Mike Caro selling Ozarks lake retreat (All photos)

— Separate electric meters for house and cabin, in case you ever rent either —

— The complex has its own street light —

The street light is maintained by the electric company and is located in the circular driveway ending.

— The mailbox for the house and cabin is at right —

You’ll find the mailbox conveniently near the entrance to the driveway on Washington Road. Just turn a few feet behind the camera and you’re on the property. The one to the left belongs to the neighbors across the road.

— Golf cart deep in the woods —

Five miles of paths join remote areas that you can reach by golf cart, ATV, or just walking. I haven’t returned to this part of the forest in years. There are at least 50 distinctly different areas to choose from.

— Picnic table along path in remote part of forest —

— The property is on Table Rock Lake. Beaver Lake (seen here) is a short drive. —

— Ferry at nearby Bull Shoals Lake —

A ferry docks here to take you and your car to the other side of Bull Shoals Lake. Although Table Rock Lake is the most popular in the area, there are three other large ones: Beaver Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, and Lake Taneycomo (which runs like a river through the heart of Branson, Missouri). There are also several smaller lakes you might occasionally visit, but I’m guessing you’ll be satisfied staying home on Table Rock Lake most of the time.

— Flood gates open at the Table Rock Lake dam —

In rare years when the lake rises, the flood gates are opened at the dam. This photo was taken a few years ago. By boat, it’s 27 miles to the dam from the property’s shoreline below the house.

— Long view of main house balcony —

— Main house balcony corner, looking toward bedroom bay window —

The area beyond the railing can be used for flower pots or to extend the balcony even further. The swing stays with house.

— Green fleet of trail transportation —

I mostly liked walking the trails, but kept four green vehicles handy, the color being more of a coincidence than a choice. In the background, you can see two golf carts and a twin of the ATV you see up close. These Kawasaki ATVs were fairly quiet to begin with, but I equipped them with special exhaust silencers so I could travel the paths without disturbing the animals.

— A huge vase greeted neighbors —

Being from the city, I decided the quickest way to impress visitors would be to decorate the house with artwork, bronze statues, and antiques. I thought these “conversation pieces” would break the ice with neighbors and locals who might be wary of me as an outsider.

I was wrong. The people here are friendly by nature and you don’t need to stimulate their friendship. Also, while out of town guests and new arrivals to the Ozarks were intrigued by my decorations, the locals mostly talked about an antique rifle I had on display, hanging in front of a mirror by my office. You won’t need to impress anyone here. People accept you for what you are.

This huge cut-class vase is hand signed by the artist and I acquired it at a local auction for $700, realizing that it would sell for much more in other areas of the world. You can often find great bargains in the Ozarks — sometimes for under $5.

— Terminal at Springfield, Missouri airport (SGF) —

If you travel a lot by plane (as I did in the early years after my arrival here), there are three airports within a reasonably short drive. This one is in Springfield, Missouri. You’ll be amazed by how quickly you can get in and out of friendly airports like this.

An alternative is the Branson, Missouri airport (BKG), only half an hour from the property. It’s the one I prefer, but it only opened a few years ago, so it wasn’t an option when I first moved here. Another choice is similar in size and distance. It’s the Northwest Arkansas Regional airport (XNA) used by travelers to the main Walmart headquarters nearby. Both the Springfield and Arkansas airports require about an hour-and-a-half drive. I recommend Branson for the quickest access.

— Checkpoints at local airports are easy to maneuver (SGF in Springfield) —

— Baggage claim at Springfield, Missouri airport (SGF) —

— Branson, Missouri airport (BKG) terminal —

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