PLUMTAW FIRE UPDATE
Here are some extra recourses to help you stay connected to the fire: Please follow the link to read the latest release from the Pagosa Sun:
https://pagosasun.com/2022/05/17/fire-burning-on-plumtaw-road/?fbclid=IwAR0p1bgKZuzxYUJR-EcpU7M8yB_MKwGT_hz-w0PpZfNRNoaqRpZgxy0srmU
To get details on the fire, including size please go to the link below, you will need to search for our location on the map: https://data.coloradoan.com/fires/?fbclid=IwAR3uaaKsebpTKOrLqzyFZkgu3z8l5EEPgTPKY5vjmZ3ERU00aJk4ggp0gZc
Citizens can sign up for emergency alerts at: https://www.archuletacounty.org/569/Citizens-Alert
—-Our community is staying connected through this, offering resting places for refuge for our Fire Fighters—-
*The Lost Cajun in Pagosa is offering free meals for all fire crew!
*Sage Eatery is doing the same, including water fill stations and a nice rest stop.
*MEE Hmong Cuisine will be offering free meals for fire fighters as well.
Pagosa is a tight knit and loving community and will continue to support our hero’s during this time. Stay safe and strong and a BIG thank you to all Medical and Fire Personnel, as well as our community for giving back!
School Of Movement Pagosa Presents…
Burlesque
Thursday, May 5th at 7pm.
Pagosa Center for the Arts
2313 Eagle Drive
$25 on Thursday, May 5th – Doors open at 6pm, show starts at 7pm
$30 on Friday and Saturday, May 6th & 7th
$25 on Thursday, May 12th
$35 for final weekend, Friday and Satruday, May 13th & 14th
Recommended age for mature audiences – 14 and up.
Purchase tickets at pagosacenter.org
Wildfire Defensible Space
Wildfire Defensible Buffer Zones
Wildfire Buffer Zones can be used to reduce fire damage to buildings and sensitive areas in landscapes prone to wildfire. This guide from the USDA National Agroforestry Center shows what you can do to to increase the defensible space around your home and property. If you have any additional questions regarding wildfire safety, see the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control’s website here.
Zone 1. A minimum of 30 feet is needed for firefighters to protect a structure from wildfire. On a slope, increase the distance to 100 feet downhill of the structure. Use low growing and low flammability plants, spaced apart from each other. Remove dead material.
Zone 2. Deciduous trees and shrubs and widely-spaced conifers may be used in Zone 2. Remove branches within 8 feet of the ground (but no more than 30 percent of the height of the tree) and space trees so that crowns remain at least 10 feet apart at maturity. Remove ladder fuels which are tree limbs and other materials that allow fire to burn into the tree crown.
Zone 3. Manage this zone to maintain forest stand health and other landowner objectives. Limit number of dead trees or snags but save some for wildlife (1 to 2 snags/acre). Check with your local forester for additional guidelines.
Characteristics of Low Flammability Plants
• Supple moist leaves and water-like, thin sap
• Little or no accumulation of dead vegetation on the plant
• Open and loose branching structure
Source: https://www.fs.usda.gov/nac/buffers/guidelines/5_protection/11.html
If you liked this post be sure to check our others out here! We would love to help you find your Next Home. Give us a call at (970) 507-8655 to talk to a Southwest Colorado expert! You can view our current featured listings here.
Healthier Mountain Living
Why Living In The Mountains Is Healthier
It’s easy to fall in love with the mountains. Fresh air is abundant, the weather is fairly temperate, and the views are some of the best mother nature has to offer. Living in the mountains can actually be healthier for you too, believe it or not. If you don’t believe me, here are a few facts to convince you!
- Inspiration To Be Active – The rocky mountains are inspirational simply by nature. The peaks tower over everything else, begging to be seen. When you are surrounded by views as beautiful as the rocky mountains, you are sure to become inspired to explore and be active!
- Altitude Burns Calories – Studies have proven that the human body burns more calories while expending energy at high altitude than it does while at lower altitudes. This means that a mile hike in the mountains will burn more calories than the same hike down lower; plus you get to enjoy the mountain views!
- Clean Air – There’s nothing better than taking a deep breath of fresh mountain air. Less pollution at higher altitudes can directly improve asthma symptoms and other acute respiratory symptoms. The smell of pine, which is especially common in the rockies, has been proven to help alleviate stress and depression. If you have trouble sleeping, try to find some lavender at the base of the pines. It can help you fall asleep!
- Less Risk Of Heart Disease – Studies have shown that people who live at higher altitudes can have a certain gene activated that significantly decreases the risk of dying from ischemic heart disease. When your body has to work harder every day to take in oxygen, it automatically improves your cardiovascular fitness! This makes your heart stronger and more resilient to rough conditions.
- Statistically Longer Life Span – Researchers have found that the 10 million people who live over 4,900ft above sea level typically live one to three years longer than people living closer to sea level. This is just another benefit of living at high altitude!
Thanks for reading through today’s post! If you have any questions, or if you would like to talk with a NextHomie, give us a call at (970) 507-8655. To view our current listings, see our featured homes page here. We can’t wait to help you find your Next Home.
Off to the Sand Dunes
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Sometimes staying in the same place for too long can be tiring, especially in the midst of a pandemic. Luckily, Southern Colorado is full of places to explore! If you are having trouble deciding where to go or just looking for somewhere to escape for the day, Great Sand Dunes National Park is a great place to start!
Topping out at around 755 feet high, these impressive sand dunes are the tallest in North America. The dunes are surrounded by the 14,000 ft. peaks of the Sangre De Cristo mountain range, the Southernmost range of the Rocky Mountains. The contrast between the light sand of the dunes and the dark greens and blues of the mountains makes for a truly stunning view. If you like taking photos, you are sure to enjoy this area!
In addition to taking in the views, visitors to the Great Sand Dunes can enjoy hiking and camping all throughout the park, splashing in Medano Creek when it’s flowing, and even sand-boarding and sledding. (Think snowboarding but with sand.) Sand toys are available to rent right before entering the park.
If driving slow offroad is more your speed, the Medano Pass Primitive Road may be for you! This 22 mile 4wd-only trail connects the Great Sand Dunes with Wet Mountain Valley and Colorado State Highway 69. The trail crosses Medano Creek nine times, and also takes you through some deep sand and even Bighorn Sheep habitat at the higher elevations.
Whether you want to backpack in and spend the night, or just pack a picnic and take some photos, Great Sand Dunes National Park makes for a wonderful Southern Colorado day trip! If you would like to see our featured homes in the area, click here. Don’t forget to like NextHome Rocky Mountain Realty & Rentals on Facebook for weekly virtual open houses and more!
Neighborhood Highlight #1
Pagosa Lakes
Pagosa Lakes is a large, covenant-controlled neighborhood located in uptown Pagosa Springs. With over 6600 properties across 27 subdivisions, there is something for everyone here! Residents have access to a private recreation center with indoor saltwater pool, weight room, and many exercise classes available.
It’s called Pagosa Lakes for a reason! There are several lakes in the area that contain rainbow trout, brown trout, large-mouth bass, and yellow perch. There are also black crappie, western white sucker, and triploid grass carp. The fishing is great, year-round! Kayaking and canoeing are also popular activities at the lakes. For more information on these lakes, click here!
If you would rather stay away from the water, there is also a paved walking/running trail system running throughout the Pagosa Lakes area. This trail offers great views along the way. There are also four parks located within Pagosa Lakes, two with playgrounds for the kids. There is even an RC flying field for radio controlled airplanes!
The San Juan National Forest surrounds PLPOA on 3 sides. You can enjoy off-roading, hiking, camping, and more; all just a short walk or drive away!
To learn more about this community, you can visit the Pagosa Lakes Property Owners Association website here. If you would like to view properties for sale in the area, see our featured homes on our website. If you would prefer to give us a call, our number is: (970) 507-8655. Thank You!
Auction For The Animals
First Ever Virtual Auction For The Animals
For the past 25 years, the Humane Society of Pagosa Springs has hosted an annual live “Auction For The Animals” to help fund our local animal shelter. With current restrictions involving in-person gatherings, however, things are going to be different for 2020…
In lieu of a live auction, the Humane Society has decided to move the bidding online! Items in this auction range from smaller items such as gift-cards and art pieces, all the way up to a Kilimanjaro climbing trip, and even a four wheel drive F150 pickup! You can also choose to donate money for food, microchips, vaccines, spay/neuter costs, or even emergency medical expenses.
This auction is a wonderful way to support your local Humane Society and animals during these uncertain times.
If you would like to register to bid, or just make a donation, you can visit the Humane Society auction page here. You can also see the dogs and cats available for adoption at the links provided.
Thank you for supporting these animals in need!
Scenic Drives In Pagosa
The Best Scenic Drives For Your Colorado Vacation
Pagosa Springs is home to some of the best scenic roads in Colorado. With more than 3 million acres of National Forest and wilderness areas, you are almost guaranteed to fall in love with these views as you head down the road. Below is a list of some of the best scenic drives Pagosa has to offer:
- Mill Creek Road – Turn off of Hwy 84 onto Mill Creek Road, next to the county fairgrounds. At 32 miles round trip, this road provides great panoramic views of Squaretop Mountain, as well as the upper San Juan Valley and the Blanco Basin. All but the last mile or so is accessible with any conventional vehicle, however 4wd is recommended if it has been raining. The road dead-ends, so you must return via the same route.
- Blanco Basin Road – Head south down Hwy 84 to the Blanco Basin Turnoff (CR 326) for amazing views of the Continental Divide, Squaretop Mountain, and Oil Mountain. If you have time for a quick (6 mile) side trip, I recommend taking a right turn onto Castle Creek Road (FS 660) across the Rio Blanco to Fish Creek. These roads dead-end and are approximately 40mi round trip.
- Lobo Overlook – Accessible from June to September, this spectacular overlook is located on the summit of Wolf Creek Pass on the North side of the road. With restrooms and a picnic area at the top, this is a great place to stop for a quick photo-shoot or just a lunch break! Accessible by conventional vehicles.
- Plumtaw/Piedra Loop – This 35 mile long Forest Service Access road begins in town as Four Mile Road and soon transitions into one of the highest forest roads in the area; making for great vistas and fall foliage opportunities. As Plumtaw transitions into Piedra Road (CR600,) you will cross over the Piedra River, and pass by the beautiful Piedra Gorge. This dirt road is accessible by all vehicles in the summer and fall months.
- East Fork – Located 10 miles down Hwy 160 on the right, East Fork provides incredible scenic views of “beehive” rock formations, as well as many valley and river views. The drive includes 2 river crossings, as well as some technical terrain so 4 wheel drive and high clearance is required. At the upper end of the valley there is a fork; going left will take you over Elwood Pass all the way to Summitville.
These are just a few of the many scenic drives Pagosa has to offer. It is recommended to check road conditions and closings here ahead of time so your drive goes as smoothly as possible. Drive Safe and don’t be afraid to explore!
Free Event – The Grinch Movie
Remember to come & join us December 15th at Liberty Theatre for the showing of The Grinch Movie. NextHome RMR is the proud sponsor for FREE ADMISSION. Bring the family and watch a great Christmas Movie. We hope to see you there!
