Were there other sites between AppalachianTrail.com and DudeRanch.com? Seems like a big jump from $3k to $17k, for something that, in my opinion, doesn't seem like a sure winner worth 5x the first one.
I sold AT for $30k, and primarily used the proceeds from that to acquire DR.. I was still working 9-5 then also, so I was prepared to spend upwards of $50k to acquire DR (as that industry seemed like a good fit for me) (author here, fyi)
