The waiting game..but pics until then!

We just got back from another trip to Flagstaff; the drive is starting to take its toll 6.5 hours plus gas, food, nursing stops it makes for quite the long drive. We are lucky enough to be able to stay in a nice hotel and enjoy that part of our adventures and also some good food! The highlight RIBS yum from a great place right across the street from Drury Inn.

Casey is officially going to Flagstaff starting the end of January for his doctorate and we are attempting to purchase some land we should hear more on that today! We DID put a offer in on 10 acres in Alpine Ranches after viewing four lots there.

Lots 1 & 2: Very good views of the San Francisco Peaks but the land was really bad; tumbleweed prickers everywhere! The whole lot would have needed some tilling and regrowth of some short of "grass". 

Lot 3: We loved the view and the fact that it was up on a plateau but you had to drive through a wash and some very rough untreaded road which we found problematic when winter comes and also trying to get building supplies and RV out there.

Lot 4: 

"THE ONE"

 Was on the other side of the main road then down a fairly well maintained dirt road about two miles. The views of the peaks weren't up to my liking as soon as we pulled up but then as we walked the lot the further in the better the views! The soil was significantly better then the first three lots with almost no rocks, no tumbleweed prickers and actually had HUGE Juniper trees and long "grass". This is the one we put a offer in on Thursday afternoon and the deadline for them to accept is in a few hours. Crossing fingers! We will have a ten day closing of November 21st if they accept. In addition, the water haul place is about three miles down the road along with a huge junk yard and saw mill which will both come in quite handy. They also have a wonderful FULLY off-grid school for kindergarden to 5th grade which is about the same distance. 

Contact on land

MLS for land

Casey doing walk about for property

View from the "front"

View looking North

Little man exploring land!

View looking North from middle of property
LOOK AT THOSE SAN FRAN PEAKS

Another of the Peaks

Ready to be a country boy!!

We are trying to find a trailer here in New Mexico so we can take the next twoish weeks renovating since it will be much easier while not living in it. There aren't as many options around here but we are defiantly hunting for the one! We still need to finalize the plan for solar, fridge and wood stove; I have really been loving the idea of an outdoor kitchen with my old 1937 stove plus Casey's grill.

idea

idea

idea

Oh and this last trip was quite expensive besides just the down payment and earnest money for land but my old laptop finally took a poo:( which we knew was coming but it is unfortunate and with school starting again soon for me and then for Casey we needed something reliable so here is the first blog typed from the new Mac and no I am not really a fan...YET such a windows HP lover!

Hubs getting everything set up

But that of course wasn't the only unexpected expense; we had arrived in Flagstaff on Wednesday and noticed the coolant was leaking while after three days of that we went to Auto Zone to get more and as soon as we poured it in it just came right out the bottom so off to the shop the Jeep Jeep went... new water pump was needed.. JOY.

Lastly, for your enjoyment lots of driving camera pics! Getting more excited by the day to call this place home and start our new adventure.

Do you see those horrid teeth that are causing so much sadness???

Driving to property

Making life choices!

PLAN B

 We are underway with making some life choices over the last 48 hours; we have officially decided we are going to embrace life in a small (250-350sq ft) RV/camper while we plan our barn house in more details. We have been scouring Craigslist for living quarters and defiantly have some prospects all in which will need some renovations and from what I gather a good white paint job can make a huge difference! We plan to take out the normal bed/table area and replace it with a space saving fold down desk, a king bed in the back, and a L shape couch in front and of course Jack's toddler bed! This has brought me to my next research fridges and solar panels (stay tuned for more on that) In addition, we believe that tomorrow will finalize some of the land details; as of right now we plan to buy in an off grid community known as "Alpine Ranches" the lots are 10 acres-40 acres. Alpine Ranches backs the San Francisco Peaks north of Flagstaff and will be a great place to set our roots. We will defiantly need to fence part of the property fairly quickly for the dogs because we all know I may go insane with them both in such a small space. Chickens and gardens are close to follow! As we get more planned we will be sure to share here on the blog...

STAY TUNED! 

Rough sketch of Rv/camper plan!

 

 

Alpine Ranches

Alpine Ranches

Pics Part One

I have a ton of pictures from phone that are in the google drive check them out

CLICK HERE 

Here are some from the camera and the first leg of our trip!

Last dinner with these two lovely friends

Amazing planner ^^^they got me!

All packed up!

 

The Verdict Is In

Many of you heard the news yesterday...

We did NOT get the second loan meaning we had to let go of the Texas home and lose close to $1500; we were sad for the outcome but relieved that the journey is over and we can begin fully working on PLAN B we were in Flagstaff Arizona when we heard the news and decided to get a large storage unit for our trailer and belongings; Casey and I had recently decided if the verdict was no then we would be calling this our new home. 

The blog will be filled with many planning & construction updates over the next few weeks. We are currently camped out in Casey's moms house trying to nail down the details of land, structure, building codes, electric, sewer, water and plenty more! You name it and it is probably on the list! 

It is funny how things work out how they are meant to; Casey accepted his admissions at Flagstaff and we will be heading back in the next month or two before school starts.

When we entered Flagstaff as our first destination of the trip I made a status on Facebook stating
 "I swear I've never seen a sky so beautiful..my heart is filled with joy.."
I was sitting in the back of the jeep thinking how my heart has been in Arizona since Casey first took me back in 2012. The red rocks, the hiking, all four seasons but not a winter like Wisconsin. I was amazed by the stars and the moon; the only light you could see for miles...no light pollution from the city. But most noticeable of all the crisp, clean, fresh chilly air.

Here are a few sneak peeks of what we are thinking for our PLAN B home!

CLICK HERE

 

Still no update...

We still have no update regarding the loan verdict.. and the Patience part of me is getting hard to maintain. Here are some quotes I have been reading myself to keep sane

I'm absolutely positive all of these are true, accurate and frankly great advice but jeez it is hard telling myself to keep waiting these days..

 

We are nearing the end of packing we have a bit of the kitchen left and then the bathroom. We have to break down the crib and get the last of the laundry done. Tomorrow my friend is going to watch Jack so I can deep clean the apartment, deodorize the carpets and throw out the couch, bed and the final stuff that didn't make the cut. Sophia can clearly tell something is up, Jack's been restless over teeth, Casey's stress is high and Ender remains wild...me I'm just going insane. 

 

I've hardly come to the reality that we are leaving in less than 48 hours, leaving my friends, my comfort zone, a place I build a life and this time it is for real. 

 

These last few days I have said see you later to some great friends and I know that is corny but I refuse to say goodbye! I will travel near or far to see them once again someday soon whether that be San Diego or Italy!

 

Our PLAN B is coming along quite nice  just in case it is needed; I found a great layout for a pole barn house that was near what Casey and I had drawn up and have been reaching out to my family since many of them have experience in construction. I have also been reading a great blog about a shipping container house just in case we go that route but it seems unlikely at this point. We are going to look at some land in Flagstaff IF we haven't heard about the loan or if it gets denied and there are a few options in Texas as well but the down payment is a little steep. 

Just wanted to get a quick blog in while everyone is napping before we head out to dinner stay tuned for more updates.

Brittany-

Here a few lost pictures for your viewing from our trip to Laguna Beach before Disney Land (double click photo to enlarge)

 

Itinerary Planned

Today marked the start of official packing around this small apartment; we didn't receive the much anticipated update regarding the loan Friday so we figured why not pass the weekend quickly...although Casey is now done reporting to base so we will be heading out soon! (see bottom for travel details)

This is what the house currently looks like...

We taped off an area the size on our trailer inside so everything that is packed goes there!

 and of course those wooden puzzles that are missing one piece! UGH hoping to find them soon and be done with Jack's toys and clothes.

Of course we gathered some cute pics of the man himself!

Oh and some of the lazy non-helping dogs...

Travel Itinerary:
Leave Wednesday  29th a.m. stay in Flagstaff
Thursday 30th stay in Flagstaff check out some land and hopefully see Jami and Brad
Friday Halloween we will be visiting Tucson for Casey's nephews homecoming/football game!
and of course enjoying the company of everyone!!!
Saturday heading to Casey's moms house and the rest is to be announced once we hear about the loan.

Until next time ...and with how busy my schedule is it may not be until we get to our destination in Flagstaff that I have time to blog again.. UNLESS of course we get the update about our loan.

Those of you who have talked to me recently know that I will be quite glad to hear the results of the loan whether we get it or not.... I have just had to let it go for now. To much weight on myself. Time will tell.

Brittany-