Finally ... The Dirt

Be determined to handle any challenge in a way that will make you grow.  

Remember this?  Our sign was moved.  We were in search of a new home for our sign.

 

Up until about six weeks we had the sign firmly planted in the ground.  Then, we made a rash decision to sell the dirt it was in.  It was definitely a rash decision.  A cash offer came in even before we had listed it.  We didn’t realize what we had until we no longer had it.   There were actually a few reasons why we didn’t use it much in 2011.  One big reason was that the tall, tall fir trees behind the property had grown enough in the wrong place to block access to satellite -- no TV.  Not being our trees and being so many of them, we couldn’t cut them down.  

Hidden property

We also thought the property was a long ways from every place we wanted to go.  It was only after we sold it and started looking elsewhere that we realized it really wasn’t that far after all.  Other places were much farther.  However, getting the motorhome in and out of the site was a little difficult due to trees across the road.  We usually dreaded that a little. Getting to the location meant travelling on some pretty windy roads above the lake.  Thus, not fun in a motorhome. 

Canal Property

After looking at property close to the beach, we ruled that out.  We love the beach but we go there anytime we want.  There are many places to stay temporarily and not worry about the salt air creating havoc with our things.  We also don’t have to worry about floods and wetlands.  Boy, did we get educated with that.  I’m sure glad research is my middle name or we might have got ourselves in trouble there for what our purposes are.

Flood Zone Property

We also looked at acreage closer to our kids.  That was nixed also. We decided we didn't want to prepare and take care of a big piece of property.  That would have been continuous work.  Most of the close areas we looked at had zoning issues with an RV.  Areas without zoning issues were in the boonies with absolutely nothing around.  Totally developing bare land may have been something we would have been interested in 15 years ago but not today.

We did come to know a few terms used in advertising land.  Land perfect for daylight basement homes meant the property was on a steep cliff.  Creek front property meant it was wetlands or in the flood zone.  A suggestion in the ad indicating buyer needed to check codes meant there were big problems.  And, last but not least for now, a visit from the EPA meant stuff was probably buried on that property that we didn't want to mess with removing.

We knew we didn't want a home in a neighborhood.  Forbid!  Been there, done that for years.  We also realized we absolutely wanted nothing to do with acreage.  It’s funny how your thoughts change over the years as to what you want and what you don’t want.  Ever changing is actually a good thing.  It’s also funny how those thoughts change when you actually take time to think about what you really want versus what you thought you wanted.

No Septic Possible.

One of the things we did come to realize was distance to family.  After all we don’t spend a lot of months in this area but when we are here during the summer months we do want to be fairly close.  Otherwise what is the point of having anything here?  The 30 mile distance (even though it’s a windy 30 miles) was a short distance.  My dad used to repeat “the grass is always greener on the other side” and evidently when we sold our little cabin plot that’s what we were thinking.  It took a few weeks to realize it  was not.  Thus, we were back looking for “recreation” property only.   This one came with just about everything including another RV.

Our sign has a new home.

Our little sign is planted in the ground again and we’re happy.  Well, we’re happy for now but have certainly been very busy.  Even though making a place your own is a lot of work, we did come to the conclusion that it is certainly easier than starting from scratch again.  In the meantime we’ve been working with a contractor to finish the inside.  Boy .. that’s a lot of work changing and correcting what was previously done.  A main support beam was even cut.  That had to be replaced.  They broke a window and cut a much needed cable ....  We’ve had lots of little issues but nothing compared to what we would have had with bare land.  The good thing is that if we decide to sell again, we can.   We both love the RVing lifestyle but we also love the summers in this area.  We just wanted a little base and something we could occasionally put a shovel in.  However, even this has been much more work than we intended.    Oh well .... we definitely need a vacation and we plan on taking it very soon.

Time to buy the wet cobb.  She looks hungry.

Besides we missed our deer families.

‘Tis life on the road.