Having two ancestral mountaintop farms in the family (and doing a lot of work and hunting on both growing up,) they hold a special place in my heart. All ancestors are buried on the one and my father on the other. My siblings take care of the one place and myself and my son the other. It has been a life-long dream to re-assemble the entire ancestral farm, so for the last 15 yrs or so I've been making deals with elder neighbors I've known my entire life, and have added 3 more parcels back (and currently leasing to purchase 3-4 more when the time is right.) 'Have hundreds of acres to roam, and the newest acquisition adds the perfect sunrise views to the original homestead sunset views. The dirt road in is not maintained beyond our place, so it functions as a very private, dead end. I smile every single time, driving in ('just too many lifelong memories involving hunting, swimming with friends, riding motorcycles, countless hours in tractor seats, camping out, etc. etc.) While there's a modest, modern cabin (small house) that comfortably sleeps 4 on the original tract, the latest comes with a larger house (c. 1980ish) and shop. The new place is completely cleaned and emptied out, awaiting either refurbishment to my tastes (as I'll retire there oneday) or renting out while the retirement home of my dreams is built on another parcel. It works out well, as my Mother stays at the farm on weekdays, and I come up on long weekends (often F-M.) She's almost 80 and walks about 15 miles per day!! (I often joke with her that she'll outlast her 3 boys, as 97-102 is the norm for her family. It is NOT in Dad's family.) Although it's secluded and private and over 1000 feet above two rivers below, it's not too too far from any necessities of life, and the NY state wine region and car racetracks are closeby. The local ambulance is a helicopter.
