Well the trip became much more real to me since this morning when I put down the deposit on a vacation rental house in the Four Corners area. The rental process has been interesting, always is. The house I very much wanted to rent is owned by people who don't respond to their email or their voice mail...clearly there is a problem here. It always amazes me how many people who rent vacation properties don't seem to respond to questions or reservation requests. Guess they aren't doing this seriously. Of course I had two owners who were abundantly helpful with lots of information about their properties and the local surroundings. Unfortunately there were huge drawbacks to both because neither was as secluded, or at least not immediately accessible, as I need this to be. I know myself, if I can find outside distractions I will take them. I want to close down as many possibilities as I can in making this rental decision.

Yesterday I was informed by the rental agent that one of the houses I had marked off my list, too big therefore had to be too expensive, was available at my price. Goes to show you should always ask. Today I put down the deposit, remainder do on arrival, and it is mine for a month plus a bit. It is a huge place - four bedrooms, three baths (one with a huge whirlpool tub), and two dining areas both seating up to eight (one of which will undoubtedly become my work area for the stay). The rental place is WAY nicer then my house.

Why so big? Well I didn't really want a place this big but believe it or not I'm paying less here then I would be at either of the smaller places mentioned above or on the Big Island of Hawaii, which was my first choice for a place to spend a month. This house sits on about ten acres and butts into the National Forest so there is lots of potential for nice afternoon walks. It also has great views of the mountains and the valleys below. Remember a quiet view is a working requirement. Oh and I can't wait to curl up in front of the fireplace with all my reading. Finally it has easy enough, though not to easy, access to both Pagosa Springs and Durango. While I am going primarily to work, one does not live by work alone. I plan on having one excursion, besides groceries and such, each week...with a great final reward when I finish the paper.

Yesterday I closed down Borders Bookstore in Bloomington, after a BROG meeting and dinner with Elijah, and bought a copy of the Colorado Atlas & Gazetteer, as well as, a Hidden Colorado guidebook. I learned several things I hadn't known previously just by looking through all the guidebooks before I settled on this one. With both of these in hand I can do some serious exploring...well not as serious as I would like since I don't plan on renting a four-wheel drive to go up into the backcountry by myself. Have to save the ghost towns and abandoned mines for a trip when hubby comes along. Though I will probably hit at least one of the lesser traveled Anasazi excavations. Can't think of a better place to sit and play native american flute.

Yes it's all become very real. As is all of the work that must be done before I leave. If you want to find where your roadblocks lay, just plan on being away for a over a month. The roadblocks make themselves very clear when you give them that kind of timeline. But more on to-do lists later.

Posted by prolurkr at March 24, 2006 12:41 PM

Trackback Pings

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.professional-lurker.com/cgi-bin/mt-tb.cgi/1448

Comments

Post a comment