So, um, what exactly are you going to do with the Spartan?
Excellent question. While I have thrown caution and probably a few other neccessary qualities to the wind, I am not Totally Gone. Yet.
My vision for the Spartan is that it will become a week-end place somewhere in Central Texas. One of my best friends, the original Little Black Belt Hen, Mary, is a landscape architect and holds a Masters in Architecture, so by combining forces we plan to build out a pretty dee-luxe hardscape/ landscape home for the Spartan.
Finding the right piece of land will be important to the ultimate usability of the Spartan. Frankly, Houston is big and has dreadful traffic so I hope to keep it about a 100 mile, 2 hour commute. But the trade off is that the Hill Country is just a stretch further than that, and the Hill Country is just plain ol' beautiful. Part of the fun of this project is going to be looking for land. If it's a nice week-end or day and you feel like an impromptu short road trip, call me up. I'll be scouting for some time.
I will also be posting some early sketches of the concept. The original idea is to build a roof deck the Spartan can park under that will be good for star-watching. It will have retractable awnings or a cover so it can be used in the day, too. We also plan to build wrap-around screened in sleeping porches. Sleeping porches are an old Texas tradition- probably a tradition anyplace hot prior to A/C. The structure will not land lock in the Spartan, as hopefully we can still take her out for the occasional rally or necessary repairs. I want to keep her road-worthy. She is a pretty regal old gal, and she deserves as much.
And the landscaping! Whew. Don't even get me started. Mary does the most amazing work. She focuses on native plants and what is eco-friendly. She has an intuitive sense for land and can make it flourish with the most gentle of guidance. She has fabulous taste and the restraint to use it subtly. We plan on local materials and plants that will thrive without too much babying. A fire pit built out of local stone is a must. So is a solar heated outdoor shower. And a fairy garden for the young and young-at-heart that will have mosaic floors and built-in basins for soap bubbles. I get all excited as we have loads of cool ideas... I will eventually blog about the various concepts as I see this being a leisurely project that unfolds over time. It's one of those the Journey is more imprtant than Getting Done kinda things.
In the short run, some other lovely friends have ponied up their land outside of New Branfels, about 2 hours and 45 minutes away. So, she may rest there for a spell as we locate the right place.
But first there is that 2,300 mile trip to get her here....
Carpe Diem ever after, ya'll. Come on out and sit by the fire and check out the stars. It'll be fun.