Covered largely by the beautiful sagebrush desert and semi-arid lands of the Great Basin, Nevada is full of wide-open spaces with flashes of town and city life around the state.  In Nevada, meaning “snow-covered” in Spanish, winter is an enjoyable time for residents serving as a contrast to the sunny summers most think of when contemplating a move there.

Native Nevadans have a great sense of pride in their community and are proud of living in their homeland. Potential residents also find it attractive. In fact, the state population has grown over 35% in just the past 10 years.  However, the population centers remain the same, largely dictated by the fact that about 85% of the state is government maintained in a series of national parks, military installations and other wilderness areas and protected lands.

The largest cities in Nevada are Las Vegas and Reno.  Of course, most outsiders consider Vegas to be the hub of all livelihood in the state, but it is situated down in the extreme southeast corner close to neighbors California and Arizona.  It is certainly a highly visited part of the state with Hoover Dam sitting just outside “Sin City”, yet the bulk of this massive state reaches north and west.

Directly up the angled southern border over 400 miles to the northwest, near the state’s namesake Sierra Nevada Mountains, is the other major center of tourism, Reno.  Known as “The Biggest Little City in the World,” Reno along with Lake Tahoe and Carson City, comprise the second most visited and populated area of the state.  The Humboldt River, the only natural transportation artery across the Great Basin, runs through the north-central part of the state and is the other majorly populated area, which includes the town of Elko.

Attractions & Events

Tourism and Las Vegas are synonymous as the city serves as an adult playground for modern travelers.  It boasts world-class restaurants, museums, gaming, and entertainment around town. The same can be said on a smaller scale for the Lake Tahoe area, which along with Reno has an array of excellent attractions including the Vikingsholm Castle.  Many visitors to the region also love to peek into history with numerous ghost towns on the frontier as remnants from the initial mining boom stand in different states of preservation.

In May of each year the Reno River Festival brings together whitewater lovers and in June the rodeo rolls into town for ten days.  A nationally televised event, the Reno Rodeo has been in existence for over 90 years.  Some of the largest events of the year include the popular Burning Man Festival in Black Rock Desert, Best of the West Nugget Rib Cook Off in Sparks and The Great Reno Balloon Race, while the Pahrump Powwow celebrates the area’s Native American culture each November.

Economy, Education & Resources

The largest employers in the state are school districts and casinos, with mining and farming dominating the economy in Nevada’s rural areas.  Originally known as the “Silver State”, it seems that gold is the focus of the modern rush to mining in Nevada.  The state produces about 80% of U.S. output annually and serves as the fourth largest producer of gold in the world.  Coupled with the $25 billion gaming industry, profits abound for those wanting to do business there.  In fact, many companies establish their headquarters in Nevada due to the lack of income taxes for individuals and corporations, along with favorable laws regarding incorporation.

Transportation in the state is handled via airports in both major cities and by AMTRAK service that runs along portions of the original transcontinental railroad.  Several colleges and universities are across the state including University of Nevada campuses in Las Vegas and Reno.  The Las Vegas Campus (UNLV) is known for their Runnin’ Rebels men’s basketball team and the city regularly plays host to rounds of NCAA “March Madness” action.

Nevada is the place for those looking for the best of both worlds: big city amenities and remote independence!

Home to epic natural beauty including the Grand Canyon, Coconino County is situated in North-Central Arizona and is the second largest county in the lower 48 United States.  In Coconino County, median incomes are on the rise and average home prices continue to increase, both of which are major contributors to the noticeable economic growth the area has seen in recent years.

With over 18,600 square miles, Coconino County is actually larger than nine American states.  The vast area is the home of much beauty and diversity — serving as home of the Havasupai Nation along with parts of the Navajo Nation, Hualapai Nation and Hopi Nation.  Approximately 130,000 residents populate the county and that number is on the rise, up over 15% since 2000.

The county seat of Flagstaff, situated at the intersection of Interstate 17 and Interstate 40, serves as the transportation hub of the area.  There are two regional airports, AMTRAK service for rail travel, and Greyhound Bus Lines for highway transit.

Attractions & Events
Coconino County provides access to its eclectic culture via several galleries, museums and art centers, but the main appeal is the great outdoors.  The top destination is Grand Canyon National Park — a powerful and inspiring landscape that overwhelms the senses in sheer size. At certain points the Grand Canyon is up to 18 miles wide and a mile deep.  Air tours are offered by Air Grand Canyon and Grand Canyon Airlines both headquartered in Tusayan. And if you’re really feeling adventurous, hop on a horse for a guided tour into the scenic depths of the canyon!

In Flagstaff, The Arboretum is a 200-acre botanical garden, environmental education center and research station with over 2,500 species of plants from the Colorado Plateau.  The highest peak in the state, Humphrey’s Peak, soars to 12,637 feet and is a popular hiking attraction.  “Humphrey’s Trail” starts at the Arizona Snowbowl, a large ski resort in the Coconino National Forest, and traverses to the peak through the only region of tundra in the state at an elevation just over 11,500 feet.

You can also visit the world’s best-preserved meteorite impact site.  Just minutes from Winslow, Meteor Crater is nearly one mile across, 2.4 miles in circumference and more than 550 feet deep. The crater was created when an asteroid crashed into Earth about 50,000 years ago traveling at a speed of 26,000 miles per hour.

If you first make it out to Coconino County next holiday season be sure to stop by the Weatherford Hotel. Every New Year’s Eve the hotel drops a 70-pound, 6-foot tall, metallic pinecone from the roof at midnight to ring in the New Year. In early September, don’t miss Flagstaff’s Route 66 Days which highlights the city’s connection to the iconic American highway.

Economy, Education & Resources
W.L. Gore & Associates, a medical device manufacturing company, is a major part of the local economy providing 9,000 jobs to the area.  The county is also a distribution hub for Walgreens and Nestle. Coconino County is also home to The Lowell Observatory, the U.S. Naval Observatory, and the United States Geological Survey Flagstaff Station.  The area is served by Flagstaff Medical Center and is home to Coconino Community College and Northern Arizona University – all of which are major area employers.

Coconino County, Arizona is big and bold with tons of ‘Old West’ charm.  Will you make it your next home?

Situated in the Arkansas Valley, the “Steel City” lies along the Arkansas River just over 100 miles south of Denver on Interstate 25.  Recently, Kiplinger rated the Pueblo, Colorado area second on its “5 Cheapest Places to Live in America” list.  They deemed the favorable median household income and low average housing costs as key factors in the high ranking.

There are many other reasons to relocate to this part of the Front Range, like the weather! Though near the high peaks of the Rockies, Pueblo is mostly high desert and enjoys four distinct seasons. The area gets over 300 days of sun each year and less snow fall than most other cities in the state.

Several major events are held throughout the year.  Around for almost 150 years, the Colorado State Fair is the largest event in the state and boasts a full schedule of entertainment and exhibits.  The eleven-day fair is attended by a half million visitors annually.

The fairgrounds also play host to the Rocky Mountain Street Rod Nationals each year. Car enthusiasts from across the country converge on Pueblo, Colorado to view thousands of vintage vehicles during this special event. If sports are more of your thing, fans can support the ThunderWolves of CSU-Pueblo. Their upstart small college football program is already a force in their division and just earned their first playoff berth this season.

Both locals and visitors alike make sure to stop by the Sunset Inn to try the famous ‘slopper’ cheeseburger. This inventive culinary treat became an instant classic after being featured on the Travel Channel’s Food Wars program.  The Historic Arkansas Riverwalk is a revitalization effort that has reclaimed the waterfront and celebrates the original route of the river that served as the lifeblood of Native Americans and early settlers of the area.

Famous residents include writers, actors, and professional athletes.  Some of the most notable natives include David Packard, co-founder of Hewlett-Packard, and more recently former White House Press Secretary Dana Perino.  The city has been visited by seven US Presidents and was dubbed the “Home of Heroes” by President Eisenhower due to the town’s four Medal of Honor recipients.

Access to excellent educational opportunities, healthcare and amenities such as shopping and recreation also make the area attractive to potential residents.  Pueblo is definitely an affordable option for those looking for a new place to call home.

’Tis the season for Christmas carols, light displays, and most importantly, for giving. For the last four holiday seasons we have been humbled and honored to directly support the Salvation Army West Women’s and Children’s Shelter. WWCS has been serving Portland-area homeless women and their children for over 20 years. Many of these families are survivors of domestic abuse and seek safety and hope during the holidays.

Annually, WWCS houses over 150 residents and fields approximately 3,500 crisis calls. The group assists women and children with the basics of food, shelter, and clothing while providing mothers support for eventual self-sufficiency. Children are also provided professional counseling, a therapeutic preschool program, and other age-appropriate activities and outings. However, during the month of December, the focus shifts to helping these families feel the spirit of Christmas.

During the holiday season, the Salvation Army asks for three gifts for each family member, and they are often very practical items like coats, shoes and clothing. This year, LandCentral.com has made a list and checked it twice, and we’ve decided to support three families in the Portland area. If your family or business would like to help make this Christmas special for a family in need, please contact your local Salvation Army.

Happy holiday season from all of us here at LandCentral.com!

After another successful Black Friday Sale, LandCentral.com has confirmed the winner of our free property give-away promotion. Terry Balfour, a fellow Portland resident, was notified of his new parcel of land near Pueblo, Colorado after the frenzied sixteen minutes of clicks and page refreshes by fans of the site. This was his third time participating in a LandCentral.com Free Land Giveaway promotion, but his first as the winner.

Balfour says that he often searches the web for good deals on land and continually finds that LandCentral.com is the most comprehensive site out there. The user-friendliness and vast selection of properties, along with details and straight-forward financing terms for each parcel set LandCentral.com apart from other land for sale websites. Also, it doesn’t hurt that he just got a beautiful parcel for free. “Not only did I win a sweet piece of land, which is in a very beautiful area, but it is also easily accessible! Double that with the fact that I was already looking for property in that area, and you can understand why my Christmas season has already become a great one!” he said.

“Now I get to spend the next few months planning my dream getaway in the Rockies!” Balfour added.  Terry plans to begin improvements sometime in 2012.

A few years ago Terry worked an accounting job in Pueblo and really loved the region based on its diverse natural beauty and big open spaces. “It is wonderful that I get to return to an area that I love as a proud land owner!” he shared with us.

We still have several properties in Colorado City. This area is on Interstate 25 in the Greenhorn Valley and boasts great views with easy access to the major Front Range cities of Colorado Springs and Denver.  Check them out and the rest of our Colorado land for sale!

We began in Yellowstone and saw some amazing Montana wildlife. I’ll never forget the rolling hills and big blue sky that surrounded us. You could see for miles and the stars were spectacular.

Driving along the Columbia River to Portland, Oregon was a beautiful stretch of road. Watching how the Gorge opens up into the lower Cascade Range was pretty remarkable.

I’d always wanted to see the redwoods and vast forests of the California coastline and seeing the baseball game was definitely a highlight. The West Coast is a friendly and diverse place chock full of amazing and varied foods.

The Southwest was truly inspiring and stunning. The red rock, the canyon lands, and the Navajo, Aztec, and Anasasi history reminded us all that before us there were whole developed civilizations that must be recognized and respected.

Texas and Florida were both educational and relaxing. The wide-open spaces of the Southern states cried for us to snag some acres and build a summer home. Maybe get some animals and just kick back with some sweet tea.

Moving north through Georgia, Virginia, and finally rounding out with our nation’s capital really gave us a panoramic view of the people and history of our country. Who are the American people and on what kind of lands do we live? Turns out we are incredibly diverse, loyal, resilient, and hard working. The lands we call home are forests, mountains, river valleys, and canyons. We’ve adapted to life in the desert, great plains, and bayous. We cherish our land and defend it fiercely. We excite at the notion of expansion and have within each of us a piece of the American Dream: to pursue life, liberty, and happiness wherever we may roam.

I think the kids learned some valuable lessons this trip as it reminded them that there are people from all walks of life in this country and from all over the globe. We must remember that we’re all Americans and that this land belongs to everyone. I’m so proud of them both seeming to take this message to heart. Yet while this trip was so enlightening to us all, I think we’re all pretty excited not to be in a car any longer. From now on, we’re walking to the store and riding our bikes to work.

Wishing you all the very best this fall and we hope your lives lead you to some exciting and unexpected new places.

See You Next Summer,

The Andersons

Well everyone, we made it! Virginia is the last stop on the Andersons Tour of America. The drive north from Georgia was beautiful, up through the Carolinas and into the lush forests of southern Virginia. It’s been amazing to watch the landscapes change as we make our way around America—from the redwoods of California to the deserts of New Mexico and through the swamps of Florida. And now into the Appalachian foothills. The wildlife is abundant and gorgeous—so far we’ve seen deer, beaver, fox and rabbit, cardinals, hawks and chickadees.

Rob and I thought it fitting to end our tour in Virginia so as to understand the bigger picture of our great country. It was really amazing to tour these historic sites in Richmond, the state’s capital. The Commonwealth recognizes that American history is important to keep alive, for we’re all struggling to discover what makes us a united nation—what is our common narrative? We’re a mix of many cultures and colors, but what is our common goal? Freedom from persecution and a life lived in the full pursuit of happiness. We still have a long road ahead of us, but it’s nice to be reminded every now and again.

From Richmond we traveled to Washington DC to see the Capital and the Mall. None of us had ever been and we all agreed that it was a humbling experience. Rob spent a good chunk of the afternoon at the World War II and Vietnam War memorials. He had family fight in both and the rest of us gave him afternoon to reflect. Dan asked to tour Congress and Abby wanted to see the Lincoln Memorial. We did and saw all we could. It was beautiful and exciting. My favorite part of the afternoon was watching Abby jump and wave wildly at the White House trying to “Say Hi to Obama!” We’ll definitely miss her energy and spirit when she goes off to school in just a few weeks. I’m pretty sure Dan has decided that this is the place he’ll move once he graduates. He keeps telling us, “The opportunities are endless!” Can’t knock that boy’s ambition.

Well, signing off! The next time you hear from us, we’ll be back home. It’s been a heck of a trip. Thanks for coming along and sharing it with us! But I think we’re all pretty excited to not be in a car for a while. Especially Chip.

Best,

Maria, Rob, Abby, Dan, and Chip

The south? Didn’t have high hopes for it being anything other than a humid detour on the way to Virginia/Washington DC. But much like the southwest, I’m surprised by the diversity of the people, cultures, and landscapes. It’s a pretty cool place. The drive trough Florida and into Atlanta was a cinch (compared to the long haul of Texas to Florida). The best part about the drive? The thunderstorm! Apparently this part of the country receives a lot of precipitation in the hot and humid summers and the occasional accompanying thunderstorms are awesome! Dad wasn’t so thrilled cause he had to drive through it, but the rest of us thought it was incredible. The sky went black and the rain came down in big, fat drops.  Chip was mellow and Abby’s nose was pressed to the glass, watching the clouds and landscape change as we continued north.

The swamps of Florida soon gave way to the fields of the old plantations of Georgia. The old homes were enormous and kind of castle-like. We couldn’t help but notice how beautiful the landscape is. Dogwood trees, magnolias, and cottonwoods. Oaks, cypress, and cedar. It was nice to see a wealth of greenery after all that red rock in the southwest.

When we finally got to Atlanta I was shocked. This city was clean, beautiful, and modern. The modern architecture of the high-rises just blocks from old, Victorian mansions is a really cool contrast. We took a long walk through the neighborhoods, downtown and through Woodruff Park. The city’s population looks young and diverse with lots of new families out and about. My favorite park of the park was the powerful statue, “Atlanta from the Ashes”—about 20 feet high, a woman holds a phoenix above her head to symbolize the reconstruction of the city after the civil war.  As we travel around the south I’ve noticed a theme: very friendly and welcoming people who are fiercely proud of their heritage and state. It’s been really cool to see that kind of loyalty with respect to their history.

As we headed north, we stopped at a U-Pick peach farm and went to town! Abby got peach juice all over herself. They were delicious. Last leg of the trip! I can’t believe it’s almost over. North to our nation’s capitol!

Dan and the Andersons

Finally! Some downtime without Mom asking “so what did you learn from this place?” or Dad wondering, “could you see us owning some land here?” We’re here to relax, lie on the beach, eat some seafood, and NOT be in the car. Hooray!

The past week or so has been awesome. I’ve loved seeing the country this way.  I can’t believe we started in Montana and now we’re in Florida! The drive east was really interesting. I convinced Mom to stop in New Orleans for a bit. It was amazing to see. I had expected a rundown place with little infrastructure, but what we saw was thriving and exciting. We got lunch at an awesome Creole place and talked to the waiter about how much things had changed in the past six years. He was really nice and made a point to tell us that the people of New Orleans are resilient and loyal. It almost made me cry in that restaurant. But I’m a sap. Dan made fun of me for that one.

Once we got to Florida I couldn’t wait to get out of the car and slather on some sunscreen. I think the car had barely come to a stop when I was out with my towel running towards the water. It felt so good to swim in the ocean. I hadn’t been in ocean since I was little and I desperately needed to wash off the heat of Texas. The Florida weather was perfect. I can totally see why so many people retire down here.  The climate is awesome. I overheard mom and dad on the beach talking about maybe settling down here in a few years after I graduate college. I wouldn’t mind coming to visit them in their little sandy property by the beach.

I’m excited about tomorrow though—on our way to Georgia we’re going to drive through the Ocala National Park and maybe see some gators. I want the real southern experience. I’m sad to leave the beautiful white sand beaches but I’m strangely kind of enjoying this long car trip. I love seeing so much diversity in the land of the US. Everyone we’ve met has been super friendly and everything I thought I knew about this country, all my stupid stereotypes about the sandbox of the southwest and the boring, lifeless south, have been completely wrong. This trip is way cooler than I ever could have thought—despite the heat and poor Chip getting carsick every once in a while. Well, goodbye Florida. Hello Atlanta!

Abby and everyone else

We headed south from Denver and into northern Texas.  The “Panhandle Plains” as they’re called are similar in geography to much of the southwest. That is to say, remote, quiet, and stunningly beautiful. We saw just a handful of people on our drive in this region, but after all the activity in Denver, I liked the solitude.

It was amazing how much the land transformed as we moved further south into the hill country. What was most exciting was the shock of wildflowers that began to appear. We continued to zig zag our way to San Antonio and stopped only occasionally to check out some local history. I gotta say, I was surprised to see so many modern, thriving towns in West Texas. I expected old oil drilling rigs, buffalo, dive bars and old, run-down ranches. But what we saw was decidedly more cosmopolitan. For example, we stopped in Lubbock for a bite to eat and discovered a little gem. No more than 230,000 people or so, but they’ve got one heck of a growing town on their hands. There was still a lot of space in and around the town, but a great deal of local history, proud people, interesting restaurants, and the college of Texas Tech. It was really neat to feel so surprised by the feel of this little city. We were all impressed.

Back on the road we went, set on getting to San Antonio to check out a place I’ve been interested in seeing for years: The Alamo. Little did I know that the Alamo is right in the heart of downtown San Antonio, which is an exciting and diverse city. While touring we learned a great deal about Texas’ history, its tumultuous beginnings, and eventual incorporation into the Union. Modern day San Antonio is vibrant, peaceful, and full of beautiful buildings and friendly folks. While the drive was long, it was well worth it. Texas was surprisingly beautiful and a wealth of history. But I can see it in the kids faces—they need a break from all the learning. Time to relax on the beaches of Florida. Onward!

Cheers,

Maria and family