304 Crooked Oak Trail , Fort Davis, TX 79734(Jeff Davis County)

Olds Creek Retreat is comprised of 35 acres in three different building envelopes and was the Davis Mountains home of Texas conservation legend Dick Bartlett who founded Thinking Like a Mountain Foundation on this property as a retreat for writers, artist, and conservation folks from around the state. The compound offers a high quality indoor-outdoor experience either under the beautiful large Emory and Grey oaks along the creek or the high vista views from the Library/Studio built on a commanding hill overlooking area mountains. This is nature at its finest, front and center, as this retreat has been nurtured by the Bartletts to enhance bird, deer, fox, javelina, butterflies, native plants and the many wonders of the high Chihuahuan Desert. It is located at the back end of Limpia Crossing development off Highway 118 on the historic Scenic Loop near McDonald Observatory high in the Davis Mountains of West Texas. This area has become home for many folks from around the state and country interested in nature, the outdoors, and the amazing dark skies. The property is a 30 minute drive to the 33,000 acre Nature Conservancy's Davis Mountain Preserve and in proximity to private ranches with conservation easements totaling 65,000 acres.

Acreage

35 acres in seven approximately 5 acre lots in Jeff Davis County near McDonald Observatory.

Description

Olds Creek Retreat is located in the heart of the Davis Mountains, a Sky Island range surrounded by a sea of grassland with elevations ranging from 5,150 feet to 5380 feet. The crown jewels of the property are three distinct development areas with three unique high quality homes with out-buildings, porches, and landscaped yards all connected by pathways and roads embracing the natural beauty of the region. The topography of the property, although very much in the mountains, is gentle slopes which makes the entire tract accessible by hiking or driving to the various improvements. There is the Main House with its protected raise bed garden, outdoor patio, and one of the finest custom kitchens with screened dining areas in the region. This is an entertainers dream or a family gathering place all next to an expansive manicured yard and native oaks along the banks of Olds Creek. The Bird House is across the creek with a footpath and bridge that serves as a guest house, an office, as well as another outdoor entertainment area. High above both is the Thinking Like

a Mountain Foundation Library-Studio Guest House and living quarters. This locally designed contemporary complex captures the amazing views from this elevated site and provides a state of the art place for a studio, guest house, or a world-class office. All of the buildings will come furnished with furniture and appliances handpicked to fit the custom built improvements or outdoor entertainment areas.

Wildlife

Wildlife in the Davis Mountains is abundant. Big mule deer, white-tail, bird species and smaller animals such as javelina, fox, ring tail cat, and the unusual Montezuma quail abound on this property. Hummingbirds and migrant songbirds fly through the area on semi-annual migrations and are attracted to the extensive native plant gardens in the courtyard and around the property making this a birding paradise. Native trees, brush and grasses provide excellent habitat for these native wildlife species. Surrounded by nature, one can pursue activities like photography, astronomy, hiking, painting, or meditation by simply walking out the door. Olds Creek is a local creek that heads up on an adjoining 6,000 acre that has a conservation easement that restricts development. Every summer clear waters flow from the neighboring mountains through this compound creating a shaded oasis and are a corridor for much of the area wildlife.

Improvements

Main House

The centerpiece of Olds Creek Retreat is the shady Main House Compound. The recently remodeled home has one master bedroom with three full baths. Extraordinary is the word to describe the kitchen, large living room, dining porch, and outdoor entertaining area. The outdoor fireplace is the center piece of night time events and the large screened dining room connected to the modern large kitchen is for the master chef and exquisite dining experiences. Outside the master bedroom is a private sitting porch where you can watch the wildlife just feet away.

Some of the homes features include:

Main house has one Bedroom and one Bath, Living, Wet Bar, two covered porches

Connected Modern Kitchen, Dining Room with Full Bath

Covered steel frame outdoor Portal with flag stone patio with kiva fireplace

Separate Wash house with half bath

Carport with water catchment system

Storage Room for supplies

Fenced in raised bed garden

Flag stone porch and entertainment area

Very large native oaks and manicured mowed yard

Walkway to creek bank with outdoor BBQ area

Walking bridge over Olds Creek over to Bird house

Fire pit with limestone benches

Well and water catchment system

Circle Driveway

Bird House

Across the bridge from the Main House and also by its own driveway is the Bird House and outbuildings. This is a marvelous guest house two bedroom one bath, living and kitchen. Next to the main building is a separate office and storage room. The building nestled under the great oaks is the perfect place to sit outside and observe the diversity of birds in the Davis Mountains thus its name.

Living and full kitchen

Bedroom downstairs, bedroom loft upstairs

Full Bath downstairs

Large Laundry Room with freezer and dishwasher

Huge Emory Oaks

Outdoor Covered entertainment area

Two room office with half bath as separate outbuilding

Covered parking

Horseshoe Pit under the shade

Well

Library-Studio Guest House

High on the hill across Olds Creek from the Main House and accessed by its own road is the Library-Studio Guest House. This modern design captures the amazing views. The building was the home of Thinking Like a Mountain Foundation with an extensive library and studio space and a separate bedroom bath kitchen that was used for resident artist and writers. There is a very nice outdoor area between the two buildings that could be closed in to make a single larger guest home with elegant living and dining room. There is also an unfinished Observatory dome that could be finished to fit your own telescope and make for a world class night time viewing platform. The private drive up to the building is paved with a very nice circle drive up to he buildings.

Other features include:

Large custom Library with one of the greatest private collections of natural history books and articles in the state

One Bedroom with 1 baths with private patio

Study/Living room

Custom Kitchen with Frigidaire Gas Stove and Dishwasher

Washer and Dryer

Flagstone Porches

American Standard Central Air and Heat

Grill Zone plumed Propane Gas BBQ

Telescope Observatory ready for new owners telescope

Well and well house

Water catchment system

Water

Three water wells supply all the water needs for the three compounds. There is a water catchment system on the carport of the Main House for landscaping uses.