I don’t know if you believe in fairies, but as I was walking the grounds they kept coming to mind: “This is a Happy-Place” says one of their little grand daughters.
Indeed it is… You will not find an irrigation system here: perennials and rare trees are preferred to lawn. Only 2% of the world’s accessible fresh water supply remains – explains the homeowner – and he is not going to waste any of it.
Forty years ago this 2.5 acres of park was a sand pit, and look what nature transformed it into. As the trees have been growing, a maze of secret pathways carefully pruned, raked and mowed by him, have become a playground for their four children and eight grandchildren.
The value is in the land he thinks and he has taken good care of it. Not that the house is neglected or run down. Not at all!
All major systems and components have been replaced in the last 5-10 years. The roof was redone with architectural shingles one year ago. A new hot water heater was installed this week. All the windows have been updated to Andersen and the house is vinyl sided.
The first level is all hardwood flooring. For a small house there is an amazing amount of open space here: the wall between the kitchen and family room has been removed.
The first floor bathroom was recently remodeled with a new tub and tile flooring. The spacious master bedroom and a den take up the rest of this level.
Upstairs two bedrooms with plenty of closet space and a half bath provided living space for the boys. You’ve got to see the beds made by one of them out of tree branches: you just have this sense that mama and papa bear are about to duck out one of the closets.
A large deck provides room for relaxation and family unions behind the four-season sunroom. A whole house AC keeps the rest of the home cool even on hot summer days.
There are a detached one-car garage, workshop and a tool shed tucked away in the backyard under giant pine and oak trees. Everywhere you look you will find Rhododendron bushes, Forsythia hedges, perennials and vines planted in islands around remarkable trees (whose names I can’t recall).
On quiet evenings the husband and wife take a stroll down on the hidden trails to the brook at the end of the property which abuts 250 acres of untouched land. The little girl is right: this is a happy place.
She is quite upset about the grandparents parting with this emerald labyrinth. Please take good care of it…