Here is an aerial view of the cabin site, taken from Apple Maps. Google Maps and Google Earth have similar views.

You can see several features of the cabin and surrounding land. There is a small shed, about 8' x 8' just "below" the cabin. That is where we store the backup generator, tools and various supplies. We will likely build a larger storage shed to the left of it. You can also see the white 1000 gallon propane tank in the same area. The solar panels on the roof are just visible. When the wind turbine is recommissioned, it will be between the propane tank and the entry road below the cabin.

You can also see many downed trees to the left. That is west of the cabin--the direction that fire is likely to come from. The trees were all killed by pine beetles, and thus were a fire threat. They were cut down many years ago and most were hauled away. Those you can see here are subsequent blow-down. They are now cleaned up and stacked ready to turn into firewood. I'm guessing this photo is 2 to 3 years old. All the gray/brown trees are beetle kill, so you can see there is plenty of additional firewood coming!

For many years, Lynne and I have maintained blogs. Lynne has done a great job in chronicling our time in New Jersey in her "a New Jersey Girl" blog. And, I've blogged occasionally on "Rick's Ramblings". Feel free to explore those blogs, I don't think we will be blogging there very often and will focus on our retirement, our move to the cabin in Colorado, and life "off the grid" in this blog.

However, I do want to draw you attention to a blog post that I did back in September, 2013 about our history with Sand Creek Park. I hope you enjoy!

Want some insights into the local territory and its history? Read The Meadow by James Galvin.

The description from Amazon.com:

In discrete disclosures joined with the intricacy of a spider's web, James Galvin depicts the hundred-year history of a meadow in the arid mountains of the Colorado/Wyoming border. Galvin describes the seasons, the weather, the wildlife, and the few people who do not possess but are themselves possessed by this terrain. In so doing he reveals an experience that is part of our heritage and mythology. For Lyle, Ray, Clara, and App, the struggle to survive on an independent family ranch is a series of blameless failures and unacclaimed successes that illuminate the Western character. The Meadow evokes a sense of place that can be achieved only by someone who knows it intimately.

"The Meadow" is a real place. It is a homestead along County Rd 80C about 10 to 12 miles east of the cabin. This is a real story about real people in a real place. The gate pictured on the book cover stood until a few years ago when it either fell or was torn down. The barn is still there. James Galvin owns property in Sand Creek Park (which you'll hear more about later).

Let's start by looking back at the history of the cabin. I maintained a static web page, starting back in 2000 (when I had a dial-up Internet connection), that detailed the process of building the cabin. Rather than recreate all that here, I'll just provide a link to that original content created over a two year period. It is quite long, maybe even hard to read in a single sitting. But, it will give you the whole story and is a good introduction to what is to follow in this blog. It can also serve as a roadmap for those of you considering the same adventure. Enjoy!

Link to Cabin History

Be sure to come back and comment!