the professional appreciator

On Friday, Michelle and I closed on the purchase of a lot in rural Belle Fourche, about five miles north of our current house in Spearfish, South Daktoa.  The lot is about 5 acres and, although technically in Belle Fourche city limits, is very much in the country.  I love the location because it gives us some \’elbow room\’ while still being no more than ten minutes from any locale we frequent (e.g., my office, Walmart, Culvers, the school, and so on).  And so ends successfully Phase I.  The view out the front window will be of the northern end of the Black Hills, particularly Crow Peak.

Phase II is building a house on said lot. My contractor (much love to Lonnie Humbracht) has the plans finalized, and they are being reviewed by the local architectural review board.  I do not expect any problem and hope to break ground this month.  The project should be finalized by mid-June.  The house is a nice two-story modern design to which we plan on adding some craftsman highlights (such as wood floors and tiffany-style lighting).  For cash-flow reasons we are not finishing the basement for a few years.  As it is, the unfinished basement will be completely usable as the defacto ‘Man Cave’.

Updates as warranted.