Minding the Gap

We have had a nice Gap Year, and what a year it has been!

Selling Normandy Farms in Colorado was one of our water shed moments this past year. With that experience and a partnership nightmare, we had, come to believe the worst in those we did business with. It was better for us to be “on strike” rather than deal with the looters who would like moral permission from their victims. We have discovered lots of takers and few givers, and so we decided to lay low, resolve our situations and investigate what in the world to do. We way too young to be on strike forever, but also way too seasoned to believe in or rely on anyone but ourselves. 

We investigated many choices in the past year, traveling as far as Chile looking for a place that would be conducive to ending our strike. We had intense interest in Ecuador, the least socialist of our choices besides the United States.  Sometime ones travels both far and wide lead back to a place closer at hand. And so, as we sought to move ahead on other projects, we discovered where the heck Tallulah Falls is. We were drawn to the “Grand Canyon of the East” and the surrounding area in the mountains of North Georgia, as we progressed on our daughters decision to attend Tallulah Falls School.

While traveling in the area amongst the many lakes, rivers, natural beauty and of course the rainiest area east of the Mississippi River we discovered unique towns, friendly people and fine Georgia wineries. While exploring and investigating in April we happened upon a new challenge and lifestyle in a gap in the mountains of Georgia, not far from the North Carolina and South Carolina borders. We discovered Georgia’s oldest Bed and Breakfast Inn was in search of new owners and a new direction.

The York House Inn, located in Rabun Gap is nearest Clayton Georgia and Franklin North Carolina. The York House is Georgia's oldest Inn, listed on the National Register of Historic places. The farmhouse itself dates to 1846 and was constructed from Chestnut logs, then covered with pine plank siding. The logs are unique as American Chestnut trees were killed off in blight in the 1920s. Chestnut beams and the original dove-tailed log construction can be viewed in the gifts area and in the former servants quarters, now refurbished, on the lower level. In this area of Georgia, farming was the primary goal, with the York farm producing barley, corn and rye. Originally the Inn was purpose built to house workers for the railroad and then catering to travelers or boarders on the Tallulah Falls Railroad.

During its early history the Inn was described as “the large ideal country home with a farm run in connection with the house where all kinds of fresh vegetables are raised: chicken and fresh meats daily, milk and butter in plenty”. Amenities included “tennis court, mountain spring water, large verandas, shade trees, free access to grape, plum and apple orchards and a new system of hot and cold waterworks and bathrooms on each floor.”  The York House Inn was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. The Inn was accepted to the Register for its evolution from log cabin to Victorian Inn, landscape architecture making use of the aesthetic features and natural setting, it’s significant association with railroad commerce and finally due to the Gibson and York family significance in local politics.  

Tallulah Falls

    

Original York House c 1896

The York House design reflects similar hotels of the day, however most examples of the “Resort Era” were 

located in town square areas and not rural adaptations. Most are long gone. The landscaping and building orientation and well known two story porch make for excellent views of the Little Tennessee River Valley.  Railroads have long been a part of Rabun County history, and therefore, that of the York House as well. The York House and its long gone dance pavilion were a community gathering place. The Gibson and York family members were active in local politics The Inn has hosted famous guests, including Walt Disney and Joel Chandler Harris. Also, scenes from the films Deliverance (1972) and the Great Locomotive Chase (1956) and The Great Train Robbery (1903) have been filmed here.    

York House view

So leaving what life remained in Colorado, we will be relocating to The York House Inn at the beginning of August.  We will be making excellent use of our hospitality training in our pre-re opening plans as we look forward to acclimating to our new surroundings while undertaking a series of upgrades. We will be adding such wonders of the 21^st century as new heating and air conditioning systems, adding both natural gas and city water to our well system. We will also develop a complete website, reservations, property management system and global distribution systems. We are hard at work on new marketing materials required of a fine Inn. We will complete these nitty gritty items in short order as we also update each of the thirteen guest rooms, and enhance the hospitality of the parlor and dining area and porches.

York House Inn c 1918

Tallulah Railroad

We have a terrific meeting and social area, both inside and out, so small social or business groups and certainly weddings will be drawn to the York House Inn. Kitchen duties include developing our new complete breakfast menu while also getting very excited about Georgia wines and hor d oeuvres to accompany them and a monthly food and wine dinner series. 

Lower Level for meetings

Spring House circa 1890

The natural wonders of our own 4.5 acre forest complete with pre-civil war spring house will certainly only enhance our appreciation for the mountains of North Georgia. There will be no resting under the Georgia Champion Norway Spruce trees, the largest tree specimen of their kind in Georgia, at the front of the Inn, nor playing on our own shuffle board court.  Future plans include not only the future bar area, but also restoring the York House Inn one acre garden. The garden will allow for tons of tractor fun as it has been grown over for over fifty years. Renovating the farm will restore one of the significant self-sustaining elements to the York House and guests. Restoring the orchard and providing organic foods will return the York House Inn to its original characteristics.      

       

So as all can see, our year is not just a gap year but also a leap year as we embark on yet another way of life. We hope you will all keep in touch with our updates and we look forward to welcoming you on your travels to our little slice of country in Georgia. We welcome you to visit the York House Inn blog for continuing account of our adventures!  

Stan and Christine Penton

The York House Inn

416 York House Road

Rabun Gap, Georgia 30568

Coming soon: (706) 746-2068

Coming soon: www.yorkhouseinn.com

Any Rand was right so I'm on strike!

The idea of a strike is a very powerful one, used by Ayn Rand in Atlas Shrugged. It means to withdraw ones labor, effort, and moral and practical support. It is the way a peaceful person may protest against the status quo. Over the past several years, I have tried to win over a property tax system that destroyed our business and I also was working in a corrupt system in another business. In June of 2012 I basically left these situations by withdrawing “sanction”. I sold my business and walked away from my morally corrupt partnership.

Since that time I have devoted myself to family matters and the concerns of the 2012 elections. During that time I strengthened my position and began to explore the possibility to literally “leave” a corrupt system. I think now that I have examined the challenges we are facing in the United States, and I should let it fend for itself. As in Atlas Shrugged, I will move to my own Galt’s Gulch to continue my efforts as self-owner and sovereign individual.

I refuse to accept the premise as did the cocktailing women in Atlas Shrugged “that times of trouble are good for us. It is good that people are growing poorer. To accept privitations is a moral virtue. “I was knocked into consciousness during a discussion of politics with a well-known woman in Lima, Peru recently. In our discussion of Peru’s politics I commented that “I understand your President is a communist” to which she responded “he’s not a communist he is a populist which is worse!”. Ah ha, that was the John Galt moment!

That is our current administration in Washington, either a group of moochers or a group of looters. We live in a period where government regulation, taxation, and outright control of the means of production have eaten away at prosperity in America. I have been fed up with being told what to do by know-nothing bureaucrats, and sick of having the fruits of my productive efforts confiscated bit by bit. I would prefer to not support either an ungrateful society of envy or corrupt partners. As long as this is the thought process in the United States, I refuse to participate in further obamabarassments. As Ellis Wyatt said “I’m gone. Don’t try to find me. You won’t. I am on strike.” Not to be overly dramatic, people will always be able to find me; but until I find the right situation I am on strike!

reason, justice, freedom, production, achievement

I love to read books, especially those that hold valuable lessons for today. Here are a few recent favorite quotations for you to read and guess who wrote them. More importantly, do you feel as if these quotations hold a lesson for you today? They have indeed been very valuable to me in considering what we have been experiencing on a daily basis.
Who wrote this:
1.
“holding enormous official powers, he schemed ceaslessly to expand them, because it was expected of him by those who had pushed him into office. He had a cunning of the intelligent and the frantic energy of the lazy.The sole secret of his rise in life was the fact that he was a product of chance and knew it and aspired to nothing else.”
2.
“you stand in the midst of the greatest achievments of the greatest productive civilization and you wonder why its crumbling around you while you’re damning its life-blood-money.”
3.
“Did you really think we want those laws observed?” “We want them to be broken. You’d better get it straight that it’s not a bunch of boy scouts you’re up against… We’re after power and we mean it. . . There’s no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the
power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren’t enough criminals one
makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes
impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of
law-abiding citizens? What’s there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of
laws that can neither be observed nor enforced or objectively interpreted – and
you create a nation of law-breakers – and then you cash in on guilt. Now that’s
the system, Mr. __________, that’s the game, and once you understand it, you’ll
be much easier to deal with.”
4.
“[Man] is free to evade reality, he is free to unfocus his mind and stumble
blindly down any road he pleases, but not free to avoid the abyss [that] he
refuses to see.”
5.
” A program of voluntary government financing would be amply sufficient to pay for the legitimate functions of a proper government.It would not be sufficient to provide unearned support for the entire world. But no type of taxation is sufficient for that-only the suicide of a great country might be and then only temporarily.”
6.
“The crowd knew from the newspapers that he represented the evil of ruthless wealth; and – as they praised the virtue of chastity, then ran to see any movie that displayed a half-naked female on its posters – so they came to see him; evil, at least, did not have the stale hopelessness of a bromide which none believed and none dared to challenge. They looked at him without admiration – admiration was a feeling they had lost the capacity to experience, long ago; they looked with curiosity and with a dim sense of defiance against those who had told them that it was their duty to hate him.”



Answers:
1. Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged,description of the “Head of State” United States
2. Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged, John Galt
3.Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged, Dr. Floyd Ferris,Associate Director and “Top Co-ordinator” of the State Science Institute
4.Ayn Rand. The Objectivist Ethics
5.Ayn Rand,Government Financing in a Free Society,February 1964
6.Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged, Hank Reardon on trial
Oh my God, I am an Objectivist and am in love with Any Rand!

Ecuador - A balanced view after returning home

Of particular concern as a United States citizen is what is loosely described as economics. The conservative think tank Heritage has published its Index of Economic Freedom for a number of years, and it is an excellent and thought provoking ranking.

On its website, Heritage.org, they describe the slant of the index in these terms. “Economic freedom is the fundamental right of every human to control his or her own labor and property. In an economically free society, individuals are free to work, produce, consume, and invest in any way they please, with that freedom both protected by the state and unconstrained by the state. In economically free societies, governments allow labor, capital and goods to move freely, and refrain from coercion or constraint of liberty beyond the extent necessary to protect and maintain liberty itself.”

Now for those of you who may consider this as a pure Ayn Rand Objectivist approach you are probably right. While I too would love to live in utopia, I realize that that this is not realistic. This index does however strive with this filter to rank nations on a 100 point scale comprised of 100 point scales indexed above. The Index of Economic Freedom is found at www.heritage.org/.../economic-freedom/index-of-economic-fr..        

In this ranking the United States is ranked 10th with an overall score of 76, grouped in a category of “Mostly Free”. If you think this is good, think again, as the United States is below Canada and Chile! Much of Latin and South America are in the “Moderately Free” group. This includes:

#36 Uruguay      69.7

#37 Columbia     69.6
#44 Peru              68.2
#49 Costa Rica   67
#50 Mexico         67
#53 El Salvador  66.7
#71 Panama       62.5
#80 Paraguay     61.1
#85 Guatemala 60.0

Lowly Ecuador ranks not in the “Mostly Unfree” but in the ranks of “Repressed”. At #159 with a score of 46.9 it is below Bolivia (#156 47.9) yet above Argentina (#160 46.7), Venezuela (#174 36.1). Please note that Zimbabwe (#175 28.6), Cuba (#176 28.5) and of course North Korea (#177 1.5) are the absolute bottom.   

For those who are able to look at the glass half full rather than half empty, the World Average score is 59.6 and the Regional Average is 59.4. This puts Ecuador in context with its 46.9 score. It is interesting to note that when compared to the United States Government Spending at 47.8 compares favorably to Ecuador’s 47.3, United States Fiscal Freedom at 69.3 is overshadowed by Ecuador’s at 80.1 and while below the United States in Monetary and Trade Freedom it is close.

Just listening to our President today with his populist message to avoid sequester I can imagine a day when these scores even out. In the near future, those interested in Ecuador as an alternative to the United States also need to measure the rhetoric of President Obama with the newly elected President of Ecuador Rafael Correa. In these measurements, I count it as a tie. I return to a conversation several months ago with Anna Maria Garcia, a resident of Lima Peru and founding family descendant. I commented” I understand that your President is a communist” to which she responded “He’s not a communist, he is a populist which is worse.”

Our decision may boil down to watching a train wreck at home, the country I love, or in Ecuador, a country that ranks above the United States in Fiscal Freedom. Watching my own purse may be desirable in a country with nice people, good infrastructure and a cost of living while as an expat remaining somewhat detached from the negatives. After all, if I wanted to remain in the United States, disagreeing in total with the direction of our Country, continuing to sacrifice myself as all of the other disinterested individuals. Perhaps I admire the many rational individuals in Ecuador realizing as Ayn Rand that “there are no conflicts of interest among rational men.” I must consider as a rational man the reality, context, responsibility and effort seriously lacking amongst my countrymen, but strangely present in Ecuador.            

Cuenca Ecuador Real Estate tour and Quito Conference

I was pleased to attend the International Living conference in Quito, Ecuador. This conference entitled Fast-Track Ecuador Lifestyle and Opportunity Conference was held February 7-9, 2013.

 

Already committed to attend the conference, I jumped at the opportunity to arrive a few days early in order to travel to Cuenca for a real estate tour as well. Flying into Quito at near midnight, I was able to grab a few hours of sleep before returning back to the domestic Quito terminal to catch a 45 minute flight to Cuenca. Once in Cuenca, I began a whirlwind agenda with 20 others , traveling throughout the city, touring and walking through some two dozen rentals, condos for sale and single family homes.

Airport Terminal Cuenca

 

All was arranged by our host,

Maribel Crespa

Maribel@ecuadorablehomes.com

www.ecuadorablehomes.com

 

In the early morning hours we joined several expats from the US for breakfast, which was especially great one on one time peppering them with questions about living in Cuenca. We toured the city, stopped for an enjoyable lunch at terrific La Esquina in old town; an Argentinian restaurant cooking food on farm implement disks(all the rage in Cuenca). We capped it all off literally with a tour of the Homero Ortega Panama hat factory.

Cuenca View from Hills

 

La Esquina

Calle Larga Y Hermano Miguel

Tel 284-5344

la_esquina_ec@hotmail.com

 

Homero Ortega Museum and Workshop

Ave Gil Ramirez Davalos 386

Tel (593 7) 280-9000

www.homeroortega.com

www.genuinepanamahat.com

 

I was happy that my jet lag didn’t catch up with me until early evening so I could crash in my comfortable little room and be fresh for the next busy day.

Mercado

Mercado

Hotel Mansion Alcazar, Cuenca for my next stay! 

 

Hotel Victoria

Calle larga 6-93 Y Presidente Borrero

Tel (5937) 2827401

Email gstaana@etapanet.net

www.grupo-santaana.net

 

Over the two days we spent about eight hours touring real estate filling the other hours with walks throughout the city, a trip to the nearby cloud forest and dinners on our own. Below please find some examples of properties:

Condo roof top garden

 

2 br/2 ba, with studio,terrace, walk in closet in master bath, laundry room,1 parking place,1 storage area. 1185 sf, 249 sf terrace. Close to the historic district $158,000

 

2 br/2 ba, outside garden, 1 parking space, 1 storage area. 936sf in Pencar Atlas $15 hoa fee $79,900.

 Cuenca Art Museum

2 br/2.5 ba in one of the best condos in Cuenca. 2290sf with a great outside terrace with river view. 2 parking areas, 1 storage with TV area, walk in closets and laundry room. $155 hoa, ANNUAL taxes $150

For Sale $245,000 or for rent including HOA at $705 per month.

 

Overall the condos we visited over several days probably averaged $150,000, with a low of $79,000 and a high of $300,000 for a penthouse unit. Overall keeping in mind that everything is negotiable I was very impressed.

 

We also had the opportunity to walk through a number of beautiful homes ranging from $95,000 to $360,000. Several examples are:

Old Cathedral

 

 New Cathedral

Cuenca Street

 

Homes

4 br/ 2 ½ ba,4820 sf in great neighborhood with 2 parking and 1 storage,Native hardwood throughout with family room,terrace,laundry room,maids quarters,garden.$360,000

 

3 br/3 1/2ba, 3875 sf riverfront home with 2 parking 1 storage, family room with wood and tile floors, garden,bbq area, bar,maids quarters.$298,000

 

$150K condo construction view of sports complex(the flying saucer) 

 

This was a very enjoyable and fruitful several days. I gained tremendous insight into Cuenca and its possibilities. We only touched a few rentals, but did hear of 2-3 bedroom units renting for $300-$400 per month.

Kitchen w River Viewscondo for rent $705 per month

 

As one can imagine quality of life is an important consideration for us as we adventure to Ecuador. Cuenca with both historic and new town areas has a population of 350,000 (right now), and overall I found Cuenca to be historic, charming, and very very livable.

Cuenca Home,Kitchen

Travelling back to the conference in Quito I was interested in also exploring it’s many historic areas, looked at a American School for our daughter and also a hostal for sale. Quito has many beautiful and historic structures but it felt less charming and livable. Quito is definitely a capital city with all of the hustle and bustle of a city with 3 million people.

Puertolago, Near Otavalo

 

Swissotel

Ave 12 de Octubre 1820 Y Luis Cordero

Casilla 17 21 565

Tel (593 2) 256-7600

www.swissotel.com

 

Swissotel was a great selection for our conference. With 232 guestrooms and a banquet conference area of two ballrooms( divisible to six) and a total of 19 smaller rooms it was state of the art. I was anticipating a good six group but we apparently overflowed the room block, so I was in a bit of a shock to see some 600 people, primarily from the US and Canada, gathered to learn about moving/retiring in Ecuador.

Octava de Corpus, Quito

Father and Son dinning experience

Ecuador Wine

"Surf and Turf"Octava de Corpus,Quito

 

The conference was very informative, intersperced with ample time to visit the city at luch, socialize at breaks, visit markets, and meet with vendors ranging from real estate and legal to tours and language schools. Overall the sessions were very informative. Some of the most interesting presentations were from expats themselves residing in a variety of Ecuadorian locations. Not to be missed were sessions on legal and immigration matters and on health.

Cotopaxi American International School, Quito

 

Here are a few of the most informative contacts:   

 

Moreno di Donato (attorneys)

Estudio Juridico

Offices in Manta, Quito and Cuenca

www.morenodidonato.com

 

Sandra Baquero Perez

Sanestar International Shipping

Guayaquil, Ecuador

USA Tel (855) sane-star

Cel (593 9)969-0583

sanestarinternational@gmail.com

sandy.baquero@gmail.com

Hostel Revolution, looking for business opportunity in Quito, Ecuador

 

Nick Hodges,CPA/PFS,MBA,CFP

NCH Tax and Wealth Advisors

1661 East Chapman Avenue, ste 2A

Fullerton, CA 92831

Tel 714-870-4542

nick@nchwealth.com

www.nchwealth.com

 

Simon Bolivar Spanish School

Foch E 9-20 and 6 de Diciembre

Quito, Ecuador

Tel(593 2) 254-4558

info@simon-bolivar.com

www.simon-bolivar.com

Quito, Cuenca or Jungle locations

Old Town, Quito

 

Gerardo Pinaogote

Spondylius Ecuador Real Estate Svc

Tel (59)(398)963-1656

gpinoargote@yahoo.com

www.spondylusecuador.com

Salinas area real estate

 

 

Based on our current status we are interesting in a more detailed return to Cuenca. Keep you posted!                         

Cuenca vs Quito Ecuador

I was pleased to attend the International Living conference in Quito, Ecuador during the first week of February.

 

I had the opportunity to tour about two dozen rentals as well as condos and homes for sale in Cuenca prior to the conference and then return to Quito for the conference. In Quito we explored many of the historic areas, looked at a American School for our daughter and also a hostal for sale.

 

I found Cuenca to be historic, charming, and livable…more so than Quito which while still historic it felt less charming and livable. Quality of life is an important consideration for us as we adventure to Ecuador, Cuenca with both historic and new town areas has a population of 350,000 (right now) while Quito is definitely a capital city with all of the hustle and bustle of a city with 3 million people.

Here are a few of my favorite shots of Cuenca.

Cuenca

Cuenca

 Old Cathedral

New Cathedral

Vega Ceramics

El Mercado, Cuenca

Beans Anyone

Hotel Mansion Alcazar, Cuenca 

Roof garden in Cuenca Condo building

Here are a few of my favorite shots of Quito.

Hostal Revolution

Academia Cotopaxi

Academia Cotopaxi, Quito

Surf and Turf at Octava de Corpus

Candied Figs, Octava de Corpus

Puerto Lago, near Otavalo

Puerto Lago, Hostel

Puerto Lago, Hostel