorm. Almost had to pull over because couldn't see out the windshield.

Had a nice dinner at a recommended restaurant. Sat on the outside patio that overlooks the quaint, small main road through town. The food and wine was excellent, but my allergies are acting up for the first time in a long time. Had to buy some allergy medication.

Now off to bed at the Quality Inn. Room smells musty, and no flat screen TV. It's only been 6 days and it feels like it's been 2 weeks.

Day 5

"Same string, different yoyo". This describes my day at Bull Shoals Lake. Different homes, same result....frustration. But more homes to see tomorrow and even a couple of buildable lots. Then on the road for 2 hours to Table Rock Lake for a Memorial Day weekend search. Good thing that my realtor there is not planning a big family weekend.

Saw one home today that had some awesome outbuildings: stable, workshop, and RV garage. It also had a great view of the lake. I will try to post photos ( or simply let Megan do it). Alas, too expensive at $675,000. I really enjoyed meeting and talking with the owners.

Dinner at a local Mexican restaurant. To bed early tonight as the realtor is picking me up at 8am.

Day 4

Spent the first half of the day looking at more homes. Saw nothing to make me stop my search. The frustration is building. For example, you could hear the sounds of the 18 wheelers from the adjacent highway from the backyard. That home was only $499K!

Next drove 6 hours to Mountain Home, AK which is close to my next target: Bull Shoals Lake. Hope to start looking at homes on that lake tomorrow.

You know that you are not in Orange County anymore when there is a large box on the wall of the service station wall that dispenses "large studded condoms" and "horny goat weed pills" ( bought 2 of each!).

Saw some recently killed cattle on the drive up. Will send a photo from by Blackberry. You will not believe it!

I am beginning to believe that my dream lake home is just that......a dream. May have to just find a rental home on a lake and continue my search for as long as it takes. Sorry to sound so discouraged, but I am usually tired from a long drive when I post on this blog; and have had many hours to think about the unacceptable homes I have seen.

Off to bed. Tomorrow's another day.

Day 3

Drove from Lake Guntersville, AL. to Kentucky Lake in KY. (duh). 5 hours of fun and satellite radio. Looked at homes till 8pm. Saw nothing that wowed me. Huge lake. Almost 2x the size of Guntersville. But a decent town is a long way away, and the homes are even further from the nearest town. I will look at a couple of homes tomorrow, then will likely begin my journey to my next state...Missouri. I have two lakes to look at in Missouri: Bull Shoals and Table Rock.

Had a great dinner at a local Mexican restaurant and two margaritas. Checked in to the Holiday Inn Express, looking forward to a good nights sleep.

I must admit that so far I am a little discouraged at what I'm seeing. Too much money for too little lake home. But I have a lot left to see. Trying to stay optimistic. There's always Texas!

Day 2

Spent day 2 looking at homes and some lots. The lake is as advertised....large and beautiful. But the homes I liked were too expensive. The realtor promised to keep looking for me.

Had lunch at a Hardee's House. Most of the customers seemed to know each other and greeted each other as they came in from church. That would/could never happen in Cali.

 the view from the restaurant

Dinner at a lakefront restaurant next to my hotel. I ate and watched the boats on the lake. After dinner I walked on the pier in front of the restaurant and talked with/assisted some novice fishermen till dark.

Tried to order some wine with dinner. Was told that no alcohol was sold on Sunday. No question that I'm in the Bible Belt.

To bed early as I have to drive to Kentucky Lake tomorrow...about 5 hours away. I hope the homes are more affordable there.

 My hotel on the left. Dinner at the restaurant on the right. Two people fishing on the dock for both places.

Day 1

Flew to Atlanta, then drove 150+ miles to Guntersville Lake in Alabama. My GPS must have wanted me to see the countryside in GA and AL because it took me on every country (read 2 lane) road possible. Very pretty country: gentle rolling green hills and thick forests, interspersed with large and small farms.

Lunch in car was Monster and peanut butter crackers. But had a traditionally greasy southern dinner of fried catfish, corn bread, "hush puppies" and fried onion rings washed down with a margarita. There was even a large aquarium in the restaurant lobby filled with giant bass and crappie.

I meet with a realtor to look at lots and homes ( to buy and rent). I can see the lake from my hotel room. From what I have seen so far it is very pretty. Will learn more tomorrow.

Now to bed and dreams of the "perfect lake home", if one exists outside of my mind.

Test

Hello dad, this is your daughter just testing to see if this is working. I can't wait to start reading about all your adventures as you search for the perfect retirement home and then settle into your new life!

LOVE MEGAN