Have you often dreamed of relocating to the Chiricahuas?
Posted: June 14th, 2012, 9:39 am
Me, too! I was fortunate enough to live for a few months at the Southwestern Research Station there, many years ago, and though I've visited many times I've yearned to return on a more permanent basis ever since. I reckon a lot of us who have experienced the Chiricahuas at one time or another ended up carrying away with us such a dream...
And here's an opportunity to make that dream come true! Better still, it's not just a residence but also a diverse business opportunity. As it stands right now, the Sky Gypsy Complex built by software developer John McAfee in Rodeo, NM includes not only a four-bedroom home but also a small cafe and theater, RV Park, big state-of-the-art greenhouse and four hangars surrounding a small private airstrip. McAfee had it in mind for this to be an airpark for the wealthy and adventurous seeking the out-of-way. Given both the property's location and the current state of the economy, though, I wouldn't be surprised if they end up struggling a bit just to get the $100,000 opening bid they'll be seeking when they auction it on June 25th, and I can't imagine that it's ultimately going to sell for more than a fraction of what it's really worth. Viewing opportunities still exist on June 15th and 22nd. (Sorry about the late notice, but I just found out about all of this myself.) An adjacent three-bedroom home and hangar will be auctioned off separately at the same time. Check everything out at:
http://www.williamsauction.com/campaign ... ationRodeo
I don't wonder why the rich and powerful didn't flock to Rodeo as McAfee hoped they would. It's truly out in the middle of nowhere, after all, and even though he originally sunk a reported $4 million into the complex (if that's true then he must have overpaid by quite a bit, in my opinion!) he wasn't exactly offering his guests a posh experience there for their reportedly up to $250,000 per visit. But that doesn't mean many other people wouldn't be delighted to pay a reasonable amount (I daresay rather less than $250,000 ) to base their vacations there, including herpers, birders and other outdoor enthusiasts who want to wander the Chiricahuas. (For those who don't know, Rodeo is just 10 miles from Portal, AZ at the entrance to the Chiricahuas' northeast side). I feel certain it could indeed draw some attention as a particularly exotic airpark for folk of more ordinary means, too. With creativity and hard work the complex could be remade in a number of ways, as well. That greenhouse could be used for a major herp (and/or bird, etc.) breeding enterprise, for example.
It's obviously a pretty big project for one person/family to take on, but with that much smaller adjacent property also being up for auction the combination seems ideally suited for two people/families to do so. My wife and I happen to be looking for a new way of life just now, and I could envision us splitting the costs and profits of the whole shebang with another like-minded family as close to 50:50 as possible. For my part I'd be happy to take lead on the airpark side of things (I've actually been shopping for a plane for a little while now, anyway ), too, and have whomever take lead on some other (e.g. more herpetologically oriented) side. We could talk things over and divvy them up as suits everyone, with the understanding that everyone shares in the work whether they're lead on something in particular or not.
Yes, I'm serious! PM me if you want to discuss things. Maybe we can at least arrange to meet out there and look things over on June 22nd, and if nothing else get in some herping on the trip.
Or if someone here has an interest and ability to pursue this alone, well, now you know about it, too!
Gerry
P.S. I know that this isn't a field herping report, and I hope I didn't upset anyone by placing it here where I figured the most people would see it the soonest - but it most certainly does relate to some pretty serious field herping (or you have no imagination whatsoever!) and so I thought it would also be of most interest to the folks on this message board.
And here's an opportunity to make that dream come true! Better still, it's not just a residence but also a diverse business opportunity. As it stands right now, the Sky Gypsy Complex built by software developer John McAfee in Rodeo, NM includes not only a four-bedroom home but also a small cafe and theater, RV Park, big state-of-the-art greenhouse and four hangars surrounding a small private airstrip. McAfee had it in mind for this to be an airpark for the wealthy and adventurous seeking the out-of-way. Given both the property's location and the current state of the economy, though, I wouldn't be surprised if they end up struggling a bit just to get the $100,000 opening bid they'll be seeking when they auction it on June 25th, and I can't imagine that it's ultimately going to sell for more than a fraction of what it's really worth. Viewing opportunities still exist on June 15th and 22nd. (Sorry about the late notice, but I just found out about all of this myself.) An adjacent three-bedroom home and hangar will be auctioned off separately at the same time. Check everything out at:
http://www.williamsauction.com/campaign ... ationRodeo
I don't wonder why the rich and powerful didn't flock to Rodeo as McAfee hoped they would. It's truly out in the middle of nowhere, after all, and even though he originally sunk a reported $4 million into the complex (if that's true then he must have overpaid by quite a bit, in my opinion!) he wasn't exactly offering his guests a posh experience there for their reportedly up to $250,000 per visit. But that doesn't mean many other people wouldn't be delighted to pay a reasonable amount (I daresay rather less than $250,000 ) to base their vacations there, including herpers, birders and other outdoor enthusiasts who want to wander the Chiricahuas. (For those who don't know, Rodeo is just 10 miles from Portal, AZ at the entrance to the Chiricahuas' northeast side). I feel certain it could indeed draw some attention as a particularly exotic airpark for folk of more ordinary means, too. With creativity and hard work the complex could be remade in a number of ways, as well. That greenhouse could be used for a major herp (and/or bird, etc.) breeding enterprise, for example.
It's obviously a pretty big project for one person/family to take on, but with that much smaller adjacent property also being up for auction the combination seems ideally suited for two people/families to do so. My wife and I happen to be looking for a new way of life just now, and I could envision us splitting the costs and profits of the whole shebang with another like-minded family as close to 50:50 as possible. For my part I'd be happy to take lead on the airpark side of things (I've actually been shopping for a plane for a little while now, anyway ), too, and have whomever take lead on some other (e.g. more herpetologically oriented) side. We could talk things over and divvy them up as suits everyone, with the understanding that everyone shares in the work whether they're lead on something in particular or not.
Yes, I'm serious! PM me if you want to discuss things. Maybe we can at least arrange to meet out there and look things over on June 22nd, and if nothing else get in some herping on the trip.
Or if someone here has an interest and ability to pursue this alone, well, now you know about it, too!
Gerry
P.S. I know that this isn't a field herping report, and I hope I didn't upset anyone by placing it here where I figured the most people would see it the soonest - but it most certainly does relate to some pretty serious field herping (or you have no imagination whatsoever!) and so I thought it would also be of most interest to the folks on this message board.