January 2002 - Update - Valle Escondido - Boquete, Panama

Large master bedroom with high vaulted ceiling Kitchen with all appliances and hardwood cabinets

January 2002 Update

Dear property owners and friends of Valle Escondido,

2001 is but a fond memory and 2002 is off to a great and hectic start here in the valley. I am delayed in getting this report off to you due to the holidays and my family's move into one of the duplex homes in the valley.

It is wonderful to live in this beautiful place. I awake every morning to the sound of the river, and I go to sleep each night to the same beautiful rhythm. Now, the sounds in between of equipment running and men working are a bit distracting, but it is comforting to know the noise is only temporary.

Flower time

It is flower festival time here in Boquete, and thousands of people are flocking here to see the beautiful displays of flowers at the fair grounds. Many people have heard about Valle Escondido and have come to see for themselves what it is like. Everyone who comes for the visit comments on its beauty and how well everything fits into the environment. It is only now sinking in how really fortunate we are to be able to live here and to share this paradise with others.

International community

We have sold many homes and lots to Panamanians over the last month. We have 14 countries represented in the valley, and the Panamanians are now in the lead for the most residents from one country. We will be putting in a helicopter landing pad near the valley entrance for a number of our new residents who travel back and forth from Panama City in this way.

Single level duplex

We have completed the first building, and the first homeowner will be moving into the one next to us this week. We should complete at least one building a month from now on. The single level homes are beautiful and spacious with high ceilings and rustic finishes. The two level units have just been started, and they have great golf course and volcano views. They are selling very well now that people can see homes instead of dirt.

Golf course

The golf course is now under construction and the excitement is building in the area for those who love the sport. This is truly going to be a great course because of the wonderfully varying terrain. The first four holes are well underway, with two tee boxes for each. When it is completed, you can play around twice and get in 18 holes. The first hole is played over a pond from about 100 yards. The tee box is about 40 feet above the level of the green. The second hole plays down a narrow 220-yard fairway, with the river on one side and the 40-foot ridge wall of the duplex area on the other. The third hole is played from high above the valley floor across the river onto what seems postage stamp green at about 100 yards. Number four is a short 75-yard play over the orange trees and another pond. Soon we will be putting in the irrigation system and planting the grass. Then it is off to build the rest of this beautiful 9-hole course.

Pueblito

I really love building the pueblo. I dream up an idea for a building and the artist makes renderings within a few hours. The draftsman takes them and makes construction drawing and within a few weeks a new building appears just as I saw it in my mind's eye! We spend hours just on window and door designs that then go to the wood and metal shop. The craftsmen have finally gotten the idea of distressing the finished doors and window frames by beating them with hammers and rocks to make them appear old. They thought we were crazy when we first started because they are used to fine finishes. The trucks are rolling into the pueblo daily with 100-year-old tile for the roofs, and the men have become pros at putting them on the various roof pitches. These tiles are formed over men’s thighs so each is a different size. They have to go through them all to find ones that fit together well. Some of the roofs are very steep and require special scaffolding for the men to work on. All the details come together to give the feel of stepping back in time.

The park

The park in the center is nearly completed. The flower gardens only await the plants, and the water is flowing from one pool to the next, and then on to the first hole of the golf course where it forms the first water hazard. It then proceeds down to the river and on to the ocean where it all started. In a few months, the pueblo will be finished and home to our offices, until we fill the buildings with shops and services for the many residents and visitors to the valley. The men will move on to the construction of the country club, where we will have many new challenges that the pueblo construction has prepared us for.

The bridge area

It is so beautiful and peaceful to look at the bridge area with its 30-foot wide spillway. The water is crystal clear and cold, and the sound is entrancing. This is where I like to sit and spend the few quiet moments I occasionally get to myself. All that is left to do here is to put windows and doors into the two small buildings and install the hydro generator that will run the road and bridge lights.

Our wonderful work team

Roads, water lines, electric lines, TV, cable, Internet, security and so on and so forth. There is much going on behind the scenes to make it all come together. I am extremely proud of the work force we have assembled here in Boquete. They are true craftsmen, they work very hard, and it shows in the quality of the products they are building.

Have a very prosperous and happy new year,