Back to Yosemite: Vernal and Nevada Falls

We made our way back to Yosemite National Park at the end of April. We feel so at home in Yosemite and the beauty the lives in the area is indescribable. Pictures do not do this place justice. The feeling of granite walls towering over you, Waterfalls that make Multnomah Falls look like a baby, and everywhere you turn the views look different. I found myself breathless multiple times a day whether it was seeing half dome in a different light, yosemite falls surrounded by fog or the sound of thunder storms slamming through the valley. We enjoyed this trip so much and the every changing weather made for a more enjoyable experience than constant sunny skies ever could.

Our first full day we began on the Mist Trail which allowed up to see Vernal Falls and the upper Nevada falls. We did this hike 3 years ago but only made it to the top of Vernal Falls because we were so sore from the previous days hike.

We had purchased a GoPro for this trip. It definitely doesn't take the place of my SLR but for the convenience of selfies and how small and versatile they are we mostly used it for photos on our hike. 

Vernal Falls

Granite staircases forever! And Nevada Falls gushing down

Top of Nevada Falls 3.5 miles up.

Instead of doing an out and back (and avoiding descending the granite stairs) we took the John Muir Trail back down to the Base of Vernal Falls. It gave us great views of Nevada Falls. 

The clouds with some thunder started to roll in, it only sprinkled a little bit on the trail back down. Most of the trail was covered with trees so there were little views. It reminded us of being back home. We headed back to camp for the rest of the evening 

Sometimes Decisions Are Made for Us

These last few months a lot has happened. Since my last post we realized how challenging it is to buy land and build on it. Oh yeah, and how EXPENSIVE it is. I'm talking a requirement of 50% down for the cost of everything! Lets go a head and cross that off the list as an option.

We looked at a few properties of land with a house on them. They were either at our budget but way too small, like, 500sqft small than what we live in now. Or needed a ton more work (like an extra $40k) or were a stretch for our budget and out of our comfortable price range. (Don't listen to what the bank says you can afford. Know what you can afford and are comfortable paying each month before you even go in for a lending consultation)

Right now, there isn't much on the market and I feel like prices are a little high. We revisited the idea of building in a new development. We found a plan we loved and signed a lot reservation, expiring on June 1st as we wait for our house to sell.

But...I don't think our house will sell. Not at a price that we feel will give us an acceptable profit. It's been listed for about 45 days. We have had few showings, not much interest. We got home from a week long vacation last weekend and during that time away we decided that if it we didn't have an offer by the end of May we are just going to pull it off the market. There will always be another time to build a house. Especially in the area we were looking because that town is expanding and new developments have been popping up over the last few years. Maybe next year we can revisit looking at properties with land instead. There are a ton of reasons why I am content with staying here a little longer. It's an easy decision to make really, because...

• We live across the street from our best friends, and they have a new baby who is the cutest thing.
• Our living expenses are very affordable, life's pretty easy around here.
• We actually enjoy the size of our house, we just wish we had a bigger kitchen and a back yard. 
• I can get to work in 15 minutes. 
• I like doing projects around here and if we stay I have a few fun things in mind for our outdoor area that will make me a little happier with what we have.
• Staying here means we just have more time to save money and more time to pay our mortgage down.
• I have a few financial goals to finish this year and staying in this house means they will actually happen.
• We can go on another vacation this year in the fall.

So in the end we may be moving, but probably not. You just never know what's going on around here. Sometimes I think I just need to stop telling people what's going on, because more than have the time it doesn't end up happening. Sometimes I feel like I like in a dream land, but what's a land worth living in if you can't dream? Just the optimist in me I guess. Good thing I live with a realist who brings me back down from the clouds. 

A decision has been made, kind of.

The last 4 months have been really great. In October I paid off my last debt, business has been slowly picking up, Wayne work is actually running on a full schedule, (not typical for construction during this season) and in the beginning of March I am scheduled to hit my 5 month emergency fund. Pretty exciting!

This winter we have still been discussing our future living arrangements. We have looked at a few houses. I have been on RMLS multiple times a week to see if I can find something that strikes my interest. I have learned that I am a new construction type of woman. I love fresh new homes, up to date fixtures, cabinets, lots of room and big closets. I realized that the most renovating I would want to do it painting, a weekend tile or backsplash project, decorating and finishing touches. Wayne dreams of acreage, a shop and room away from neighbors.

Right now, we cannot afford our dreams combined together. We keep finding that we have to compromise in some way. Obviously that happens, it's normal. But we don't really want to move then end up settling with something we aren't happy with, or with something that is going to be a major fixer and a money pit.

I made a discovery last week and it has our wheels turning.

Here is our ultimate dream.

A 1400-1800sqft house with a two car garage, single level. An ADU on the property which would include a two car garage (Wayne's shop) and single bedroom apartment above it. (We plan on Wayne's mother living with us down the road.) All of this on 2+ acres.

I was browsing on RMLS at raw land and found a few that we would be interested. The top two are around 5 acres, one is in an optimal location for us. We drove passed the lot and it is a little too close to other neighbors, it is slopped and the property doesn't look like it is very usable. There would be A LOT of clearing and excavation.

The second is a little further way, is larger, flat, partially cleared, and has water, power and septic installed but unsure of how much maintenance it needs.

Then I found this!

This would be a perfect ADU. It is super affordable. We could build this first, live on the property for 2-3 years while we save to build our single family home. 

We are running with this idea. We have contacted our selling and buying realtors and are just starting the financing process. Even if these two pieces of raw land don't end up working out we are happy that we officially have a plan and goal that we can save and follow through with. We can always wait for another piece of raw land to come along if we decided that location is more desirable for us. In the end, this will be our dream home, forever home. 

Now that we have a plan and have figured out how we are going to reach our dream I am feeling more content. Saving and planning our future will be more fun, because we know where we are headed next. 

 

Merry Christmas 2014

A 2014 Christmas Recap. We spent the weekend before Christmas at my aunts house in McMinnville with some family.  

Emily is the best to watch as she opens her gifts. 

Hey Syd, what do you have there?

Rocks!

OK, and more aquarium accessories. 

A Spongebob race car!

We got home the next day and my new camera lens came in the mail! A 50mm f/1.8 so I played around the house. 

On Christmas Eve our Crossfit gym held a workout and we gave them their Christmas present from the gym members. Arrangements were made for those who wanted to participate by contributing $20 to their present. We wanted to get them a gift of a weekend away together since hey work so hard. We couldnt figure out where they would want to go without ruining the surprise. 

We opted to give them a money order instead to left them decided and use the extra as they pleased. Members agreed to let them close for a Friday and Saturday and their kids will be watched while they enjoyed their vacation. The money order was almost $1,200. They were surprised beyond words. 

I can't think of two more deserving people. These two work so hard to give use a great gym, with excellent training and a group of people that i can call my family. Not going to lie, I got a bit teary eyed. 

Then we made our way to Hermiston to my grandmothers house.