Before the Romeros bought the land on which Longtree sits, John often wandered the 37 acres. "Almost every time," he said, "I made unusual discoveries."

One day he came upon an abandoned well, complete with a rusty antique pump. Parts scattered on the ground indicated it had long ago been converted to windmill power. John promptly bought the same style of antique pump from a close friend. It now sits adjacent to the home's entrance.

On another stroll he found a calf feeder. "Being city-raised," he said, "I wasn't sure at first just what it was." He later theorized it had been part of the original working ranch formerly owned by John Evans, second governor of the Colorado territory from 1862 until 1865.

Every walk saw him discover petrified wood, from baseball-sized pieces to more than a foot in width. Some of it lay atop the ground; other pieces jutted from the earth, encrusted with lichen.

"Robin did some research on similar petrified wood in New Mexico,"John said, "and discovered the pieces at Longtree could be more than 225 million years old."

A sandy wash runs along the backside of the Longtree property. In one area, rushing water has carved out part of the roots of three Ponderosas. These graceful but long dead roots are testimony to the strength of the huge pines. The trees themselves have survived.

Longtree sits about 7,200 feet above sea level and contains hundreds of old-growth Ponderosas. Oak, with its glossy green leaves, provides a beautiful contrast in summer.