Monday, July 18, 2011

Rethinkin

In talking with Jon Blackmon he suggested checkin out the Davis Mountains area for tolerable weather while researching retirement. Hottest month is June with an average high of 91. The hottest low month is July at 61. Well compared to Terlingua / Big Bend and most of the rest of Texas it is like bein up in Colorado or somewhere.
With my old azz not able to stand the heat more and more every year it is something to really thing about. Of course you got restrictions, government, higher taxes and other things that go with more populated areas but you can go outside and do something most all year not having to huddle out of the intense sun. Oh yeah, did I mention there are trees which produce shade for those that have forgotten.

Property is not cheap. I am finding asking price is about twice or more the appraised tax value but isn’t it like that in most places?
Terlingua / Big Bend definitely has its beauty, magic, and character especially with its Characters and places.
Just thinkin out loud here, Although I wanna do a lot of layin around relaxing when I retire I do not want to be forced to stay inside out of the death rays of the sun prayin for rain so I can run my swamp cooler and take an occasional shower.
I am sure the hard core off griders will disapprove of me callin me a quitter for givin up the total off grid life but I am just researching. Go ahead let me have it!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I live in Terlingua and the only time it is too ho is between about 1 in the afternoon an 6 at night. This will be my only hot summer as by next summer my house will be built and I will hide out during the heat of the day and read a book or watch a movie. The heat of the day is an excellent time to go for a late lunch, visit neighbors with a swampy or do laundry, which has a cooler, or grab a happy hour cheap beer. We do survive.

dd said...

Frann is right - a slight change of scheduling makes it - not so bad. My routine is to work (home or out) in the mornings, stopping by 1pm sure. Then its time for lunch and a catch up on the news. Most times, after that is a siesta, during the heat. Then, one or two hrs after sundown, its time to get outside. Sitting outside on the deck enjoying a billion stars, a deafening quiet, a cool breeze and a cold beverage. These times out in the quiet night make me appreciate living where I do.

Bigfoot and Littlefoot said...

Hey..just found your blog and we'll be following it often.
I too want to retire down to TR place, but the summers are brutal for off grid cabins.
Been thinking like you about a summer place north of there...and staying most of the yr in TR.
I found a place called Timberon, NM....1 acre lots, bladed roads, subdivision, surrounded by Lincoln Nat Forest. 8500 ft elevation. Lately it's been 74 for the highs there..and mid 50's at night. Haven't visited yet, but looks affordable. Even has semi-working water co-op system.
FYI...
Bigfoot & Littlefoot

Off Grid R and D said...

Hi Littlefoot,
For Terlingua heat bury you a earthbag house into a hill preferably on the west side and insulate the shic outa your roof ceiling. Then you have the earth’s thermal mass to blocking the sun.
Checkout the other blogs I follow for excellent info on Big Bend Terlingua living.
To beat the Terlingua heat build an off grid cave facing S /SE. :)

Anonymous said...

I bought some land in the Timberon area for retirement purposes, recreation purposes, escaping the summer heat, et cetra. Compared to the price of mountain land in Texas it is relatively inexpensive. I don't blame you about not wanting to be totally off-grid, Being totally off-grid requires a big initial investment in things to produce electricity, such as solar panels, wind turbines, et cetra. For me, I'm going to use solar panels and wind turbines (while being on-grid) to reduce my electricity costs.

JP said...

I would like to be totally off-grid. Just to hot in Terlingua. Energy used for summer cooling would be a lot for me. With the way the world is going it sounds like a wise thing to be totally off-grid.