I'm not sure why, but "loud" is not considered a status symbol here in the Ozarks and it's rarely a problem. Maybe we've had laws in place long enough to replace all the old cherry bomb mufflers.

There are only a few places left where you can't hear the grumbling of highways though and no place where the roar of jets isn't there with you.

In the first few days after 9/11 I went into the forest and spent one night. I had too. I knew it'd be the only time in my life when I could experience quiet of that magnitude. It was completely silent all night. Didn't last long though, I woke suddenly the next morning to the sound of two jet fighters screaming by at a very low altitude. I remember thinking, "Whew, I'm sure glad they're on our side".

Bill S.