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Recently returned from a quick 4-day trip to Moab, UT -- 575 miles each way from Boise, ID. I wanted to avoid all the traffic and smog in Salt Lake City, UT so I drove down through Jackpot, NV south to Ely, NV and east from there to Moab. I was surprised how scenic that portion of NV is -- towering snow-covered mountains to the west and a pleasant drive. There were LOTS of motorhomes and fifth wheels on the road so the word must be out or maybe I tapped into the annual northern migration of snowbirds this spring.
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It was a little windy in Moab so I left early and spent the nite deep in the mountains on the east side of the large mountains you see in the SLC valley. The most spectacular view -- by far -- of those mountains IS from the east where hardly anyone takes the time to go. Most of the campgrounds were still snowed in and closed but found a great free area just inside their recreation zone ($3 for a day pass) down by a creek. Sat on my steps with the door open for the longest time -- enjoying the sun and no wind -- drinking coffee and reading my latest houseboat book -- watching our Min Pin dart in and out of the undergrowth. I couldn't help wondering how long I might be able to stay there for free -- or nearly free -- so quiet, not a single other vehicle or person the whole time we were there.
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Then we curved back onto the interstate and jammed on home. At 9.5 MPG and $2.00/gal. for gas -- towing that 30' fifth wheel is a rich man's adventure! Looks like my future X will end up with it anyway -- probably just as well for a poor boy like me. I used to get 13 and 14 MPG with my large pickup camper as long as I kept my speed at 55 (which I always did when there were passengers in the back . . . guarantees that nice open lane in front of me to minimize panic stops) -- half the fun should be getting there, right?
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Seems there is a lot of cheap land in southern areas which are too hot in the summer and in northern areas which are too cold in the winter. I'd rather not own ANY land any time of year but I have a lot of tools and equipment that I can't part with (my backup plan if I end up self-employed again) and a houseboat, a utility trailer, an old fifth wheel frame (my future homemade houseboat trailer), a 14 X 70 mobile home and my old work van so I pay $120/mo. just for storage. Guess I'd rather have that go towards a land payment and have something to show for it someday. I could store all my stuff there and end up with a future "home base" in the bargain. This area is too cold in winter for most RVers (though we have rapidly increasing numbers of full-timers who stay here year 'round) but it's great in the summer and I could spend my winters RVing and houseboating in the southwest where it's warm Oct through Mar.
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We have a local guy who sells mountain property for 2% down and carries the paper at 10% interest -- monthly payments are 1% -- no credit checks or any of that BS. He doesn't file the paperwork until you have 10% equity because so many would-be buyers wash out the first year. A $17,000 acre I was looking at can be had for $340 down and $170/mo. -- it has a leveled off building pad and a road to the pad from the common road -- utilities in the area but not TO the site. There is a community spring nearby which would suit me just fine . . . lots of folks haul water from there. Unfortunately, it's too far out for a reasonable commute (especially during winter), but we could live cheap in our RV during the week and retreat to the property on weekends, eh? Access is easy enough in the summer but 4WD -- sometimes with chains -- is required for winter travel once you get off the paved road very far. If someone else buys property from him because of your referral, he gives you 5% of the price they pay as a credit towards your own purchase. Hmmm -- so if I could find 20 people to buy an acre, I get mine for free? Now we're talkin'!
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sail4free
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