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Mountain Living
If you are going to live in the mountains, you must learn a few things to survive. I lived in Lake Tahoe in the Sierras for nine years, one of the most beautiful places in the world. It’s a continuous battle with nature. Moving to an area where wildlife rules, one must adapt to their surroundings. The bears and coyotes have been there forever, and we are the trespassers. Snow can appear ten months out of the year. The only month it didn’t really snow at Lake Tahoe was in July. I camped at Eagle Lake in July at almost a 10,000 foot elevation. I woke one morning to 6 inches of snow which melted quickly. I was the snow-plow king of my neighborhood. There weren’t many neighbors living out in the country, in fact, my street was the last for the city to plow. If you live out that far, you must depend on yourself to survive, hence, a four-wheel drive Jeep with massive studded snow tires.
Firewood was a big deal; I hated buying wood. So I decided to drop pine trees for my neighbors; I was allowed to chop any tree 6 inches or less in diameter. After dropping the trees, I would bundle them up and store the dry rounds for the next year. I would need at least two cords a year. One year I stacked the wood too close to the house only to discover the mice preferred wood piles in the winter; I ended catching eighteen mice that year.
Coyotes, by far, are the smartest of all creatures! When I would come across a coyote in the forest, I would stand my ground and yell. The coyote would back up a few feet only to turn around and glare at me to see if I were serious. I never had a problem with them, though.
One day, at my kids bus stop, I saw a white wolf, an amazingly beautiful creature. Black bears were everywhere! When I first moved there, I spotted a bear cub in a tree, which means mamma bear is close by. I am certain the same cub would visit my dog and me; I could tell by the bears’ chest blazing as a way to identify bears. I’d be splitting wood, and the bear would come by the wrought iron fence and peer in. My dog would be nose to nose with the bear. If they ever learned to use their thumbs, we would most certainly be in trouble. They can open a car door or jar of peanut butter. They thought humans kept their food in ice coolers, so they would break into your car for the coolers. One night, my New York City sister visited with her friend and stayed at the cabin across the street. When I walked her home late that night, a bear walked right past us; we felt and sensed his whoosh! You can smell a bear if they’re that close.
If you are hiking and encounter a bear or a coyote, do not run because they will think you are prey. Stand your ground, try to make yourself bigger, wave your arms, act crazy, and they will go their own way. They do not want confrontation. Bears climb trees, and they will only try to enter your tent if you have food inside. Most campgrounds have bear bins which are metal with latches for food storage. They have learned to adapt to us humans and how to pilfer our foodstuffs. We have to try to adapt to them because they were here first.
When I lived in Sonoma County, I was an amateur winemaker. I decided to travel down to Apple Valley, about 60 miles south, to purchase some grapes. I trucked them back to Tahoe to begin the process. The grapes were crushed, and fermentation was starting. The bears arrived and tore through my wooded fence to enjoy the grapes that very first night. I heard the crashing of the fence and bounded outside just in the nick of time to save my wine. I moved the grapes to a friend’s house the next day. Who knew, grape jelly, bears?
Garbage is a great temptation for bears; you just can’t leave your garbage can out all the time. If you do, they will party every night. What you need is a 600-pound bear bin that is set in cement with rebar. I purchased one for $800 but before I able to cement and rebar, the bears arrived and pushed it over. They knew that food came in these bins. The next day cement and rebar were installed, and before the cement settled, the bears came by again and pushed it over. They knew which were the garbage nights, and they would continue push over the bin. I tried motion lights, anything I could think of to deter the bears. Finally, I decided to think like a bear. Every night when the sun went down, I would urinated around the perimeter of the bear bin. Viola! It worked; no more bears in my garbage. They respected my scent and moved on. I adopted to their lifestyle. Just don’t let the neighbors catch you!!
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5 Replies
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Living in mountains is also not easy, fear of wild animal and fire
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Out of all the disasters, forest fire is the worst I’ve experienced. Dozens of hurricanes in Florida I been through. Also, experienced Loma Prieta earthquake in San Francisco in 1989. That was scary! Forest fire I had to put sprinklers on my roof, the fire came within a half mile of my house.
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Our village is inside the forest and now’s day , some people started fire in forest. Last night whole village extinguish the fire with water and it took approximately 2-3 hours. It was scary moment for all of us because if we didn’t extinguish fire, the entire village would burn down
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Awful, glad your safe
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Living in the mountains offers a unique and appealing lifestyle that can significantly differ from urban or suburban environments. Here are some key aspects to consider if you’re thinking about mountain living:
Benefits of Mountain Living
- Natural Beauty and Scenery: Mountainous areas often provide stunning views and natural landscapes. Living among towering peaks, lush forests, and clear streams can be incredibly picturesque and serene.
- Recreational Opportunities: The mountains are a playground for outdoor enthusiasts. Activities like hiking, skiing, mountain biking, and rock climbing are readily accessible, promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.
- Clean Air and Environment: Mountain areas typically have cleaner air and less pollution compared to urban environments. This can be beneficial for health, particularly for those with respiratory issues.
- Community and Lifestyle: Mountain communities often have a tight-knit feel, with a slower pace of life that can be more relaxed and less stressful than city living. The sense of community is strong, with locals sharing common interests in outdoor activities and nature conservation.
- Seasonal Beauty: Mountains offer a distinct and dramatic change of seasons, which can be particularly enchanting, from snowy winter landscapes to vibrant autumn foliage.
Challenges of Mountain Living
- Accessibility and Isolation: Mountain towns can be more isolated and harder to access, especially in severe weather conditions. This might affect travel times and accessibility to urban amenities like shopping, entertainment, and dining.
- Weather and Climate: The mountain climate can be harsher and more unpredictable. Winters can be severe with heavy snowfall that can lead to transportation issues, and temperature fluctuations can be more extreme.
- Cost of Living: Depending on the location, the cost of living in mountain areas can be high. Property prices might be elevated due to the desirable views and limited availability of buildable land. Additionally, everyday expenses like groceries or fuel can be higher than in more urbanized areas.
- Wildlife and Natural Hazards: Living in the mountains might bring you closer to wildlife, which can be both a positive and a negative. There are also natural hazards to consider, such as avalanches, landslides, or wildfires, depending on the region.
- Limited Services: Healthcare, education, and other essential services might not be as readily available or as diverse as in larger cities. Emergency services may also have longer response times due to the remote nature of mountain areas.
Preparing for Mountain Living
- Research: Thoroughly research the specific area you’re considering, including local laws, environmental conditions, and community culture.
- Visit: Spend time in the community during different seasons to get a true feel for what life would be like year-round.
- Prepare: Make sure you are prepared for the realities of mountain living, from having the right gear for seasonal activities to ensuring your home is equipped for extreme weather.
Mountain living can offer a peaceful, scenic, and rewarding lifestyle, but it comes with its own set of challenges. Balancing these factors will help determine if it’s the right choice for you.
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What You Need To Know Before Buying a Mountain House
Buying a Mountain House is a great investment. You get a lot of house for the money because of the acreage most mountain homes come with.