Note: The exact location of the house will only be revealed to serious, pre-screened, and pre-qualified inquirers at an appropriate time. The owners feel that keeping the exact location secret to the general public is an important part of the home’s security.

Strategically Located Near Durango, Colorado

If you analyze the subject of relocation, you will naturally be considering such things as climate, job potential, living costs, outdoor recreation, medical facilities, etc. - all the things that will affect your comfort and quality of life. But if you are to relocate strategically, you must take into account and try to analyze those factors that might be a threat to that comfort; how prone a particular area is to natural disasters and storms, unpleasant climate, traffic, crime, potential for civil unrest, etc. Failure to consider the negative aspects of a location can have dire consequences.

Ideally, a small town with low population density is most desirable. Heavily populated cities should be avoided at all costs. The rule is to be at least 100 miles from any major metropolitan area, but preferably 200 miles.

It is wise to choose a location with a climate that is not too extreme. This means cold but not severe winters, rather than a semi-tropical or desert area, which tend to breed insects and disease. Because natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes and flooding are occurring with increased frequency, it is especially wise to choose an area that isn't prone to these devastating events. Now days, with modern science, it is fairly easy to identify what types of natural disasters one might expect to happen in a given area.

Also key to strategic relocation is analyzing many other factors such as distances to major cities, local demographics, potential nuclear targets, potential fallout patterns, etc. It was with these many considerations in mind that the owners set out on what turned out to be a 1 ½ year long quest in search of, not only the safest part of the country, but a good small town which fits all the parameters necessary for effective strategic relocation.

They traveled extensively throughout six western states, and finally focused on the San Juan mountains of southwestern Colorado. These mountains are the second largest uninhabited area in the contiguous United States, taking a back seat only to Montana's Bob Marshall wilderness.

The owners finally found and purchased a perfect, heavily wooded parcel, located at approximately 9000' elevation, in the heart of these mountains. The property is surrounded by magnificent scenery and abundant wildlife; trophy elk, mule deer, black bear, big horn sheep, mountain goats, turkey, grouse, coyotes, foxes, bald eagles, and fish and waterfowl. There is nothing like the eerie, haunting sound of a massive bull elk's bugle resonating in the mountains around you. Or the sight of a bear cub scrambling up a tree while mother bear watches protectively nearby.

Unlike much of the rest of Colorado, there is an abundance of black bears in this area. While the house was under construction, a young bear would frequently come to the site and watch the activity from a small knoll only a few yards away. The workers joked that the bear was supervising the construction of its own home. The earth home, which was later faced with fabricated rock, came to be affectionately known as "The Bear Den." Later on, the owners chose to decorate the inside with a bear motif.

Durango, Colorado with the La Plata Mountains in the background

A 40-minute drive southbound takes you to the historic town of Durango, Colorado. Beyond this vague description, the exact location of the house will only be revealed to qualified inquirers at an appropriate time. The owners feel that keeping the exact location secret to the general public is an important part of the home’s security.

Located at 6,500', Durango enjoys a moderate climate with nearly 300 days of sunshine a year. Winters are generally mild, sunny, and dry. Summer temperatures are rarely above the high eighties. Nestled comfortably in the Animas Valley, between the Rocky Mountains and the desert southwest, Durango stood out above all other town's they visited. With a population of only 14,500, Durango has a pleasant mix of people; from country folks to college kids. Unlike many of Colorado's resort towns, Durango hasn't lost the spirit of the old west. Cowboy hats are as common as purses. Historic hotels and buildings abound.

The small town of Durango is large enough to access the goods and services not generally available in many other small towns. Perhaps most important of these is the local hospital. Mercy Medical Center is the largest "rural" hospital in Colorado, with a state-of-the-art cancer treatment center and other specialized medical care, including critical care cardiology services. Both the local ambulance and fire rescue teams are staffed with advanced life support paramedics. Also important is having an airport nearby. La Plata County's airport, 12 miles SW of town has daily nonstop commercial flights to Denver, Albuquerque and Phoenix. Durango even has a Home Depot, Walmart, and, you guessed it, McDonalds.

Though far from the bright lights of the big city, Durango is rich in culture. The area's unmatched beauty is an inspiration to many artists who have settled here. Music abounds at annual festivals ranging from the internationally renowned eleven-day festival of classical Music In The Mountains to the Durango Bluegrass Meltdown. If you like live jazz, blues, country, or rock, you'll find it all in La Plata County.

Boredom never has a chance to set in, as there are many dozens of year-round events and festivals for all. Snowdown, five days of zany events, is a sure cure for any winter induced cabin fever. The Durango Film Festival is a local version of the internationally-renown Telluride Film Festival. A Taste of Durango is a festival of food featuring the area's fine local restaurants. Autumn's Colorfest is a area-wide festival of hot air balloon rides, photography tours, races and runners marathons. The Durango Cowboy Gathering in which local and internationally known cowfolk share their poems and high ridin' antics underscores the town's cultural heritage.

But don't get the wrong idea, Durango ain't no hick town. Every Labor Day weekend, Durango hosts their own miniature Sturgis - the Iron Horse Rally - during which thousands of Harleys line the streets, ride in the motorcycle parade, and mix jovially with the locals, cowboys included.

There are many different merchants who cater to the tourists and outdoor sports enthusiasts. Interesting businesses, with names like "Duranglers" and "Goods for the Woods", await the avid outdoorsman. Durango is home to such a variety of restaurants that you might forget you're in a small town. Whether your preference is casual or elegant, there is a restaurant to suit your mood. For those seeking refuge from big city strife, you'll find Durango's small town ambience, coupled with spectacular scenery and a mix of activities, is the answer to your search as well.

Historically, the water that the mountains capture, store, and then deliver downstream has been the lifeblood for much of humanity. So it was and still is in Durango. These days, kayaks and canoes strapped to cartops, and raft frames on pick-up trucks are common sights in town. They're headed for another world, where serene waters drift past sandy shores and foaming waves thrash polished rock. The region has become a water sports haven.

The San Juan Mountains are truly awesome and spectacular. No other range in the lower forty-eight offers the immensity and diversity of the San Juans. Amidst the mountain grandeur there is something for everyone; from simple hikes to extreme high altitude mountaineering. Thirteen of Colorado's 54 fourteeners and 29 of the state's one hundred highest peaks are located here. Some of the more popular outdoor activities include photography, hunting and fishing, four wheeling, downhill and cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, rock and ice climbing, mountain biking, horseback riding, rafting, and kayaking.

Part of the fascination of the West is seeing the remnants of buildings and mines constructed by the early pioneers. Ghost towns still stand throughout the San Juans. All together, there are 97 ghost towns and mining settlements within a half-day drive from Durango. Many of these require a four wheel drive vehicle to get to, but this is where the fun really begins.

The near-by mountain towns of Silverton, Ouray, Telluride, and Lake City are all interconnected by 4WD roads that range from mild to wild. Imogene Pass is 13,114' high with multi-thousand foot drop-offs. Names like Black Bear Pass, Ophir Pass, and many others bring life-long memories back to all those who have visited here. These mountains are touted by off-road enthusiasts as being the best, family-oriented four wheeling area to be found in the entire country.

Just three hours away from Durango is the "off-road mecca" of Moab, Utah. Leave your conventional vehicle at home when you come to Durango. It's an ironclad guarantee that your SUV will take you to many cliff-hanging passes and throat-clutching vistas, if you dare. Just outside the town of Moab are the Canyonlands and Arches national Parks. A few hours further away are Zion National Park, Bryce National Park, and, last but not least, the Grand Canyon National Park. Closer to home in Colorado is the newly designated Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. To get to the Black Canyon from Durango, one takes Highway 550 north, which follows the scenic "Million Dollar Highway."

This route is part of the San Juan Skyway, a 236-mile loop that was Colorado's first National Forest Scenic Byway. Many other areas of interest, wildlife reserves, and National Monuments are also found throughout the four corners region.

A trip on the historic Durango and Silverton Narrow gauge railroad is an exciting way to visit part of the San Juans. The rails, set only three feet apart, allow the massive black locomotive to hug the granite mountains as it climbs impossible grades along its daily journey to the mining town of Silverton.

The Durango area is host to a number of competitive events. Each July, the World Cup Iron Horse Bicycle Classic races are held there. This event is one of eight such biking competitions held around the world, and, as such, attracts participants from around the world. The main event is a race between the train and dozens of cyclists to see who can complete the 45 mile, 5500' climb to the town of Silverton first. Invariably, when the locomotive steams into town three hours later, several of the cyclists will be waiting to welcome it. Also held in July, the Animas River days is a local kayaking competition. Of course, numerous whitewater outfitters offer rafting trips all summer long.

Mountain bike trails in the San Juans are almost endless. One route, the Colorado trail, runs from Molas Pass over Bolam Pass and Kennebek Pass, ending up 77 miles later in Durango. Adventure magazine lists this ride in its top ten adrenaline trips.

The San Juan mountains have over 2 million acres of pristine beauty to photograph. In the springtime, wildflowers speckle the hills with a myriad of colors. Colorado's state flower, the blue columbine, thrives in the cool habitat.

From the wildflowers of summer that stretch from peak to valley, you'll never tire of the natural atmosphere. In the fall, aspens turn gold, scrub oak burns red and the first snows dot the peaks. It's a great season to spend time in the mountains. Of course, fall is also synonymous with fluorescent orange, as hunters return for their annual pilgrimage.

By late December the snowfall blankets the mountains. The winter months bless the area with a balance of snow and sunshine, creating an eden few winter sports enthusiasts can resist. The Durango Mountain Ski Resort has 2500 acres of terrain with 11 lifts and 40 miles of trails. Snowcat skiing and snowboarding in the high mountains is not for the faint of heart Those looking for more intimate, less expensive ski trips can explore the hills on cross-country skis or snowshoes. As for snowmobiling, the local snowmobile club maintains many miles of groomed trails with their snowcat. You could ride your snowmobile right out of the garage and be in the National Forest in minutes.

Abundant wildlife abounds





























Bicyclist along the Million Dollar Highway




Four wheeling in the San Juan Mountains














Snowcat skiing high in the San Juan Mountains

Morning mists rise on Lake Vallecito, home of the state record Northern Pike at 30 pounds

The San Juan mountains and the Weminuche Wilderness are a sportman's paradise. Fishing in the area, whether with a fly rod on the streams and rivers, or from a boat on the lakes, offers some of the best trout fishing in Colorado. Several reservoirs with boat ramps and campgrounds are found in La Plata County. One of these even has a full-service marina, nearby restaurants, and other services. This particular body of water holds the current state record for Northern Pike at 30 pounds, and previously held the state record for German Brown at 24 pounds. The Animas and Florida Rivers both have several sections, which have been designated as Gold Metal waters. The tail water of the San Juan River, which flows out of the Navajo Dam, just one-hour drive from Durango, holds approximately three to four thousand fish per mile in the first three miles below the dam.

As for hunting, Colorado has an estimated population of 265,000 elk, more than any other state or Canadian province. Of course, deer are seen almost every day in the area. The owner of this house can pursue the stately elk from his own backyard. Speaking of back yards, if you travel north of the house, you will go through 75 miles of National Forest and wilderness before crossing a paved road.

One can literally hunt and fish 12 months per year. Hunting season begins in August for deer and elk, and continues through the winter months for other game, ending in March for mountain lion. But don't overlook bird hunting, as grouse and wild turkey are often found in many parts of the county. Also, ducks are common throughout the mountains at elevations up to 11,000 feet.

Hunting in the San Juan Mountains

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