Driving to your Property?

[EddieWalker]

Rob,

Interesting that you lived in Indonesia. I lived there from Dec 85 till Apr 88 while I was in the Marine Corps on Embassy Duty.

That was in Jakarta, which is also on Java. I went to Bali three times, thousand islands twice and Krakatoa once. I also ran with the Hash House Harriers all over the coutryside, not to mention drinking with all the diplomats.

Your platform is also similar to the homes they have there too. Especially the more rural coastal homes.

Very nice,
Eddie

 

[3RRL]

Eddie,,

During the revolution, my Dad was shot but survived. When Indonesia wanted to become it's own Republic they kicked out all the Dutch and Dutch Indonesian people. My Dad took us out in 1952 and went to Holland. We lived there for 5 years from 1952 to 1957 and immigrated under Eisenhower's administrtion to the U.S. I still have family in Holland.

My oldest brother was in the Corp and my oldest son too. Luckily he (son) missed both the gulf wars by 3 months each way.

I built those decks because I couldn't stand the thought of sleeping on the ground with all those rattlers around. I'm sure they could find there way up but so far so good. We make it a ritual to inspect all decks and tents on arrival. They are pretty cool looking and give us the feeling of being safe on an open veranda when viewing the meadow.

 

[3RRL]

Wow!
So far I've spent all morning viewing the sites that have been posted by you all. I am loving it, seeing the different geography like that rom the East coast to Hawaii. You all have fantastic views and done a great job documenting. I can't believe you guys travel farther than I do! Must be something to that "rural living" thing.

Hoping to hear more stories and see more pics from the rest of you.

 

[riptides]

We are actually pretty lucky. Blessed for sure. We actually live on our "rural" property now. Been here almost 8 months now. Prior to that we were in fix up mode. Trying to get the old farm functional while we planned our move.

We could not wait to get here, no central air or heat in the farm house, leaky roof, ricketty floors, etc. etc. Now we are anxious to get it done! git-r-done!

So, now the farm house is under the renovation project, and the barn is nearing completion. After the hard work is done, the driveway will be paved. I just don't like gravel.

My drive takes me down this wonderfull scenery.

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[hudr]

I bought 38 acres just before getting married. We lived in an apt. ~ 25 miles from the property (which is right next to my parents' place). We tried the whole get-home-from-work-change-clothes-driver-out-there-work-get-home-too-late-and-not-get-anything-done thing for almost a year. Then I ran some figures and realized we were never going to get that apt paid for /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Plus I was ready to....... some neighbors. I don't need much space to live, but I don't like somebody else's space right up agin' me.
So we built a barn, put an apt in one end and moved to the place. If we ever get ahead on $$$ and figure out what is causing all these kids /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif we'll build a sho'nuff house. Its even better since for about twice our rent we were able to not only build this barn/house but purchase the 38 acres next to us. After some swapping w/ the BIL (our other neighbor) we wound up w/ ~55 acres. And that is in between BIL's 65 acres and parents' 100 acres.
When he leaves a door open, my oldest answers the inevitable question w/ "why yes, I was raised in a barn!" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[NSBound]

Sounds like I'm not the only one to make weekend sojourns to the country! My 10 acres is about 100 miles (almost 160 kms) north of Halifax, on a salt water river. I will be retiring there in 2 years and have a head start with the garage already up. Like others, I am wrestling with ambition and wanting to get soil and septic issues at least organized, but think I'll not lay out the money yet, except for maybe the septic design, which is valid for 3 years. I do drive up pretty well every weekend, and take a deep breath of freedom. Also have made plans for a floating dock for this summer, after battling my way through 4 federal and provincial government agencies for permission. The attached pic is of the garage, 95% finished. I started a blog about the garage construction here if you want a closer look. I need to get some more final pics yet.

 

[3RRL]

I guess you're one of the lucky ones who've already made the move? I'd rather live in a rickity old farm house than in the city any day. And if you think that's bad, you ought to try camping year round like we do. Gets pretty miserable sometimes, but never enough to not love it. Your photo...All that snow and that drive makes a lovely Christmas card.

Hud?? are you related to Paul Newman? You know they sell TV's in the city for that problem. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Us old guys don't have to worry about that anymore. I'm so used to doing it with a limp d!*$ that I can play pool with a rope. ha ha

And my goodness Ian, if that's your garage, for christ sake how big is your house gonna be? How cold does it get up there? Do you have sled dogs?

One thing about all of us who keep driving up to our rural property...we should save a heck of a lot on gas once we move there! I know it cost me about $175 in gas alone each visit. Take that into consideration and I could buy another chainsaw, rifle, fishing reel and tackle, golf clubs, and a bunch of tractor stuff every year! You guys who fly or drive super far could retire on what you savei n travel.

 

[hudr]

3RRL, thank you so much for NOT relating me to the gov't HUD. Yes, the nickname is from the Paul Newman movie. I think Dad was trying some reverse psychology. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Lots of folks I have known most of my life have no idea that is not my real name but a nickname.
Pool w/ a rope? Seems I remember someone saying something about pushing a wheelbarrow w/ rope handles once. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[NSBound]

Rob :

I may have gone just a tad overboard on the garage, but the far left bay is a separate workshop and the other 2 are for future tractor and boat. The car(s) will have to suffer through the Canadian winters! The garage ended up costing about double my initial estimates, but I knew that if I built the house first, after retiring, the garage would never happen, at least to the level I would be happy with /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif The house will be maybe 1500-1600 sq feet, depends on finances when I am making the final approach to retirement.

And no sled dogs here. We've had the same winter this year as a lot, hardly any snow. But I will have a dog of some description - gotta have a dog in the country!

 

[Paddy]

I'm om my second "driving to the property". When I was 21..at the university taking classes that didn't fit the plan, I started looking for a pc of ground. In two weeks I had droped out of school and was the proud owner of ten ac in Southern IN. I was still renting and driving out to my my land. Dreaming. With in a few weeks, I met my future wife and convinced her we could get out of the apts. and build a temp setup. We built a 12x15' shack. No water or ele and NO RENT. All was so nice untill the FIRST child arrived. I built a sawmill and built a 2400sq timberframe house. Twenty years and 1000sq room addition later, we have 3ac on a near by lake monroe. So the "Drive to the property" started again. Same as before, 20 mi, just a better view with the lake. We bought a 30' travel trailer and moved it out there 3 years ago. This time Ele, water and septic were in place. Friday nights were out and leave Sunday eve. With the kids gone, we are planning to build the empty nest house setup for those returing visiting kids. This time I'm having second thoughts. I work for a Austrian company and spend much of my time in Europe and Asia. Wife loves to travel with me. I'm kinda thinking of loosing my turtle shell and taking a short term assignment in Euro/Asia. I own other houses so it's not like, "we don't have a house!!" It's just the thought of pouring a lot of heart and soul in a house that I would need to sell if I moved on. hey, I'm aging quick at 45.

So th question for me is ,,,Do it again???