As the Giant Mushroom Cloud Approached
I realized there was nowhere to run. For a moment, I envisioned our tiny golf cart tumbling across the empty meadow with Ken and me in it. Ah, the best laid plans…
The wind hit with a fury. We covered up with our arms as if one could stop a hurricane with hand signals. Dust and grit whipped across us like the blower at the car wash, and just as suddenly, we’re in the clearing created by the helicopter’s rotors. Our grand planned Open House welcomed its first visitors with yours truly looking like the local vagrant.
We found ourselves laughing. I looked over to the road, and Nicole was bravely holding her phone, recording the whole thing. The pilot waved us away until the rotors stopped. The first load of agents and prospects began to climb down to the grassy surface. Our “Helicopter Open House” was on.
“What”, you might ask, “was going on?
Well, that’s a fun story. You see, we had listed this incredible property in one of the most beautiful places along the Mogollon Rim, Bear Flat.
Located about 19 miles from the heart of Payson, Bear Flat is a community of thirty homes along Tonto Creek, at the end of six miles of Forest Service road, along with about a dozen cattle guards, hairpin turns, and a creek crossing. It’s the kind of drive you see elk on the ridge and cows by the road. When you encounter another vehicle, you both hug the side of the road to slip past each other. Along the way, there are campsites. Everybody waves. You forget the city. It is a bliss.
Not, however, the kind of road one wants to fill with cars on a Sunday afternoon. So, we had this great idea to chopper everyone in from the Payson airport, only 10 minutes away as the helicopter flies.
What a hoot! Once past that first landing (the pilot decided to approach from the south for all subsequent landings), we had probably the most fun I’ve experienced in my 28 years selling real estate and holding Open Houses.
Everyone was stoked. They had just seen Rim country as few others have, the beauty of our Arizona mountains and National Forest envelope you. They call you back. At 5,000 ft. elevation, the air is sweet, and the summer heat of the Valley is but a distant memory.
We had a great day. The property is magnificent. We served beer, wine, and champagne. At first, I worried we had too many sandwiches, then I worried we would run out. The place is good for your appetite.
Folks explored the six bedrooms, the game room, the family room, and the living room with a huge fireplace. They discovered the hidden door to the basement office, the ultimate man cave. Some took the steps all the way down to the creek, but most just enjoyed it from the expansive deck.
I met wonderful agents from Payson, Pine, and Strawberry. A few had clients in tow. The feedback was marvelous. I think we will be sold by Christmas.
As the last chopper load departed, we all packed up and said “Goodbye” to the Retreat on Tonto Creek. What a day! It was a day to remember.
Showings, of course, are by appointment. We have wonderful photography, video and marketing materials, but none can capture it all. We promise you no mushroom clouds of dust. The neighbor’s horses are back in the meadow, trout are in the stream, and the neighbors are still talking about that crazy day with Those Callaways stirring things up.
– Joseph
