Davis Mnts. Driveway Work Estimate

I got an estimate from a guy in the Davis Mountains Resort to cut me in a driveway and culvert install on the tract of land for sale that I like; davismountainsrealty.com/dmrhlrd.html.

An 18” x 20’ culvert itself is around $500 and to install it and cut a 200’ plus driveway is another $600, so a minimum of $1100 for a driveway. I thought it would be lot less but didn’t really think about cost and delivery of the culvert. I have another suppose to look at it and get back to me.

He did say the tract had an area of better soil than most tracts and a septic would be $6500 to $7500. It still sounds like composting is the way to go plus saves precious water.

I like the tract I found but for 5.5 acres only about 1 acre is buildable which makes it kinda tight for what I want to do. Wanting to be able to build with a partial passive solar design has been a major concern in looking at Davis Mountains property.

I am really stugglin with trying to like the Davis Mountains comparatively to Terlingua / Big Bend. Although it is beautiful in the mountains with trees and grass it doesn’t have that awe inspiring feelin or character of the desert. You Terlingua residences know what I mean. I guess a silhouette of the Chisos is etched upon my heart.

I am still considering the tract and lookin at others but not overwhelmed or convinced on anything yet. Hopefully I will find an excellent Davis Mountains retirement property.

Davis Mountains Resort Visit

Sandy, Wally, and I enjoyed our trip to the Davis Mountains. Goin Saturday comin home Monday was kinda quick. Know I need time off to recuperate. :)
Saw a lot of property in the Davis Mountains Resort. The roads are all dirt and mostly single lane 4x4 roads. Terlingua’s Solitario roads are good compared to some of them. We did find one tract that we like for having good views, blocking the summer afternoon sun, protected on the north, and getting some winter sun, elevation 5800’. Photo is a view from building site lookin south.

We stopped at the Davis Mountains Resort Country Store and everything was 50% off everything. It was their last day to be open. So now to even get ice or beer it is 10 miles plus of dirt roads then another 11 miles to Fort Davis. Bummer.
Although I gotta have the cooler retirement weather than BB it is hard for me to justify 5 acres in the Davis Mountains costing more than my 40 acres north of the Ghost town. With the trees and elevation changes you can be pretty isolated on 5 acres.
To run electric it is around $14 a foot so unless building right on the road that adds up real quick. Sure wish batteries for off grid had a longer life.
I have a local guy going to do an estimate to cut in a driveway and do a septic install. Code is 750 gallon minimum septic tank. Ouch! I just got my copy of the ‘Humanure Handbook’. $7,000 to 9,000 for a septic system makes me think I can sure do humanure composting. Now I gotta sell the idea to Sandy or she better start saving for septic. I know humanure composting would save big time on water usage.
I am trying to look at all angles and costs before buying property but am still leanin towards the Davis Mountains for retirement.