Visit the Rocky Mountains, help us with DIY tasks near Allenspark, USA

Details

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  Description

  We are a retired couple in a rural mountain community (elevation 8,500 ft, 2,600 meters, Population 400) next to Rocky Mountain National Park.
  Need a helper to assist me with small building projects and landscape. Rough carpentry, landscape maintenance, splitting and stacking firewood. No skills necessary.
  
  We have very rudimentary French and German language skills, would like to practice. We teach classes locally in Qigong, Tai Chi, Juggling, and Journalism, and welcome practitioners or interested beginners.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  DIY and building projects

  General Maintenance
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We are only asking for 4-6 hrs/day, and 3 or 4 days per week.
  That leaves lots of time for relaxing and exploring, including excursions of 3-4 days length.
  
  We share a property boundary with the National Forest. National Park Entrances are less than 2 miles away.
  We view a lot of wildlife from our home: moose, elk, deer, bears, bobcat, coyotes, turkey, eagles, great horned owls, and more.
  
  There are numerous nearby small mountain towns with local cultural activities.
  Boulder Colorado is 45 minutes away. It has been voted US's "Happiest City", "Highest Well Being Community", "Fittest City", and is home to several world recognized universities, and to a thriving high tech industry.
  
  Ft Collins is 1 hour away. Fort Collins is the cultural hub of northern Colorado. The city is full of so many great museums and art galleries that it's hard to choose just one to visit.
  
  Helpers will get a exposure to basic English vocabulary used in residential building projects, and to basic American building project techniques.
  
  My wife and I teach Qigong, Tai Chi, Juggling, and English Writing locally, and have regular personal practices.
  We'd be pleased to share those with interested beginners or practitioners.
  
  We both have very rudimentary French language skills, and would appreciate a chance to practice.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  I am doing the projects myself, and often can benefit from an assistant for unskilled tasks: to hold the end of tape measure or piece of lumber; to hand me things when I am on a ladder or underneath the house; help carry things; help with set up and clean up, etc. Rough carpentry - building a deck and a covered woodshed; add blocking to floor joists, and similar. Wildfire prevention - raking pine needles and pine cones, removing flammable underbrush. Splitting and stacking 10 cords of firewood. No skills needed (though appreciated if present). Willing to teach basic building skills to interested beginners. All tasks are registered, permitted and inspected by local building authorities. The tasks do require basic fitness - bending, stooping, lifting, carrying (For context, I'm 70 years old, and sometimes have helpers in their 80's. Me best helper was a 65 year old Buddhist nun.)

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  French: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  We have very rudimentary French and German language skills. Would like to practice. Willing to help visitors with English speaking and writing.
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  Accommodation

  Separate 2 story building, with electricity, high speed wifi, bathroom, kitchen area with small 'fridge, microwave, hot plate, deck overlooking creek. Access to shower, laundry and full kitchen in main house. Meals included - fix breakfast and lunch on your own in the house, have dinner with us.

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  What else ...

  No local public transportation, need own transportation.
  There are small local cultural and musical events in Allenspark and Estes Park.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  Good wifi access, have had engineers and social service managers work here in the past. No cell service. Can get phone calls through wifi.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  We are on a narrow dirt road, some distance from paved roads. A small caravan might work, not a large one. We can work out details as they arise.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 4-6 hours a day, 3-4 days a week