We've Gone Nuts! This Hand-crafted Home for Sale in the Beautiful San Luis Valley of Southern Colorado has been offered for a couple months at $169,500. The new appraisal just came in at $195,000. We should raise the price, right? Well, we ain't. Move in with $25,500 equity on the day of closing!

Your humble webmasters, 8 years past retirement, have taken leave of their senses! Real estate values here have been skyrocketing. More than we thought possible. But we don't want to take advantage. Check this beautiful home out before we change our minds...

Area Amenities:

Saguache County (pronounced "Sa-watch") is at the northern end of the San Luis Valley, the world's largest alpine valley, nestling between the glorious 13,000 to 14,000 feet tall Sangre de Cristo mountain range to the east and the magnificent continental divide San Juan Mountains to the west. Many folks call it the "Switzerland of North America". The county is a high mountain plateau at 7600 - 7800 feet with wonderful sun-filled weather year around. Yes, temperatures can dip below zero during mid-winter nights, but due to its surrounding mountains, it warms quickly every morning to permit comfortable outdoor activities. Similarly, owing to its elevation, the summers are mild, with temperatures seldom climbing above 80 degrees.
The population of Saguache County (the largest county in the valley) is less than 6000, allowing it to preserve its peaceful and friendly rural character. Folks wave at each other when they pass on the excellent county roads.
The towns of Bonanza, Center, Crestone, Hooper, La Garita, Hooper, Moffat, Saguache and Villa Grove are located in Saguache County.
There are hospitals in Alamosa and Salida, with medical clinics in Moffat, Saguache, Center and Alamosa.

Below are a number of local attractions and activities available in the general area of the new home on 40 acres north of Hooper, Colorado.

Golfing:
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Monte Vista Country Club
A public 18-hole regulation course designed in 1928 by James Newman has Red Tees, 5122 yards, par 72; White Tees, 5950 yards, par 70 and Blue Tees, 6088 yards, par 70.
Rio Grande Golf Club in South Fork
Nationally acclaimed, named among Golf Digest magazinešs Top 10 best, new upscale public golf course facilities in America for 2003. The avid golferšs best-kept secret is out.
Challenger Golf Club
Th Baca Grande POA golf course has been leased by Scott Johnson who has invested time money and energy into the preservation, restoration and operation of the course.
Alamosa Cattails Golf Club
Cattails Golf Course is on the north side of Alamosa, just over the Rio Grande from town. This is a beautiful 18 hole public course in a gorgeous setting.

Skiing:
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Monarch Ski/Snowboard
The snow is soft and plentiful. Come see why Monarch, just outside Poncha Springs and Salida is one of Colorado`s Best Kept Secrets!!
Wolf Creek Ski Area
Wolf Creek is a high alpine ski resort, 10,300 feet at the base and 11,900 feet at the summit. Sunscreen and sunglasses are a necessity in the high altitude sun.
Cuchara Valley Ski Resort
Elevations: Top 10,810 ft, Base 9,248 ft, Vertical Drop 1,562 ft. Lifts 1 tow, 1 triple, 3 doubles (all Riblet Lifts), capacity 5,000 p/h. Average Snowfall: 250" (probably less)
Purgatory Ski Area
Features world class ski and snowboard terrain on Purgatory Mountain. Tubing, sleigh rides, snowmobiling, snowcat trips, kids programs, nordic skiing, snowshoeing.

Hot Springs:
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The Orient Land Trust Hot Springs
These springs are located between Villa Grove and Moffat near the village of Orient. There are several naturist (clothing optional) soaking pools and saunas at these valley hot springs.


Joyful Journey
This spa is located about halfway between Villa Grove and Moffat on Colorado Highway 17 has a number of naturally heated pools and spas, and offers massage therapy and yurts and teepees for overnight stays.
The Sand Dunes Pool
The Sand Dunes Swimming Pool and RV Park is located in Hooper. It features both swimming and therapy pools, but also has volley ball and basketball courts, and even has tetherball and horseshoe pits.
The Salida Hot Springs
A year-round facility offering aquatic recreation and relaxation in natural, hot, mineral water collected underground and piped 5 miles from the source high in the majestic Rocky Mountains.

Area Attractions:
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Penitente Canyon
Located near La Garita is a stark and beautiful area which is a favorite place for rock climbers to challenge their skills. It's a local secret that the best hamburgers and Friday Night Country Style Feasts are to be found at the colorful La Garita Trading Post.
The UFO Watchtower
Just a couple miles south from the home at 6600 Highway 17 is the UFO Watchtower which offers viewing platforms for the possible sighting of UFO's and other phenomena. In addition, Friday night dances have been added for folks so inclined.
Colorado Gator Farm
Geothermal water is used to raise Tilapia fish for Denver restaurants. The hundreds of alligators are used as natural "garbage disposals". Due to their concern for all animals, the farm has also grown to be a rescue haven for all sorts of abandoned exotic animals.		 Thunder Valley Speedway
Located in Mosca, Colorado, at 7600 feet elevation, this is the highest mini track in America. With demolition derbies and all sorts of racing, not to mention monster trucks and tractor pulls, this raceway is an exciting and picturesque place to visit.

The Great Sand Dunes
National Park and Preserve
North America's tallest dunes rise over 750 feet high against the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The wind-shaped dunes glow beneath the rugged backdrop of the mountains. This geologic wonderland, contains over 30 square miles of massive dunes.

San Luis Lakes State Park
Adjacent to the Great Sand Dunes National Park is the beautiful San Luis Lakes State Park. The combination of wetlands, lakes and dry valley floor environments provides a fantastic wildlife viewing and recreation area. Migratory waterfowl and other birds are frequent visitors to these tranquil waters.

Creede Repertory Theatre
The town of Creede, to the south, is reknowned for its Creede Repertory Theatre. The exceptional quality of the Theatre's artistic programming continues to attract national recognition. Each year they stage a rich variety of plays ­ from classics to new plays, light-hearted comedies to dramas.
Alamosa Live Music
Association
ALMA, a grass-roots, not-for-profit community service organization comprised of music lovers committed to creating easy access for the local region to quality, diverse, and visceral live music performances presents a variety of artists and concerts every year.

National Wildlife Refuge of the San Luis Valley
Located just a few miles to the south is famous for bird and wildlife lovers. About 25,000 Sandhill Cranes migrate bi-annually through the San Luis Valley to Monte Vista to rest before moving north to breeding grounds or south to wintering grounds.
The Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge
Not only sand cranes, but some couple dozen specias of ducks as well as herons, sand-pipers, egrets and ibis visit the Monte Vista refuge.
Throughout the entire San Luis Valley, great herds of antelope, deer and elk enjoy the plains.
Agriculture and Ranching
The San Luis Valley is ranked in the top five potato producing areas in the United States, both in acres planted and potato production. The principal crops planted are potatoes, alfalfa, native hay, barley, wheat and vegetables like lettuce, spinach and carrots.
Colorado State San Luis
Valley Research Center
The first San Luis Valley Research Center was established in 1888 (the same year the main station at Fort Collins was established) on 200 acres of state land near the Rio Grande River, seven miles east of Del Norte.

Hunting and Fishing
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Colorado Department of Wildlife Hunting and Fishing Licensing
Hunting licenses are available for small game and waterfowl, Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, Desert Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, Bear, Moose, Elk, Deer and Pronghorn Antelope. Fishing licenses are also required throughout the state of Colorado.