July 31 - Peaceful Existence

July 31, 2026

Day 1,766 of the Adventure

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Even though the day count in the heading says it's been "1,766 Days of the Adventure", the fact is that it's only been that long since we moved to the backwoods property. We actually began this part of the story back in late February 2011 when we bought our first little run-down cabin property. I guess if you're keeping track, that's somewhere around 5,640 days ago. Quite a long time for an ongoing "adventure". The intent of this journey began with a quest to obtain a place of peace and quiet where we could escape the business rat-race and find some tranquility. Something like a lake cabin. Well, it became more than that. It began with not just a cabin but four cabins. Then a fifth one. Then eight more of them with a pool. Then an entire campground where we started building treehouse cabins. Then a Lakefront resort with tackle shop and marina, then a Lakeside motel........ The "Peace and Quiet" never really materialized. Oh, it did on occasion when we weren't frantically trying to keep up with five lodging businesses. It's just that somewhere along the line, the tranquility of a nature escape turned into yet another business pursuit. 

Shortly after an event nearly six years ago that's been in the news recently, we took a new and hard look at our direction of life and decided it was perhaps time to re-evaluate. This reflection brought us to the realization that the ability to control our own destiny was maybe slipping away. A decision was made to begin reeling in our business exposure and begin focusing on a more self-reliant way of life. Things like this can't change overnight, but the decision to change had already been made. within that very year, we made the commitment to buying the "Camp Run-Amuck" property. A self-sufficient dream on 12 acres of raw and woodsy Ozark Mountains.  About five years later, and a short 30 day ago, the transition became complete with the sale of our final resort and lodging business. The bonus that we weren't expecting was the coinciding opportunity to pick up additional land adjoining Camp Run-Amuck bringing our total to nearly 50 acres. 

This morning, I sit on the back deck of the cabin soaking in the peace and quiet, and the slight, warm late July drizzle that is gently falling in the Ozarks. Thinking to myself how the tranquility of a peaceful existence has possibly finally caught up to me. Did it catch up, or did I simply slow down and allow it to overtake me? I suppose that whatever the case may be, today it feels a lot like we've actually arrived at the destination we sought after 5,640 days ago. Has it been worth all of the energy and effort? I think so. 

Carry On

Adventure Quote: “I must change my life so that I can live it, not wait for it.” ― Susan Sontag

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