The DW and I live in Houston and we used to spend most of our weekends out on the water in Galveston Bay and the gulf. About 12-1/2 years ago, I started looking for land. I told the DW about it 6 months later that I had been looking and reviewed over 200 listings. I showed her a short list and asked what do ya think? I expected some push back but she only asked when do want to go see them? So, 12 years ago, we spent the New Years weekend traveling 130 miles north and we looked at the first place on my list. The DW walked about 15 feet onto the property (11.6 acres), turned around and said "Let's buy it". Imagine the shock. We closed on it 2 months later. Since day one, I wanted a pond and the place has a creek running right through it with a perfect spot for a pond, EXCEPT that this perfect spot overlapped the 25 acres directly behind it.
OK, the heavens and stars were aligned. 8 months later, we get an unsolicited offer on our lot on Galveston Island. We put it aside, not thinking much of it. A couple of weeks later, the 25 acres behind us went up for sale. We found out a week before it was listed and had an offer on it the day after the signs went up. And we sold that lot in Galveston for about 20% of the total on the 25 acres. WOW.......
Five and a half years ago, we said it is time to start work on a few major projects and they all involved the major movement of dirt and trees. So, I purchased a John Deere 310G backhoe. Man, what fun that is. I have used it quite a bit and have made progress on the pond. Every time I needed dirt, the pond site is where I got it from.
Now, finally, almost 11 years after we purchased the 11.6 acres, the adjoining 25 we wanted for the pond site and then another 5 acres next door, it is time. Last August, we hired a crew. And 5 days later, they were done and we have a pond site. Just add water. And it seems like all of our blessings were still not done. Six days later, we got almost 10 inches of rain in a week. Whew, no time to put the dock pilings in while it was dry and easy. The pressure washer does a good job of excavating the holes I had to dig in the water.
A few more light rains and we now have 7 feet of water. Sooooo, three weeks ago, we stopped by Overton's and purchased minnows, blue gill, copper nose and read ear. And as luck would have it, another 2 inches of rain last week. Wow........
I have been reading a lot on this forum and figure it is time to say howdy. And did I mention that Overton's is only about 7 miles from our place? I just doesn't get much better.
Progress on brand new pond. It is about half full and good headway has been made on the dock/deck/gazebo. The trailer has the boxes of feeder fish from Overton's that we just added.
Welcome Charles I'm thinking we real close to you. Im about 20miles from Overtons east of Buffalo. Welcome to the forum. Lots of good people that are very helpful. Get involved and make some good friends along the way
Thanks for the welcome. Zep, I bought my backhoe and gooseneck in the Wills Point area and Hooten's is one of my favorite places to shop in the state. Pat, you are real close. My place is just west of 1511 and 1618 area near Flo. My school taxes were transferred to Buffalo from Oakwood two years ago.
Nice Charlie....Hooten's Hardware is great. I've been buying some zoysia sod from Hooten's Landscape. It seems as though the Hooten family practically owns the town of Emory, Texas.
