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Pam and I took another trip to the area west of Colorado Springs where we are looking for our “dream” land. Having a cabin in the woods in Colorado has long been a dream of ours, and we are finally starting to pursue it.

We had one lot in particular to look at, and a few others in the same general area that may prove to be of interest. This trip  would also give us the opportunity to drive through more of  our target area.

Basically, we are looking for a lot that is big enough to separate us from neighbors, has a view, preferably of mountains, but valleys and trees would be OK as a second choice. Lot needs to have some trees on it, and it would be nice to have some open meadow area. A flat spot to build is on the list of plusses, and access to a local community for groceries and gas would be great. Pam says she wants it to be within 30 minutes of a hospital as we are not as young as we used to be. No off the side of a side road, although we started by  looking at some lots that were pretty remote. All this on a budget…it won’t be easy to find!

We left Friday afternoon and drove to a suburb of Denver and had dinner with our son Toby. We talked for a couple hours, then headed to our hotel room. Early Saturday we got started on our land visit.

Normally temperatures are in the upper 60’s this time of year. We had 28 degrees and snow. The low cloud cover made it impossible to determine what views each lot had. Still, we headed off to our first address.

We were pleasantly welcomed by a Mountain Bluebird, and a couple rabbits took off as the dogs approached. Chittering sounds in a large Ponderosa pine were tracked to an Aberts tuft-eared squirrel.

We saw Mountain Bluebirds in the trees. (U.S. Forest Service photo.)

Aberts Squirrel (U.S. Forest Service photo.)

Only real drawback is that the lot is steeper than we would like.

Pam thinks: "Driveway here?"

Pam and Bru walk the lot. Blondie, our other dog, was near Jerry.

The Aspen trees are not yet leafed out, but this allowed us to see some of the lot’s other features, like the rock outcroppings.

Lot has some rock outcroppings among the Aspen.

The realtor took this “view” photo on a better day from the top of the lot

View from the top of the lot.

Elevation is, we think, is in the upper 8,000 foot range.

Jerry near stream at property edge.

As a plus, there is a small (!) all-season stream at the front of the lot. It feeds a few small ponds in the area.

While we were driving around we saw other wildlife, including a fox with pointed ears and a beautiful tail, many deer, and ducks swimming on some of the ponds.

Many deer in the area!

The property is about 10 miles from the nearest town so meets another of our “wish list” criteria. However, it is pretty steep, and getting a driveway to the building site at the top of the lot would be, well, interesting! As for now, the search continues, but this lot is a contender.

For some time, Pam and I have been toying with the idea of trying to find some “recreational” land to be used for weekend get-aways. Lately we have begun looking at listings and visiting parcels that may be of interest.

Some of these listings are “creative writing” at its best. “Lakes” are small ponds, “sloping” meens steep, and “View” happens only if you are looking up at the stars. None the less, there have been a couple spots that may be candidates.

You learn to look at the details. One lot had a discrepancy in the driveway easement; the easement ended about 30 feet short of the propterty line! Oh well. It was a nice lot, too.

We are looking in the area west of Colorado Springs, on the theory that there would be enough services available so that one day we might actually retire to that area. We are avoiding gated communities and lots of less than an acre or so…Pam does not want neighbors close by. Jerry wants enough room to put up a pole shed to house his “toys” and other gear, so 2+ acres is one of the basic requirements.

The dogs enjoy these trips, as it is about the only time they have been able to get into the woods and smell deer and other wild animals. They don’t know what to make of most of it, but they have fun walking the parcels with us.

The search continues. More on this project as we progress.