I also live where the closest o-o store is almost 2 hours away, now that the ONE that was here in town closed a few yrs ago. It was *very* small but worth visiting. I always found something I wanted & she special-ordered a tray of something for me once. I never forgot that & always checked there first before buying any plants anywhere else.
Aside from that, I've gotten most of my cool new plants since living in this area by trading and for-postage offers.