(Not) Trespassing: Backwards To The Round House

Sometimes the beginning is the end, or the end the beginning... how I came upon the round house was entirely backwards and by chance. I started at the unknown end of 115 acres, as my starting point ---> in the pic above I am standing at the end of my route, but the true beginning for the round house, a big stone entrance gate where the (not really) trespassing ceased because it carried me on to a state road.
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Where I started my trail was here, on some old logging roads that kept on winding past Bob Knob's Ole' Cabin....
The trail seemed long since I was seeing it for the first time, and the forest became darker as it went on, thicker, less touched by humans, more eerie to be walking alone. I saw some fresh coyote scat and heard noises from birds new to my ears - I picked up a large stick (in addition to carrying my trusty knife) and continued on.
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I came upon the littlest bit left of some structure totally deep in the mountain laurel, only a few strips of wood remaining, but enough to show someone had put it together at one time - it's purpose lost with most of the rest of the wood. Maybe it was a small pen for a pig?
As I walked further into the darkness, I finally could see a literal light at the end of the tunnel, a blotch of sun indicating a clearing. It is where all the deer tracks in the muddy road were leading to, and I was excited knowing there was going to be an open meadow up ahead!

THE OLD BARN::::::

As the scene opened itself up, I came upon one of the most beautifully hand crafted barns I have ever seen - a barn hidden to nearly all eyes because of it's far back location. But one that should be seen, as a historical and wood working Taj Mahal of the Appalachian Mountains!

The shingled long wood slat siding was breath-taking, I am most certain these were each hand made, taking a great amount of time and skill to put together.

I have yet to ever see old logs notched together, that didn't impress me....

Not far past the barn further down the road..... I came upon a HOUSE!

THE ROUND HOUSE:::::::::::

I had no idea I would come up on a "real" house, as in one not decaying and 100 years old. It seemed overgrown enough that maybe no one was there, but I was still VERY careful to walk up to the deck and call out "Helloooo" ---- anyone could have been inside. As I was standing waiting for a sign of life, 5 feet away from me a HUGE deer suddenly was startled, hauling it's lil' white tail away from me, scaring the shit out of me and itself.

I dared to look into the window, seeing that certainly in a house like this, no furniture meant No ONE is HOmE! I admired the light the house was getting, with all the windows and skylights.

I moved along down the road once again, past fields of wildflowers (yarrow, bee balm and Queen Ann's Lace) - spots I am sure the humans at one time kept well mowed and open for play or pleasure - nature was now claiming it's natural growth cycle.

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On my left I noticed through the trees, a Volleyball Court! Nature was taking it over too, pushing plants up through ever so slight cracks in the court's hard cement.

Just past the sports field was an adorable pond, with the perfect fishing peer towards the back end. The water was brown and I could not see to the bottom, or even on the sides - I knew there were frogs in it, but wondered about fish that I maybe could not see. The established nature of the wildflowers, blackberry vines and height of the grass indicated that this place was no longer a top priority for whoever had once loved it. And I am sure they did.

I eventually made way past two lean-to structures till I found a front stone wall, a gate - the announcement of the beginning which was my end.

XOxoxo

PS- the property turns out, is for sale. Round house with one acre, or up to an additional 114 acres.

Creating A Sustainable Dream Part 2

Searching through Real Estate in western North Carolina looking for an affordable place that is not only right for sustainable living but is also a good long term investment has consumed me! I have to confess I don't really play around when it comes to choosing a home- because I actually know what I am doing... in fact I used to do this for a living and miss those wild days of a swinging happy economy where buying and selling land was almost as easy as putting a quarter in a gumball machine. Each property I consider gets examined carefully, not just on the MLS but also through pulling up tax records to read a lil history on the place, and sending over some questions to the seller. Most of the last few months I have been searching for land only, but was not opposed to some type of structure being already on the property- whether it be a barn, house, or tiny cabin... as long as it had the features I am looking for to slowly transform it into a green, sustainable mecca which will not only give me good exercise but also provide me with some independence.
At present all the best places I have found have houses on them & are located in Madison County (where I wanted to be!), these are the current top three and I would like to introduce them to you and get some votes!
1. The Rabbit Den Cabin - This is the tiny under 600 Sq Ft house I am in love with, the brown cutie pictured above! It has 15 acres with a small pasture with it, a tiny barn just the right size for my donkey and adjoins national forest on both sides. It has spring water, a wood stove and NO BATHROOM! Ya might think no bathroom sucks, but actually the bathroom is the one room I would like to create myself, completely eco style with composting toilet and tub that drains into a grey water system. This place inspires me to make art, and is close to community and a town.2. The Haunted Farm House - No, it's not really haunted, but my gawd it reminds me of the farm house in every movie were the zombies or children of the corn or whatever tries to break in! I love it too! This house is not only close to town, close to national forest, but also comes with 2 totally usable flat farm-able acres. It has a wood stove plus electric heat and a bathroom/kitchen already in place. There's a cool outbuilding the donkey can stay in behind the house. This big house also has job potential... think Appalachian Trail hikers stopping point to shower and rest, cause I would be that close to the trails and downtown Hot Springs. A big selling point is the house is a classic farm house which is never a bad investment... you know unless it's the money pit and really does have ghosts!3. The Hunting Cabin- Ok, here is something sustainable and bad ass from the start, this log cabin was made with ALL lumber right on the land by hand back in the 70's! It is on 7 acres of very beautiful farm-able land with endless forest behind it for adventures. There are also fruit trees, springs, an old trout pond(which is dry) and cool rock formations. Like all the others above it has wood floors, but doesn't have a wood stove already in place (i use wood stoves for heat and cooking during the winter) But does have a fireplace chimney! It also has neat outbuildings so I have a place to put the donkey here too!!! Only drawback is the house isn't as close to an immediate community but is a few miles from a general store. I imagine I will be making friends with people at all the general stores! ha.

SOoooo, which do you love, which gives you a good vibe, which would you like to live in and why!?!

XoXo