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.
I’d think the normal considerations (water, power, phone service) would also apply. The soil appears to be red sandstone with a few granite outcroppings — grass probably isn’t rooted too deeply, so driveway “washouts” would be a consideration, especially as it appears to have a 10+ degree slope.
Snow depth doesn’t look intolerable — probably 2-5 feet, judging by the trees. Too bad the stream wasn’t more on the property and had more “drop” — ready-made power source.
I’d guess the “view” (and flat area) would be at the top of the property — (we’re) getting a bit beyond the “park below, and walk up” age! Keeping a long driveway snow-free would also be quite the challenge.
Definitely scenic, though a bit of a challenge to develop. No flatter “pole barn type area” close to the road?
how exciting!!
it is so hard for me to imagine things that aren’t there…so looking at lots would be very tricky for me!
LOVE the stream!! it’s one of my favorite things about our place…though that means blondie and bru might always be a little wet 😉
did you really see a squirrel like that?
how cool!!
sorry the day was ucky–BRRRRRR!!
but the view sure was pretty on the nice day 🙂