Introducing the New Hacienda – New Mexico Property

Surprise!!! I am the proud new owner of a wee property in west central New Mexico.

It is a wonderful place! VERY quiet! Sorta remote (depending on your definition of ‘remote’). Lots of trees. Nobody within sight. The stars are absolutely fantastic!!

I like names and am still searching for the right one for this property.  Several folks have offered some really good ideas though.

Where you ask?

Well, it is a bit hard to describe since there are no towns for miles. The easiest way to describe it is as being located between Albuquerque and Phoenix. I know… that’s a bit like saying St. Louis is between Los Angeles and New York… but it is, right?!?

How about 25 miles east of Fence Lake, NM??

It is 5 miles off the nearest paved road, 25 miles from the nearest gas station, and 65-ish miles from the nearest Walmart and/or grocery store. It doesn’t have water, sewer, or power but it does have lots of elk, trees, sunshine, and a nice little volcano. Well… they call it a cinder cone now. It was a volcanic vent/cone but now looks like a hill unless you get on top or see it from the air. Not super tall but tall enough to add some variety to the terrain. Sounds pretty swell, eh?!?

It sits nearly right on top of the continental divide at 7,400′ MSL. Nice and high! It never gets hot but it can get warm. Of course, it can get a bit cool-ish in the winter months. In fact, it can get quiet cool at night during the summer months too! Lucky for me, my home is on wheels.

Why?

Well… I’m not entirely sure. I’ve been hankering for a place to call mine for a while. I have no interest in a “house” and certainly no desire to take care of a lawn/yard/garden. I don’t imagine I’ll stay on the property every day of the year – I still enjoy being mobile and doing some traveling with Missy. But a place where I can store junk, walk around in my underwear, dig a hole if I have the urge to do so sounds, and not be with ear or eye or another person sounds pretty good. Maybe the ultimate boondocking spot? Of course, there are always some negatives.  Deep down, I know that I’m just searching for “happiness” even though I am fully aware that is a waste of time.  Certainly a ‘place’ is not going to bring it. Silly boy – what can I say…

I will admit, the airplane has a tremendous amount to do with this change. Previously living at an airpark spoiled me. Having to travel to the airport/airplane is a nuisance. Living with your airplane is really great. I’ve been able to stay within a short distance of my hanger this winter and that has been nice. However; it still requires a “commute” to get to the hangar. For someone that is used to walking ten steps and thru a door, any more than that seems like a long ways. Those that have lived in this style know that it is more than just the aircraft. It is the shop, the tools, the knick-knacks – all very close – and that makes a big difference when you just need that roll of tape or screwdriver or whatever.

What does that have to do with purchasing property?? Does this property include an airstrip?

No to both. However; I am going to build an airstrip!

Yeah – go ahead and laugh for a bit… I’ll wait.

Ok, with that out of you system…

Yes, building an airstrip is in the future. It will be about 2,500′ long and be a pretty basic dirt airstrip. Don’t think fancy – pavement, lights, fuel pump, terminal building?? Nope – none of the above. Just a dirt strip and a shelter for the aircraft. For those not in the aviation world, this is not uncommon. There is nothing special about the place where small, general aviation aircraft operate. We can land on roads, dirt fields, grass fields, Interstates (twice for me), or whatever else is sufficiently smooth and long. The media would have you believe that airplanes can only land at multi-billion dollar, government operated “airport” facilities (they also tell you than aircraft fall out of the sky when the engine stops). That is simply the media misleading you – again. As I’ve said many other times, stop listening to them. This capability varies by aircraft, of course, some are better suited for small dirt airstrips than others. Some cannot tolerate that type of operation at all. Mine can and I enjoy it so that’s what I am doing! 🙂

It would seem that a few folks picture me with a shovel and a rake building a two-mile long concrete runway.

That’s not how it’s going to be done. Remember… I’m lazy – not dumb! Well… at least not as dumb as I am lazy.

Remember too that recent post about measuring my exact take-off and landing distance at high density altitude? Yeah… that was not a coincidence (as Pete hinted at in the comments!). It was important to know exactly what my aircraft is capable of to know whether or not this was a workable idea.

There are plenty of improvements to be made. Lots of trees mean lots of fallen timber to clean up. A fire ring at the campsite will have to be a priority as there is enough camp fire fuel on the ground to last several years. I had once said that a wood stove in the motorhome was not a good option for heat (lacking a good fuel supply). It seems I now have a fuel supply – at least when parked on the property. Some hiking and mountain bike trails are needed as well. The hill makes for some nice varied terrain. Additionally, there are miles and miles of forest trails in the surrounding area that will take a while to explore. Of course, everyone should have a zip line on their property, right?!?

Who knows where this will go. Like many of my other “experiments”, I may decide this is not for me and move on to another challenge. I won’t know until I try. Unlike a sailboat, for example, the land is unlikely to sink or decrease significantly in value so at least a moderately “safe” experiment. I hate to admit it but I sorta expect to be disappointed. I know what doesn’t bring happiness and this is solidly in that list. So, a few months and I’ll probably be searching for the next dumb thing.

In the meantime, there are PLENTY of opportunities for exercise! 🙂