A Lot of Trees

Submitted by Ana White on Wed, 06/15/2011 - 05:35

We have property!

I am so excited to share with you that after much searching, miles of hiking numerous undeveloped parcels, lots of pros and cons lists, a few arguments, even a maybe-we-should-have-bought-the-other-lot moment, that we have found a home for the Momplex.
 
Finding just the right piece of property for the Momplex was supposed to be an easy task. We were after all hoping to buy the lot next door to our house. 
The adjoining lot checked off quite nicely: 
Flat - Easier to build on, remove snow, and more practical for elderly people (not that mom is anywhere near that stage now, but we hope she lives in the Momplex for at least a few decades)
Nearby - we live next door to my husband's Aunt and Uncle, and it's been a wonderful experience for our entire family.  When Grace was a newborn, Aunt Sherry would come over and watch her for fifteen minutes while I took a shower.  Of course, we borrow eggs and flour from each other, and go for walks together.  We'd love to have two more family members next door.  
Close to Power - Where we live in Alaska, you have to pay for your own power poles, and that ads up quickly.  At $2500 a pole, it's in your best interest to be close to existing power.
Seemed just perfect!
But when we called on the lot, everything fell through.  The asking price was nearly four times what our identical lot cost, just ten years ago.  Nearly twice our budget for land.  We were willing to pay more to have Mom next door, but we just could not justify paying that much.  
I felt discouraged, frustrated, and at one point, just wanted to give up.  We looked at quite a few parcels around town, but we really wanted Mom close by, and couldn't find the "right" piece of property.
Then one day, the Ram took us for a ATV ride about a mile from our house, and showed us this.
A LOT of Trees.
Lots and lots of trees.  
And more trees.  Literally, a lot, full of trees.  Or just a lot of trees, as in lots and lots of trees.  However you want to think of it.  
Now don't get me wrong, I love trees.  Trees = lumber = furniture.  Especially beautiful birch trees.  
Did you know that Hardwood comes from trees with leaves and Softwood comes from trees with pine needles?  The things we learn from our preschoolers.
According to Grace, this is where the 2x4s come from.
But it wasn't the beautiful trees, or even the wildflowers
Although like most any woman, I can be persuaded with pretty flowers
Especially coming from her.  
But nope, it was the chainsaw that sold me.
This very chainsaw.  The Ram cut down a few trees and guess what was hiding behind all those trees?
The Alaska Range. 
Although the lot we choose is about a mile from our home, and sits on top of a hill, and is a couple of poles from power, we knew this was the one.  Because more than anything, I want the Moms to have a home they love.

Comments