Down the Hill, Up the Hill

For 31 years, we've referred to my parent's property as "up the hill" and "down the hill"... I guess it was the most creative we could get when we began our pioneer days in the Ozark hills. For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about ... you'll have to read Mom's journal.

A small part of my parent's driveway leading up and down the hill.

At the beginning of our journey, we set up camp at the "bottom of the hill". I finally found a picture of our camp there.

This was where we stayed for about a month and a half while Dad was clearing property, setting up the tents, and blasting for a basement "up the hill". The trailer usually slept Mom and Dad and several of the youngest kids. The rest of us slept in the Ford van or the Volkswagen - not quite the Hampton Inn.

I love that we had an American flag displayed! I think, but I can't be certain, that the trailer that held all our earthly belongings is on the far right. Dave's lean-to is attached to the backside of the trailer... can you see it?

These pictures are shots from "up the hill" as progress was being made...

My brother, Robert, standing on the beginnings of our house on the hill. Not sure we frequented a barber much in 1977.

My Dad retired from the police force in California to move out here. He built our house by himself... well, my brothers helped, and us girls even pitched in when he needed/forced us. He then went on to build a construction business of his own. My brothers, Darren and Kevin, have remained in construction, while Robert is a police officer.

I think all those summer camping trips were good preparation for our year and a half of tent life! They sure were some fun times... but I wouldn't want to do it again!

I'm hoping to find more pictures at my Mom's of our days in the tent... Stay tuned.