MENU: Team 4X Member Portal | Member Account | Help | 4X Gear Shop | Refer a Friend
So, I have been working on my summer travel plans. I will first be headed back to the midwest to spend time with my parents in Sturgeon Bay, WI, and then on to the "Driftless Area" of Wisconsin where I grew up. I grew up in La Crosse Wisconsin. That region was not flattened by the Ice Age as most of the midwest was. So, it is, shall I say, mountainous. I intend to also visit the town of Viroqua. My aunt lives there but it has also become the hotbed of the USA for organic farming. My main purpose for a visit there is to consider land purchase there and a few areas around that region....also visiting the land of Aldo Leopold, the childhood area of John Muir, and Spring Green where Frank Lloyd Wright had his summer retreat.
After that, I plan to travel back west and hop around to different small towns I have on my list for getting a feel. My goal is to purchase land for a two-season to three-season basecamp for 4XPEDITION (winter will always be in the Southwest). I desire to purchase 20+ acres of mixed forest and meadow with some source of natural water... a stream, pond, river, lake. My goal is to find a smaller town that I feel resonates with my ideals and people, in some sort, of like minds. Purchase property in some reasonable proximity to that town and contribute to the wellbeing of that community, adding commerce, getting involved, and bringing members to the property for retreats, workshops, etc.
I plan to add a barn/workshop main house and an enclave of small cabins for rental as well as an area for smaller overland meetups. The barn/workshop will be a meeting space as well as a studio for 4XPEDITION Adventurer and a small warehouse for shipping. I have a brand identity for the property already established.
I also plan to establish an R&D program for testing gear and a camping concept I have developed...sort of a state of the art prototype campsite and or campground.
So, my plans this summer are to consider several small towns that I feel I can positively impact and roll out my life dream.
I have two of my condo properties in Carefree, AZ up for sale as of this week. I think they will go quickly. Between that and some other funds coming to me in the next year from investments, I hope to have enough to buy the land and build a barn/workshop with a living space to occupy as I build out the other elements.
Here is the small town map I have been building for about 5 years.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1UyfUSDdW-Fqd1PvVcCQzctAtS3Y&usp=sharing
The main towns I am planning to visit this summer are (I don't know how many I will be able to reach in one summer):
Towns To Visit:
Idaho
- Yellow Pine
- McCall
- Stanley
- Cascade
- Driggs
Montana
- Libby
- Eureka
- Plains
- St. Regis
- Big Fork (already love this town)
Wyoming
- Alpine
Colorado
- Lake City
- Creede
- Bayfield
- Buena Vista / Salida
- Carbondale
- Fraser
New Mexico
- Angel Fire
Wisconsin
- Viroqua
- Mineral Point
- Black River Falls
- Hayward
- Minocqua
Thoughts?
I don't know if you've been to Eureka MT before but it's smaller than it looks on a map. That might be good, might be bad I don't know what you value exactly. The lake is beautiful, short season obviously but it's a very nice place to swim for that one week near the end of July!
Libby is, and feels bigger and something you may or may not have considered - Libby has a medical center with a 24 hour emergency room. I don't think Eureka does. If you are planning to have events, use experimental/prototype camping gear, get up to shenanigans in general (yourself or guests) it might be a smart move to consider that kind of factor. Libby also has a great tavern that I really hope is able to survive the present health and economic stress we're all feeling - Cabinet Mountain Brewing.
Bigfork is close to Kalispell, I don't think any of your other MT targets will have an emergency room immediately in or close by.
I don't know if you've been to Eureka MT before but it's smaller than it looks on a map. That might be good, might be bad I don't know what you value exactly. The lake is beautiful, short season obviously but it's a very nice place to swim for that one week near the end of July!
Libby is, and feels bigger and something you may or may not have considered - Libby has a medical center with a 24 hour emergency room. I don't think Eureka does. If you are planning to have events, use experimental/prototype camping gear, get up to shenanigans in general (yourself or guests) it might be a smart move to consider that kind of factor. Libby also has a great tavern that I really hope is able to survive the present health and economic stress we're all feeling - Cabinet Mountain Brewing.
Bigfork is close to Kalispell, I don't think any of your other MT targets will have an emergency room immediately in or close by.
Good thing to consider... especially if I plan on having the property well into old age. Funny you should mention Libby. I just added that to my map last week! I plan to check that out also. Are you in MT?
I'm in Spokane, but the Northern half of Idaho is skinny so it's about an hour and a half to the MT border.
Hi Scott,
I love seeing that dream is soon to become reality! I'd love the chance to meet up while you're traveling through Colorado this summer. I'll be in Surprise in about a month. If the opportunity arises, maybe we could meet up then too.
Hi Scott,
I love seeing that dream is soon to become reality! I'd love the chance to meet up while you're traveling through Colorado this summer. I'll be in Surprise in about a month. If the opportunity arises, maybe we could meet up then too.
Great chat last night on the Zoom Camp call, Victor. Cheers!