Seeking a rural, SE ranch town w/grasslands & mesas? (Durango: mover, credit)

[CAVA1990]

I would think a towns like yours should be on the verge of seeing some additional growth from virtual tele-workers. I'm seeing more and more posters on here saying they don't need a local job where they want to relocate.

How are the hunting and fishing around there? I'm thinking those could be another reason for folks to locate there. What are other outdoor recreational activities that people engage in there?

[debbie at bouontiful]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

I would think a towns like yours should be on the verge of seeing some additional growth from virtual tele-workers. I'm seeing more and more posters on here saying they don't need a local job where they want to relocate.

How are the hunting and fishing around there? I'm thinking those could be another reason for folks to locate there. What are other outdoor recreational activities that people engage in there?

Your right except I think like us (retired in 2 years) would like to be in that kind of setting but know there are other retired people around that they would have something in common with. I already have a ranch with lots of acres but want to give up raising calves but still want the open land but am somewhat afraid of being in a new area and everyone is stand offish(sp) to newcomers.

[bovinedivine]

Yes, Branson is a great place for telecommuters who want an extraordinarily quiet, safe, inspiring place to work. There's info on our communications options/challenges some posts back.

One person here does custom leatherwork from her home, and relies on USPS for shipping. We have UPS and FedEx delivery 5 days a week, too, so fulfilling orders and receiving materials works here, albeit a tad slower than some places. We've also got a writer and a part-time website developer who work primarily on-line.

Loads of hunting out here, and the season creates work for locals who do the guiding, lodging, cooking, and other services for hunters. Deer, elk, turkey, and more. Since basically everything is privately owned around here, you need to work through landowners, but it's pretty easy to get into the network and hook up with what you need.

Cyclists, motorcyclists, walkers, hikers, runners love our wide, open spaces, especially the all-dirt TransAmerica Trail that goes right through Branson. Also, this is the region for Comanche National Grasslands, including the dinosaur tracks at Picketwire Canyon. (Picketwire is the anglicized version of Purgatoire.)

The Run Around the Rim at Capulin Volcano National Monument (just over the NM line) is growing into a very popular event. Rockhounds, birders, petroglyph seekers, wildflower enthusiasts, archaeologists, geologists, too. History buffs, railroad buffs, Santa Fe Trail buffs. Folsom, NM, was the site of the discovery of "Folsom Man."

On another note, the Southern Colorado Repertory Theater, based in Trinidad, has really been growing with great performances! The A.R. Mitchell Museum/Gallery and the Colorado State Museum both offer programs and events through the spring/summer/fall season.

Lots of fishing over at Trinidad State Park and,heading west, up above on the Highway of Legends (Hwy 12).

I'm happy to be a go-between for anyone who wants more details or wants to make an exploratory trip out here to this remote corner of southeast Las Animas county.

[bovinedivine]

Debbie, I totally understand your hesitation. I came in here about 2 years ago - from Boulder! of all places. I am single, in my 50s, originally born and raised back east, have no kin here, except for the elder couple who I met serendipitously in New Mexico one weekend. I immediately immersed myself in the community, took on a huge labor of love to help raise the heartbeat of the town here - and have generally felt welcome. I keep expecting to be run out of town on a rail, but it hasn't happened (yet)!

There's a growing chorus of people (all ages, all stations) who would like to see us attract some new residents, so anyone who comes with a willingness to be honest and friendly, is probably going to be embraced. As you know, though, rural ranch people are not necessarily going to gush all over much of anything, but people here are kind and neighborly.

If you want to come and visit, you can see everything and meet practically everybody in one weekend. I want to link to our local lodging option, but not sure if that's "advertising." Please feel welcome to contact me directly if you'd like.

[debbie at bouontiful]

Well we stay in Trinidad every year and maybe we'll take a drive on over. Actually, I go though the panhandle so I'll take a look the map to see if there is a closer route than 1-25 and then backtracking East. I know what you mean about ranchers. I ranch.

[bovinedivine]

No need to go all the way to I-25 and then backtrack. If you want jaw-dropping, beautiful scenery and don't mind a long stretch off-pavement, come on the Dry Cimarron road from Kenton to Folsom, NM (forgot its number), then turn north onto NM551/CO389, through TollGate Canyon, and you're there.

Here's a link of the drive with gorgeous photos!

Spool Road to the Oklahoma Border on the Dry Cimarron Scenic Byway of New Mexico (http://www.sangres.com/newmexicobyways/drycimarron05.htm - broken link)

[debbie at bouontiful]

Wow that is nice. We love jaw-dropping off pavement roads. By the way I am in the end of the 50s and in good health. Is there medical there or is it Trinidad?

[bovinedivine]

No medical here in Branson. Everything is basically in Trinidad or Raton, NM, which are about equidistant 50 miles-ish). Hospital, doctors, dentists, chiropractors, all in T'Dad. (Plus discount massages from the Trinidad State Jr College Massage Clinic!) Specialists may require a trip to Pueblo or perhaps Colorado Springs; I do quite a bit of driving to medical visits for my octogenarian friends. We have two EMTs who live here in town, and that gives a certain peace of mind. (I think I earned my country wings when I tore the 50 miles to the emergency room in record time, transporting an elder gentleman who had taken a very nasty and quite bloody fall. All turned out well, BTW.)

Here's the link for the hospital in T'Dad. They are actively upgrading and expanding services to keep local people from heading North up the Interstate for health care.

Welcome To the Web Home of Mt. San Rafael (http://www.msrhc.org/msr.nsf/HomePage/Home - broken link)

Looking down the road, there is nursing home and assisted living care in Trinidad and also in La Junta (north). However, our elders are fiercely independent and committed to living at home until absolutely necessary. Very possible that someone moving into Branson could pick up some income if they are trained/skilled with home health care. Some of the families are having a hard time juggling caretaking, ranching, and personal responsibilities -- as is the case all over, I suppose. A few of us here in town have also been exploring getting a public health nurse of some kind to come in for monthly checks and screenings.

[debbie at bouontiful]

Well I know Trinidad pretty well. I visit it every year but hadn't been to your town. I am going to take a drive through in a few months on my way to Trinidad. I stay at the same B&B every year in Trinidad. Thanks for the info, maybe I'll see ya there!!

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by debbie at bouontiful

Your right except I think like us (retired in 2 years) would like to be in that kind of setting but know there are other retired people around that they would have something in common with. I already have a ranch with lots of acres but want to give up raising calves but still want the open land but am somewhat afraid of being in a new area and everyone is stand offish(sp) to newcomers.

I doubt they'd treat too badly someone with your ranching background. Besides, now you know Bo, the town's one person chamber of commerce.