Rural Freedom

Long commutes in cars suck

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I like spending time out in the country but a daily commute out to Rural America would really be a drag I have to say. Having driven out to my parents house after work for a week house sitting, I really miss the ease of just being able to catch the bus to and from work, not having to worry about the traffic or the weather. When I’m home and can take the bus, I can be tired, I can be distracted or drunk but I don’t have to worry about getting to my destination safely.

Eventually when I own my own land, automobile commuting will be an inevitable part of the trip. Maybe I can car pool part of the time or use a bus to access the center city. Maybe I won’t live near such a big city where traffic is such a problem or choose a more sothernly climate were icy roads aren’t such a problem. Or maybe I’ll find work in the small town I choose to live in and I won’t have to drive far away to the city. Or develop a business that lets me work from home. There are many options.

I just don’t want to spend my days, every day stuck in traffic going back and forth to work with long drives out to the country. But it seems like I have options.

ATVs allowed in Newport in 2020 for trial period

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ATVs allowed in Newport in 2020 for trial period

ATVs will be allowed in Newport in 2020 after the city council approved an ordinance on Monday.

The council voted 3 to 1 in favor of a 5-month ATV trial period that is set to last from May to October. During that time, ATV riders are permitted to drive on town highways.

I heard about this controversy the other day on WAMC. I don't understand what the big deal is, a four wheeler, or especially a side-by-side is a much more convenient way to run down to the corner store and pick up a gallon of milk or cup of coffee compared to firing up your big ol' pickup truck, and saves gas too.

The Good Life

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Last night when I was at my parents house, one of their good ol’ boy neighbors with a beer belly was standing in the bed of a truck towing a goose neck cattle trailer, beer belly hanging out. Good ol country living for yeah. I was chergin about it although I joked that has to be dangerous as shit, being that the goose neck could easily crush you upon turning if your not careful.

While I don’t miss the winter commutes I do miss the small town life. While I think the neighbors to my parents are too close, I really don’t mind hearing the occasional bellow of their cattle or a whiff of their hog shit or something plastic they toss on their bonfire. I think it’s pretty damn sweet how they live even if supposedly their rural and poor.

I think it would be fun to live in a small town, be able to ride my four wheeler or side by side to the general store, have land and do a little hobby farming. Live off grid, use solar, burn my trash and recycle the cans and glass, compost, maybe garden a little bit and raise chickens and maybe a heritage hog or two. Smelly yes but that’s why you have land. Ride my four wheeler on my land, hunt and trap it. Have a small screened porch so I can watch nature on a morning like this or even watch the campfire while drinking beer and listening to music on a warm but buggy night.

I’m not there yet but eventually I’ll be able to enjoy the good life…