Mike Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 I got a (slightly) unexpected call today--we're land barons! This wasn't supposed to happen until later this week, but we closed today on a small parcel (18+ acres) of land in southwest Wisconsin (the whole closing process has been done by snail mail, email, and wire transfers, and it just turned out that everything was in place today). It's located on a bluff overlooking the Wisconsin River (a somewhat distant view, two miles away), along the Great River Road. Someday we will have a giant lodge . . . or maybe an itsy-bitsy cabin . . . built up there. I'm pretty darned excited about this. We've been talking about the possibility of doing this for years, but it was hard to envision a time when we could do it. But, after a few years of saving, we did it as a cash deal and have a pretty good start on the funds to build a second home. It really is a pretty area, in the Wisconsin's "Driftless Zone," an area of deep valleys and tall ridges untouched by the glaciers. Kind of a mini-Blue Ridge Mountains type of setting, but with more cheese and beer. There are a lot of great motorcycle roads in the area. In fact, the road leading to our new estate has two gen-yoo-wine switchbacks. It's about four hours from our present home. Assuming that this is a viable link, you can see an aerial view here. Link to comment
Nice n Easy Rider Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 Mike, Congratulations on your new estate. Now if you build the lodge big enough we can start planning the 2014 UN Rally for there. Link to comment
Twisties Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 That looks sweet! The trees are maple? Do you have the area that is cleared and somewhat developed on the SW side of the road, or the pristine area on the NE? How about a few pics? If you have the SW developed area, how many of your 18 is that? 2-3 I am guessing. Looks like great riding country. Link to comment
Mike Posted March 7, 2011 Author Share Posted March 7, 2011 That looks sweet! The trees are maple? Do you have the area that is cleared and somewhat developed on the SW side of the road, or the pristine area on the NE? How about a few pics? If you have the SW developed area, how many of your 18 is that? 2-3 I am guessing. Looks like great riding country. There are maples, but also a little bit of everything--oak, poplar, etc. It's all located north of the road, at the very peak of the ridge. The triangular area that's cleared is about three acres, and most of the rest of it is heavily wooded. We'll have to do some removal of trees to site the cabin at a point where the river is visible. The first step will be walking the land to assess how we want to lay things out. We'll likely put a small pole barn/garage somewhere in the clearing and there's a possibility of keeping a long enough strip of grass to accommodate a gyrocopter. . . . All dreams at this point, though. We're going to have to deal with the mundane aspects of a driveway, well, septic system, etc. Still, it's going to be fun. Link to comment
Twisties Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 So from Borah River Rd downhill towards, and almost to, Great River Road? Yeah, I would be excited too, and scared. Link to comment
Kathy R Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 Ahhh, a little Bora Bora of your very own! Outstanding! And the best part is you two get to make lots of fun decisions....cabin footprint...window placement...where to put the rocker and fire pit....so much to look forward to.... Link to comment
Huzband Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 UnRally XV ? Never been to Badgerland, I'd have to show for that one. Link to comment
eddd Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 I know it well. Beautiful area. Congrats. Link to comment
Hermes Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 UnRally XV ? Congratulations, ain't nothin' like owning some land. Have fun planning and building. I have done the same 20 years ago and now I live my retirement there. Link to comment
chrisd Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Congratulations Mike. You and your wife are fulfilling a dream, and your new neighbors just got lucky. Link to comment
Mike Posted March 8, 2011 Author Share Posted March 8, 2011 . . . your new neighbors just got lucky. Maybe the other way around. The folks from whom we bought the land are really great. They'll be good caretakers during the time we can't be there. Link to comment
Tasker Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Mike, Knapp and I have ridden that area a lot (after he convinced me that it is worthy) and I was stunned by the beauty, the great moto-roads, the wonderful elevation changes (fantastic bluffs with great views) and amazing pie, cheese, jerky, sausage, people, etc. Let Steve and I know when to expect the key to our "guest wing!" (LOL!) Congrats on your new piece of paradise! Link to comment
yabadabapal Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 I love Wisconsin Mike. As they said in Field of Dreams. "If you build it, they will come" Link to comment
Chris K Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Congratulations, that is a beautiful area. I remember exploring it on my Honda 250 while I attended college in Platteville. Link to comment
tallman Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Very nice. Hope it works out even better than you imagined. Best wishes. Link to comment
mrzoom Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Get a double wide and call it a day. Seriously, ET in the BMW from Hooterville to Wis?? That will be a blast too. Congrats. You can always leave the BMW in my driveway and use my 92 toyota so you'll blend in up there. I'll even get it washed before you return but I'd need the keys. Link to comment
Les is more Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Well, that IS something to be excited about!!! Congratulations! Link to comment
John Ranalletta Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Way to go, Mike. You'll love the adventure. Looks like a good location for an UN. Link to comment
Mike Posted March 9, 2011 Author Share Posted March 9, 2011 Hope you like snow. As a matter of fact . . . When we told our son about it, his first instinct was to start checking out ATVs and snowmobiles. For our benefit, of course. Link to comment
Glenn Reed Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Hope you like snow. As a matter of fact . . . When we told our son about it, his first instinct was to start checking out ATVs and snowmobiles. For our benefit, of course. Well wasn't that magnanimous of him... Link to comment
bmw_rider Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 That is a great location by Prairie du Chein. Have ridden that area many times. Congratulations. Link to comment
Mike Posted March 9, 2011 Author Share Posted March 9, 2011 That is a great location by Prairie du Chien. Have ridden that area many times. Congratulations. Thanks. It's almost impossible to find a bad motorcycling road around there. Here's a little route I just put together from Prairie du Chien to Gays Mills, the home of a large number of apple orchards (mmm . . . apple donuts!): map. Most of the county "alphabet" roads are paved. Great riding country. Link to comment
Twisties Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 mmm . . . apple donuts! Do they have bacon in 'em? Link to comment
Bud Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Hey, I rode that last year when I attended the GR3 rally! Sweet!!!!!!!!! Link to comment
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