Creek property 100%. Running water and good soil are so key for homesteading! You can put in a culvert to get to the back of the property, and find the highest elevation spot for the house and cleared pasture.
As someone who lives on a mountain with no natural way to get water, I would definitely pick the creek property. There are so many more possibilities when you have a water source, for your gardens, livestock etc. You can't always rely on rain, it could be that you don't get enough one season and then you would have a huge problem, whereas as your father stated, you could build dams and make a series of ponds in the creek. Look for flat space there to build your home which is a way from the road. If you are building a series of ponds you could divert the water enough as to make it easier to build a bridge. Whichever you decide, I am sure you will make a success out of it! Greetings from Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
As a fellow homesteader, who is created a property from nothing, I would go for crawdad Creek having that water is invaluable. Not to mention all the timber, the lovely, lush forest I think it’s a no-brainer, crawdad Creek all the way.
Lots of spreading weeds that will take time to rid of. Ticks, bugs attacking garden and pest the animals. There is a creek at Sunny Hill also they could still make a pond and potential to generate income from solar. Open will help with rain catchment as heavy forest not so much. Hill is dryer, the forest is damp.
As a viewer, I'm way more interested in watching you transform Crawdad Creek than I am watching you add grass and lean-to structures to the Sunny Mountain.
I've lived Both. I have a small farm place in the next county over that is "crawdad creek". It has a natural water source, is in a valley and is "darker" than our mountain place. The house there is a cabin built in 1860 and was built so that very little sunlight comes in. The ground there is Fertile, there is constant access to water with 2 creeks, a pond, 2 springs, 2 dug wells and a drilled well, and the land is flatter (which in and of itself is a HUGE plus). I currently live on a mountain. I do have decent water here in the form of a well, but I have to be careful with it and I have a very small pond that dries up in a drought season. There is No fertile soil here unless I buy it, build it etc. But the absolute Biggest draw back of the mountain property is that it is a mountain. Chores are 10 times more difficult on a mountain. Gardening on a hillside/slope is difficult. Fences and buildings are more difficult to build, it is more difficult to herd animals up or down a mountain than it is on flat land. Your driveway is more difficult to maintain on a mountain. Erosion is a constant on a mountain. I'm in my 50's now and the older I get the more difficult everything on this mountain property becomes. So IF I were choosing to buy a property, I would choose crawdad creek. You CAN build a bridge to get across the creek there and you can Also build a house that allows maximum light in so that you aren't living in the "dark". I'm one of those people who NEED's sunlight so I understand the need to have the light. You can also harvest some of the timber at crawdad creek and sell it and the creek is a natural and fun place for the kids and You Both said it yourselves, you Feel Good when you are at crawdad creek and isn't that what HOME is all about?
If I had to chose it would be the Creek property , not just for all the water 💦, fertile soil & TREES 🌳 🌳 you can BUILD with, HEAT with & raise animals in, but all the potential tree house/ fort building & all the time kids would spend in the creeks, I don’t know how many acres it includes but if light/ flooding are a concern Build UP, maybe stack a bunch of shipping containers up high off the ground or start w/small portable buildings that later can become guest or teen cabins 😊
Crawdad Creek has way more potential. You can pick where you want shade in your pastures. You have trees to provide lumber and wood heat. You can have wood pastured pigs, and goats will love the roughage. Your chickens will take care of any ticks. The creek is a guaranteed child entertainer as well as a source of water and power. You have real, virgin, living soil that can provide awesome gardens and pastures immediately; even the branches from cut trees or downed limbs can be the basis for hugelkulture, because you already have dirt to cover them with. It is way easier to cut down trees and remove stumps for pasture than to create enough dirt to grow things in. You have readily available water. The mountain property starts with a minus in all these things; it could take years and lots of labor and money just to get to zero. How long and how much money to create enough dirt for pastures and gardens? I don't see any detriments to Crawdad Creek. Just make sure you build above any potential high water level. For a couple thousand dollars you can rent the equipment needed to pull stumps, or you can hire someone who has their own equipment.
Number 2! Water is main thing, especially for self sufficiency. Animals won’t be too hot and you have a shield from snow, wind and too much sun. You can always remove trees, but it takes a long time to grow them
The creek property all the way. It will take sell work and it will get you guys closer to your goal faster. 1) you have water already, a creek running through, plus you can add rain catching system for extra/back up water. You said you wanted to make it easier to water the animals - few small dams when you divide the land for rotational grassing 2) raw land is always best, you have great sail for farming. You can cut down the trees as you need with out destroying the sail. Once top sail is gone it’s hard to rebuild taking years, and in some cases it’s not possible if you are on a hill, it will keep running off. 3) if you are selective in removing trees and opening some areas, it can make sunny spots which will help remove some of the humidity. Try to leaving 2/3 of trees, it will give you and your animals instant shade to cool off = everyone happy. Plus the trees you remove you can use on your property for projects, heat your new home or sell it for extra income. 4) for privacy put in a bridge to go into second half of the property. Leave the trees on the street half, it will give you extra privacy plus you can add some kind of shrub along the street/property line to give an extra privacy. Down the road you can use the street side as an educational site and selling your products if you want.
Those thorny weeds and rocky ground are dealbreakers for me 🙃… if you want to rely on your garden for food, it would take many truckloads and lots of time to get that soil for pasture and garden. -- To pick which trees you want to keep and which you want to get rid of is great! To get the LIGHT you want, chippity choppity those trees down ❤
Your dad is a genius, if you like Sunny Mountain, then Put solar panels all over there and sell the excess electric, that would be so much easier than farming ! Valleys are where you farm. Crawdad creek is where you'll find water and deep top soil. It will be cooler in the summers and warmer in the winters. Plus all those trees will be worth a fortune to you to start the farm !
@@Poppy_love59 I am in PA and it does not work out great as far as ROI. It is ideal if you are using the energy that you make, but many solar companies that set up on your land for carbon credits don't do you personally any good. Be careful.
@@kerryfoose3116 I wouldn't use any outside Solar Companies. Businesses require investment in order to make a good return. Too many people think that doing things like opening franchises is a path to good wealth mngmt, I disagree for the same reasons you just stated. Invest in the solar panels and pay any specialist like electricians you need to do the wiring. The law still requires the local utility to pay you at the same rates they charge the customers for any Wattage you supply them.
Crawdad creek gets my vote 😊 takes a long time to grow trees, you can pick and choose which ones to keep or remove. Try to budget a drive-across bridge to get as far from the road as you can. Besides, it looks like the kids are already loving the water. Best of luck to you all!
Agreed. I was wondering how costly it would be to build a bridge over the creek to build the house farther from the road? Also if that was possible, how much effort/work/$ to open up forest to create pasture?
My experience is a low topsoil area with few trees and a great view -- so much money invested in feeding the animals, for years. Money and effort in getting that pasture going. The rocks have their perks, but there is a reason that creeks and green areas with moisture and growth are known for fertile farm land.
I love sunny mountain! I think your long term happiness is something to consider if this is your forever homestead. You can make both properties work but imagine yourself sitting on your front porch on sunny mountain looking out at that amazing view.
From personal experience, we bought a homestead last year with a creek on it (3 creeks actually that eventually meet into 1) and there's no way we could have come as far as we did in this year if we wouldn't have had that source. My vote goes to Crawdad Creek!
My vote: Creek Property! The water resource and untouched land where you have all the say on how the layout is; absolutely this one. More initial work but lifelong satisfaction.
Personally, I choose Crawdad Creek. While that section of the creek is wide and deep, is there a section further in that would not necessarily need a bridge? Build a drivable dam with only a small bridge over the spillway overflow. Much better water access and retention. Better soil for gardens and pastures. Let the pigs root around and clear a lot of the underbrush. The Highlands will clear out some of the small stuff, as well. Plentiful source of wood for heating. And possibly lumber for building with a portable mill purchase. And I see better wildlife access through the property. I see winter access issues with Sunny Mountain - getting up there in ice and snow. And that appears to be a granite mountain. Not easy to build soil on solid rock. You will need at least 6" of soil, and every rain will wash away half of your gain each year. You could possibly put your solar and wind system on top of sheds, providing more shade, but the winds will be brutal on top of that mountain in winter. And you can't sell back electricity unless you have access to the grid. How much will that cost to connect to?
The land is so lush at Crawdad Creek. That's what I would choose. The 2 lands left alone to flourish, tells you exactly what your land will continue to provide you. Build a bridge and build your house on the other side of the property. Open it up for your home location and name it "Sunny Crawdad Creek"
I have a very small creek that only "runs" when there is flooding rain and is very unimpressive. This is where the "but" comes in it has a few small springs along the way and never goes dry and never freezes. Several years ago we had a record-breaking drought and it almost went dry. There was one small pool of maybe 150 gallons to water 25 cows but it kept up. There was also a strip of grass that remained green all along the creek It is a great resource to never have to water your cows.
Water is your most valuable asset. Always. If the creeks are swift, there’s the ability for hydropower. Timber is valuable. And not having to build up soil is a labor and time saver.
IDK which I'd choose. I agree it's about the feeling you get there. I do love the view from Sunny Mountain, and appreciate that it would be great for solar, wind, and even hydro are all possible. Restoring the soil is so very important, but I don't think it's going to be as easy as you think on top of the mountain for all the same reasons. It would be a great place to build a home into the mountain however. The Valley property made me swoon more than I thought it would. I wouldn't normally like valley over mountain, wet over dry. I lost my home in what was called a 500yr flood. However, virgin land with flowing water is a must have foundation for a homestead. I'm from TN and building a bridge over creeks and rivers on private property homes is done often and I actually find it extremely charming. Great place for the kids to go and cast a line to fish from as well. I'd agree I'd want my home off the road as much as possible, but that's very doable. Harvesting the lumber there would most likely give more light, and dry things out a bit. You'd diff want to mange the water, but you have a great resource with your parents. I just see it being a world of resource and beauty. All the water features and uses there of.. the beauty, fishing, hydro, water for animals, gardens, and people. You could even have a water wheel that could cool food, grind meal, and make power. You'll also be able to grow more and farm the woods as you improve on what's all ready there. My vote is for the rich valley, if you can afford both develop the mountain and vacation there. If you buy the valley make sure to hang a good tire swing for the kids! I'm sure you'll make either a happy home so just follow your heart, you'll be putting so much into it, it's only right it should lead the way.
While the mountain has a beautiful view I think the creek may be a better canvas for you to build a place you love it will take more work/resources though to build it.
I'm not even sure it would take more work and resources. It may take more to begin with but on the mountain property it's going to take a lot of work to build up the soil and then it will be a constant never ending battle against the wind and erosion to maintain that soil. The creek location has more initial work in the form of building a bridge over the creek and cutting down trees but once it's set up the way they want it's going to be much lower maintenance. The constant exposure to every weather system that passes by that the top of that hill/mountain is going to endure is going to ensure non stop long term problems that have to be fixed.
As someone who lives on valley floor in a wind tunnel, I'm not sure I would enjoy living on the top of the mountain being exposed to all the weather systems blowing through, My wind is diurnal marine layer blowing in and out, and sometimes it comes from the north from SF Bay, and sometimes it comes from the south from Monterey Bay. I live in the narrow valley that separates the two watersheds. My soil is deep here, and I have existing mature nut trees on my property which provides windbreaks. I don't get as much wind from weather systems, it's more extreme on the mountain tops surrounding me. You did not mention whether or not the second property is on a southern slope. If it's a northern slope, I would pass on it because of less sun available.
Hey Aust, I have been looking for several years. One thing I would recommend is search for properties with the acreage you want AND with a junky modular home on it. Costs LESS most times than raw land and usually have a well and sceptic as well as a concrete pad or two that can be reused.
Crawdad Creek definitely gets my vote! I love water. It is great not only for farming but also for pleasure. Can't you build a bridge over the creek which will open up the land on the other side for the house?
Crawdad creek for sure. Build the house across the creek and build a bridge. Beautiful property. The other one looks like a desert and too much work for good soil to planting trees which take a long time and not to mention no water source. Other option is to continue to look at other properties
Sunny mountain is my vote. I thought I was gonna go with craydad creek but I totally get what Kay is saying the sun is very important for me. I love shade but it the winter I need to have as much sun exposure as possible.
Falling Waters - build over one of the creeks (LOL). Too dark? Take down some trees. You aren't looking for just a scenic view. Homesteading means livestock. My husband is 80 and I am 73. We are building on a granite ledge, doing all the work ourselves - clearing boulders and trees, putting in driveways, running electric. We do have a two acre hay field, but it needs drainage and reworking from years of packed sod. We can only work on the project for 4 months in the summer, as we are 10 hours away, but we are getting it done. We started by over-hauling a cargo trailer to live in while we build. Are you absolutely certain you can't find another place on that entire Creek property that a dozer and excavator can't get access to (I love running heavy equipment)? The best thing you can do at this point is pray for wisdom and guidance.
Definitely build a bridge and place the house on the other side. Watch Arm's Family Homestead. They have a bridge over their creek. Their place is gorgeous! Pedestrian bridge for when the water is too high, and cement pad under the creek water in driveway.
Crawdad Creek. It has more of what you need out of the gate. You might be able to sell the wood to offset some cost, less windy vs. the top of a mountain. Build the bridge.
Fresh water... the end. Water is life. Here’s the thing, you MUST consider resources; water, wood, soil. Here on the plains we have only soil... water is only accessible through a well ($20k) and the only wood we have are scarce cottonwoods (homes don’t have fireplaces around here). 200 miles east and we can have water, wood AND soil. It’s amazing all the property people have purchased the last year that lacks resources. If you get one with all 3... that’s golden.
Not sure if either one of these is it! It would be awesome to have a creek but I'm worried about how bad it gets in the wetter months. Look for a better blend of both properties! Anxious to see what you do with it regardless of where you choose.
The creek is just beautiful, it takes much longer to grow trees and the trees you cut you can use the wood. Water is life and you do get sun but much less wind. It’s just so beautiful from the start! 👍 I really think farming is much better in the valley
After living 8years in a wet wooded area and dealing with mold, lots of rain, sometimes flooding and just the dark dank feel we moved to an open hilly countryside with lots of sun. We are working to build up our soil for our homestead. We do have two ponds for water- you guys would have to work on that fairly quickly. Anyways my vote is for sunny mountain- we are sooo much happier now that we have more open rolling land. The animals seem to be thriving better here too - now that’s it’s a little drier with more grass and sun.
I wouldn't like being near the road but, if you could find a spot on the other side of the creek and make it accessible...that would be my choice. I'm from Louisiana and just the name pulls the strings of my heart and the shade is so important here in the south because of the heat. Of course, that's not an issue for you so much. Also, it seems to me that you could make some extra money by logging some of the woods. I bless you and pray that the right choice will be in both of your hearts. That it will be made plain to you both.
From what I was able to see I would go Crawdad Creek for sure. I didn’t catch the amount of acreage there but I would imagine it is similar in size. That property has tons of potential. Sunny Mountain is beautiful but that creek and forest can go a long way. Whatever you guys end up choosing, I wish you the best in life! 😃❤️
Wow this hit close to home. We just moved from a beautiful creek front property to a mountaintop property. There were many similar factors in place like you guys have to decide. By far and away the biggest factor for us was sun. With no sun on our cabin in the dark days of winter on a north slope, we just needed it for our mental, emotional, and physical well being. It was a tough decision, but I am absolutely loving the views! The sunrise/sunsets add a different view every single day. Best wishes either way! Love from Oregon. -Robert
Crawdad Creek As a permaculturist, it has water where you can get at it. You have a soil biome instead of needing 5 years and / or lots of earth works. You can clear trees to make your sun traps. Having your initial home near the road can be mitigated with planting. Go smal and it becomes a place for young adults after you built a crossed the waterway. I do not like the cleared mountain top due to the erosion. I am biased though being based in the maritime Pac NW. And we are looking at timbered property because we want to demonstrate how you fix it. The place we are looking at has a barn, well, septic, small home, is just off a main road and we don't have large critters yet. It's been recently timbered and has about 15 acres in hay but it has been seriously damaged. Crawdad creek has more options for silvopasture and agroforestry without the repair. You have hydro potential even with a drought, pumping water around and over Sunny Mountain will be a hassel. Sunny mountain road was cut in for logging ease and the drainage wasn't designed to retain the water and perk it into the soil hence erosion issues are a high potential. I do not specialize in your climate, would really want to see topo maps, and get better assessment of standing vegetation before I say more. If you want to get to STUN level, go with the creek, if you want quick fix but sustained inputs go with mountain. Both are a lot of work to get where you want. Creek will have those 19th century big trees faster than if you need to plant them as seedling on the mountain in sun baked water eroded dirt . It's already having mature pioneer species.
I would definitely pick up the creek property, it's a rougher path but cheaper . removing tree will dry the land a lot, you could build the dam so you could go wuth your car on it so you could put your house further. You might have to start pasturize the wood with pig, but i think it's easier to select what tree stay than planting new one! you probably have a lot of nut tree in that wood (another plus)
Both are good properties. If K is going to be unhappy with it being dark and the lack of privacy I would go with the one she wants. What is the other property like during the season when it is more rainy? if you think it's wet now it will be twice as wet in the rainy season.
I have to say the one with the creek I love the other one but building up soil yes it can be done but that’s so time consuming and what happens if u have a crazy rain that wash’s it all away again. The second property is just so nice and raw
I would pick the Crawdad Creek. It seems more "alive". Although the mountain has a beautiful view of the other mountains, the forest is just as beautiful. I think it has better resources.
How many acres is the Creek property?? Being away from the road , having privacy, and security for children is a must. I vote Sunny Mt. The work that’s done for you is huge when it comes to savings. Water deteriorates everything and even if it’s in the budget to maintain bridges to get you where you want deeper inside the creek property there is the additional maintenance of the bridges to ensure access to your homestead. Also, yal mentioned hunting. Have yal been out to see what the deer population is like between the two properties?
i love Crawdad Creek because it lets you decide how much native untouched beauty you keep. to have that secluded little creek to sit down by and just be in the super oxygenated forest, its a beautiful thing. And you can always rent the equipment to clear and sell or build with the lumber resource from your own land!
You didn't say how many acres the Creek property had. I think I would take some time to build across the creek where you feel better about building. I'm from Colorado I live right under pikes peak I love the mountains. I feel lost without the mountains but not having water and dealing with water solutions all the time. I would go with the creek. And everything they're saying about global warming you should think about more the water. You can clear out some of them trees have great growing property (gardens, fruit trees etc.) Nice pastures. You might have to take extra care for parasites and foot problems. But you take really good care of your animals anyway. You can open up places where it would be sunny and you won't feel so close in. Probably get a good hunting. But again you can go and hunt. You can stock your creeks. But it's really hard to get water where there is none. That's my opinion.
Build that bridge! That place is absolutely idyllic. Running water is such and awesome resource! I love how lush it is there. Clear some trees for sun and away you go 😊
For water needs and the wilderness feeling, I would choose Crawdad Creek. Just listening to the creek is awesome! Water is #1 so I would have to choose this one! Sorry Sunny Mountain!
Listening to the creek was great until a car drove past and drowned it out. His saying "All you can hear is the water" was not actually fact. The creek is right by the road. They would have to build right by the road so that water sound is a moot point.
Crawdad Creek. No doubt, #2. It would take years to plant and grow the beautiful trees. Also for any future animals-they will be so much cooler with the shade from the trees.
In Washington State, where I live, there's no way you'd be allowed to build a dam and store/redirect water. Also, there's a required setback from any groundwater source for livestock in most areas. Maybe it's less restrictive where you are, but I'd check into that! Good luck, they both have lots of potential!
@@SagebrushRambles Washington and Oregon have some of the most restrictive laws when it comes to Homesteading, if you're going to Homestead unless you have more personal reasons those are not the states to do it in.
My husband and I purchased all wooded land in the mountains of PA less than a year ago. It has one really good creek, one smaller creek and at least a couple springs. We recently finished adding a driveway to the building area sites. It is over 800 ft long. My husband and neighbors dropped the trees, and we paid an excavator to dig out the driveway due to the complexity of the driveway right off the road and grade changes. We love it. Highly recommend the woods and creek any day. When we visit, we stay off grid and use a camper with a generator. We always are seeing the wildlife, countless deer. It's become our happy place. Our future goal with it is a homestead. We are also going cash only so it will be a slow process. Thanks for the videos! They are helpful as we plan out our future dream.
Property 2. I live on a mountain ( hill) you can see 20 miles (in Ohio. )The wind is nice in the summer. When your out in the cold weather Brr! Also the view unless you own the land not a certainty. Could have a gas well pluck down anywhere.
Keep looking. The mountain top will have more weather challenges. You won’t have good soil for 8-10 years. Not enough for big animals. Not enough water. A well will be very deep and expensive. I don’t see the road as a big con. Easy on a snow blower operator. Cut trees. Darkness lightened. But wet is hard on sod with big heavy animals. Keep looking.
Pass on both one is to wet the other your going to freeze in the winter and water will forever be a problem and it will take years and years to build top soil
Love the sunny mountain!!! But lack of water is really scary for me. And rocky soil is really hard to work with. In all honesty I think either property will be amazing and troubling. Whatever you pick it will be good. Love seeing your parents on camera! I honestly want to call them!
I was sure I would choose Crawdad Creek, but after seeing both properties, I think I would choose Sunny Mountain. Creeks are wonderful as long as they don't flood you out. The peaceful feeling on the mountain was priceless.🌞
Love both properties. Sunny Mountain... You can add soil at possibly at $$, growing trees where there are none is a long process. Using solar does have a plus. View amazing, but soil absent, and that will definately take some time and money, that one is hard. Crawfish Creek... Boggy shady land is hard, but it's easier to remove selected trees and use the lumber to build a bridge! You can possibly reroute streams to where large animals graze and over time the sun and water will be perfect. Both great properties, for me its preference in the work, building soil is hard. Crawfish Creek for me.
I would choose Crawdad Creek as well. Woods can be used for so much. Lumber to build with and a heat source. The creek makes the property worth so much more than the other property. Use the trees you clear to create the bridge(s). I see way more potential in the creek property.
#2 Where there is natural resources of raw soil & water = perfect homestead! I grewup on fertile soil on a dairy farm. Now retired, I live in clay soil country, with shale rock beneath the surface ugh (no basements & no root Cellar). You can build main buildings on higher elevation, and have day pastures below along the creek (incase, of possible spring flooding) Animals need lots of grazing and have plenty of fresh water. You can incorporate into organic forest gardening / planting fields. 🌳 🌲 Someone mention selling off section of trees cut, to offset expenses. Can install portal, adjustable solar units on trailer bed to take advantage of seasons. Look at big picture!!
For me the view on the mountain top is stunning, but with the benefits of water and soil at the creek, it's worth the change. Also, at Crawdad creek, the woods give you a view of what you have, whereas the mountain pulls you view to what you don't have. Creek 1000%
Definitely the creek...water brings so much opportunity for energy, animals and growing. Clear some forest and you'll get sunshine to enjoy. Can you build further up the property?
Why would you not build a bridge over the creek so you can build the house further away from the road? (I wrote that before you said it lol). Sunny Mountain was pretty, but honestly I think dappled light is far more beautiful, probably from growing up with a photographer, but I always feel suddenly calm and peaceful when I’m driving along and it becomes bush. It’s just so lovely and soothing. You could clear trees from Crawdad Creek to create the perfect balance of sunlight and shade much faster than you could create that balance by planting trees on the mountain. Plus because the forest has never been cleared that means there will be valuable timber in there that you could sell to cover the costs of the bridge. Once you’ve cleared some of it, it won’t feel dark and damp anymore. You can clear it so that the top soil isn’t eroded completely and so you won’t have to start from scratch with that. You won’t need lots of extra goats to clear the thorny weeds. The kids will have a ball in the forest. My aunt lives in the bush and I went there every school holidays and loved it. You can easily create a dam and fish. Not just luck of the draw with what you catch, you can stock it with what you want to eat and raise them. And just having a second water source that’s practical and easily accessible will make such a difference if there’s a few years of not much rain and the tanks are running low. And last thing, as someone who has issues with noise and has a new highway nearby with a constant hum of traffic and also a train line nearby which is much louder but less often, I can tell you the hum will bug you far more than an occasional car going past. There’s no relief from the hum. It’s constant and it wears on you, whereas the train or a single car comes, passes and goes, then it’s back to quiet for an hour or so. So, my vote is definitely for Crawdad Creek, but the Aussie was always going to vote for the extra water source! As long as you’re both happy though, that’s all that really matters. Even what the kids want doesn’t matter as they’ll grow up and move out soon enough!
I vote for 2 . The forest land is set for gardening and the soil is ready. The trees will come in handy to build your home. Get a log cutting and make your own wood. Hunting .
Number 1 is major work and time rebuilding the soil on hard compacted dirt to make any kind of pasture for the animals to eat , are you going to feed them hay for the first few years until any kind of soil is established ? . Number 2 is easier to clear some trees for more sun and to dry out the land and is less work and time to get all you want in a farm , there is no contest for me , I vote number 2 land , I will be along for the ride what ever property you guys choose , blessings.
With the value of the timber and the skills and vision I have in homesteading I would choose crawdad creek natural flowing water is a make or break on a homestead for so many reasons making ponds can be house for natural irrigation for gardens and white the right setup and planning where the house goes will be a big bonus to a rain catchment system.
I think in the end Crawdad creek is what I would choose. Water is so important...and the animals would be such a help when it comes to clearing things.
As beautiful as no. 1 property is the bareness is a no go. Property 2; water is life, clear the trees, build that bridge to put that house where you will live the rest of your life, do it while you are young. Trees take forever to grow, selectively timber and use for wood heat down the road, manage the forest, clear for pastures and shelters and of course gardens. We had property in WV and loved it but being in a holler it would get dark very early so we built our cabin up higher in a clearing and so glad we did. Can't wait to hear your decision and good luck.
I would jump at the chance for property #2 Crawdad Creek looks amazing now and imagine looking into the future will only be better. I think either property you guys would make work. I just think #2 would be more satisfying sooner to what you want to do. Clearing the trees can either provide immediate cash or wood for projects or for both.
i love the way your dad thinks. I live in a gully, and he pegged the idea I had for my property, which I have yet to implement - the stepped dams. I've lived here for 15 years, and I can tell you a few things. Noise travels in a valley, in ways you wouldn't normally predict. So you could go to the expense of putting in a bridge to build on the other side, to get away from the road - and the noise travels up the hill, as if you're living right next to it. But that all depends, because you can get some really quite places in the valley too. My point is, a sloping property, with land masses skirting on either side, won't be predictable like a flat one. Noise travels different, water velocity is more damaging, then there are shadows altering sun exposure. I think all those things can work in your favour, if you can wrangle a permaculture designer in to do it for you. I can tell you right now, Geoff Lawton and Bill Mollison, would go for Austin's property, but Joel Salitin would go for Kay's. They're all skilled at what they know to draw from a piece of land. Here's what I think you should be planning for though - which property will allow the use of machinery to manage it, the best as you age?There will come a point you NEED machinery to help manage the property. Not want, but actually NEED. Access to your property, is the most important aspect of a property. It doesn't matter what natural features and other elements it has going for it, if you cannot access it to use it. My recommendation for either property, is to introduce nitrogen fixing, browse trees for your cows, as a future drought-proofing measure. A tree can survive a dry spell, better than a pasture can. Combining these too forms of feed (browse and pasture) for your cows, will stave off hay bales, in the dry. See Geoff Lawton's video on converting browse into milk, for ideas - th-cam.com/video/k7Ft3CzMEac/w-d-xo.html
I would take the creek property in a heartbeat. Lowlands generally is better soil. Adding the culvert as other say fix the access issue. All that timberland!
I would like to have seen more of Crawdad Creek. How many acres are there? You could clear an area beyond the creek(s?), in such a way that you could have the light and the privacy. Water is a precious commodity, with natural creeks you would have the water needed. I think the biggest draw to Sunny Mountain is the cleared top of the mountain ~ giving you an area where you could put up solar panels and starting an additional income flow. I like both. I’m leaning towards The Shire.
Love Crawdad Creek. Water is so important and the fertile soil. I hope that you can build the bridge. We live off a now busy road and I hate all the noise. It was a quiet road when we moved here. Good luck and can't wait to watch you grow your new homestead. 😁
Creek property 100% Trees provide a lot of protection from predators, emf and give shade for animals as well! Pigs and goats would help turn that area into useful land fast. You can build a bridge over the creek and plant on the other side of the creek. Building soil on the sunny mountain will take a long time along with building water catchment. What are your winters like?
Property #1 - 1st, how can you bank and sell excess solar power? 2nd ponds dry up sometimes. With the new unpredictability of the weather, drought is a real possibility. But the land is breathtakingly beautiful. 2nd property is not as gorgeous now, but has the most potential to become one with the least potential for problems. Thanks for sharing
Climate/weather has always been unpredictable. Somehow everything that has happened for ever is now attributed to climate change. Humans are an odd lot.
Easy, Crawdad Creek. The hardest parts to fix on Weed Mountain are already there; water & soil. Easy to bring in sun and you can control where with controlled cutting which is faster and cheaper than planting a tree or building shade buildings. No brainer for me unless there is significant in size or price difference.
points to consider; 1) water {stream and/or well}, 2) wood to harvest {firewood and milling wood also sustainability regrowth}, 3) acreage {pasture, and privacy} 4) growing season, 5) Consider wind {how much and how often and can you have a wind turbine}, 6) Wildfire danger, 7) utilities {electricity, internet, septic perk test, obviously need to bring in a propane tank) Property 1; If the water that is "a long ways away", if that water is a flowing creek with enough fall, you can put in a couple of Ram Pumps (no power). Property 2; the creek has plenty of fall for very good power generation. Septic placement maybe an issue. With the creek you should be able to do a shallow well. The tree size looks small for milling. Having been a Class A General Engineering Contractor, and with what you showed, I would go with Property 1 Sunny Mountain. Solar power, wind power. Mature trees for milling. Building a log cabin would save you money!!!
Water always wins. The ground is great for pastures. The mountain will provide little coverage from the wind and heat for the animals. Creating a good top soil from rock will take years.
This would be hard for me to pick also, although I love the sun and all its energy, the wooded land with the creek would be the best choice , just put the house a sunny location and clear the pastures out for both sun and shade parts, to please everyone !! Best of luck, I cant wait to hear and see what you do !!
So if I'm honest I wouldn't pick either and I would keep looking. Kay is right about the noise and at least for here changing creeks, even seasonal ones involve a permitting process with the state that's just gross, nevermind one you want to culvert and cross. You also don't know what the seasonal flow is going to be like until you're there a couple years. The mountain top one is nice for a solar project but would take years of haying/chips etc to bring soil back. Hay you would need to bring in by trailer and store, that means lots of money for both the road to support that and the storage for that hay. It did have a nice plus that the building site is basically already cleared but since you have the home base I'd keep looking. When I bought my place I threw a 3 state net for the right place to show itself.
Creek property 100%. Running water and good soil are so key for homesteading! You can put in a culvert to get to the back of the property, and find the highest elevation spot for the house and cleared pasture.
As someone who lives on a mountain with no natural way to get water, I would definitely pick the creek property. There are so many more possibilities when you have a water source, for your gardens, livestock etc. You can't always rely on rain, it could be that you don't get enough one season and then you would have a huge problem, whereas as your father stated, you could build dams and make a series of ponds in the creek. Look for flat space there to build your home which is a way from the road. If you are building a series of ponds you could divert the water enough as to make it easier to build a bridge.
Whichever you decide, I am sure you will make a success out of it! Greetings from Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
Water but not a flood zone.
As a fellow homesteader, who is created a property from nothing, I would go for crawdad Creek having that water is invaluable. Not to mention all the timber, the lovely, lush forest I think it’s a no-brainer, crawdad Creek all the way.
Lots of spreading weeds that will take time to rid of. Ticks, bugs attacking garden and pest the animals. There is a creek at Sunny Hill also they could still make a pond and potential to generate income from solar. Open will help with rain catchment as heavy forest not so much. Hill is dryer, the forest is damp.
My vote is number 2. Water available. And you can always remove trees and sell the lumber. Better soil. Solar can go anywhere. Less wind.
Looks much better for the animals too.
@@cooperyoung1928 Wild and domesticated, just be watchful for predators, have high fence lines and bury your hardware cloth fencing about a foot deep.
As a viewer, I'm way more interested in watching you transform Crawdad Creek than I am watching you add grass and lean-to structures to the Sunny Mountain.
This^^^^!
I've lived Both. I have a small farm place in the next county over that is "crawdad creek". It has a natural water source, is in a valley and is "darker" than our mountain place. The house there is a cabin built in 1860 and was built so that very little sunlight comes in. The ground there is Fertile, there is constant access to water with 2 creeks, a pond, 2 springs, 2 dug wells and a drilled well, and the land is flatter (which in and of itself is a HUGE plus). I currently live on a mountain. I do have decent water here in the form of a well, but I have to be careful with it and I have a very small pond that dries up in a drought season. There is No fertile soil here unless I buy it, build it etc. But the absolute Biggest draw back of the mountain property is that it is a mountain. Chores are 10 times more difficult on a mountain. Gardening on a hillside/slope is difficult. Fences and buildings are more difficult to build, it is more difficult to herd animals up or down a mountain than it is on flat land. Your driveway is more difficult to maintain on a mountain. Erosion is a constant on a mountain. I'm in my 50's now and the older I get the more difficult everything on this mountain property becomes. So IF I were choosing to buy a property, I would choose crawdad creek. You CAN build a bridge to get across the creek there and you can Also build a house that allows maximum light in so that you aren't living in the "dark". I'm one of those people who NEED's sunlight so I understand the need to have the light. You can also harvest some of the timber at crawdad creek and sell it and the creek is a natural and fun place for the kids and You Both said it yourselves, you Feel Good when you are at crawdad creek and isn't that what HOME is all about?
If I had to chose it would be the Creek property , not just for all the water 💦, fertile soil & TREES 🌳 🌳 you can BUILD with, HEAT with & raise animals in, but all the potential tree house/ fort building & all the time kids would spend in the creeks, I don’t know how many acres it includes but if light/ flooding are a concern Build UP, maybe stack a bunch of shipping containers up high off the ground or start w/small portable buildings that later can become guest or teen cabins 😊
Location, Location, location... water is soooo important! Also it's way faster to cut down trees, then to wait till they grow. I vote for crawdad ❤
Crawdad Creek has way more potential. You can pick where you want shade in your pastures. You have trees to provide lumber and wood heat. You can have wood pastured pigs, and goats will love the roughage. Your chickens will take care of any ticks. The creek is a guaranteed child entertainer as well as a source of water and power. You have real, virgin, living soil that can provide awesome gardens and pastures immediately; even the branches from cut trees or downed limbs can be the basis for hugelkulture, because you already have dirt to cover them with. It is way easier to cut down trees and remove stumps for pasture than to create enough dirt to grow things in. You have readily available water. The mountain property starts with a minus in all these things; it could take years and lots of labor and money just to get to zero. How long and how much money to create enough dirt for pastures and gardens? I don't see any detriments to Crawdad Creek. Just make sure you build above any potential high water level. For a couple thousand dollars you can rent the equipment needed to pull stumps, or you can hire someone who has their own equipment.
Number 2! Water is main thing, especially for self sufficiency. Animals won’t be too hot and you have a shield from snow, wind and too much sun. You can always remove trees, but it takes a long time to grow them
The creek property all the way. It will take sell work and it will get you guys closer to your goal faster.
1) you have water already, a creek running through, plus you can add rain catching system for extra/back up water. You said you wanted to make it easier to water the animals - few small dams when you divide the land for rotational grassing
2) raw land is always best, you have great sail for farming. You can cut down the trees as you need with out destroying the sail. Once top sail is gone it’s hard to rebuild taking years, and in some cases it’s not possible if you are on a hill, it will keep running off.
3) if you are selective in removing trees and opening some areas, it can make sunny spots which will help remove some of the humidity. Try to leaving 2/3 of trees, it will give you and your animals instant shade to cool off = everyone happy. Plus the trees you remove you can use on your property for projects, heat your new home or sell it for extra income.
4) for privacy put in a bridge to go into second half of the property. Leave the trees on the street half, it will give you extra privacy plus you can add some kind of shrub along the street/property line to give an extra privacy. Down the road you can use the street side as an educational site and selling your products if you want.
Creek property all the way. It's beautiful. All the shade, the grass, the possibilities
Those thorny weeds and rocky ground are dealbreakers for me 🙃… if you want to rely on your garden for food, it would take many truckloads and lots of time to get that soil for pasture and garden.
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To pick which trees you want to keep and which you want to get rid of is great! To get the LIGHT you want, chippity choppity those trees down ❤
Your dad is a genius, if you like Sunny Mountain, then Put solar panels all over there and sell the excess electric, that would be so much easier than farming ! Valleys are where you farm. Crawdad creek is where you'll find water and deep top soil. It will be cooler in the summers and warmer in the winters. Plus all those trees will be worth a fortune to you to start the farm !
Electric companies don't pay all that much for your excess electricity. It takes years just to break even.
@@robinlillian9471 They pay the same rate you pay. 1 year on a solar panel will be pay it off!
@@Poppy_love59 Depends on the state.
@@Poppy_love59 I am in PA and it does not work out great as far as ROI. It is ideal if you are using the energy that you make, but many solar companies that set up on your land for carbon credits don't do you personally any good. Be careful.
@@kerryfoose3116 I wouldn't use any outside Solar Companies. Businesses require investment in order to make a good return. Too many people think that doing things like opening franchises is a path to good wealth mngmt, I disagree for the same reasons you just stated. Invest in the solar panels and pay any specialist like electricians you need to do the wiring. The law still requires the local utility to pay you at the same rates they charge the customers for any Wattage you supply them.
Crawdad creek gets my vote 😊 takes a long time to grow trees, you can pick and choose which ones to keep or remove. Try to budget a drive-across bridge to get as far from the road as you can. Besides, it looks like the kids are already loving the water. Best of luck to you all!
Agreed. I was wondering how costly it would be to build a bridge over the creek to build the house farther from the road? Also if that was possible, how much effort/work/$ to open up forest to create pasture?
My experience is a low topsoil area with few trees and a great view -- so much money invested in feeding the animals, for years. Money and effort in getting that pasture going. The rocks have their perks, but there is a reason that creeks and green areas with moisture and growth are known for fertile farm land.
Either one I will enjoy watching Ur progress, on the Rd to making Ur dream farm. 🖖🏡
I love sunny mountain! I think your long term happiness is something to consider if this is your forever homestead. You can make both properties work but imagine yourself sitting on your front porch on sunny mountain looking out at that amazing view.
From personal experience, we bought a homestead last year with a creek on it (3 creeks actually that eventually meet into 1) and there's no way we could have come as far as we did in this year if we wouldn't have had that source. My vote goes to Crawdad Creek!
My vote: Creek Property! The water resource and untouched land where you have all the say on how the layout is; absolutely this one. More initial work but lifelong satisfaction.
Personally, I choose Crawdad Creek. While that section of the creek is wide and deep, is there a section further in that would not necessarily need a bridge? Build a drivable dam with only a small bridge over the spillway overflow. Much better water access and retention. Better soil for gardens and pastures. Let the pigs root around and clear a lot of the underbrush. The Highlands will clear out some of the small stuff, as well. Plentiful source of wood for heating. And possibly lumber for building with a portable mill purchase. And I see better wildlife access through the property. I see winter access issues with Sunny Mountain - getting up there in ice and snow. And that appears to be a granite mountain. Not easy to build soil on solid rock. You will need at least 6" of soil, and every rain will wash away half of your gain each year. You could possibly put your solar and wind system on top of sheds, providing more shade, but the winds will be brutal on top of that mountain in winter. And you can't sell back electricity unless you have access to the grid. How much will that cost to connect to?
The land is so lush at Crawdad Creek. That's what I would choose. The 2 lands left alone to flourish, tells you exactly what your land will continue to provide you. Build a bridge and build your house on the other side of the property. Open it up for your home location and name it "Sunny Crawdad Creek"
I have a very small creek that only "runs" when there is flooding rain and is very unimpressive. This is where the "but" comes in it has a few small springs along the way and never goes dry and never freezes. Several years ago we had a record-breaking drought and it almost went dry. There was one small pool of maybe 150 gallons to water 25 cows but it kept up. There was also a strip of grass that remained green all along the creek It is a great resource to never have to water your cows.
Water is your most valuable asset. Always. If the creeks are swift, there’s the ability for hydropower. Timber is valuable. And not having to build up soil is a labor and time saver.
I have farmed both hills and valleys. Valley will always out produce a hill. Live water is the most valuable thing you can have on a property.
IDK which I'd choose. I agree it's about the feeling you get there. I do love the view from Sunny Mountain, and appreciate that it would be great for solar, wind, and even hydro are all possible. Restoring the soil is so very important, but I don't think it's going to be as easy as you think on top of the mountain for all the same reasons. It would be a great place to build a home into the mountain however. The Valley property made me swoon more than I thought it would. I wouldn't normally like valley over mountain, wet over dry. I lost my home in what was called a 500yr flood. However, virgin land with flowing water is a must have foundation for a homestead. I'm from TN and building a bridge over creeks and rivers on private property homes is done often and I actually find it extremely charming. Great place for the kids to go and cast a line to fish from as well. I'd agree I'd want my home off the road as much as possible, but that's very doable. Harvesting the lumber there would most likely give more light, and dry things out a bit. You'd diff want to mange the water, but you have a great resource with your parents. I just see it being a world of resource and beauty. All the water features and uses there of.. the beauty, fishing, hydro, water for animals, gardens, and people. You could even have a water wheel that could cool food, grind meal, and make power. You'll also be able to grow more and farm the woods as you improve on what's all ready there. My vote is for the rich valley, if you can afford both develop the mountain and vacation there. If you buy the valley make sure to hang a good tire swing for the kids! I'm sure you'll make either a happy home so just follow your heart, you'll be putting so much into it, it's only right it should lead the way.
While the mountain has a beautiful view I think the creek may be a better canvas for you to build a place you love it will take more work/resources though to build it.
Better canvas. Love that! So true!
I'm not even sure it would take more work and resources. It may take more to begin with but on the mountain property it's going to take a lot of work to build up the soil and then it will be a constant never ending battle against the wind and erosion to maintain that soil. The creek location has more initial work in the form of building a bridge over the creek and cutting down trees but once it's set up the way they want it's going to be much lower maintenance. The constant exposure to every weather system that passes by that the top of that hill/mountain is going to endure is going to ensure non stop long term problems that have to be fixed.
As someone who lives on valley floor in a wind tunnel, I'm not sure I would enjoy living on the top of the mountain being exposed to all the weather systems blowing through, My wind is diurnal marine layer blowing in and out, and sometimes it comes from the north from SF Bay, and sometimes it comes from the south from Monterey Bay. I live in the narrow valley that separates the two watersheds. My soil is deep here, and I have existing mature nut trees on my property which provides windbreaks. I don't get as much wind from weather systems, it's more extreme on the mountain tops surrounding me. You did not mention whether or not the second property is on a southern slope. If it's a northern slope, I would pass on it because of less sun available.
Hey Aust, I have been looking for several years. One thing I would recommend is search for properties with the acreage you want AND with a junky modular home on it. Costs LESS most times than raw land and usually have a well and sceptic as well as a concrete pad or two that can be reused.
That is kinda what we did.
Crappy double wide, fantastic shop.
Crawdad Creek definitely gets my vote! I love water. It is great not only for farming but also for pleasure. Can't you build a bridge over the creek which will open up the land on the other side for the house?
Crawdad creek for sure. Build the house across the creek and build a bridge. Beautiful property. The other one looks like a desert and too much work for good soil to planting trees which take a long time and not to mention no water source. Other option is to continue to look at other properties
Sunny mountain is my vote. I thought I was gonna go with craydad creek but I totally get what Kay is saying the sun is very important for me. I love shade but it the winter I need to have as much sun exposure as possible.
Falling Waters - build over one of the creeks (LOL). Too dark? Take down some trees. You aren't looking for just a scenic view. Homesteading means livestock. My husband is 80 and I am 73. We are building on a granite ledge, doing all the work ourselves - clearing boulders and trees, putting in driveways, running electric. We do have a two acre hay field, but it needs drainage and reworking from years of packed sod. We can only work on the project for 4 months in the summer, as we are 10 hours away, but we are getting it done. We started by over-hauling a cargo trailer to live in while we build. Are you absolutely certain you can't find another place on that entire Creek property that a dozer and excavator can't get access to (I love running heavy equipment)? The best thing you can do at this point is pray for wisdom and guidance.
Definitely build a bridge and place the house on the other side. Watch Arm's Family Homestead. They have a bridge over their creek. Their place is gorgeous! Pedestrian bridge for when the water is too high, and cement pad under the creek water in driveway.
Water is so important. You can clear the trees for sunlight
Crawdad Creek. It has more of what you need out of the gate. You might be able to sell the wood to offset some cost, less windy vs. the top of a mountain. Build the bridge.
Fresh water... the end. Water is life. Here’s the thing, you MUST consider resources; water, wood, soil. Here on the plains we have only soil... water is only accessible through a well ($20k) and the only wood we have are scarce cottonwoods (homes don’t have fireplaces around here).
200 miles east and we can have water, wood AND soil. It’s amazing all the property people have purchased the last year that lacks resources. If you get one with all 3... that’s golden.
Not sure if either one of these is it! It would be awesome to have a creek but I'm worried about how bad it gets in the wetter months. Look for a better blend of both properties! Anxious to see what you do with it regardless of where you choose.
The creek is just beautiful, it takes much longer to grow trees and the trees you cut you can use the wood. Water is life and you do get sun but much less wind. It’s just so beautiful from the start! 👍
I really think farming is much better in the valley
After living 8years in a wet wooded area and dealing with mold, lots of rain, sometimes flooding and just the dark dank feel we moved to an open hilly countryside with lots of sun. We are working to build up our soil for our homestead. We do have two ponds for water- you guys would have to work on that fairly quickly.
Anyways my vote is for sunny mountain- we are sooo much happier now that we have more open rolling land. The animals seem to be thriving better here too - now that’s it’s a little drier with more grass and sun.
my vote is for crawdad creek. It is so beautiful; so green and the soil will be amazing. Once you clear some of the trees it won't be as dark.
I wouldn't like being near the road but, if you could find a spot on the other side of the creek and make it accessible...that would be my choice. I'm from Louisiana and just the name pulls the strings of my heart and the shade is so important here in the south because of the heat. Of course, that's not an issue for you so much. Also, it seems to me that you could make some extra money by logging some of the woods. I bless you and pray that the right choice will be in both of your hearts. That it will be made plain to you both.
From what I was able to see I would go Crawdad Creek for sure. I didn’t catch the amount of acreage there but I would imagine it is similar in size. That property has tons of potential. Sunny Mountain is beautiful but that creek and forest can go a long way. Whatever you guys end up choosing, I wish you the best in life! 😃❤️
Wow this hit close to home. We just moved from a beautiful creek front property to a mountaintop property. There were many similar factors in place like you guys have to decide. By far and away the biggest factor for us was sun. With no sun on our cabin in the dark days of winter on a north slope, we just needed it for our mental, emotional, and physical well being. It was a tough decision, but I am absolutely loving the views! The sunrise/sunsets add a different view every single day. Best wishes either way! Love from Oregon. -Robert
Crawdad Creek
As a permaculturist, it has water where you can get at it. You have a soil biome instead of needing 5 years and / or lots of earth works. You can clear trees to make your sun traps. Having your initial home near the road can be mitigated with planting. Go smal and it becomes a place for young adults after you built a crossed the waterway. I do not like the cleared mountain top due to the erosion.
I am biased though being based in the maritime Pac NW. And we are looking at timbered property because we want to demonstrate how you fix it. The place we are looking at has a barn, well, septic, small home, is just off a main road and we don't have large critters yet. It's been recently timbered and has about 15 acres in hay but it has been seriously damaged.
Crawdad creek has more options for silvopasture and agroforestry without the repair. You have hydro potential even with a drought, pumping water around and over Sunny Mountain will be a hassel. Sunny mountain road was cut in for logging ease and the drainage wasn't designed to retain the water and perk it into the soil hence erosion issues are a high potential. I do not specialize in your climate, would really want to see topo maps, and get better assessment of standing vegetation before I say more.
If you want to get to STUN level, go with the creek, if you want quick fix but sustained inputs go with mountain.
Both are a lot of work to get where you want.
Creek will have those 19th century big trees faster than if you need to plant them as seedling on the mountain in sun baked water eroded dirt . It's already having mature pioneer species.
I would definitely pick up the creek property, it's a rougher path but cheaper . removing tree will dry the land a lot, you could build the dam so you could go wuth your car on it so you could put your house further. You might have to start pasturize the wood with pig, but i think it's easier to select what tree stay than planting new one! you probably have a lot of nut tree in that wood (another plus)
Loving the creek! My immediate reaction was complete awe! I wouldn’t like how close it is to the road
Both are good properties. If K is going to be unhappy with it being dark and the lack of privacy I would go with the one she wants. What is the other property like during the season when it is more rainy? if you think it's wet now it will be twice as wet in the rainy season.
I have to say the one with the creek I love the other one but building up soil yes it can be done but that’s so time consuming and what happens if u have a crazy rain that wash’s it all away again. The second property is just so nice and raw
I would pick the Crawdad Creek. It seems more "alive". Although the mountain has a beautiful view of the other mountains, the forest is just as beautiful. I think it has better resources.
I would def want property #2 !! It's beautiful and you have your own woods ! In the times we live in now you may need that wood to heat your home.
Crawdad Creek would be my pick but both prperties look amazing.
How many acres is the Creek property?? Being away from the road , having privacy, and security for children is a must. I vote Sunny Mt. The work that’s done for you is huge when it comes to savings. Water deteriorates everything and even if it’s in the budget to maintain bridges to get you where you want deeper inside the creek property there is the additional maintenance of the bridges to ensure access to your homestead. Also, yal mentioned hunting. Have yal been out to see what the deer population is like between the two properties?
Man, this is a real tough decision. Financially, Sunny Mountain. But my heart is loving Crawdad Creek. Sending lots of prayers your way!
i love Crawdad Creek because it lets you decide how much native untouched beauty you keep. to have that secluded little creek to sit down by and just be in the super oxygenated forest, its a beautiful thing. And you can always rent the equipment to clear and sell or build with the lumber resource from your own land!
You didn't say how many acres the Creek property had. I think I would take some time to build across the creek where you feel better about building. I'm from Colorado I live right under pikes peak I love the mountains. I feel lost without the mountains but not having water and dealing with water solutions all the time. I would go with the creek. And everything they're saying about global warming you should think about more the water. You can clear out some of them trees have great growing property (gardens, fruit trees etc.) Nice pastures. You might have to take extra care for parasites and foot problems. But you take really good care of your animals anyway. You can open up places where it would be sunny and you won't feel so close in. Probably get a good hunting. But again you can go and hunt. You can stock your creeks. But it's really hard to get water where there is none. That's my opinion.
Build that bridge! That place is absolutely idyllic. Running water is such and awesome resource! I love how lush it is there. Clear some trees for sun and away you go 😊
For water needs and the wilderness feeling, I would choose Crawdad Creek. Just listening to the creek is awesome! Water is #1 so I would have to choose this one! Sorry Sunny Mountain!
Listening to the creek was great until a car drove past and drowned it out. His saying "All you can hear is the water" was not actually fact. The creek is right by the road. They would have to build right by the road so that water sound is a moot point.
Crawdad Creek. No doubt, #2. It would take years to plant and grow the beautiful trees. Also for any future animals-they will be so much cooler with the shade from the trees.
In Washington State, where I live, there's no way you'd be allowed to build a dam and store/redirect water. Also, there's a required setback from any groundwater source for livestock in most areas. Maybe it's less restrictive where you are, but I'd check into that! Good luck, they both have lots of potential!
Great points. I'm in Oregon and it's the same here.
@@SagebrushRambles Washington and Oregon have some of the most restrictive laws when it comes to Homesteading, if you're going to Homestead unless you have more personal reasons those are not the states to do it in.
My husband and I purchased all wooded land in the mountains of PA less than a year ago. It has one really good creek, one smaller creek and at least a couple springs. We recently finished adding a driveway to the building area sites. It is over 800 ft long. My husband and neighbors dropped the trees, and we paid an excavator to dig out the driveway due to the complexity of the driveway right off the road and grade changes. We love it. Highly recommend the woods and creek any day. When we visit, we stay off grid and use a camper with a generator. We always are seeing the wildlife, countless deer. It's become our happy place. Our future goal with it is a homestead. We are also going cash only so it will be a slow process. Thanks for the videos! They are helpful as we plan out our future dream.
Sunny mountain would have wind. Trust me, I live on a sunny mountain and you will come to HATE the wind. I vote for the valley.
Property 2. I live on a mountain ( hill) you can see 20 miles (in Ohio. )The wind is nice in the summer. When your out in the cold weather Brr! Also the view unless you own the land not a certainty. Could have a gas well pluck down anywhere.
Crawdad Creek! So much more potential, have it selectively timbered before you build to offset your work, and use that income!
Keep looking. The mountain top will have more weather challenges. You won’t have good soil for 8-10 years. Not enough for big animals. Not enough water. A well will be very deep and expensive.
I don’t see the road as a big con. Easy on a snow blower operator. Cut trees. Darkness lightened. But wet is hard on sod with big heavy animals.
Keep looking.
Is there any chance of having trees harvested off the creek property to help with $ for
building?
Pass on both one is to wet the other your going to freeze in the winter and water will forever be a problem and it will take years and years to build top soil
I would definitely buy the crawdad creek.
Love the sunny mountain!!! But lack of water is really scary for me. And rocky soil is really hard to work with. In all honesty I think either property will be amazing and troubling. Whatever you pick it will be good. Love seeing your parents on camera! I honestly want to call them!
I was sure I would choose Crawdad Creek, but after seeing both properties, I think I would choose Sunny Mountain. Creeks are wonderful as long as they don't flood you out. The peaceful feeling on the mountain was priceless.🌞
You're more likely to be washed out with no trees.
You build away n up from it versus direct next to it
Love both properties. Sunny Mountain... You can add soil at possibly at $$, growing trees where there are none is a long process. Using solar does have a plus. View amazing, but soil absent, and that will definately take some time and money, that one is hard. Crawfish Creek... Boggy shady land is hard, but it's easier to remove selected trees and use the lumber to build a bridge! You can possibly reroute streams to where large animals graze and over time the sun and water will be perfect. Both great properties, for me its preference in the work, building soil is hard. Crawfish Creek for me.
Water access is going to be the most important necessity in the future. Crawdad Creek is my choice
I would choose Crawdad Creek as well. Woods can be used for so much. Lumber to build with and a heat source. The creek makes the property worth so much more than the other property. Use the trees you clear to create the bridge(s). I see way more potential in the creek property.
#2 Where there is natural resources of raw soil & water = perfect homestead!
I grewup on fertile soil on a dairy farm.
Now retired, I live in clay soil country, with shale rock beneath the surface ugh (no basements & no root Cellar).
You can build main buildings on higher elevation, and have day pastures below along the creek (incase, of possible spring flooding) Animals need lots of grazing and have plenty of fresh water.
You can incorporate into organic forest gardening / planting fields.
🌳 🌲 Someone mention selling off section of trees cut, to offset expenses. Can install portal, adjustable solar units on trailer bed to take advantage of seasons. Look at big picture!!
For me the view on the mountain top is stunning, but with the benefits of water and soil at the creek, it's worth the change. Also, at Crawdad creek, the woods give you a view of what you have, whereas the mountain pulls you view to what you don't have. Creek 1000%
Definitely the creek...water brings so much opportunity for energy, animals and growing. Clear some forest and you'll get sunshine to enjoy. Can you build further up the property?
Having your own covered bridge over the creek leading to your home sounds pretty bad ass to me
Sunny mountain! I too love the sun and the warmth. It’s so healing!
#1..the sun and view! You can always build a pond. The other is too close to road and it’s almost got too many creeks running thru.
Why would you not build a bridge over the creek so you can build the house further away from the road? (I wrote that before you said it lol). Sunny Mountain was pretty, but honestly I think dappled light is far more beautiful, probably from growing up with a photographer, but I always feel suddenly calm and peaceful when I’m driving along and it becomes bush. It’s just so lovely and soothing. You could clear trees from Crawdad Creek to create the perfect balance of sunlight and shade much faster than you could create that balance by planting trees on the mountain. Plus because the forest has never been cleared that means there will be valuable timber in there that you could sell to cover the costs of the bridge. Once you’ve cleared some of it, it won’t feel dark and damp anymore. You can clear it so that the top soil isn’t eroded completely and so you won’t have to start from scratch with that. You won’t need lots of extra goats to clear the thorny weeds. The kids will have a ball in the forest. My aunt lives in the bush and I went there every school holidays and loved it. You can easily create a dam and fish. Not just luck of the draw with what you catch, you can stock it with what you want to eat and raise them. And just having a second water source that’s practical and easily accessible will make such a difference if there’s a few years of not much rain and the tanks are running low. And last thing, as someone who has issues with noise and has a new highway nearby with a constant hum of traffic and also a train line nearby which is much louder but less often, I can tell you the hum will bug you far more than an occasional car going past. There’s no relief from the hum. It’s constant and it wears on you, whereas the train or a single car comes, passes and goes, then it’s back to quiet for an hour or so.
So, my vote is definitely for Crawdad Creek, but the Aussie was always going to vote for the extra water source! As long as you’re both happy though, that’s all that really matters. Even what the kids want doesn’t matter as they’ll grow up and move out soon enough!
I vote for 2 . The forest land is set for gardening and the soil is ready. The trees will come in handy to build your home. Get a log cutting and make your own wood. Hunting .
Crawdad Creek! I love this. Crawdad Creek would just be my personal preference. Are both properties in Pennsylvannia?
Definitely the Crawdad Creek property. You will have water (extremely important), shade and fertile soil.
Number 1 is major work and time rebuilding the soil on hard compacted dirt to make any kind of pasture for the animals to eat , are you going to feed them hay for the first few years until any kind of soil is established ? . Number 2 is easier to clear some trees for more sun and to dry out the land and is less work and time to get all you want in a farm , there is no contest for me , I vote number 2 land , I will be along for the ride what ever property you guys choose , blessings.
With the value of the timber and the skills and vision I have in homesteading I would choose crawdad creek natural flowing water is a make or break on a homestead for so many reasons making ponds can be house for natural irrigation for gardens and white the right setup and planning where the house goes will be a big bonus to a rain catchment system.
Build the bridge take the creek! Water most important! You can take down trees for sun! And you hear traffic in both places that cancels those out
I think in the end Crawdad creek is what I would choose. Water is so important...and the animals would be such a help when it comes to clearing things.
As beautiful as no. 1 property is the bareness is a no go. Property 2; water is life, clear the trees, build that bridge to put that house where you will live the rest of your life, do it while you are young. Trees take forever to grow, selectively timber and use for wood heat down the road, manage the forest, clear for pastures and shelters and of course gardens. We had property in WV and loved it but being in a holler it would get dark very early so we built our cabin up higher in a clearing and so glad we did. Can't wait to hear your decision and good luck.
I would jump at the chance for property #2 Crawdad Creek looks amazing now and imagine looking into the future will only be better. I think either property you guys would make work. I just think #2 would be more satisfying sooner to what you want to do. Clearing the trees can either provide immediate cash or wood for projects or for both.
i love the way your dad thinks. I live in a gully, and he pegged the idea I had for my property, which I have yet to implement - the stepped dams. I've lived here for 15 years, and I can tell you a few things. Noise travels in a valley, in ways you wouldn't normally predict. So you could go to the expense of putting in a bridge to build on the other side, to get away from the road - and the noise travels up the hill, as if you're living right next to it. But that all depends, because you can get some really quite places in the valley too.
My point is, a sloping property, with land masses skirting on either side, won't be predictable like a flat one. Noise travels different, water velocity is more damaging, then there are shadows altering sun exposure. I think all those things can work in your favour, if you can wrangle a permaculture designer in to do it for you. I can tell you right now, Geoff Lawton and Bill Mollison, would go for Austin's property, but Joel Salitin would go for Kay's. They're all skilled at what they know to draw from a piece of land.
Here's what I think you should be planning for though - which property will allow the use of machinery to manage it, the best as you age?There will come a point you NEED machinery to help manage the property. Not want, but actually NEED. Access to your property, is the most important aspect of a property. It doesn't matter what natural features and other elements it has going for it, if you cannot access it to use it.
My recommendation for either property, is to introduce nitrogen fixing, browse trees for your cows, as a future drought-proofing measure. A tree can survive a dry spell, better than a pasture can. Combining these too forms of feed (browse and pasture) for your cows, will stave off hay bales, in the dry. See Geoff Lawton's video on converting browse into milk, for ideas - th-cam.com/video/k7Ft3CzMEac/w-d-xo.html
I would take the creek property in a heartbeat. Lowlands generally is better soil. Adding the culvert as other say fix the access issue. All that timberland!
Water and good soil! The hydro possibility out weighs the solar possibility- hydro is mostly all winter
I would like to have seen more of Crawdad Creek. How many acres are there?
You could clear an area beyond the creek(s?), in such a way that you could have the light and the privacy. Water is a precious commodity, with natural creeks you would have the water needed.
I think the biggest draw to Sunny Mountain is the cleared top of the mountain ~ giving you an area where you could put up solar panels and starting an additional income flow.
I like both. I’m leaning towards The Shire.
Love Crawdad Creek. Water is so important and the fertile soil. I hope that you can build the bridge. We live off a now busy road and I hate all the noise. It was a quiet road when we moved here. Good luck and can't wait to watch you grow your new homestead. 😁
Creek property 100%
Trees provide a lot of protection from predators, emf and give shade for animals as well! Pigs and goats would help turn that area into useful land fast. You can build a bridge over the creek and plant on the other side of the creek.
Building soil on the sunny mountain will take a long time along with building water catchment.
What are your winters like?
Property #1 - 1st, how can you bank and sell excess solar power? 2nd ponds dry up sometimes. With the new unpredictability of the weather, drought is a real possibility. But the land is breathtakingly beautiful. 2nd property is not as gorgeous now, but has the most potential to become one with the least potential for problems. Thanks for sharing
You sell your power you're not using back to the grid but I think they wanted to be off the grid.
“New” unpredictability of weather?
@@karenblanck7726 They're saying our climate changes will affect weather patterns in the very near future. But my garden says the future is now
@@shermdog6969 That's what I was thinking. Just trying to make sure I hadn't missed out on any new allowances that might be available.
Climate/weather has always been unpredictable. Somehow everything that has happened for ever is now attributed to climate change. Humans are an odd lot.
Easy, Crawdad Creek. The hardest parts to fix on Weed Mountain are already there; water & soil. Easy to bring in sun and you can control where with controlled cutting which is faster and cheaper than planting a tree or building shade buildings. No brainer for me unless there is significant in size or price difference.
Bridge from the sun access timber cutting, also equals damn. Cheap solution with sweat equity.
The creek for sure. Build that bridge! Plenty of opportunity to clear out some sunny spots. Good luck guys!
Crawdad creek but I would build as far off the road as possible and open up the canopy around the homesite.
points to consider; 1) water {stream and/or well}, 2) wood to harvest {firewood and milling wood also sustainability regrowth}, 3) acreage {pasture, and privacy} 4) growing season, 5) Consider wind {how much and how often and can you have a wind turbine}, 6) Wildfire danger, 7) utilities {electricity, internet, septic perk test, obviously need to bring in a propane tank)
Property 1; If the water that is "a long ways away", if that water is a flowing creek with enough fall, you can put in a couple of Ram Pumps (no power).
Property 2; the creek has plenty of fall for very good power generation. Septic placement maybe an issue. With the creek you should be able to do a shallow well. The tree size looks small for milling.
Having been a Class A General Engineering Contractor, and with what you showed, I would go with Property 1 Sunny Mountain. Solar power, wind power. Mature trees for milling. Building a log cabin would save you money!!!
Water always wins. The ground is great for pastures. The mountain will provide little coverage from the wind and heat for the animals. Creating a good top soil from rock will take years.
This would be hard for me to pick also, although I love the sun and all its energy, the wooded land with the creek would be the best choice , just put the house a sunny location and clear the pastures out for both sun and shade parts, to please everyone !! Best of luck, I cant wait to hear and see what you do !!
So if I'm honest I wouldn't pick either and I would keep looking. Kay is right about the noise and at least for here changing creeks, even seasonal ones involve a permitting process with the state that's just gross, nevermind one you want to culvert and cross. You also don't know what the seasonal flow is going to be like until you're there a couple years. The mountain top one is nice for a solar project but would take years of haying/chips etc to bring soil back. Hay you would need to bring in by trailer and store, that means lots of money for both the road to support that and the storage for that hay. It did have a nice plus that the building site is basically already cleared but since you have the home base I'd keep looking. When I bought my place I threw a 3 state net for the right place to show itself.