Canoeguy is moving to the mountains, UPDATE, seven years later, post #42

Congrats on the purchase! I second what the others are saying about getting an old truck or side by side. I would really add a backup generator for electricity outages. I would spend the money for a whole house diesel one. One of the small gas generators will cost you a lot to run for any length of time. I would also recommend getting a small 4wd diesel tractor with a mowing deck, front loader and 3 point hitch. This will help you do a lot of things around the place.

One thing about it, it should be quiet.:)
 
wow u did good what a nice piece of land and next to a national forest it dont get any better than that , 300 yards to shoot you picked a great spot. you took your time and it paid off. happy wife happy life enjoy
 
I hiked and camped at Mount Rogers one weekend a few decades ago, and it was absolutely gorgeous. At the top, huge rocks separated by balds and dwarf scrub. Vistas for miles and miles. A truly spectacular spot that I'm sure you will enjoy. Congratulations on your new digs; can you tell we're all jealous here? :D
 
Welcome to Virginia !!
Chipmunk6
:D

I'll second the WELCOME. One note of caution....that corner of the state is the 'wettest' in the country. Always has been, and business is alive and well. Take care not to stumble on some locals in the midst of production (enterprising beverage producers). Get to know 'em first and enjoy their craft....they're all strong supporters of our Second Admin rights. :)
 
Moonshiners, good friends to have around...

Things are going even quicker than I planned, I had given my boss what I thought was a generous notice, six weeks, told him in April I'd work through May. Today he laid me off with a generous severance check, told me he had filled my position, thanks for your work, you can use me for a reference, but you don't have to work here any more.

"You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here"....

Lesson to all: Never give your boss six weeks notice. Two weeks should be enough!

I'm not mad at all. Now, I don't have to stick around and work through May, I can move as early as next week, and the severance check he gave me should be enough to buy a nice chain saw, maybe even a Stihl "Farm Boss".

Thanks for the suggestions concerning vehicles for use on the property. I had thought of an old beater four wheel drive truck, and might go that way. Hire someone with a tractor and bush hog to do the initial cleanup and cutting of shooting lanes, then maybe get a tractor later. I'll sort that out in the next few weeks.

Someone asked about a well, it has a deep well, good tasting water, clear and no iron.
 
"You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here"....

Ha!, I remember that song!:)

As this is a Gun Forum what are the Gun Laws in Virgina. Not the specific of course but is it friendly . Is there registration and that kind of stuff??

I just looked up the laws and skimmed them. Looks to be pretty favorable.
 
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Definatley get a good tractor. A compact is plenty for what you're doing. Front end loader and bush hog for sure and you have plenty of space for a garden, so a tiller is nice. I got a JD 430- 28hp 4wd and it was the best investment I ever made. Love that thing. I couldn't take care of my place without it. A compact will allow you to get into tight places too.
Oh, yeah...don't forget to get a good granulated tick and chigger killer to spread. You'll need that!
 
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Rule 3,

Gun laws here in Virginia are about as good as it gets, "Must Issue" conceal carry, within the last few years they have relaxed carry restrictions to where the only place you can't carry a handgun is a school, courthouse, Post Office,etc. Federal government owned buildings excepted, you can visit George Washington's Birthplace National Monument, carry a concealed handgun on the grounds, but can't use the bathroom while carrying. Federal laws, not Virginia.

No restrictions on magazine capacity, buy as many guns as you like, buy a machine gun if you want to.

Our last Attorney General, Ken Cuccinelli, overturned most conceal carry restrictions. Carry in a bar if you like, but you can't drink.

Virginia is a pretty gun friendly state.
 
I've been running for 25 years a 1941 Ford 9N with a 6' Woods finish mower and a 5' Woods brush hog. I have a blade and a lifting bar also. Although I love the old tractor I hate it too and have learned to be a tractor mechanic by necessity. Go modern if you have the bucks.
 
Aloha,

Wife and I would love to have what you bought.

Being from Hawaii, I'm sure that there are a lot of different things that I/We would have to Learn about living in that kind of location.

Wife says most like the worst for me will be Winter, complete with snow and ice. Not to mention driving on that stuff.

Post more photos as you progress.

I will drool on my PC as I look at them.

Enjoy your new place.
 
My son lives North of there in the Massanutten/Allegheny Mts Shenandoah Valley. Loves the gun laws and loves the area. You'll like it.
 
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Congratulations!!!!! I too plan to move to Va. asap ....just not quite that far west. I have 60 acres in the Jefferson National Forest near Natural Bridge. I love the place and the people are all fantastic. I even met a fella that delivers moonshine, right to my cabin. I gave him a key to the gate and leave the money hidden. When I get back up there I have a gallon waiting. Where else but here could you find a deal like that????
Speaking of moonshine in Va. there's a little country store down the road about 5 miles that's run by this little old lady in her 80's. She told me a story about when she was a little girl and the "revenue men" came to the county. One day she was approached by a revenuer who asked where her daddy was. She told him "he's up the mountain at the still." The man asked if she would take him to her daddy cause he needed to see him real bad. She said "sure, but it will cost you $10.00" The man said O.K., I'll pay you when we get back. She told him "no, you have to pay me now, cause you aint coming back!!!!!"
You gotta love that place...I cant wait.
 
Rule 3,

I live in Virginia, far Eastern Virginia near the Chesapeake Bay. Land here is flat and expensive, way more people per square mile. If I bought a piece of property here and started to shoot on it, there would be many complaints.

Also, it's flat here so the game laws dictate shotguns only for hunting, no rifles. Got to get out to the hilly parts of Virginia to hunt with a rifle, with some exceptions. Some flat areas allow you to hunt with a rifle from a tree stand, so it will be a downward shot....

In my county, Deer can only be hunted with a shotgun, but you can shoot woodchucks with any kind of rifle you want.

If I had bought a similar property around here, it would have cost three times as much.
 
You are a very lucky man! Just wait until Fall you can take your canoe to the "Fabulous NEW RIVER". It`s my favorite river and I know you will love it too. You`ll have to think about getting a 4 wheeler/ATV , so you can explore those trails thru the park.
 
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