This crazy idea of buying a vacation cabin almost 2000 miles away goes back a long way. I lived in Colorado from 1975 until 1985 when I moved to New York City to seriously pursue a career in photography. You can take the boy out of Colorado but you can’t take Colorado out of the boy. It was in my bloodstream. A virus, a sickness perhaps, or a dream, but I never forgot those golden years of hiking, skiing, ski mountaineering, volunteering for Mountain Rescue, and a myriad of adventures, partying, growing up, and establishing real adult friendships. Some of my best friends today can be traced back to that time. My friends and family have heard me talk about moving back for the past 30+ years. They probably figured I was just blowing smoke, just talking through my hat and that it would always remain a dream. I have visited the state, I have traveled lots of other places, but I still can’t shake the dream.
When my father turned 60 he decided he had to realize his dream of sailing across the Atlantic Ocean on a yacht. He found a “job” crewing on a 65 foot ketch from Majorca Spain to Barbados. He did it. Then he bought a boat and we sailed it together. (above) And he inspires me to this day. I will always remember how he managed to live his dreams before poor health made it impossible.
I listen and learn, I observe, I read, ask questions, and listen carefully to the answers. As they say, you can’t learn when your mouth is open. I listen a lot. So when my friends have listened to my dream I listen to their thoughts, suggestions and opinions. One of my closest friends “LG” is a real estate agent in Castle Rock, CO. We were roommates in Aspen in the ’70’s. I learned a lot from him back then. He taught me to ski. Then he moved away to earn a living, to create a real life away from our ski-bum adventures. He and his wife have endured hearing me talk about moving, about having a cabin, and generally just nodded their heads knowingly, probably thinking “it is just a dream – let him dream.” But a few years ago when I started to get serious about realizing the dream he spoke up. “Just rent!” and “Try before you buy” and “You don’t want to own a house so far from home.” “The contractors will make you crazy.” I know he is wise. I know he is right. I know he speaks from experience. Nevertheless I decided I still had to do this for myself. I could always buy something, try it and then if it doesn’t work out right I can sell it. Unlike a mid-life-crisis sports car, I can probably sell the place and not lose money. But unlike a sports car, it costs a lot more. Still, I have had great luck buying and selling my homes so I’ll try to extend that winning streak of buying low and selling high.
So, I have the little devil from my father on one shoulder saying “do it!” And on the other shoulder LG’s angel whispers “just rent!” But then I remember how my grandmother used to say “I always have more fun saying yes than saying no.” So I will hear LG’s advice, but follow my dream. My mother used to tell me “Nothing ventured, nothing gained!”
I had great parents.
Lisa G Westheimer
Your dear sweet parents were inspirations to us all to aim high, turn dreams and dares into realities, and most importantly, share with as many people along the way as possible.