So we’ve got this property in the West Virginia mountains that we want to use as a recreational property, and also as a potentially tbd home in the future. We have been there to clear some trails and we more recently hired an excavator to level to out some of the land to make it more usable.
Two weeks ago we went to check on the property. It was my first time visiting after the excavation had started (it’s been many months now – maybe a story for another time). As we walked the area, Mr. Nacho reiterated his vision for each part of the land. Seeing the progress in person made the plans seem more real.
The image below shows all the key areas we hope to build out over the next few years, not including the various trails throughout the rest of the property.
The natural elevation and slope of the land dictated most of our plans (including where we decided to level and excavate). Our excavator cleared out 1,200 feet of driveway, a 30×30’ area and a 60×90’ area.
Tent platforms (to tbd be replaced with a cabin in the future)
There looks to be room for about 2-3 tent platforms just above the excavated 60×90’ area that we can build for friends and family to come camping. We’ll know for certain how many can fit once we really start planning this area out. There is room for an additional tent platform higher up on the mountain too, that also would give a slightly better landscape view since it’s a bit higher up on the mountain.
For those that aren’t outdoorsy (like me), I learned that tent platforms are great for camping because they provide a stable foundation, and elevate tents from the ground, preventing moisture from seeping in, and protecting the tent fabric. Overall, it provides a more comfortable sleeping experience.
Mr. Nacho has been getting into woodworking, and wants to build these platforms himself. So the platforms themselves will likely take some time to do, but this is the plan!
As for long-term plans, where the slanted area is right between the tent platform area and the leveled 60×90’ area, the thought is that this is where we would build a cabin, if we wanted to.
Firepit, picnic and hangout area
This 60×90’ area that the excavator cleared out will be the hangout area. Tents can certainly be pitched here before we build tent platforms, but overall we expect to build a firepit for a hangout area, and potentially have a picnic table as well. Mr. Nacho also wants to try building his own picnic table.
I’d love to get some string lights, or tiki torches to try and make this area feel really cozy. We’ll see what we can do!
Terraced garden
Mr. Nacho has always wanted a place to have a garden and fruit trees. Where we are now has very limited backyard space, so we are not able to plant much outside. In West Virginia though, he wants to take advantage of the slanted open area where trees were cleared for the mountain views. This is the best place for a garden because since many of the trees have been cleared, this area will get a lot more sunlight.
We won’t have enough room for a big farm, but we can at least grow foods that we can eat ourselves.
Mr. Nacho has already started marking out these little zig zags or switchbacks down the slope to mark rows for where we can plant things. I’ll have to do some more research about terraced gardening and its history, benefits, and how to best create one or what to plant.
BBQ pit with outdoor kitchen
There’s a pseudo flat area that was not part of the excavation plans, where we want to potentially build a barbecue pit with an outdoor kitchen. Again, Mr. Nacho wants to build the outdoor kitchen and not purchase one! This area was already somewhat flat when we purchased the property, and the excavator also used this as an area to turn his excavator around, so he did kind of help flatten it more, which is great.
We want to do most of the cooking in this area instead of the area where the tents will be, so that we don’t attract animals where we are sleeping.
Parking area with shed (and later a 2-car garage)
The excavator also cleared a 30×30’ area, which we expect will be the main parking area. The short-term plan is to build a shed to store tools (currently we’re driving back and forth with various tools to the property). We’ll store tools like saws and chainsaws, tools for leveling out trails, and anything else that would be used often in WV. I’m also thinking camping chairs.
After a shed, we might decide to build a 2-car garage so Mr. Nacho has a woodworking space. We can move the existing shed somewhere else on the property, or sell it.
Mini orchard
Next to the parking area there is about a 40×40’ area with sparse trees that Mr. Nacho wants to build a mini orchard with different fruit trees. We can probably only fit about 4-5 in this area, but Mr. Nacho has talked about growing fruit trees for as long as I have known him! We’ll most likely have apple trees, but TBD if we decide on anything else.
Looking forward to what we can create
It’s so hard to get out to the property with work and the property being 2+ hours away, but I’m looking forward to making something happen even if it’s a few years from now.
In addition to what’s listed above, we’re excited to build out more of the trails throughout the property so we can go on hikes, and maybe plant some benches and little rest and reading areas throughout the various trails.
Hoping it comes together soon!
