Saturday encore ~ The 7MSN Ranch 2.0

This encore post is from August 16, 2016. 

I've been thinking about the subject ever since and am finally 

in a place to share my thoughts ... and even some decisions.

But before I do that in next week's posts,

I thought it might be useful to go back to the beginning.

***

Can we talk?

Something’s been on my mind for months, and I sure could use some advice.

I need help figuring out the rest of my life.

The ranch will be paid off in a little less than five years (1,795 days to be precise). 

I will be 66 when that happens and able to retire if that’s what I feel like doing at the time. 

As much as I want to live here forever, I’d have to be crazy to think I could pull it off. 

Taking care of this place requires a lot of physical work. The chores are easy for me to do now, 

but when I’m 70 or 80, maybe not so much. And hiring help isn’t a practical option, 

given the ranch’s remoteness and the 11 miles of dirt road to get here.

Which brings me to the realization that I need to develop the 7MSN Ranch version 2.0.

It should probably be a little closer to somewhere than nowhere (5MNS?),

or at least on a paved road. 

The question is, where? 

 That’s where you come in. I’m thinking if I crowdsource the answer 

among people who know and understand me, surely we’ll be able to identify options 

for my forever home. Five years seems like a long time to figure this out, 

but by the time I research, visit, and agonize over the decision, 

it will likely be time to put up the for sale sign on this place.

So ... here is what I’m looking for:

1. Utopia

Got any ideas?

I kid, but not really.

My wish list is lengthy:

1. A place with wide open spaces where my animals can live as naturally 

as possible and there won’t be a neighbor in sight – rural but not remote.

2. A place where I won’t live in fear of natural disasters, including but not limited to: 

floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, forest fires and severe drought.

3. A temperate climate – not too hot, not too cold, not too wet, not too dry.

4. Within a few hours’ drive to an airport – not that I plan on traveling,

 but I do love having houseguests.

5. Reasonably close to a thriving small town with charm and a grocery store 

(sort of the opposite of Mountainair, New Mexico).

Ok, so maybe the list isn’t that long, but items 2 and 3 sure do narrow down the options.

Might you or someone you know live in a place like this? 

Have you vacationed or visited somewhere and said, “this is heaven and I want to live here.” 

I realize that no place is perfect and I may have to compromise on one or more of my wishes, 

but with all of you helping me look, I’ve got to think almost-utopia is possible. 

And with any luck, one of you already lives there and I’ll know someone when I arrive!