Can’t stop thinking about Ouray, CO.

[thrown_hammer]

As some of you know I spent my summer in SoCal this year and on the way back to Indiana Grady Clay mapped out a “short cut” thru Southwestern Colorado. We drove down 505 thru Ouray on our way to Durango.

I can’t get Ouray out of my head. I know it’s a little tourist trap in the middle of nowhere that is probably isolated from the world most of the winter, and less than a thousand people live there, and it’s probably impossible to make a living there….but I can’t stop thinking about it.

I have been online looking at land in the area. No sub-division stuff, but crazy middle of nowhere Mountain man type stuff. I guess my plan would be to buy some land and someday in the distant future build a small self sufficient cabin.

Are there any little towns in the vicinity that may have lower property costs? If you own 20 or 30 acres up there what are the rules? Can you drive a Jeep around in the woods on your property or do the enviro-nazi’s run the show?

My wife is already planning a trip late Spring to go back. When is a good time to shoot for so as not to get buried in a snow storm?


Let’s discuss.

[widebody911]

Is your manifesto complete yet, or are you going to finish it there?

[gassy]

Is your manifesto complete yet, or are you going to finish it there?

just blew Stella Artois all over my sofa!

Do it Shawn

[MotoSook]

LOL! Nice Thom.

Ouray is indeed a beautiful place. Living in Grand Junction is probably close enough or south in Durango.

[thrown_hammer]

Durango is too big. I will look into Grand Junction.

EDIT: Just looked at Grand Junction. Also too big.

[ben parrish]

Buena Vista is BEAUTIFUL and small. Montrose is ok. Alamosa is cool. Leadville is cute. Have you been to Gunnison? Just down the mountain from Crested Butte. I love that little town but it gets colder than a grave diggers a$$ in January there. There are hundreds of great little towns in Colorado. You can find property that is affordable but it takes time and patience. Spend two weeks driving on the back roads and you will be blown away. Colorado is one of the most beautiful states (Montana is in the running) if you don't need the ocean close by.

[thrown_hammer]

Thanks Ben. Now I have something to do tonight. I just have this urge to get away. I want to go camping, and burn wood, and climb mountains, and drive around in the wilderness, and sleep in a hammock. Maybe it’s my mid-life crisis and instead of a shiny red sports car (I already have a shiny green one) I need a cabin in the mountains?

[ben parrish]

Shawn, also check ot Craig, Steamboat Springs, Estes Park and other towns in the Northern part of Colorado. I remember some good deals around Craig a few years ago. Steamboat is a funky little ski town with a good vibe and beautiful surroundings.

[thrown_hammer]

Ski town sounds expensive?

[ben parrish]

Cool thing about Steamboat; you can drive to Craig (20 miles) and you are in a very affordable area. Colorado has a lot of land but most people want to flock to the "trendy" areas. This works out good for someone looking for a place away from it all.
Happy hunting.

[Grady Clay]

Shawn,

You both need to develop a clear plan.

Do you both want something that you and the guys can enjoy as they grow up?

Do you want a place to retire to when the guys are out of college?

Do you want to be somewhere you can start another (low pressure) career?


There are a lot more very important questions, some we can help with. Once you have a clearer idea, I can introduce you the places, people and those who can find the right “deal” in the mountains. Over the past 40 years I have been involved in all this. Keep in mind your varying needs at the different stages of life.

Right now schools are big issue. Closely allied are friends and neighbors for the guys. As they mature, university choices become important. Once they are off with their own lives, you have somewhat more personal choices. At some point, access to health care becomes critical.

Over a generation or two, a good choice in ownership can be very enjoyable and profitable. I would consider everything along the Continental Divide from Durango, CO to Glacier NP, WY. Even Bamff NP area should be considered (Calgary is great).

Best,
Grady

Btw, my email is still sketchy. Hopefully fixed next week.

[911boost]

Shawn,

I agree 100% with what Grady is saying. There are some great hole in the wall places in Colorado and even southern Wyoming. I love the Snowy Range along the northern CO/WY border. There are also great places in and Red Feather Lakes, CO. I used to travel to Craig fairly often for work (there is a huge coal seam there) and Grand Junction. If it were me, I would avoid anything off the I-70 cooridor. Yes, it might make your land / cabin / spot tougher to get to, but that road is a nightmare in my opinion because of traffic, etc.

I would also avoid anything close to a ski town, or touristy location, Leadville, Breckenridge, Steamboat Springs, Estes Park, unless you find a money tree in your backyard, as they are all very expensive.

My wife and I have toyed with the idea of buying some land for a while, but other priorities always seem to come up (new red sports car in fact, smile).

If there is anything I can get for you, books, sales material, listing of land, surveys etc., don't hesitate asking. If you also want something checked out, and my fmaily doesn't have anything going on, a nice weekend drive for us is always fun. We are campers as well, although due to the age of our young ones, we do have an old travel trailer that I pull with my Tahoe.

Bill

PS Grady, the red turbo checked out great, only a couple of minor things that needed attention, so I pulled the trigger. The red is forcing me to drive sanely, which is good, since its wicked fast. I appreciate your taking the time to help me, and once again apologize for being an idito and turning the wrong way on your street.

[Type911]

Shawn,

These pics from a day trip back in Sept. 2005 should tide you over
until spring

Sunday Mountain Driving Pics !

[Scott at Pelican Parts]

And for those of you who fall in love with southwestern Colorado after looking at the photos in Chris' link above, check this out

Pictures from the 911E Registery Tour de Colorado

and mark your calendars for mid-July 2007 for the next Tour de Colorado!

[911boost]

Awesome pictures and thread. I remember doing that with my wife and infant daughter in my 1986 cab through Cameron pass, until my daughter threw up some formula, that is.

Exactly why I wanted another 911 sooo bad.

Damn snow.

Bill

[t6dpilot]

Shaun,
CO is awesome. I think of it as a second home. We have owned a second home in CO for 35 years, so I guess that qualifies as a temporary resident. Yeah, I agree with you on Ouray although you should try Telluride for some eye candy. We have been going there for about a dozen years and love it. I would look at all the secondary towns that others have mentioned here. Grand Junction may be large, but you have pretty good health care and schools if that is important to you. If not, then you have a lot to choose from.

Enjoy the ride - shopping is half the fun! Take a spin over to T-Ride (it is only an hour) you will love it.

[Superman]

Someone mentioned Montana. Yea I know that movie stars have been in love with Montana for ten or twenty years now. I just can't figure out why. And not because I haven't been there. I grew up in northern Idaho.

Idaho, Washington, Colorado......are all WAY more beautiful than Montana. In my humble opinion. Even Utah.

[Type911]

Gateway,Co is another area SW of Grand Junction that is starting to get "discovered" thanks to John Hendricks.
Close to the mtns...about an hour from Telluride, plus it has a really cool new car museum .
http://www.gatewaycanyons.com/area.php

If you like the Ouray scene better, you should also look into
Silverton, CO...not as cheap as it was a few years ago, but some
"summer only" lots can be had pretty reasonably.
Great 4x4 roads all over that part of the state, the scenery will
blow your mind !

[thrown_hammer]

Thanks everybody. I really don't have a very good plan right now. Like I said i just can't get it out of my head. I guess if I had to give you an idea, I would like land in the Ouray / San Jaun mountains or similar terrain. At this time in our life we would live in Indiana and spend a few weeks a year out there. As the kids get older maybe look to change careers. Eventually retire out there. I am very inerested in off-roading or "Jeeping" and camping. Maybe 20 to 30 acres?

Grady,
Good to hear from you. I have e-mailed on and off a couple times. You know this whole thing is your fault right?

[Series900]

Ouray=Hot springs! yummy good ....