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Show the horizon for this utopian spot. Bill learned of the development plans and that, although Robbie Levin loved the land's beauty, the proprietor of the Ranch was unable to even consider abandoning the project--he said he had made a significant investment in its initial development and he could not walk away from it. He was, however, open to offers and suggestions. Because of the Justice Department's ruling, Gates was looking around for good causes that were near and dear to his heart (a bit difficult for someone without a philanthropic bone in his body). During his visit, as he looked out across the fields of the guest ranch in the waning evening light, a light bulb went off in his head. Bill Gates' stingy days vanished in the blink of an eye. Microsoft's appeals with respect to the antitrust case were in time rejected by the Supreme Court and, like any good capitalist, Bill wanted to have some say in what happened to the money that was being squeezed out of him. Overnight he became one of the most significant philanthropists in recorded history by preserving a significant : Cray, Norma Nunn (W) 259-5021 (H) 259-7275 UALITY REALTY 505 N. Main St. 259-502! FAX: (435) 259-8381 portion of the West's heritage. Bill Gates donated an undisclosed sum of money to Utah Open Lands to purchase the development rights to Sorrel River Guest Ranch. His generosity did not end there, but radiated out to work a deal with the owner of the adjoining property. Through an arrangement with the owners, significant additional acreage in the Colorado River corridor was preserved from development as well; the family attained home sites and nest eggs. Gates of Heaven Preserve was born. purchase of conservation and throughout Grand County. Gates also set up a county endowment for the development easements from interested landowners Rumour had it that fully half of his fine was expended in Grand County. The County rejoiced. Results from a survey conducted by the Travel Council revealed that without the preservation of the Highway 128 river corridor, visitation to the Moab area would plummet. If the corridor was substantially developed tourism, the economic underpinning of the local economy, was doomed. According to survey question #35, this applied to camp ground development on public lands as well. The most ironic aspect of the whole bizarre chain of events that led a high falutin’ computer nerd to bestow charity upon the peons of rural Utah came shortly thereafter. Grand County government officials were so thankful they attempted to use distant connections to the Vatican to find a postulator for the canonization of Bill Gates. Gordon B. Hinckley, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was so outraged at being upstaged that, after receiving a sudden revelation, he requested the Microsoft CEO to join the Quorum of the Twelve. Gates declined the request for undisclosed reasons. As did Pope John Paul II of the sainthood request. In desperation, the County searched for an appropriate way to convey their extreme gratitude to the Microsoft head. They fell upon the idea of a monument and consequently contracted the creation of a enormous bronze of Bill Gates (10 stories high, no less). By the time the bronze was complete, the County was able to erect it atop the site of Atlas Minerals Corporation's former uranium tailings pile...the north end vestibule to Moab. Unfortunately, the coffers of the easement cache were emptied to fund the endeavor...and préservation of what some estimated to be 2,500 additional acres of land was lost. The other unfortunate, and perhaps more significant, consequence was that most tourists were so nauseated by the sight of the bronze that visitation plummeted. It did not return to 1997 levels until 2030. Were it not for Robbie Levin's internationally renowned macrobrewery to hoist the County out of a recession that made the uranium slump of the 1980’s look like a (yellow) cake walk...well, one shudders to think of the consequences. The drop in tourism did enable the community to step back and look ahead toward the future. As a result, development was undertaken more appropriately and within stricter guidelines. Of course, the beauty of the resulting community relocate to Moab, thus cycling up the price of real estate again. caused many people to Once more, growth and LOOKING FOR P: CTION! Secluded cul de sac location with beautiful grounds. White brick beauty on one level. 3 bedroom, master suite, 3 baths, open family room with native stone fireplace and formal living room. All just $139,000. (924) WELL BUILT BRICK HOME on great corner lot. Mature landscaping, room for RVs close to schools and churches and excellent family neighborhood. $119,000. (899) RED ROCK SPIRES ON THIS 12.41 ACRE PARCEL overlooking Arches National Park. Adjoins BLM and State Lands with frontage on US 191. Panoramic views of the La Sal Mtns. Terrific value at $150,000. (926) LOG BUILDING WITH WRAPAROUND DECKS, magnificent stone fireplace, mezzanine and partial basement. Almost 6000 square ft. concrete parking and low maintenance landscaping. Heart of downtown Moab. Great visibility. C-3 commercial zoning. $589,000. (927) VERY SPECIAL 5 ACRES +/- great views of mountains and canyon rims. On the banks of Pack Creek, with 10 shares of Moab irrigation water. All utilities available just minutes from downtown Moab. $179,000 with owner financing. (936) AFFORDABLE HOUSING on large well landscaped corner lot. Fully fenced with room for RVs and garden: 2 bedrooms, 1-1/2 baths and large family room. $54,000. (939) WELL LANDSCAPED hordes of people who wanted AUTO SPRINKLERS. 3 bedroom mobile Center of town, concrete patio, home in excellent move-in HIGH DESERT DIGITAL Creator and Sponsor of Virtual Moab, : The Canyonlands Area Information Index Will take your business beyond ordinary web sites. — Offering 3D Animation, Digital Video, Real Audio and Secure Commerce Servers for Online Transactions. We specialize in design, management, and hosting of web sites. For a list of sites created by High Desert Digital please call us at: 435-259-7062 AXAF or email us at: hi com J development issues were brought to the forefront. Additionally, the macrobrewery tours drew WITH privacy wall, covered carport, condition. $65,000. (902) to combine a day hike in the Preserve with taste- testing. (Unfortunately, many of the dimwits seemed to think that substituting beer for water on a one-to-one ratio in July was perfectly rational.) Despite the vastly increased visitation to Professor Valley, ranchettes and trailer parkettes need never be worried about again and that was no small consolation. “Granny? Are you ready?” I am jolted back to the present by Sally. I stretch, close my eyes and turn my face up to the autumn sun. All is well for now. At least in this corner of the County. Alsi. rh HOUSE la Kyle & Carrie Bailey's COTTONWOOD CONDOS LYNN'S! Cust 1531 miles away) 338 E. 100 SOUTH MOAB, UTAH 84532 140 South 200 East 800-447-4106 or 435-259-8921 eeeer aie ee ace (435) 259-8897 my life! another heart warming testimonial. Overnight Accomodations Full Kitchen Units ‘dofore Ifound Away from noisy Main Street Lynn and Cheese | Grits, | was a boor and a lout... NOW look at me." Season's Greetings from Lynn & the Gang TRY OUR WEB SITE: fandango@moabutah.com . &% LYNN'S PARADISE CAFE 984 BARRET AVENUE LOUISVILLE, KY 40204 502-583-EG6S FAX 502-583-0211 — |