The ranch style main house is a conventional frame construction of approximately 3370 sq ft of heated space with 3 to 4 Bedroom 2 bath, large cathedral ceiling living room and adjacent den, study, open style country kitchen with ceramic tiled center island cook top and built in cabana style breakfast area, Jacuzzi style hot tub and sun room and heated 3 car garage with work area. The den and living room are divided by a large and massive rock fireplace with conventional fireplace opening to the den and bar-b-que spit toward the living room area and water fall to recirculation pond on west end. The kitchen has satillo tile flooring and hand hewn native log vigas with a large corner fireplace and pellet stove insert. The master bedroom has massive hand hewn vigas and thermostatically controlled propane fired Vermont Castings Stove set in the corner and framed by ceramic and satillo tiles. A new metal (propanel style) colored roof and new double pane energy efficient widows were added in 1999. The large 24x36 ft three car garage was added in 2002 that includes a south facing 10 x 36 ft covered porch with fabulous views of the monumental "Hermits Peak". Extra insulation was added to the main house in the late 90's and the garage was built with 2x6 construction on 16 inch centers, insulated with R-19 in walls and R-30 in ceiling, dry walled and painted. A thermostatically controlled propane heater was installed to heat the garage area.

The guesthouse is west of the main house and has a living room, kitchen, bedroom with full bath and is approximately 949 sq. ft. New double-glazed thermo pane windows and extra insulation was added at the same time the windows were completed on the main house. Heat is provided by central forced air and the guest house has its own electric meter, propane tank and septic system. The guest house has been rented for between $450 to $650 per month including a provision to care for the ranch and the animals while gone.

The barn consists of a large 1080 sq ft main room with thick concrete floor (I was told 18 inches thick since previous owner worked on D-9 cats) by 12.5 ft high work area with 14 ft wide by 12 ft high electric operated door. Additional contiguous hay storage, shop, tack and assorted storage and open areas complete the barn. The west side includes a covered storage area and south side of the barn has pipe corrals and covered pens arranged in 4 paddocks and 4 stalls.

Land:

The ranch sits in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo range of the Rocky Mountains and the terrain is slightly sloping to hilly and covered with native grasses and predominately Ponderosa Pine with scattered pinion, juniper and cedar. The ranch is named after a large 50 ft blue spruce that fronts the main house. Two arroyos provide runoff to five stock ponds one of which is thought to be feed by a weak spring.

In the interest of protecting the investment nature of the property the owner surveyed the property into five separate parcels in March of 1996 prior to the more restrictive change in state and county lot split regulations. The main house sits on Parcel 3 and includes all the inhabitable improvements plus barn and is 31.92 +/- acres.

* Parcel 1 115.19 +/- acres

* Parcel 2 15.0 +/- acres

* Parcel 3 31.92+/- acres

* Parcel 4 15.0 +/- acres

* Parcel 5 15.0 +/- acres

The total acreage above does not include 15 acres on the southwest part of the ranch which was sold to Dr. Judson and included a deed restriction on both the main ranch and Dr. Judson's limiting the subdividing of the property into less than 15 acre parcels.

Elevations run from a low of about 7050 ft msl to a high of near 7600 ft msl. See the attached topo map and plat layout of the property.

Utilities:

Mora San Miguel Electric Coop provides power and seller owned propane tanks service the main and guesthouses. Both the main house and guesthouse have individual septic tanks and leach fields. Two wells are located on the property with one located on Parcel 3 near the main house and the other on Parcel 1 with 3-phase power nearby.

Game:

Deer, bear, elk (2 land owner elk permits - 1 bull one cow) , turkey and coyote have been seen on the ranch. See photos of deer and turkey in front yard.

Climate:

The modest and pleasant annual climate of this area is a major attractor to both newcomers and regulars. The average mean temperature for July is 64.4 degrees F and 34.5 degrees F for January. The average annual rainfall for Las Vegas is 17 inches however statistical data shows that the northwest location of this property would support a higher number for rainfall even though an actual data source at Sapello is unavailable. The winter snowfall is reported to be near 36 inches however it generally comes in 2 to 4 inch and rarely lasts longer than a day or two due primarily to the modest mid day winter temperatures. The modest climate among other things resulted in the Las Vegas area being included in a Kiplinger Financial News Letter as one of the top 10 places in the U.S. to retire.

Area Attractions:

The Las Vegas and San Miguel County area is becoming one of the most recognized in the State for its abundant attractions, recreational opportunities and historic past. Established in 1835 by a grant and settled in the name of fifteen Spanish Families. By 1846 General Stephen W. Kearney found Las Vegas to be a thriving community of 1,500 when he took possession of New Mexico for the United States. William Becknell had by this time already opened the Santa Fe Trail between Independence Missouri and Santa Fe for which Las Vegas become a scheduled stop. The Santa Fe Trail has now been designated a National Historic Trail. Other attractions include but are certainly not limited to Fort Union National Monument, Pecos National Monument, Pecos Wilderness, the Armand Hammer United World College of the American West, and the Rough Riders Museum which until recently was the site of the annual reunion of the few remaining survivors of Teddy Roosevelt's famous Rough Riders. History shows this area was frequented by such notorious men and women as Billy the Kid, Vicente Silva and his gang, Belle Sidons (alias Monte Verde), Jesse James, Doc Holiday and his girlfriend Big-Nosed Kate. Doc Holiday operated a dental office, saloon and gambling hall in Las Vegas before moving to Tombstone Arizona. Las Vegas is located within two hours of six ski resorts and the Pecos Wilderness offers substantial recreational opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, camping, hunting and fishing and unbelievably breathtaking views.

Price:

This fine ranch property is offered at $1,785,000. Seller wishes to sell or exchange the property for a residence or income property or both.