moved in at 5096 White House Trail. What, you thought I was talking about 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue? Who would choose that over what we have?
My plan all along has been to spend summers here, primarily by myself with Thatch and Nella, my two border terriers, for company. I am needed at NC State University only during the school year, and NC is no place to over-summer unless you like staying indoors. Hopefully my family will visit me, but Steve is inundated at work year-round, Dana will likely still be in South America this summer, and Aaron is looking for summer work and internships in Indianapolis. Our "old" friend Pamela Ramadei, who traded her Evergreen house for a beautiful "green" home in Southern Colorado, will be serving as a part-time caretaker at this house, using it as her Denver-area office space and jumping-off point when traveling via Denver International Airport. So she and her entourage will provide sporadic companionship, and my Evergreen friends will be close by. Meanwhile, the house has been designed to accommodate multiple groups of visitors simultaneously. Which means.......
.....the welcome mat is out. USE IT! The keyless entry ensures that you can have access without obtaining a key from North Carolina. When your travel plans call for stops in Colorado, please think of us and just ask--we would love to have you stay and use the house. That is what it is for. For those not familiar with the area, the house is about 45 minutes from downtown Denver, and hour from Denver International Airport, and about an hour in the opposite direction from the nearest ski areas. An hour will also get you to Boulder (to the north) and 1-1/2 hours to the south will get you to "The Springs" (Colorado Springs.) Elevation at the house is just under 8000 ft. Our view includes the 14,264 ft. peak of Mt. Evans (taller than Pike's Peak). And don't forget 1000 acres of hikeable, snow-shoeable, dog-walkable, elk- and wildflower-viewable "open space" park across the driveway. Sunsets al fresco with red wine anyone? So really, compare that with politics, crime, smog, traffic, and headaches at the "real" White House and tell me, how would you rather spend your days?
Thank you Martin and Lora Kelley, Steve's parents, whose lifetime achievements and generosity largely made this dream possible. We miss you. Thank you Steve for graciously staying out of the way while supporting the dream. Thank you Bob Tuck and wife Shirley for coming out of retirement and golf to pull off this job. Thanks to all the professionals, tradesmen, craftsmen and musclemen who provided the sweat and supplies. To Debbie the designer and Drew the engineer and Shawn the framing legend, Marvin and Craig, tiler and painter, Bob K the carpenter, Larry the plumber, Paul for cabinets, Cory with lighting, Shawn with countertops, Billy the electrician, Steve and his crew on dirt-detail, Alescia with interiors, Bill and Brian for lumber. Josette, the world's best Realtor, also deserves a shout out, and kudos to any supporting cast and other crew whom I haven't met. My family and friends have been amazing, supportive, enthusiastic, and always ready to help with decisions and choices...especially Patty Stone and my sister Karen! Thank you everyone! Now let's soon enjoy
Party on the Patio #3 !!!
