Seeking an escape from their busy city lives, four couples decided to create a unique community of tiny vacation homes to fulfill their retirement dreams together.
This eco-friendly retreat, tailored to individual needs, allows the couples to enjoy a shared experience surrounded by their closest friends. After more than two decades of friendship, these Texas couples were eager to find a quiet place away from their busy Austin homes, a place where they could immerse themselves in nature and rejuvenate.
When they discovered a piece of land near the Llano River, just an hour from Austin and perfect for nature lovers, they recognized its potential despite its rugged condition.
Fred Zipp, a former editor of the Austin American-Statesman, shared his first impressions with Garden and Gun magazine: “At first, it wasn’t very inviting”. He and his wife, Jodi, are among four couples who care about environmental sustainability and minimizing their carbon footprint. “This place has its charm, even when it’s dry”, Fred noted, pointing out the herds of wild buffalo that roam the rugged landscape. “We’re focused on conserving water for the native trees and grasses, which are really beautiful.”
The couple originally planned to build a house together, but after learning about the tiny house movement, they changed their focus and decided on individual houses and a communal building for gatherings.
With the help of San Antonio architect Matt Garcia, the vision took shape. With a budget of $40,000 per house, Garcia designed four compact 350-square-foot cabins, each equipped with a double bed, kitchenette and bathroom.
“We wanted a place where we could spend quality time together, eat together and enjoy each other’s company, while still maintaining privacy when needed”, Jodi explained.
The designs also included sustainable elements such as roofs that capture rainwater while meeting conservation guidelines. To combat the hot Texas climate, the cabins are insulated with spray foam and feature large overhangs to minimize heat gain.
Garcia focused on creating an inviting interior, contrasting the sleek metal facades with warm, grained plywood surfaces. The natural gray concrete floors add an affordable, stylish touch.
Large windows throughout the open floor plan allow for plenty of natural light and offer stunning river views. Additionally, a 1,500-square-foot community cabin serves as a hub for social activities and features a guest bedroom, living area, kitchen, and even a pool!
Reflecting on the cultural shift after the recession, Garcia said: “People began to realize that happiness does not come from owning too much space or things. I am proud to work with clients who embrace the idea that less is more”.
Although the eight friends are not yet ready for full-time retirement, their small community, called “Llano Exit Strategy” or “Bestie Row”, offers the perfect retreat. When they are not using the cabins, they rent them out to vacationers interested in the tiny house lifestyle.
“It’s like living in a Disney movie here! We have rabbits, bobcats, deer and a variety of birds. We discover more wildlife every time we visit”, they shared.
The story of “Bestie Row” sparked a lively debate on social media, with many expressing admiration for the couple’s commitment to friendship. One comment read: “What a brilliant idea! Friends building a community together is the way to go as we get older”. However, others raised concerns about the potential risks of living together in such a close relationship, suggesting that friendships could suffer.
Would you consider creating a micro-community to spend more time with your closest friends? Share this story and let us hear your thoughts!
Otherworldly Revelation – Mexican Authorities Unveil Two Mysterious Beings at Public Hearing
The existence of aliens, which is frequently the subject of conjecture and science fiction, is nevertheless a fascinating subject of discussion. But can the enigmatic findings made public during a recent court in Mexico provide a definitive response to the long-standing query? There’s no denying that the fascinating creatures have captivated the interest and stoked the imagination of people worldwide.
Two unidentified beings were discovered in Peru in 2017.
In reality, the enigmatic bones that were shown before a formal tribunal in Mexico were found many years ago. 2017 saw the discovery of exceptionally well-preserved mummies buried far beneath the sandy Nazca coastal desert in Peru. The area is well-known for its enigmatic enormous earth figures, which are typically credited to native American tribes. However, some believe they could be the creation of extraterrestrials.
A few years later, Mexico hosted its first hearing over the alleged “alien bodies.”
During a congressional session on aliens, Mexican legislators were recently provided with astounding evidence, six years after the unusual finding in Peru. The testimony pointed to the possibility of extraterrestrial life, and Mexican writer and UFO enthusiast Jaime Maussan showed them two objects he claimed to be the bones of non-human animals. On September 12, a momentous occasion occurred that marked Mexico’s first formal discussion on the subject of aliens.
Maussan claimed that these specimens showed no ties to the planet. Two tiny “bodies” with elongated heads and three fingers on each hand were enclosed for exhibition. He claimed that they were around a millennium old, based on a carbon dating analysis that the National Autonomous University of Mexico had carried out.
Despite the interesting appearance of the results, several scientists remain skeptical about their alien origins.
Julieta Fierro, a researcher from the National Autonomous University of Mexico’s Institute of Astronomy, explained that their university had not endorsed the alleged discovery, in contrary to Jaime Maussan’s claims. She stressed that in order to determine whether the calcified bodies in issue could indeed be classified as “non-human,” scientists would need to use more sophisticated technology than X-rays.
Similarly, Jordan Brimm, a professor from Chicago, questions whether the findings are real. It turns out that the self-described ufologist Maussan has made unfounded assertions in the past regarding the existence of aliens.
It remains to be seen whether the mummies are in fact aliens, but one thing is certain: there are still many unanswered questions about our planet. A few months earlier, many people were similarly perplexed by another unexpected occurrence in the sky.
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