Rob always makes good and well thought out decisions and is one hell of a hunter. Heck he guided this ancient hunter to 6 elk and a muley. In addition he enjoys a wide range of adult beverages. Whats not to like!

Fires and the mountain west go together. Last year here in Montana was a very bad fire season, lots of people lost their homes, both full time and vacation homes. I am guessing most have either rebuilt or will rebuild. As men continue to develop more and more land, the loss of man made structures will become worse I think. In recorded history here in the west, there have been some terrific fires, huge, they are just the natural selection of things, and as I am sure all know, actually needed for natures sake. We just purchased a home on the outskirts of a small Montana town last month, it has 16 acres and live water and pond on the place, but we will still be very cautious of fire danger with the pasture. There are steps a person can take to help safe guard against fires, but nothing totally protects. With this property we are lucky, it has a good ground well, along with a hydrant in the pond and a good irrigation system to keep things moist. Lot's of folks build homes where they have a cistern and have no access to water other then that, we did not consider that option when looking for a second home. As for states, I am biased, Montana is home we live in a very rural area, with critical access hospital, 4 hour road trip to major medical facility, but I travel with my own personal physician....My Wife, LOL. Have you thought about the Black Hills of SD, no state income tax, good medical facilities, if you can put up with the tourist in July and August, be a great place to call home. Wyoming would be another good choice, low tax, rural, I wouldn't be to quick to rule out a very rural area, lot's of benefits actually. Northern Idaho would be a decent choice also, great hunting, fishing, close to the west coast and Canada.

Rest of the sequence.

Looking at the time stamps it is really amazing on how fast that wall of fire raced up that big canyon and got to your cabin Rob. Hard to believe the game cam didn't melt and was still able to catch those pictures. It must have been terrifying for the people still in the park who had to skirt the fire and get out the only park entrance which is just down the ridge about a mile to the right of the pictures.

Amazing pictures. And that terrain looks like it would be some very good hunting.

That forest service ground? Cattle usually graze it in summer? Just asking because of mineral block your camera is set up on...

Hmm....I thought it was illegal to place food or mineral licks out for deer and elk in Colorado. I know ranchers can place out for stock, that is why I asked if there were cattle on the place. Might want to check Colorado law before posting incriminating photo's on the net...yep, looks like it still is. taken from the Colorado fish and game site....It is illegal in Colorado to intentionally place or distribute feed, salt blocks or other attractants for big-game animals. This problem is mainly associated with deer.

Rob, sorry to hear of your loss. Fires are destructive, but they are nature's way of keeping the forest healthy. The forest will re-grow with more food for deer and elk, and your views have opened up. You have the land, why not re-build there and include all of the changes that you want?