Hello all.  I have decided to start a blog about my country living adventure.  I closed on approximately three (3) unrestricted, beautiful oak and cedar covered acres near Dripping Springs, Texas on September 26th.  I chose the site because it is located near several large ranches in what some are now considering the ‘Tuscany of Texas’ belt, an area that is gaining world-wide recognition for its wineries and vineyards.  My property is just down the road from a few very nice wineries and an exotic ranch.  I recently became a wine club member at one of the vineyards.

On October 2nd, a shipping container sales, lease, and fabrication group out of Dallas – LC Container – delivered my 45′ Waterfront conex shipping container.  The container was originally a deep red color, but because of its age and some rust spots, I chose to have it cleaned up and painted white.  In doing so, I was very keen on leaving the original shipping markings.  I love the charm and idea of taking a box that once transported goods across the globe and repurposing it as my home.  I never even considered changing the character of the container.

Before I forget, electricity will be added to the property by Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC) on 10/16.  Septic will be coming in the next several weeks, hopefully just in time for a little birthday soiree in mid-November.

My journey in choosing the lifestyle of having a conex shipping container as my home began in 2006 when I went to work for a real estate private equity firm in Dallas that is a leader in inland trade ports/intermodal centers.  The first day of my career had me receive a lesson about TEUs, or twenty-foot equivalent units.  I was hooked on the idea from there and began researching conex repurpose projects on the internet.  I have come across so many amazing projects that have inspired me over the years.  When I relocated to Austin in late 2011 and began looking for property, I decided the time was right to move forward with my own conex repurpose project.

Since having the container delivered, I have spent considerable time on the property adding traditional yard games to create a sort of camp-like haven for myself and friends.  I am calling my property ‘Camp Wanderlust’.  It is a place for people to come get lost in themselves, or found depending on their perspective.  I have added a walking path using native Austin limestone blocks that my neighbor gave to me.  Additionally, I have completed a bench anchored to oak trunks that had to be cut because they suffered from a tree disease and had died.  The bench provides a front row seat for the washer pits, ladder golf, horseshoes, fire pit, tire swing, and BiminiRing.  I plan to add tetherball, a mini-disc golf course, a sand volleyball court, a trampoline and foam pit, a 20-yd rollaway dumpster pool, and other yard games that come to mind down the road.

Aside from the tailgating activities, I will be adding a rainwater catchment system, vegetable garden, xeriscape landscaping, and perhaps a recycled electricity pole and limestone quarry blocks tranquility cabin.  I also plan to plant some grapes that I can use to launch my organic wine label Wood Duck Cellars.

I will plan to add more posts as material things develop out on my ‘lil slice of heaven.  Hope you enjoy tracking our progress at Camp Wanderlust.