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