Geek Ranch Status

A few people have written me asking about why the "inactivity" on the project. Well, there is a lot going on so let me update you on the specifics of the property, the vision and the progress of building a combination eco-tourism, Nicaraguan business opportunity, geek retreat facility.

After close to a year of trying to acquire land that fit our vision of the time, we found a piece of land that caused us to change our vision. Or, put another way, expand and revise our vision based on what we found. The property is 153 manzanas (about 265 acres) in the Tisey preserve just south of Estelí. About the most negative response we had when we have taken someone to the property is "Wow!".

There is a lot of pine on the property plus oak and other native (for the area and altitude) plants. Cerro Apaguají, a well-known tourist attraction, in contained within the property. In fact, the previous owners were charging people C$5 each to visit the cerro. The land varies in altitude from 1385 meters to less than 1200 meters where it meets a stream on the property edge.

While we continue to work on the big picture vision for the project, we still see month-to-month rentals of "Geek cabinas" as our primary focus. That is, that is "why" we are doing the project. But, here is the list of things that will go into the project.

1. A small up-scale hotel with large restaurant and conference facilities.
2. Experimental organic farm. The property adjacent to La Garnacha, an organic farming community. We intend to experiment with some no-traditional food crops. We will encourage La Garnacha to commercially develop crops that we decide are worthwhile.
3. Projects to increase the value of traditional crops. For example, building a facility to make fruit leather. We also figure that if we put a "Geek Coffee" label on our coffee, we can sell it for more than the traditional price. :-)
4. Eco-tourism attractions including trails, bird watching, horse rentals, ...
5. Geek rental cabinas. We will initially build four with a plan to expand that to up to twenty.
6. A limited number of 99-year lease options. That is, a land lease where someone can build their residence. Because of the preserve status of the property, there will be restrictions. We are not "looking for" people but, rather, those that "get it" can be offered this option.

At this point, we are getting permits to improve the road, get power run in and such. This area is regulated by FIDER and they seem to be very much into working with us to do good things (and prevent bad things such as poaching of logs). We'll see but we seem to be on track again.

Note that we have created a "members only" web site for those with serious interest in being involved in the project. PM me if you would like to get involved. In the near future, I am going to combine the four Geek Ranch forums here into one.