I am blessed to be able to live on the edge of the Ozark Mountains. Further east of here, the Appalachians rise like archangels. To the west, the Rockies reveal God-sized scale. Halfway between these two great mountain ranges, the Ozarks are grand on a human scale. I like that.
Here the Buffalo River can be seen from the Goat Trail, accessible downstream from the Steel Creek put-in.
We have grand vistas. Do you see my friend in the distance in the photograph?
At this time of year, we have so much green that this creek looks green in the reflection.
Not only do we have glorious rugged landscapes, we’ve got a state full of wildlife. Just today I saw a harem of turkeys in a field a mile from our home. I didn’t have my camera with me, but you can see other Ozark wildlife but clicking here and scrolling down.
If you’ve never visited the Ozarks, consider it. These humble mountains have a beauty I can only begin to reveal here. Instead of inspiring you to contemplate the divine, they may just inspire you to contemplate humanity and yourself.
Copyright 2010 Ozarkhomesteader. All rights reserved. Short excerpts with full URL and attribution to Ozarkhomesteader are welcome. Please contact me via the comments section for permission to use photographs. I will respond privately.
While I don’t live all that far away, I still miss my Arkansas Ozarks. Growing up on the White River, we had grand vistas and scenic overlooks and hiking trails galore. We didn’t call them that, we just called it home.
I like your expression, grand on a human scale. I had never thought of it in those terms, but you’re exactly right. It is breathtaking, and humbling, and even awe-inspiring, yet never do you lose your connection to the earth and your humanity.
Thank you, Regina. It sounds like you need to go home soon.
Hi Homesteader!
We have recently moved to Fayetteville, AR from Portland, OR. I haven’t been up to the Buffalo River yet, but I’m very interested on your take of the Ozarks. I want to fall in love with this area, I really do! You seem to have such a different perspective on it – (I have been surprised at how much harder it is to grow things in the soil here, among other things). So, is it really a good place to consider purchasing a small homestead? I would love to hear your thoughts- you are doing so well here with your garden! I guess I just have a lot to learn!
Thanks so much!
Welcome to Arkansas! I only had a quick moment to peruse your blog but love it already. As for gardening in the Ozarks, every place I’ve lived has gardening challenges. In Wisconsin and Michigan, it was always so slow to get crops in and then so quick before frost came again. In Georgia, we had red clay. In Florida, I saw insects that seemed straight out of a tropical jungle. Here, we grow rocks. Still, with amendments of manure and peat and compost, my garden has come to life very quickly. I’ll bet yours will too. And although you get a bit colder and a bit more snow than we do here, I’ll bet you’ll be able to garden all year long.