Thursday, February 21, 2013

The Box

My realtor buddy e-mailed me to ask if I might be interested in buying the 5 acre parcel adjacent to us in the desert. He bought it for back taxes and decided he's a little over-extended and over-committed on other projects. After a quick discussion with my wife, I think it took us all of about 5 minutes to agree on a very reasonable price, and we just signed the paperwork today. We're excited about it because now we know the property can't be built on and we will maintain a nice open desert view, which is great. I would like to keep things exactly as they are! The value is really in the land, but there are a couple "fringe benefits" thrown in that I think will be very fun projects...
I'm naming this "the box".  It's a little homestead cabin likely built in the '50s. No heat. No plumbing. Just a box that's about 12' x 12'. If you have a good imagination, you might be able to picture it as being a very cool little vintage cabin once it's fixed up. There's an outhouse out back. Like I said, you need a good imagination!
The previous owners left this old Datsun pickup behind (late '60's?), but my realtor friend wants to keep it and restore it. Fine with me... we told him if he wants to leave it behind, we would take it (gives the little cabin a lived-in look).

The previous owners also left this old trailer behind, which is now ours (my realtor friend said he would like to have it, but no place to put it!). It's a total stinky mess on this inside, but fire up that imagination again, and you might be able to picture something restored, cool, and vintage looking.

There's crazy stuff all around the house, like this toilet next to the trailer (above) and a huge collection of old wine and whiskey bottles (below).
Kind of funny... my friend specifically asked if he could have all the wine bottles for an art project that his wife wants to do. I said "heck yes"! (glad to get rid of them).
The amazing, and kind of sad, thing about this property is two brothers lived here since the early '80s... around 30 years in the little box and the trailer, with no heat and no indoor plumbing. I think for the most part we don't realize how fortunate we are.

19 comments:

  1. Well you can now start your own cactus garden.

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  2. You know, when I was a youngster, my parents used to visit a friend's homestead up by the Palm Springs windmills. There weren't any windmills at that time. It had a swamp cooler, but no indoor bathroom! I had to trek outside to use the outhouse...ugh...I always worried about snakes, but never saw one! I tried to find the place a few weekends ago, and I MIGHT have found it (it's very different now)...I just love those old homesteads! HAVE FUN with it! Yes, and my husband grew up in Rancho Mirage with a house that only had a swamp cooler, too...He used to wet a towel during summer nights and sleep up on the rooftop to get the breeze...any breeze! THAT was his air conditioning! :-)

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  3. WOW! You did find a gem. Have fun restoring. I can't wait to see what you do with it. Love the last post. Beautiful as always. Lynne

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  4. What a bargain! You got land to protect your views and so many relics to add charm. I'd say this was a win-win! Congrats on the new purchase.

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  5. First visit to your blog - very nice work. I like the use of monochrome for the initial documentation of the new property . . . I have a feeling you are the perfect person to truly appreciate this little piece of the earth.

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  6. Awesome! Now put out no poaching signs and a bobcat welcome mat! It is a cool little place, though, and I wish you and your wife lots of fun exploring and restoring.

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  7. What a fortunate opportunity to fall right into your laps. Yeah, I would have jumped on that deal in a pair of seconds too. So may possibilities with the little cabin and the bonus of getting the trailer too. Makes one wonder what happened to the brothers and why the property was just left behind. Looking forward to updates as you rehabilitate your extended spread.

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  8. These are great photos..can't wait to see updates. People use old wine and whiskey bottles for all kinds of beautiful crafts! Good luck with your new venture!

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  9. can't wait to see it soon....super fun
    I think I know a couple of folks who would be happy clams to stay awhile in either "box" or trailer

    the possibilites..endless

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  10. Congratulations on your new holdings. While I know you bought it for the land, I think you have a couple of fun projects to keep you from being bored.

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  11. Interesting additions to your property!! I really don't know if I would like to do a restoration on either of them, much as I wonder about the old junk I could find in there....
    And, yes, I am aware of how lucky I am to be living now, rather than 150 years ago!!

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  12. congrats on the expanded land holding! and misc. treasures for future fun!

    (btw, your blog is consistently dropped in my google reader list and i get your feed very late. i'm going to remove myself from 'followers' and add you directly as a subscription to reader. it has worked with other blogs. just wanted to let you know...)

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  13. Congratulations on your purchase. Looking forward to find out what are those fringe benefits you referred to. Sounds like your friends are already helping you clean up the place by wanting the stuff left behind.

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  14. What a lovely old cabin... As you say, we're very lucky. That 'box' used to be two people's home!

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  15. Those bottles... you could build a bottle tree in your desert garden...

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  16. Congratulations! Can't wait to see the "newly" fixed up box!

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  17. Looks like a great project - and of course you will feel better knowing you are a member of a the landed gentry!

    The old camper reminds me of the one in Into the Wild!

    Cheers

    Stewart M - Melbourne

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