Slow and Steady

[NotATLDave]

Brakes? We don't need no stinking brakes. We're not worried about hills out here in South East Michigan.

From my front door, I can see the bird poop on the top of the telephone pole that's at the end of my driveway. Fortunately, we have about 2000 sq. feet of flat concrete near our house to play on because once you start down the driveway, you are treated to brake-smoking 20% grade. In winter, we have to clear the leaves because cars can't climb the driveway. In a snowstorm, I had to park in the street and when going back to my car, I slipped and slid 30 feet down the driveway. I can ride up the driveway on my mountain bike in my granny gears. I can only get 5 feet up it on my road bike. Yes we live on an extreme lot. The back yard drops off even steeper. The end of our patio is about 20 feet off the ground while the end closest to our house is 5 feet lower than our foundation. Moving to Atlanta from Texas, where hilly lots sell for a premium, I completely fell in love with our lot. It wasn't until 4 months later that I discovered why I got it so cheap...folks who live here want "level" lots.....argh!. But screw resale value...I love it here...we put an antler chandelier in the dining room so we could designate our house as a "lodge".