Property Report: 40 acres w/ spring in MP; 25 acres w/ barn in SC

[Sterling D. Allan]

I've posted a video here from our trek yesterday:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHcPaJyrw_c

The following is Susan's report with a little input from me.

Yesterday, we looked at 43 acres about 1 mile NW of Mt Pleasant. It has a warm spring (about 40-50 degrees) of potable water of pretty good flow rate that doesn't freeze all year. It also has 40 shares of Pleasant Creek Pressurized irrigation. The guy needs his money for medical bills (about $200,000) so wouldn't be interested in seller financing unless we paid down that much. It is shaped kind of like Utah. If any of you remember Heber Valley 30 years ago it has the look and feel of that. It is on a quiet road that is county maintained. Power is on the property. Property is $10,000 an acre. It's about four blocks west on 400 N.

Here's a collage:

We also looked at 25.63 acres 1/10th of a mile off of Canal Canyon road, about 2 miles up the road. It has an awesome old barn smack in the middle. The barn's roof is in pretty good shap in terms of keeping moisture out, though you wouldn't want to put anything that absolutely couldn't get wet in there. The kids loved playing around in there. It could serve as a phase I community center and storage area while we build.

The ground slopes down from South to North about a flat(plane) 3% grade. It has 25 shares of Horseshoe Irrigation Pressurized water shares and is all planted in alfalfa. The north sloping direction would make the southern-exposure solar home concept a little challenging, but not insurmountable. The community would face South, while you approach the community from the North. So you'd be seeing the backs of the structures coming in. This could be to our advantage in terms of the homes blending in more (backfilled on the North, would make them look like earthen mounds)

The problem with this piece is the bridge we would have to cross. It's fine when dry, but if covered in snow, it could give you heartburn to cross it. At some point we would have to beef it up, sooner rather than later. It is very narrow with no sides and would be rather trecherous in the winter.

Power is along the north edge of the property.

This has the feel of the mountains and some pretty awesome views of the mountains to the south and of the whole valley to the north. You can see the barn from 117 almost to Mt Pleasant so while the road is secluded it is open to view somewhat. The trees and buildings in Spring city prevent one from seeing up to the property from there, unless you climbed up on a roof. So it is very secluded while providing a nice view of the valley. You can see what is coming without being seen. Property is $10,000 an acre.

Both Cheri and Sterling loved the property and the view and the seclusion.

Here's a collage:

On the way out, across the bridge from the 25 acres, kitty-corner, we found the ideal dream home for Torg:

Maybe we could move it over to the 25 acres (via a 4x4 pick-up truck?) He could then pack it in with earth bags and call it good.

[Donald Fluharty]

Sounds Good. I Liked setting short range goals.
Thanks for the update

[Susan Manning]

I like the statement to concentrate on finishing the house and not getting distracted by other projects. Can't do the projects without the family sheltered.

[Kathleen McIntyre]

I like the idea of not taking on more than one can chew--certainly wise advice. We all have huge dreams--setting short term goals that are within our range of success, leads to spiritual upliftment. Setting long range goals that are not within realistic expectations, leads to disappointment and discouragement. Take it a step at a time--one day at a time.

[Sterling D. Allan]

My bro-in-law, Kevn, who is finishing a straw bale home he's primarily built by himself (4-5 years) wrote:

I tried to post this on your blog, but it asked for a profile somewhere that i don't have...here are my $.02:

I just read an article in Mother Earth News about a fellow who built an eco-conscientious home...he identified 6 primary strategies that you may wish to consider:
1)Start with a four-season building (living in a guest home meets that need for you...we've lived in tents and thought we'd live in a greenhouse...you'll spend so much time just trying to survive that you won't get to build)
2)Keep your agricultural enthusiasm in check...has to do with doing too much at once. You may modify this to address other important projects that can become distractions when your biggest and most important project is to complete a house. This advice would have been good for us in our own endeavors
3)Consider a fabric shelter (he's referring to the high-end 25-year warranty deals for equipment and materials storage)
4)Buy a used and reliable 4-wheel-drive pickup truck. You'll need it!
5)Get high-speed internet right away (research, work)
6)Buy professional grade cordless tools

There's more highly pertinent info: Mother Earth News October/November 2009

Don't hesitate to contact us if you think we can help or if you have questions about something.
--Kevn

[JAMES C TORGERSEN, MD DSC PHD]

IT ACTUALLY SEEMS A LITTLE BIG FOR MY NEEDS. MAYBE I COULD GET A ROOMMATE? DOES IT HAVE A CISTERN FOR MY SCHOOL OF TILAPIA? MY POTBELLIED PIG WILL LOVE IT THOUGH.

[Kathleen McIntyre]

Thanks for this report Sterling.