The perfect homestead (for my family) This of course does not take in account where the $$$$ is coming from.

It would start with 100+ acres, fenced and cross fenced, 5 acre garden space, 10 acre stocked lake (catfish, bass, perch), A fast moving stream that has a natural waterfall with a 45 degree drop, water moving 5-10 mph (enough to hook up mini hydro power station), The center of the property rising so that the high ground is almost dead center. 65 acres of hardwood trees that are healthy and have never been cut, surrounding property. Good rough cut road to lake and gravel road to center of property. Center having level homesite. Good brown dirt all over property.

Well with good clean water. (sweet water as my grandma called it)

Log Home with 5 bedrooms, 3 bath rooms, living room, den, laundry room, big kitchen with regular table, dining room with big table, Breakfast nook, sewing room and radio room. Insulated 8” in walls, 28” in ceiling, 6” in floor. Underpinned with triple crawl doors. Interior lights the new white LED’s. 12V & 120V electrical system.

Solar heat (hot water) panels, 5 large solar panels with storage batteries and sinewave inverter, Back up propane or gas generator with 100 gallon tank, mini-hydro powerplant running into utility grid type interface. On Grid as back-up. (power bill should very small).

Septic (triple filtered) with ½ acre drain field. Drain field covered with periwinkle. (no grass to mow and no deep roots).

24’ x 100’ out building. Insulated and wired.

Neighbors that have countryside attitudes. If not homesteaders at least self-reliant types. Believing in loyalty, truth, friendship and personal freedom.

Weather that stays around 60-70 summer, 30’s winter. Some snow in winter and moderate rain in summer months.

Do you know where this place is? Please tell me.

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), February 13, 2001

Answers

Sounds like heaven....so... since I live in almost heaven...it must be West Virginia.

-- Rob Shipe (RShipe1046@aol.com), February 13, 2001.

In reading your climate requirements I would suggest New Zeeland. Cool summers, mild winters. As for the rest, sounds like there should be a fair amount of places that would suit you.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), February 13, 2001.

Could be the Olympic Penninsula...oh, you said *moderate* summer rain.

-- Laura (gsend@hotmail.com), February 13, 2001.

Sorry, but that place is already taken and I'm not giving it up! LOL! Seriously, I'm in Central Texas and much of your description sounds like my home. Our house is different, but won't be by much when we get it done. There's only about 30 acres of hardwood. We have lots of giant cypresses that line one of the two spring-fed creeks that move along at a pretty good clip. We're on the grid right now, but with deregulation coming next year, we're planning on installing a solar water heater, wood cook-stove and wind & hydro power backed up by a generator. The weather isn't quite what you described, though ~ pretty mild in winter (right now it's 64Ί and I have the front door open), but HOT in summer unless you camp by the creek where it stays pretty nice (and where you can run to in case come August you forget what water running on the ground looks like).

I used to long to live in the mountains, but now I know that this place is the best by far.

-- Wingnut (wingnut@moment.net), February 14, 2001.

Well as long as were fantasizing...lol. From a womans perspective I'd want a maid to clean that big house that will do it for the priviledge of getting to milk the cows. Throw in one of those wonderful old tyme barns in mint condition too! I'd also like a huge fruit orchard. Great big shade trees in the yard with a swing. A big root cellar. A kitchen that has a commercial style oven and at least a 6 burner stove. Walk in pantry(I've been dreamin about this one for a while). Oh yeah and an enormous workshop with every kind of tool you could imagine(tears of longing coming to me eyes on this one).

-- Amanda in Mo (aseley@townsqr.com), February 14, 2001.

Amanda YOU read my mind. Yep add those things and a babysitter that works for peanuts. (and grows them to make sure shes paid). Don't forget the grounds keeper that works for honey (you got it he takes care of the bee hives too)

Are we there yet I want to go.

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), February 14, 2001.

Solar isn't impossible in West Virginia, but consider wind too...and then move here. Winters are not horrendous and summers are hot/humid. We can grow plenty of ornamentals as well as traditional garden plants. Ponds do great here, as do septic systems. You might have to build the house exactly as you like, otherwise do as we did and renovate.

Lots of self-reliant folk too.

-- Anne (HealthyTouch101@wildmail.com), February 14, 2001.

How about coming up here to Whidbey Island, WA? Weather just as described with only 20 inches of rain (compared to 50+++ in other areas of WA).

Several large old dairies and farms for sale - 100 acres with house for only $500,000 +.

If you only want 10 acres with a nice (1600 sq ft) nice house you can get it for under $200,000 (in WA that is a good price).

Great homeschooling community, good barter system. Low crime rate.

We even have a Christmas tree farm next door with visits from Santa, hot chocolate, a reindeer pony, and a campfire.

You forgot to mention a hill for sledding.

Amy

-- Amy Richards (tiggerwife@aol.com), February 20, 2001.