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Our Member's Section => Members Pictures => Topic started by: Reeves on September 22, 2007, 10:08:49 PM

Title: Fixer-upper for CharlieHorse
Post by: Reeves on September 22, 2007, 10:08:49 PM
Knowing how he likes to fix up old stuff, I went on a quest looking for the perfect Canadian get away for him. I drove over hill and dale, day and night for weeks at a time.
I think I may have found just the place. No neighbors for miles and miles. There are lakes in the area for Pike, Perch & Walleye.
The house needs a bit of a tweak though. However, most of the things he would need are still in the house. Must be lots of good stuff, as it looks three feet deep inside.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/DerrickJB/crosslakearea.jpg)

There is a tractor also. I know he likes them, so it was very important that this remote farm have the machinery to deal with the land. After all, the top soil, all of about an inch deep, will need working now and again. However, a few rocks may have to be moved first. But there are only about 20 per sq. yd.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/DerrickJB/crosslaketractor3.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/DerrickJB/crosslaketractor2.jpg)

The tractor may need some inventive welding. Maybe some plexy glass so you can keep an eye on the inner workings ?

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/DerrickJB/crosslaketractor1.jpg)

So there ya go, Charlie ! Home away from home !
Title: Re: Fixer-upper for CharlieHorse
Post by: CharlieHorse on September 23, 2007, 12:55:20 AM
:roll:   Now that is perfect!! The barn might be a little rough to get jacked back up, but the cabin looks easily habitable.  How close is the nearest Lowes?   :laugh:
A new rod cap, bearing, and a little sand paper on the crank and the tractor looks good for another 50 years?  I bet that was one heck of a racket when that baby came apart!  :eek:  I could also cash that tractor in for scrap iron at a high price so I'd have some play money, wouldn't need much to live on since most stuff north of the border is free anyway.
  Now I know where to go when the misses throws me out in the street, won't be any fighting going on this time on my part, unlike the last 2 wives. :eek:  I'd be outta here in a flash, she could have it all, right along with the debt......except for my truck and crate full of Bobs (for food). :wink:  What kind of rights do squatters have in that area?  Maybe I could just show up one day and move in?  I could turn that barn into a huge flight pen and make "Reeves" pens look like a shoebox :???:
Title: Re: Fixer-upper for CharlieHorse
Post by: Pheasant Hollow Farm on September 23, 2007, 07:17:59 AM
That looks nice. What is the going price for that an how much property?

Steve
Pheasant Hollow Farm
Title: Re: Fixer-upper for CharlieHorse
Post by: Reeves on September 23, 2007, 07:27:51 AM
I have no idea if the place is actually for sale. We are crossing it with a gas pipeline. Also, the place is a lot worse off than it looks. Even the cattle look thin !
There is a farm near it for sale. I'll make a call to see how much land etc & get a price....likely high.
Also, a couple mornings ago, the Canadian dollar was worth more than the U.S. dollar. Bad time for Americans to buy up here. Good time for Canuks to buy down there !
Only trouble is, if it costs a nickle to go around the world, I don't have enough to get out of site !
Title: Re: Fixer-upper for CharlieHorse
Post by: Pheasant Hollow Farm on September 23, 2007, 08:55:08 AM
Reeves,

Yea, I know what your are saying about the US$ being worth less then the Canadian $. Maybe, I should exchange my Millions of $$$ into Canadian funds when the time is right.

I have been looking for more land in WV since the housing market has hit an all time low. But the diehards like me just keep the price high. I am just waiting for someone who wants out and then I will offer a lower price in cash. There is still some land around here that I looked at that was $800.00 an ac. Access was the pits though, I would have to re-do a small bridge (R.O.W.) that was washed out at the cost of about $15,000.00 just to get to the property which is at the end very end of a R.O.W. The R.O.W. leading to the bridge is about 1/2 mile which is the pits. Crush and Run stone that is in poor shape. The property was 90% woodland, with a flat on the top of a ridge. Total property was 25 ac.

Steve
Pheasant Hollow Farm
Title: Re: Fixer-upper for CharlieHorse
Post by: aKirA on September 23, 2007, 09:28:23 AM
Beautiful country. Nice cozy cabin there. Perfect place for a haunting. LOL

No need for a tractor....2 mules will do. :laugh:
Title: Re: Fixer-upper for CharlieHorse
Post by: Reeves on September 23, 2007, 11:04:42 PM
Steve
Was told the top soil is grade (class?) 3 = poor, in that area. Was also told it likely goes for 700 - 900/acre. I meant to get the number off of a sale sign, but worked late today....
Also, you don't really want land up here. Look into the taxes you would have to pay ! I think we are #2 highest taxed in the world (or is it #1 now ?) I know if I won the lottery, I'd move to the States in a heart beat !

aKirA, who you call'n old mules ?  :laugh:
Title: Re: Fixer-upper for CharlieHorse
Post by: Pheasant Hollow Farm on September 24, 2007, 05:26:21 AM
Steve
Was told the top soil is grade (class?) 3 = poor, in that area. Was also told it likely goes for 700 - 900/acre. I meant to get the number off of a sale sign, but worked late today....
Also, you don't really want land up here. Look into the taxes you would have to pay ! I think we are #2 highest taxed in the world (or is it #1 now ?) I know if I won the lottery, I'd move to the States in a heart beat !

aKirA, who you call'n old mules ?  :laugh:

Reeves,

What do you mean by   top soil is grade (class?) 3 = poor Is it the depth of top soil or the mineral content? I don't have any top soil here on my property, it's all hard clay until it rains then, it is slick mud.

Under the clay I have slate, so even discing my food plots are a royal pain each year. It seems that the more I work on the food plots the more slate come up.

Please explain to me your tax base, since I am not familiar with this. I know here in the U.S. we pay U.S. Federal income Tax, which is the same no matter what state you live in. Then we have a State Income Tax, State Sales tax and within the state, your county taxes IE: personal property tax, real estate property tax.

Steve
Pheasant Hollow Farm
Title: Re: Fixer-upper for CharlieHorse
Post by: Reeves on September 25, 2007, 06:47:25 AM
Tax base much the same (plus we have that GST tax on almost everything @ 6.5%)
and all at a much higher rate than you.

I'll see if I can find more info on the soil types/grades.
Title: Re: Fixer-upper for CharlieHorse
Post by: Pheasant Hollow Farm on September 25, 2007, 11:34:36 AM
Tax base much the same (plus we have that GST tax on almost everything @ 6.5%)
and all at a much higher rate than you.

I'll see if I can find more info on the soil types/grades.

Our sales tax (state) is 6% on everything including food. Long Island, NY prior to moving to WV was 8.5% on everything except food and water utilities.

How's the gun laws by you. Here in WV I have a CCW which costs $90.00 for 5 years. WV is also a open carry state and no license required.

Steve
Pheasant Hollow Farm
Title: Re: Fixer-upper for CharlieHorse
Post by: Reeves on September 25, 2007, 09:40:48 PM
Twice a day I'd drive past an odd "house" , about 300 yds up the road from the first house posted. Curiousity finally got me so I took a picture. Note the high windows, that are too high to look through.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/DerrickJB/crosslakeschool4.jpg)

I walked around the building, wondering what it could have been built for. I knew as soon as I saw the east facing side. When you enter the side doors, you are in a walk way that has a pony wall. This is about 5-6 ft. wide. The rest is open. I can see in the original picture the pony wall through the big windows.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/DerrickJB/crosslakeschool2.jpg)

So, what purpose do YOU think the building is for ?  :laugh:
Title: Re: Fixer-upper for CharlieHorse
Post by: WHITNEYPLU on September 25, 2007, 09:45:26 PM
workers quaters
Title: Re: Fixer-upper for CharlieHorse
Post by: CharlieHorse on September 25, 2007, 11:26:31 PM
It is a modern replica of Stonehenge? It was used to explore the cosmos, and of course to tell time. When the sunlight lined up with the top window in the roof and shined through the hole in the "pony wall" onto that thingy on the floor it was June 21st. And when the sun shown through the lower window, through the hole and onto the thingy on the floor, it was December 22nd. Same thing applies to March 21st and September 23rd, just different holes where used. The building eventually settled a little bit and threw the whole mess out of wack and the tribe ceased to fund the project, and declared it "evil", therefore it was abandon. Rumor has it that, "Tang" was discovered at this very site. It was well known as the "Triangulum Australe".  :eek:

Most recently used for target practice.

Thought you had me didn't ya,  Reeves?  :grin: :P

Title: Re: Fixer-upper for CharlieHorse
Post by: aKirA on September 25, 2007, 11:54:18 PM
I disagree....I think it was built by gypsies of the devil occult. The high window room is where they kept their sacrifices. :angel:
Title: Re: Fixer-upper for CharlieHorse
Post by: Pheasant Hollow Farm on September 26, 2007, 06:23:54 AM
Was this at one time either a bar or court house, or maybe a school house? The pony wall that you are describing looks more like a counter. The hight doesn't look to be any higher then 3.5-4.0 feet, and looks to be some what radius. Some of the front panels are missing as well.

Could this also have been a diner?

Steve
Pheasant Hollow Farm
Title: Re: Fixer-upper for CharlieHorse
Post by: Reeves on September 26, 2007, 07:15:47 AM
I'll bet Chuck is a good story teller round a camp fire  :laugh:

In the first picture, at the top of the ladder, that is a piece of tin, next to a hole where a chimney was. Ladders like this are still used to get up there to clean them...

But Steve hit the nail on the head, I think. It looks to me to have been a school house. The "hall way" behind the pony wall goes door to door. I'm thinking that is where "they" came in, removed dirty foot wear and coats etc. There is even a bench still in there.
I'll try and get a couple more pictures of the inside, but the sun is barely up when I get to work. I'll also ask the inspector for the owners number so I can call and ask more about the building.
Cool building ! I came very close to buying an old school house back in the 70s. It was on an acre of land in northern Ont. surounded by crown land. Only $600.00 at the time, but thought why buy it ? If only I knew then, what I know now......


Quote
Our sales tax (state) is 6% on everything including food. Long Island, NY prior to moving to WV was 8.5% on everything except food and water utilities.

How's the gun laws by you. Here in WV I have a CCW which costs $90.00 for 5 years. WV is also a open carry state and no license required.

"They" say no sales tax in AB. But we do have it, it is just "hidden" in ways the Gov. is expert at. All the other Provinces have a sales tax.

Canada has a pile of dumb and non working gun laws. You need a P.A.L. to carry a long (non restricted) gun. You also are supposed to have all your guns registered (Fed law) I seem to recall a news story about 14 million sold in Canada, and only a couple million guns are registered.
They also changed some law that requires a search permit, if Police "suspect" a gun is in the building. Lot of people pissed about that one.
I forget what the costs are.
Then there are all the hunting licences. They really have it set up to pull all the money they can out of you. To apply for a draw, you have to send $ with each card submitted : non refundable.
In the three years I've been back in AB , I've had no time to run off hunting, so have not kept up on costs here.
Besides, Whit Tail, Mule, Moose wander the place often. Plus I want to raise Elk. Will not have to go far when I decide to wipe the dust off of the "lead pill dispensers".
Title: Re: Fixer-upper for CharlieHorse
Post by: Pheasant Hollow Farm on September 29, 2007, 05:16:07 AM
Reeves,

Do you need a hunting license to hunt on your own property? Also, any update on the last picture?

I love looking at old country side pictures depicting years gone by. I bet there is some history to be told on that property.

To many country farms around here going by the way of either strip malls or new developments. I sure miss the old days.

Steve
Pheasant Hollow Farm
Title: Re: Fixer-upper for CharlieHorse
Post by: Reeves on September 29, 2007, 09:19:45 AM
No up-date yet.
I asked the consultant if he would give me the contact info for the owner.
He said:(rudely and in my face) You are not out here to tresspass, we are out here to do a job. (then walked away from me)

Just means I have to ask a neighbor (to the farm) for the contact info  :laugh:

Forgot to mention, I've been thinking about that old school house. Sure would make a great building for the wife. She does lots of craft stuff, carving drawing/painting and lots more.
When I do contact the owner, I'll be asking if he will part with it (cheaply)....as it will likely cost me about 1k(or more) to move it home.
Title: Re: Fixer-upper for CharlieHorse
Post by: Reeves on September 30, 2007, 09:19:46 PM
Sometimes people get those "Life is good" moments.

Chuck had one when he got that brooder (Incubator ?) for free, and when it all worked out with chicks in it again.

Teresa got two !

Well, this morning while standing around waiting for things to get going, an older Ford pick-up pulls up. Old(er) man driving & my first thought was: land owner.
So I'm the first to walk over to him & ask about that old building. Yes, it is the old Cross Lake School house !
Also turns out he is sort of my neighbor as well ! Lives 3 miles to the west of me !
So we talked a bit. I gave him my numbers & he wants to drop by to see the birds.
I asked him if he would part with the old school house as well. He is going to ask his son.
Also asked what he is going to do with that old tractor. He is not sure yet. However, he has all the parts of another & says he could get one going again !
Neat old fella, looking forward to when he visits !

Cool !
Title: Re: Fixer-upper for CharlieHorse
Post by: Pheasant Hollow Farm on October 01, 2007, 04:33:32 AM
I am still waiting for one of those:"Life is good" moments. All I have been getting is: "Life in Murphy" moments

Steve
Pheasant Hollow Farm

Title: Re: Fixer-upper for CharlieHorse
Post by: Chukar Breeder on October 01, 2007, 09:42:03 AM
"Life in Murphy" moments

 :laugh: :laugh: Me Too
Title: Re: Fixer-upper for CharlieHorse
Post by: CharlieHorse on October 01, 2007, 05:42:11 PM
Just what you need Reeves..........another project! 

The big difference is that my measley "Life is Good" fit in the back of the car. Your version fits on 2 or 3 Kenworth flatbed semis at a minimum, one for the material (schoolhouses, pipe, fence, moose) and the other for the dozer, backhoe, and pan.  I'm alot easier to please than you, by far.  :P  LOL!

That would be neat to have if the price is right.

You could fix that dude up and start a child care service in it through the week and on Sundays you could use it to preach a sermon?  :eek:  Just think of the cash you'd be rollin' in?
Title: Re: Fixer-upper for CharlieHorse
Post by: Reeves on October 02, 2007, 06:58:23 AM
What's a "pan" ?

No kids allowed !

What would work best for the building is one of those olde time stores. Where local old timers sit round the pot belly stove on winter days, sipp'n "mountian dew" & yarn'n stories !
Title: Re: Fixer-upper for CharlieHorse
Post by: Pheasant Hollow Farm on October 02, 2007, 07:06:15 AM
What's a "pan" ?

No kids allowed !

What would work best for the building is one of those olde time stores. Where local old timers sit round the pot belly stove on winter days, sipp'n "mountian dew" & yarn'n stories !

Now that's something I can relate to!

Steve
Pheasant Hollow Farm
Title: Re: Fixer-upper for CharlieHorse
Post by: MtBullion Gamebirds on October 02, 2007, 12:31:04 PM
Well I don't know about life is good moments, mine needs some work.  Hey Reeves, my first thought with the picture, was it was an old school house too.  That would be a great project room.  How far would you have to move it.  It looks like it is sitting on a hill.  Might be tough getting it off it's foundation.  Hope you get the chance to try.
Title: Re: Fixer-upper for CharlieHorse
Post by: Reeves on October 02, 2007, 09:53:30 PM
Quote
How far would you have to move it.

About an hour drive.....likely about two hours, as the move would have to be a very slow drive.

Quote
It looks like it is sitting on a hill.  Might be tough getting it off it's foundation.

No hill. No foundation. It had been moved one time to it's present location.
Easy lift/move.

Quote
Hope you get the chance to try.

Me too.
Maybe.
Like Chuck said: "just what you need, another project" !

 :laugh:
Title: Re: Fixer-upper for CharlieHorse
Post by: aKirA on October 02, 2007, 10:04:41 PM
You could fix that dude up and start a child care service in it through the week and on Sundays you could use it to preach a sermon?  :eek:  Just think of the cash you'd be rollin' in?
Nah I say Bar by night and Church by day. That way you can confess what you did the night before.  :angel:
Title: Re: Fixer-upper for CharlieHorse
Post by: Reeves on October 03, 2007, 07:52:34 AM
No bar or Church. Too many visitors on my place is bad for me, not a good thing. I like to be left alone.....

However, been thinking about it some more. Like the design of the building. I'm thinking I'll take more pictures, notes etc. I may want a scaled down version for my Peafowl pen - house.
I have the pen mostly designed in my head. Just need time, money and more free pipe to get r done !
Title: Re: Fixer-upper for CharlieHorse
Post by: Pheasant Hollow Farm on October 03, 2007, 03:02:59 PM
No bar or Church. Too many visitors on my place is bad for me, not a good thing. I like to be left alone.....

However, been thinking about it some more. Like the design of the building. I'm thinking I'll take more pictures, notes etc. I may want a scaled down version for my Peafowl pen - house.
I have the pen mostly designed in my head. Just need time, money and more free pipe to get r done !

Reeves,
While your at it, scale it down for the use as a hunting shack for me. :laugh: :angel: I put it on stilts on the upper part of my property.

Steve
Pheasant Hollow Farm
Title: Re: Fixer-upper for CharlieHorse
Post by: CharlieHorse on October 03, 2007, 09:00:05 PM
Nah I say Bar by night  :angel:

Now your talkin'.    :evil:
Title: Re: Fixer-upper for CharlieHorse
Post by: Reeves on October 03, 2007, 09:31:08 PM
Quote
GOOD IDEA FOR THE MONTH......Don't rub fuzzy caterpillars on your neck.

Inquiring minds want to know THIS story !

 :laugh: