So.... we've done a thing!

Going back a couple of months... 

When we got back to Venture Out from Quartzsite in January, we noticed a "For Sale" sign on the park model located next to our RV lot in the park. We have talked about how much we like where our lot is located physically within the resort (the lots on our side of the street face northeast, so western sun exposure is limited, and the community of folks on our block is great). The neighbors who were selling had bought a different unit just one street over -- their new lot is on the outside wall of the resort and those lots have bigger backyards. The one that they got is also a "corner" lot, so they got a pie-shaped lot, larger side-to-side as well.

We have also talked about eventually wanting to get a park model here for when (if ever) we decide we won't be RVing as much -- but we'd want a newer unit with a raised Arizona room -- well insulated and potential for being a year-round home. The unit next door is an older park model (1986) with no Arizona room -- just a large covered patio, so it wouldn't work to meet that criteria.

On the other hand, the unit next door is very convenient to where we stay in Gracie. If we wanted to rent it out, we would be able to easily access the unit. If we decided to use it as housing for friends and family when they want to come to visit, it would be nice for being able to share meals and be able to easily visit together. 

We talked and prayed and prayed and talked. We wrote pros-and-cons lists. We decided it wasn't the right time. We stopped thinking about it.  Then we started thinking again... We decided to make an offer on it... and a few weeks later, we are now the owners of a park model here at Venture Out.

Now, before you start wondering, we are NOT moving out of Gracie into the park model - we still love living and traveling in the RV and have no immediate plans to give that up. But... it is hard (nearly impossible) to have family or friends come to visit us in the RV, and we'd love to be able to share Mesa and the Venture Out community with those we love. And, someday, we may decide that we want to have a more permanent home here, and, we could consider replacing the existing park model with something that we would like to live in. We've also been kidding with neighbors and friends that now that we own two properties here at Venture Out, we only need to buy two more to be able to build a hotel (Monopoly game rules!). Our neighbors have really gotten into this discussion, recommending that we should add a property on the other side of the street and build a pedestrian bridge (to avoid having to cross the heavy (aka nearly non-existent) traffic), or sharing considerations with us on which brand of hotel with which we might want to align ourselves (Marriott? Hilton? Motel 6?). The way rumors take off around this community, I'm honestly surprised that I haven't heard from a random stranger, "Have you heard that there's someone on Douglas planning to build a *hotel* in here?!?!?"

We haven't given the park model a definite name yet (Carl assigned me the task as I seem to name everything!), but right now it is being called "Casa" (short for "Williams' Casa").

Here are some pictures -- remember that she is about 40 years old, so anticipate 80s decor! The pictures are from the real estate listing when it was for sale.

Williams Casa (our RV lot is to the left, where the red vehicle is parked -- that isn't our Jeep, the pictures were taken while we were at Quartzsite, so we weren't there)

Covered patio looking toward front

Covered patio, looking toward rear. There is a shed with a window at the end of the patio (and the backdoor neighbor's unit beyond that)

Front of unit - Linda had such pretty flowers in pots. We tried to write into the contract that she would have to continue to manage the outside decor and hummingbird feeder, but were not successful at getting that into the agreement... bummer!

There are actually two sheds -- the one at the end of the patio, and then a smaller one behind it. There is a small bricked area in the back with the grill on it.

The larger shed has a full sized washer and dryer and laundry sink in it.

The living room is in the front of the park model with a sliding glass door opening into it from the patio.

Television in "corner" of living room and kitchen beyond

Dining area and hallway to back

Bathroom in hall on way to bedroom

Shower/tub combo

Bedroom in the back...

Big closets! (coming from the RV, we're amazed with the storage!)

Vanity area in the bedroom

The home came furnished with most of what is in the pictures (art and knickknacks moved with our former neighbors).

We're happy to have the unit.

We were able to host Carl's daughter, Kim, and granddaughters as they were flying back from a trip and needed an overnight place to stay before their flight from Phoenix to Houston. Our first guests, and we forgot to get pictures! It was a quick stopover; we're hoping they can return for a longer stay in the fall.

If any of our readers are interested in a visit to Mesa or Venture Out, please let us know -- we plan to return in the fall (mid October) and stay probably through March 2025.