Spring Travels – Tour Of Homes

Trips and traveling seem to be the theme for the past week. Spring is here in the high desert, a good time to get out and about to enjoy almost perfect temperatures.

Last Sunday, after I wrote my post, I took the motorcycle for a spin and to see what the snow levels were like in the higher elevations. I rode up to the top of Grand Mesa, elevation 10,000 + feet, to remind myself that winter still controls the high country.

Grand Mesa on March 22nd

Yesterday we (Pam, Jo the dog and I) took a lengthy day trip to the Cripple Creek – Victor area, after stopping to check on The Lot near Como. (The two other dogs – Blondie and Bru – stayed home where the neighbor let them in and out all day).  We wanted to look at some properties that were listed for sale in those small mountain gold mining communities near Colorado Springs, in the general area of Pikes Peak.

It was a beautiful day in the mountains. We were surprised to see how little snow was left in the South Park area and on The Lot; we were able to drive up the entire length of our driveway to the top of the circle and found it was shirt sleeve temperature in the sun.

Pam and JoJo on the lot

Jerry on his bench

We didn’t have much time to stay, with many miles to go in our planned day’s activities, but it was hard leaving Sanderling.  It often feels that way – so much organization and  time driving to get to the mountains, too little time to enjoy being there.

One of the reasons we are looking at “for sale” properties is to come to a decision; do we proceed with our plans to further develop and build on The Lot, or would we be better off looking for a house that is ready (or nearly so) to live in? Budget is always the determining factor; we are looking in the $150K range and lower.

We found a few “interesting” places.  Pam tends toward historic “grandma” houses with distinctive architectural features.  I need lots of inside/outside storage and preferably a few trees.

Cripple Creek home (1895) had brick exterior, needed  some work. What a paint job!  Hot pink/orange accents.

For Sale by Owner in Cripple Creek  (year?) – no price posted, rated over-the-top on the distinctive architectural scale.

Small Goldfield house (1898): large fenced lot + garage + workshop + view of the Sangre de Cristo Mtns + mud roads.

Victor house (1900) had small yard, garage, some mountain views — but needed new roof, new windows, new stairwell.

The reality is there is not much in our preferred price range that is ready to live in, or is not so remote as to be impractical as a retirement home. The Lot is also remote, but for about the same price we could build something new, energy efficient, and with a design that fits our wishes/needs. We have decided to hold off putting in the well at Sanderling for a few months, and will continue to check on properties that come on the market, before we proceed with high country development.

Still, it was a great day (albeit long – 13 hours) to be traveling in the high country. Perfect blue skies, comfortable temperature, and country we had not been to in a long time. Throw in some history and a few “finds” — a splendid day to live and travel in beautiful Colorado.

That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in!

Pam’s Two Cents Worth:

I like houses similar to what Nicole on the “Rehab Addict” TV show restores, houses that cry “Make me pretty again!” Sadly, I’m not as young or mechanically-oriented as Nicole, so [probably] fixer-uppers are not the best fit for our skill set any more.

On a different note, I haven’t been to the little mountain town of Victor in over three decades. I was pleasantly surprised at the positive changes tourism, continued gold mining and gambling in that area have made.  Some of the 1898 to 1910-era buildings on Main Street that were previously abandoned/falling apart are now being restored.  “Retail” Victor has a kind of Bohemian-vibe going for it.  “Residential” Victor features steep dirt streets and lots of tiny homes wedged close to each other that are past redemption/need to be demolished.  And one thing that can’t be changed – Victor is located on the back side of beyond.

Happy Trails.