Moving a House...150 miles!

I have a friend that bought a lot in the historic Heights neighborhood of Houston, where he built his dream house. The 101 year old house (that had been updated continually over the years) that was on the lot was set to be moved to Galveston, but they hit some red tape with restrictions on moving a pier and beam house there...end result, they either had to find someone to take it away, or they would have to demo it. 

Luckily, I had a place to move it, and I got the 1800+ sq ft house for a handshake, a $1.00 bill, and a few cold ones! We had to move fast, before the new construction was set to begin, so we found a house mover and got to work on the future house site on our ranch.

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Our family has some land around the Lockhart area and we've been eyeing a spot to build a house, or move a trailer onto, for some time. Once we got the offer for the Heights House, my buddy and I started mapping out the land to get it ready, after my wife and I picked the perfect spot. 

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First up, we had to clear the land for the house, and a lane to bring a 60ft x 30 ft house into the property. 

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Then we got a septic tank put in, and a pad site for the house...

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Got the electric company to bring in some juice...

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House is on the truck. Once the roof is off, it'll be ready to go!

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After we put the house on some steel beams for the move, we started tearing the roof off the house, so we could fit beneath all the power lines and bridges

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Got the house there and started putting on the new roof...

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Then we put on a house skirt from some tin that was stacked behind the house in Houston, worked on the back deck to get it rocking chair ready, and put in a driveway to the front gate...

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A shot of one of the ponds...

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and an idea for the future dock! 

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A few things we found around the property...

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And the first blind I built, which is out in an area we cleared for a food plot, and with a view of one of the ponds...

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My grandfather used to run cattle on the property before he passed away. This ranch is VERY important to me - When I was a little kid, I learned to drive a car there, drive a tractor, and shoot plenty of tin cans! I also learned how to ride horses, fish, and experience and respect wildlife and the land. Being a step dad to a 14 year old, and just recently having my own little girl (12 weeks old), I see those same experiences I had as something I can pass on to my children and eventually grandchildren, as my grand father did for me. The beautiful cycle of life, and the wonder of the wilderness!

Hope you enjoyed the run through our latest project and our new ranch house!