Mountain Home is in the process of recovery from a devastating ice storm that crippled a large portion of Northwest Arkansas, parts of Missouri and Kentucky. It was a record setting event of epic proportions! Huge trees were splintered, literally shredded from the weight of nearly 2 inches of ice. Power lines stretched and then snapped, taking the poles with them as they crashed to the ground.

And the sound. We huddled by the fireplace for warmth that night as the trees cracked and crashed around us. In the erie silence that seems so unatural in a power outage it was easy to hear the forest disintegrating, trees groaning and falling as the ice came down relentlessly for hours.

The next morning, when the sun peeked out for a brief glimpse at the destruction, the ice glittered evilly from every surface. And still the trees came down.

Days passed with no power. Shelters opened and shell shocked home owners came in for relief from the frigid nights.

It was 8 days before power was restored to my home. And there are people still without power a full two weeks after the event. Estimates are approximate for restoring power to the furthest reaches of the area, but some place full restoration of power sometime in the next couple of weeks.

It is an ice event we will never forget. There are elderly people here who have lived their entire lives in these hills who have never experienced the total anialation of the electrical grid that was caused by this massive storm.

As I drive through the neighborhoods I am amazed by the piles of branches and fallen timber laying in haphazard piles everywhere I look. On some roads, there is merely a one lane path through the piles, cut log ends exposed at the roadsides where dilegent homeowners hacked their way out, or in.

The trees will recover, people will fix the frozen pipes and lives will return to normal, but I will always look differently at those graceful old trees shading my house.

Welcome Home

Mountain Home is nearly an island.

That realization occurred to me one day when I was thinking of adding directions to Mountain Home on my web site. There is only one way into Mountain Home that does not cross a major body of water. We are surrounded by the immense Lakes impounded by the Bull Shoals and the Norfork Dams. The North Fork River and the White River flow south through the rolling hills from these dams and offer some of the best trout fishing and recreation to be found, anywhere.

Take a look at my web site for links to great information on fishing, hiking, boating and floating on these fanstatic natural resources. You will also find links to schools, government sites, population information, hospital and medical care, and access to the Mountain Home MLS property search, and much, much more.

In addition to every type of fishing imaginable we have thousands of acres of national forest just a short drive away. Hunting, hiking, horseback riding, ATV trails...you name it, it's close to home.

Bull Shoals and Norfork Lakes are Corp of Engineers Lakes and are closely regulated. This is a great benefit to us and the wildlife of the area. Homes and land adjacent to the lakes join what we call "the Government strip" which is a band of protected forest, rocky shoreline, and quiet sheltered coves. It varies in width. Some properties adjoining the government strip are "walk to water" while others have a distant view through the trees.

When you are on these lakes you feel like you are in the middle of no where. A few homes perched on the hillsides and docks tucked into protective coves are all you see. Deer come down to the shoreline to sip the cool water in the sheltered coves if you are quiet. Bald Eagles fish here.

This Government strip also acts as a giant filtration system. Water tumbling over rocks and through soil and leaves and the roots of trees and grasses is purified of many of the pollutants that have turned many of the Ozarks lakes a less than pleasant shade of green. Septic systems are kept away from the waters edge. Lawn fertilizers and chemicals are less likely to find their way into our beautiful lakes.

I have a virtual tour on my website of Norfork Lake that I made in November. I think you will enjoy it. Click on my website and go to the "Search Listings" page. You will find it highlighted at the top of the page.

The entertainment Mecca of Branson, Missouri is also a short drive away for a quick get away. There you will find a wide variety of music shows, live performances, amusement parks, arts and crafts of every type, a great winery, shopping and tourist attractions galore.

This is a beautiful area. We have great neighborhoods, a mild climate, low taxes, and so much to offer. Come and see.

Check out my web site to search for properties for sale.

Any questions?
Call me Toll Free 1-800-238-1341
or email me anytime: candybar86@hotmail.com
or candy@century21lemac.com
I'm always glad to help.

Candy