Saturday, September 21, 2019

It Only Takes Five Hours

September 7, 2019
Tombstone, Arizona

Following a snug all-slides-pulled-in night in Anthem, Arizona, we make the 225 mile drive south to Tombstone. 

We've mooch-docked here at our dear friends' house many times in the last 4.5 years, and gotten in the habit of calling it our Arizona home. When last here in March we made the decision to start looking for our own place to really call home for the winters. 

Periodically Donnie and Anna have sent us information on properties they've seen for sale in the area. In addition, I've tracked down the owners (found the daughter on Facebook after a couple Google searches) of a 10 acre parcel with an old trailer and great views. We have an appointment to meet her there on the 14th. 

There are many factors that make southeast Arizona generally, and Tombstone specifically, a great spot for us to land. One of them is affordability so we can continue to travel most of the year. 

After an hour of getting caught up, we all want to go look at the 10 acre property. It's more land than we need and can likely afford, and more work than we probably want to do, taking more time than we really want to spend - but it's a beautiful spot with those big views. We spend some time talking about all we'd want to do, where we'd put the home we've already picked out (a stunning manufactured home I'm in love with), how we'd landscape, all those "if it were ours" discussions.

A flat home site to start after lots of demo.

Nice views.
One of the places they told us about a few months ago, and one that I've looked at online, is nearby and I suggest we go look at that one next. 

As is often the case, it looks and feels very different from what I've seen online. It's really cute :-) With 2.2 acres, and similar 360 degree views, we instantly like the property. With three garages, a few mature trees, and a completely fenced yard, we want to see if the interior is something we could live in.

A For Sale By Owner property, Donnie encourages us to call the woman whom they've met and believe is very motivated. So I'm not surprised when she answers and offers to come show us the house. The weather is perfect, with cool breezes and big storm clouds, so I tell her we'll wait for she and her husband to drive over from nearby Sierra Vista.

This gives us more time to wander and wonder and see ourselves here. 

This could be my house!
Louella and Lee arrive in about 30 minutes, a delightful older couple who have owned it four years, but spent many years visiting their good friends who owned it before them. 

Stepping in the front door (behind Tessa of course), I love it. The livingroom is dated with real wood paneling on one wall and pale pink drapes on the big window, it feels like a home. Like it could be our home. 

Louella gives us a detailed tour of the two bedrooms, one and a half bathrooms, small kitchen, and large utility porch. Lee shows us the big garage converted from a car port with two roll-up doors, and the detached garage that is also a good size. Donnie's already measuring for his boat.....

They show us the property line, going all the way down to the next street, and it looks like so much more than just over 2 acres.

With updates in the kitchen and bathrooms, and some work in the yard, we could make a lovely home here.

We thank them for coming over so quickly and head back. A short discussion has us all agreeing that this is a great home for us - location, size, cost, availability - we should make an offer. 

So we do. Louella says she'll call back soon.

And then we all go for dinner at the Longhorn, a favorite where everyone knows Donnie (they all call him Wheat Bread here) and Anna. 

Dinner is good as always and while we're enjoying our meal and our friends, guess who comes from the back of the restaurant having just finished their dinner? Yep, it's Lee and Louella with big smiles on their faces. 

The offer is accepted, hands are shook, congrats are shared all around.

It's been five hours since we arrived in Tombstone :-)

When it's supposed to happen, it does.

Waiting isn't one of my strong suits, I'm definitely an instant-gratification gal. Adding more issues with the rig and the next week is a long one. But that first five hours back in Tombstone will always be one of those "Wow, that was amazing!" memories we'll share for years to come.

Next up we'll deal with the motorhome and all the house paperwork and more fun stuff (for me) like finding furniture and house stuff.

30 comments:

  1. How exciting! Looks like you've got a fine place to winter...and this winter will be so much fun learning about your new place and fixing it up! Congrats!

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  2. Hahaha! You've taken a page out of Pam and John's book! You know what you want and you go for it! Congratulations!

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    1. Motorhome, Jeep, house.....maybe we'll start hiking soon :-)))) It sure came together fast!

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  3. I love it when a plan comes together. Fluffy approved!

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  4. Awesome news, Jodee and Bill. A wonderful congratulations and looks like you'll be mighty happy here for many, many years. (and will have many friends stopping by!) Hope all goes smoothly for you. When you have a chance, could you shoot me a link to the manufactured home you fell in love with? Always love looking at options! Cindy

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    1. We've measured for RV parking and are getting estimates for 50 amp hookups so we can have lots of winter visitors! I'll get that home info to you.

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  5. Wow, such a great five hours it was for you two!! Congratulations on finding your winter home. It'll be fun to see the progress on it as you make it your own :-)

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    1. We figured it would take five weeks, not hours! Looking forward to sharing all that fun.

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  6. You grow up in the desert and you can never leave it. Seems to me though it's just a different state. Have a great time wintering in Arizona.

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    1. Yep! When we were kids we couldn't wait to leave the desert, but now that we appreciate the beauty of it we are so happy to be back. Definitely a different desert here though.

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  7. Wow, congratulations! So great that everything came together so perfectly for you guys. Tessa looks right at home already. :-)

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    1. Still can't believe we have a place here! Anxious and excited to move in soon.

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  8. 3 Garages and a house - it has Bill written all over it! Congratulations fining your spot! looking forward to your home and away stories.

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    1. Right?! Now he'll have lots of space for all those projects I foresee :-))))

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  9. Gee, this story sounds so familiar! This is exactly how our purchase went. It was meant to be! The house looks perfect! Anything is huge after living in a MH. I still like small places the best. Three garages will be fun! And lots of Tessa zoomie area. So happy all worked out for you and Bill. Congratulations!! Maybe we can get to see it this winter when we are in Tucson. Hope the MH gets better quickly!

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    1. I was thinking about how yours went so quickly too! We definitely want to see you this winter :-) MH getting the last of her fixes tomorrow :-)

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  10. So glad it all worked out, congratulations!!

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    1. Thanks! Hope you'll come for a visit when you're in the west.

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  11. Congratulations! When it's right; it's right.

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    1. Thanks Linda, we're feeling like this was just right!

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  12. Good for you guys. We just got started fulltiming but I'm keeping my eyes and ears open to see how the veterans transition into changes after a few years or more rooming around.

    Karen and I have discussed a small condo setup near a lake but it's way to early to decide on that.

    Mark

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    1. Hi Mark! We didn't figure we'd have a winter base this quickly, but it's been good timing for us. Still can't wait to get back on the road and enjoy the traveling life we love so much.

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  13. The stars all aligned! Congratulations. We will have our own search for "the place" next year.

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  14. Wow that looks like the perfect set up. We love that area as well.
    Have so much fun ! Kelly & Al

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    1. Thanks!! I think I first considered this area when you two were ranch sitting, even before we visited our friends here. It is so perfect!

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