History
After attending a picnic at Ridgeview Farms in southern Cass County, Missouri in 1997, we decided to purchase 40 acres in this unique private farm community so we could have our own family farm and retreat. My nine year old son, Tim, and I had been looking for someplace to shoot fireworks that same year and quickly discovered that we needed our own property if we really wanted a safe place outside of the city to celebrate the 4th of July in style. We looked forward to the opportunity to have campfires and build and stock our own fishing pond.
We decided to name our new place in the country Running Deer Farm after seeing several deer at a distance enjoying a run across our new property. With a mixture of rolling pasture and trees we knew our new farm would be great getaway less than an hour south of Kansas City.
We were intrigued by the historical rock wall fences, natural springs, ancient rock outcroppings with pre-historic fossils from a time when the land was at the bottom of the ocean, native wildflowers, and abundant wildlife. The still mysterious history of the nearby Amarugia Highlands and the ’Kingdom of Amarugia’ was intriguing to us. Area Amarugia marvels with secret history inside includes Christiansen Mound, Osburn Mound, and Bieger Mound.
Our first mission was to build a fire ring for entertaining. We used huge boulders as seats around the fire ring. Our early campfires for friends and the Boy Scouts were a big hit. Although we had no outhouse, the woods were nearby and enjoyed by all who visited.
Next up was the pond. We had two bids on building a pond – and selected a local pond builder with a used bulldozer and a passion for moving dirt. Please come enjoy our amazing pond in front of our log home now fully stocked with catfish, bluegill, and largemouth bass. The fishing dock at Drinking Gourd Pond is now a favorite hangout for kids and cigar smokers alike.
We thought it might take six weeks to build our half a mile of fence. Sixteen months and many long work days later we celebrated completion of the project!
We discovered a small family company in Connecticut that designed and manufactured authentic old style post and beam wooden barns. Country Carpenters delivered our barn, which was erected in 1999. It has a large main area, bathroom, two bay garage, and loft. It works great for storing vintage pick-up trucks, equipment, and working on special projects. We have also hosted large parties and wedding receptions in “The Barn”.
After five years of research and visiting log home manufacturers we decided on an eastern style log home with flat logs and chinking – think Abe Lincoln luxury style, or the Ponderosa with Ben, Little Joe, and Hoss. The logs are hand hewn and sandblasted. Hearthstone Homes from Tennessee designed and manufactured the log home, now known as Hawks Nest. With five bedrooms, three bathrooms, and two fireplaces, the log home has been a great getaway for family, friends, retreats and hosted dinners offered at charity auctions. We enjoy sunrise country breakfasts from the back porch with fresh coffee and a two day old newspaper. Martini sunsets are enjoyed from the front porch overlooking the pond as the catfish jump for their dinner.
Our vintage pick-up trucks work well for short trips to Drexel for groceries or a quick round of golf at the nearby Blackberry Trails 9 hole country golf course in Archie. With cows and train whistles near the golf course, your concentration is really tested on those long putts.
We are truly in the country and yet less than 20 minutes to Harrisonville, Louisburg, Butler, Adrian, Drexel, Freeman, and Archie.
Come visit soon and enjoy the scents and sounds of nature - - wildflowers, honeysuckle, daylilies, fresh mowed grass, rain showers in the spring, the sounds songbirds, frogs near the pond, distant hoot owls calling out, a mother deer strolling by with her fawn, and another sighting of wild turkey. You’ll be amazed how a clear sky at night from over a thousand feet above sea level reveals a sky full of stars with the Milky Way in your sight.
Most of all come relax and enjoy a slower pace of life as you gain new energy and perspective from your time in the country. You won’t want to leave.
We decided to name our new place in the country Running Deer Farm after seeing several deer at a distance enjoying a run across our new property. With a mixture of rolling pasture and trees we knew our new farm would be great getaway less than an hour south of Kansas City.
We were intrigued by the historical rock wall fences, natural springs, ancient rock outcroppings with pre-historic fossils from a time when the land was at the bottom of the ocean, native wildflowers, and abundant wildlife. The still mysterious history of the nearby Amarugia Highlands and the ’Kingdom of Amarugia’ was intriguing to us. Area Amarugia marvels with secret history inside includes Christiansen Mound, Osburn Mound, and Bieger Mound.
Our first mission was to build a fire ring for entertaining. We used huge boulders as seats around the fire ring. Our early campfires for friends and the Boy Scouts were a big hit. Although we had no outhouse, the woods were nearby and enjoyed by all who visited.
Next up was the pond. We had two bids on building a pond – and selected a local pond builder with a used bulldozer and a passion for moving dirt. Please come enjoy our amazing pond in front of our log home now fully stocked with catfish, bluegill, and largemouth bass. The fishing dock at Drinking Gourd Pond is now a favorite hangout for kids and cigar smokers alike.
We thought it might take six weeks to build our half a mile of fence. Sixteen months and many long work days later we celebrated completion of the project!
We discovered a small family company in Connecticut that designed and manufactured authentic old style post and beam wooden barns. Country Carpenters delivered our barn, which was erected in 1999. It has a large main area, bathroom, two bay garage, and loft. It works great for storing vintage pick-up trucks, equipment, and working on special projects. We have also hosted large parties and wedding receptions in “The Barn”.
After five years of research and visiting log home manufacturers we decided on an eastern style log home with flat logs and chinking – think Abe Lincoln luxury style, or the Ponderosa with Ben, Little Joe, and Hoss. The logs are hand hewn and sandblasted. Hearthstone Homes from Tennessee designed and manufactured the log home, now known as Hawks Nest. With five bedrooms, three bathrooms, and two fireplaces, the log home has been a great getaway for family, friends, retreats and hosted dinners offered at charity auctions. We enjoy sunrise country breakfasts from the back porch with fresh coffee and a two day old newspaper. Martini sunsets are enjoyed from the front porch overlooking the pond as the catfish jump for their dinner.
Our vintage pick-up trucks work well for short trips to Drexel for groceries or a quick round of golf at the nearby Blackberry Trails 9 hole country golf course in Archie. With cows and train whistles near the golf course, your concentration is really tested on those long putts.
We are truly in the country and yet less than 20 minutes to Harrisonville, Louisburg, Butler, Adrian, Drexel, Freeman, and Archie.
Come visit soon and enjoy the scents and sounds of nature - - wildflowers, honeysuckle, daylilies, fresh mowed grass, rain showers in the spring, the sounds songbirds, frogs near the pond, distant hoot owls calling out, a mother deer strolling by with her fawn, and another sighting of wild turkey. You’ll be amazed how a clear sky at night from over a thousand feet above sea level reveals a sky full of stars with the Milky Way in your sight.
Most of all come relax and enjoy a slower pace of life as you gain new energy and perspective from your time in the country. You won’t want to leave.