Homestead

I found this 17 acre property north of Marshall, MO and the wheels started to turn. (Daydreaming keeps me going.) On the property is a 6 acre lake--about the size of 4 and 1/2 football fields. The property already has water and electricity. So we get 3 or 4 families together and purchase the land. We each build a house on different sides of the lake (privacy you know). Then we build a sweet lakeside clubhouse.

The Clubhouse: By combining the earning potential of 4 families, we could build an awesome clubhouse. A large 2nd story deck would overhang the lake. It would have patio furniture and a BBQ. Inside, the 2nd floor would have two large rooms. One would be a theater with a projector, powerful surround sound, and plenty of seating. Two other large flat screens would be mounted kitty corner to the projector screen. We could watch several games at a time during the World Cup, March Madness, the NBA playoffs, etc. They would, of course, be connected to X-Box 360s and PCs (all networked together with additional ports for laptops if we have more players). All the hardware would be neatly hidden in cabinets until it came time to play the newest Call of Duty or Warcraft game. Next to the theater would be a game room with a pool table, foosball, ping-pong, board game/card game table, and whatever else. Downstairs we would have a kitchen with a large eating area for get-togethers. There would also be a gym for getting pumped up, and a bathroom/changing room. Underneath the deck would be a dock.

The Sports Complex: Just outside the clubhouse we would have our basketball court, volleyball net, and soccer/football field. Lightpoles on the clubhouse would provide lighting for those summer midnight games. The deck would provide a good view of the action for spectators.

The Lake: I don't think 6 acres is big enough for water skiing, but it ought to be big enough for waverunners. This particular lake is full of blue gill and bass. And in the fall it is full of ducks. We'll put up rope swings and maybe even install a diving board. If you need to get your water skiing fix, there are tons of large lakes nearby.

The Land: Please refer to my Backyard post.

The Area: 1/2 mile from the Missouri River, just north of Van Meter State Park, and close to the Grand Pass Wildlife Area. It's also just over an hour from Kansas City (home of the Chiefs, a temple, and all the culture and shopping you ladies could want) and less than an hour from Columbia (home of the University of Missouri and plenty of culture and shopping).

The Houses: Build whatever you want. I don't care. As for our house, I'll leave that up to the wife.

The Windmill, Well, and Solar Panels: I'm sick of paying monthly utility bills. We'll share a well and build a windmill out in the forest. Then I'll put those new, cheap solar panels on my roof.

Make your reservations now!