History of the Property

ROCK WALLS

IN 1846 THE FIRST GERMAN IMMIGRANTS CAME TO THE HILL COUNTRY OF TEXAS. THEY BUILT HOMES, BARNS, AND FENCES OF THE NATIVE LIMESTONE. WHEN CONSTRUCTION OF THE CANYON DAM BEGAN IN 1964, MANY OF THESE BEAUTIFUL OLD WALLS WERE TO BE FLOODED.

THE BUILDER OF THIS HOME, A MASTER MASON, WENT INTO THE VALLEY AND BROUGHT THE STONES UP TO THIS HILLTOP, MANY, MANY LOADS IN HIS SMALL TRUCK. HE PLACED THEM ON THE SITE AND BEGAN HIS LABOR OF LOVE, CAREFULLY CRAFTING THE WALLS USING OLD METHODS, LIKE THE CASTLES IN GERMANY.

THE STONES WERE ASSEMBLED LIKE A GIANT JIGSAW PUZZLE INTO BEAUTIFUL WALLS OF SOLID ROCK, MORE THAN 24” THICK AT THE BASE RISING TO APPROXIMATELY 18” AT THE TOP. ONE OF THE THINGS I LIKE BEST ARE THE WIDE NATURAL STONE WINDOW SILLS WHICH JUST INVITE YOU TO SIT AND LOOK OUT.

HE SPENT NINETEEN YEARS METHODICALLY BUILDING HIS DREAM . TODAY, FORTY YEARS LATER, THE INSPECTOR WE HIRED STATED THAT HE COULD FIND NO CRACKS ANYWHERE.

ROOF AND ATTIC

THE ROOF WAS FRAMED IN THE SAME CAREFUL WAY. THE INSPECTOR STATED THAT IT WAS ENGINEERED FOR HURRICANE FORCE WINDS.

THE PANELED CEILINGS WERE PUT IN PLACE BUT NEVER COMPLETED WHEN WE PURCHASED THE HOME. WE FINISHED THEM AND THE BEAMS AND INSTALLED THE CROWN MOLDING.

WE INSTALLED R30 INSULATION IN THE ATTIC AND FLOORED A LARGE AREA FOR STORAGE.

THERE ARE PIPES IN PLACE TO INSTALL A BATH IN THE ATTIC AND ROOM FOR A LARGE LIVING AREA WHICH COULD HAVE FABULOUS VIEWS. THERE IS A CLOSET IN THE SECOND MASTER BEDROOM WHICH WAS PROBABLY PLANNED FOR A STAIRWAY. IT COULD EASILY BE REPLACED WITH CLOSETS ON THE INTERIOR WALLS.

WINDOWS

REPLACING THE ORIGINAL ALUMINUM WINDOWS IN THE ROUGH ROCK SURROUNDS WAS DIFFICULT. OUR DESIGNER SOLVED THE PROBLEM BY FRAMING IN OPENINGS IN CEDAR ALLOWING BOTH FIXED PANES IN THE CENTER WITH SIDE WINDOWS TO OPEN FOR AIR CIRCULATION.

THE LARGE WINDOWS ON EVERY SIDE ARE A CONSTANT SOURCE OF PLEASURE, FRAMING THE MANY VIEWS OF HILLS, SKY, VILLAGE, GOLF COURSE AND THE LOVELY WATER. SUNSETS ARE FABULOUS HERE.

WE PREFER AIRY OPEN SPACES AND HAVE CEILING FANS IN ALL THE ROOMS. ON THE MANY DAYS WHEN WEATHER PERMITS, WE HAVE OPEN WINDOWS AND ALLOW THE BREEZES TO FLOW THRU, AND DON’T BOTHER WITH AIR CONDITIONING.

OUR ELEVATION OF 1250 +/_ IS ABOUT 350 FEET ABOVE THE LAKE AND ONE OF THE HIGHEST POINTS SOUTH OF THE LAKE, THIS ALLOWS US TO ENJOY BREEZES WHEN THOSE BELOW MISS OUT.

DECKS

THE MAIN HOUSE HAS A LARGE DECK OVERLOOKING THE LAKE AND HILLS ON THE NORTH SIDE WHICH NEVER FAILS TO DRAW OUR GUESTS OUT. WE FREQUENTLY HAVE OUR MEALS THERE AND ENTERTAIN. EVERYONE PLANS TO COME OUT ON THE FOURTH OF JULY WHEN THERE IS A DECORATED BOAT PARADE, AFTER WHICH THEY ANCHOR AND WATCH THE SUNSET, THE LIGHTS START TO TWINKLE ON AND LATER A FIREWORKS DISPLAY. WITH THE OTHER FIREWORKS ON ALL THE HILLS AND ALONG THE SHORE AND THE LIGHTS ON THE BOATS, IT IS QUITE A SIGHT.

THE MAIN HOUSE HAS ANOTHER DECK ON THE EAST SIDE OVERLOOKING THE GARDEN AND ANOTHER VIEW OF THE LAKE WHICH IS MY FAVORITE SPOT FOR A BOOK AND A GLASS OF TEA. THE HUMMINGBIRDS AND BUTTERFLIES IN THE GARDEN BELOW ARE A SPECIAL TREAT.

THE TWO STORY HOUSE ENJOYS A FORTY FOOT DECK ON THE NORTH BY NORTHEAST SIDE OVERLOOKING THE VALLEY, HILLS , THE LAKE AND DAM. THIS IS A WONDERFUL PLACE TO RELAX, THROW SOME STEAKS ON THE GRILL AND ENJOY DINING AL FRESCO.

THE TWO STORY HOUSE ALSO HAS A DECK ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OFF THE MASTER BEDROOM WHICH IS THE PERFECT PLACE TO WATCH OUR SPECTACULAR SUNSETS.

THE CASITA (THE SMALL GUEST HOUSE) NOT TO BE OUTDONE, HAS A COVERED PORCH OVERLOOKING THE VALLEY, THE VILLAGE AND THE HILLS. OUR GUESTS LIKE TO SIT IN THE ROCKER AND UNWIND, JUST LISTENING TO THE BREEZE OR WATCHING THE SUNSET.

NAKED INDIAN TREES

THE ROAD UP TO THE HILLTOP LOCATION HAS THE INTERESTING NAME OF “NAKED INDIAN TRAIL”. A SOURCE OF FUN FOR US AND NEVER FAILING TO START A CONVERSATION. (MY HUSBAND LIKES TO KID AROUND AND TELLS PEOPLE WE LIVE ON AN INDIAN NUDIST COLONY).

THE NAME IS FROM A RARE TREE, A TEXAS MADRONE USUALLY FOUND ONLY IN THIS AREA AND IN BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW MANY ARE HERE BUT THEY ARE ALL OVER THE HILL.

THIS BEAUTIFUL TREE HAS SMOOTH BARK WHICH IS LIGHT IN COLOR IN THE SPRING THEN DEEPENS UNTIL FALL WHEN IT IS A BEAUTIFUL RED-BROWN COLOR, JUST THE COLOR OF AN INDIAN’S SKIN. THEN IT PEELS OFF AND THE CYCLE BEGINS AGAIN.

THE TREE HAS A SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CEDAR TREE (ACTUALLY AN ASH JUNIPER BUT LOCALLY REFERRED TO AS CEDAR). THE CEDAR SEEMS TO ACT AS A ‘NURSE’ TREE SHELTERING IT FROM EXCESS SUN. THE BRANCHES REACH OUT AROUND THE CEDAR AND ASSUME ARTISTIC SHAPES REACHING FOR THE SUN. I ENJOY USING THE BRANCHES IN FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS.

IMPORTANT NOTE

WE WERE NOT AWARE OF THIS RELATIONSHIP WHEN WE REMOVED THE CEDARS WHICH HAD ENCROACHED ON THE HOUSE AND OTHER TREES. IN REMOVING THE NURSE TREES, SOME OF THE YOUNG NAKED INDIAN TREES DIED.

THE TREE IS VERY SLOW GROWING EXCEPT WHEN IT HAS AN AMPLE WATER SUPPLY.

THE TREE IN THE HERB GARDEN WAS TINY WHEN I PLANTED THE HERBS AND PUT IN DRIP IRRIGATION. NOW THAT TREE IS 12 FEET TALL WITH A SIX INCH TRUNK AND IS ONLY SEVEN YEARS OLD.

IN THE SPRING THEY HAVE LOVELY CLUSTERS OF WHITE FLOWERS AND IN THE FALL RED BERRIES, GREAT FOR CHRISTMAS DÉCOR.

LOCALLY, THE NATIVES SAY THAT THE BERRIES MUST BE EATEN BY THE DEER AND THEN THEY SPROUT FROM THE DEER DROPPINGS. THAT’S WHY YOU FIND THEM EVERYWHERE.

LIVE OAK TREES

THERE ARE MANY OAK TREES ON THE PROPERTY, THEIR SIZE INDICATES HOW MUCH WATER THEY RECEIVE. WHEN WE REMOVED THE ENCROACHING CEDARS, THEY BEGAN TO SPROUT AND GREW AT AN AMAZING RATE. WE ARE TOLD THAT THE CEDARS TAKE ALL THE WATER AND STARVE THE OTHER TREES.

SPANISH OAK TREES

THERE IS A LARGE GROUP OF SPANISH OAKS ON THE LOWER PART OF THE PROPERTY WHICH IN THE FALL TREATS US TO A GLORIOUS DISPLAY OF RED, ORANGE AND GOLD FOLIAGE. THE FALL SHOWS THESE TREES ALL OVER THE HILLS AND VALLEY.

MOUNTAIN LAUREL TREES

AT LEAST 12 OR MORE MOUNTAIN LAURELS ARE ON THE EASTERN SLOPE NEAR THE GARDEN WHICH PERFUME THE AREA IN THE SPRING. (I ADD THE DRIED BLOOMS TO A DISH TO CONTINUE TO ENJOY THE FRAGRANCE INDOORS TOO)

HUMMINGBIRD AND BUTTERFLY GARDEN

HILL COUNTRY GARDENS ARE DIFFERENT, SO OFTEN AS HERE, THERE IS LITTLE OR NO SOIL HAVING BEEN WASHED DOWN THE HILL OVER THE YEARS EXPOSING THE SOLID ROCK HILLTOP. SOIL HAS BEEN HAULED IN ON THE EAST SIDE FOR A GARDEN..

THE EAST SIDE OF THE MAIN HOUSE HAS A LARGE ROCK RETAINING WALL WHICH HOLDS EXCELLENT SOIL FOR A GARDEN. HERE WE HAVE PLANTED FLOWERING PERENNIALS, PLANTS WHICH THE HUMMINGBIRDS AND BUTTERFLIES ENJOY. NEARBY IS AN AREA SHADED BY LARGE OLD OAKS WHERE WE SOMETIMES HAVE A BREAK AND ENJOY THE VIEW. ON THE SLOPE NEARBY ARE AT LEAST TWELVE OR MORE MOUNTAIN LAURELS. JUST BELOW THIS ROCK WALL IS AN AREA WHERE I PLANNED ON EXPANDING THE GARDEN. IT HAS A VERY OLD BEAUTIFULLY SHAPED NAKED INDIAN TREE WHICH WAS STRUCK BY LIGHTNING IN THE DISTANT PAST, YOU CAN SEE THE SCAR AND HOW IT HAS GROWN AROUND IT. THE SOIL THERE IS GREAT AS IS AND IT WOULD BE LOVELY.

HERB GARDEN

ROCK STEPS LEAD DOWN THE HILLSIDE ON THE WEST TO SUNNY NOOKS WITH MANY HERBS WE ENJOY IN OUR COOKING. BASIL, ROSEMARY, SAGE, MINT, OREGANO, THYME AND OF COURSE CHILI PETINS (THIS IS TEXAS AFTER ALL) LOVE THE SOIL AND SUN.

WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF EXPANDING THIS AREA TO INCLUDE LAVENDER WHICH FLOURISHES IN OUR CLIMATE. THERE ARE MANY LAVENDER FARMS IN THIS AREA AS THE CLIMATE AND SOIL ARE THE SAME AS PROVENCE.

JUST BELOW THE HERBS IS A LARGE FIG TREE WHICH WE ENJOY (IF WE CAN BEAT THE BIRDS TO THE FRUIT). FIGS GROW VERY WELL HERE AND THERE ARE MANY OTHER LOCATIONS ON THE PROPERTY TO PLANT ADDITIONAL ONES.

FRONT DOOR GARDEN AND PATIO

PAVED WITH STONES FROM OUR HILLSIDE AND SET LOOSELY IN CRUSHED LIMESTONE, THE PATIO NEAR THE FRONT DOOR MAKES ANOTHER NICE SPOT TO SIT AND ENJOY THE VIEW. SEATING IS PROVIDED BY AN ANTIQUE PEW FADED TO A SOFT GREY. LOOK CLOSELY AT THE LIMESTONE, YOU CAN FREQUENTLY FIND FOSSILS OF SEA CREATURES FROM WHEN THIS AREA WAS THE EDGE OF AN INLAND SEA. A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD IS A PARK WITH A LARGE SLAB OF LIMESTONE WHICH WHEN THE SOIL WAS SCRAPED BACK, EXPOSED DINOSAUR TRACKS OF ALL SIZES AND VARIOUS KINDS.

CORAL RED TRUMPET VINE (NOT THE OLD INVASIVE KIND OF TRUMPET VINE) AN EVERGREEN, CLIMBS ON OLD DRIED CEDAR BRANCHES, ENCLOSE THE PATIO GARDEN. IN THE SPRING AND AGAIN LATER DURING THE SUMMER IT IS COVERED WITH BRILLIANT COLORED FLOWERS WHICH THE HUMMERS LOVE.

LAVENDER MEXICAN PETUNIAS GROW HAPPILY HERE, OCCASIONALLY POPPING UP BETWEEN THE PAVING STONES. ASPARAGUS FERNS, BUTTERFLY BUSH, RIVER FERNS, COLUMBINE, BURRO TAIL FERN AND OTHERS ALL SEEM TO FIND THIS A GOOD SPOT.

NATIVE YELLOW FLOWERS FILL IN ALL THE SUNNY SPOTS NEXT TO THE ROCK WALL AND THE PATH AROUND THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE ALL SUMMER LONG.

BIRDS AND OTHER WILDLIFE

OUR LOCATION ON THE FLYWAY FOR MIGRATING BIRDS IN THE SPRING AND FALL MEANS WE ENJOY MANY VISITORS AS WELL AS OUR MANY NATIVE BIRDS.

JUST OUTSIDE OUR WIDE WINDOWS ARE TREES FOR FEEDERS WHICH THE BIRDS KNOW AND USE. EACH YEAR WHEN THE HUMMERS RETURN, WE HAVE TO LAUGH. THEY GO TO THE EXACT SPOT WHERE THE FEEDER HUNG LAST YEAR AND IF ITS NOT THERE, THEY COME LOOKING IN THE WINDOWS FOR US, BUZZING ABOUT TO ATTRACT OUR ATTENTION, AS IF TO SAY “HURRY UP, WE’RE HUNGRY”.

     SOME OF THE BIRDS WE HAVE IDENTIFIED ARE:
 

WE ALWAYS FIND THE BIRDS INTERESTING, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT USE THE BIRDHOUSES TO RAISE THEIR YOUNG. THEY WORK SO HARD TO FEED THEM AND THEN LATER WE SEE THEM LEARNING TO FLY.

IT MAY SEEM STRANGE BUT THE TURKEY VULTURES ARE SO BEAUTIFUL IN THE AIR. THEY SWOOP AND SOAR RIDING THE THERMALS AND WE WATCH AS THEY CLIMB SO HIGH THEN LAZILY DRIFT DOWN INTO THE VALLEY.

WATER IS SCARCE FOR THE ANIMALS SO WE ALWAYS HAVE A CONTAINER FOR THE DEER AND OTHER CREATURES WHO CALL OUR HILL HOME. WE SEE THE DEER IN THE EARLY MORNING AND EVENING AND EVEN ON CLEAR MOONLIT NIGHTS. THEY LIKE TO BROWSE THE GRASS, SOME FLOWERS (NOT ALL) TENDER SHOOTS ON THE TREES AND BUSHES. THEY HAVE SOMETIMES COME INTO THE GARDEN BY THE FRONT DOOR PATIO AND CAUSE THE MOTION SENSOR LIGHT TO COME ON. IT DOESN’T BOTHER THEM, THEY JUST CHECK IT ALL OUT AND MOVE ON.

RACCOONS STOP BY NOW AND THEN TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY TIDBITS TO STEAL. THEY TRY TO OPEN THE BIRDFEEDERS OR DUMP OUT THE SEEDS FOR A SNACK. THEY ARE SO CLEVER, THEY OPENNED THE TIGHT FITTING METAL GARBAGE CANS I USED TO STORE BIRDSEED, EVEN WHEN I USED A BUNGEE CORD ON THE LID. SO FAR, THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO OPEN THE TIGHT FITTING LIDS OF THE PLASTIC CANS. THEY SOMETIMES COME UP ON THE DECK AND LOOK INSIDE TO SEE WHAT WE’RE DOING.

FOXES COME BY FOR A SNACK WHEN WE’RE EATING ON THE PATIO AND OPOSSUMS HAVE COME UP TO CHECK US OUT BUT THEY ARE RARE.

FIREPLACES AND HEATING UNITS

THE MAIN HOUSE HAS A BEAUTIFUL LIMESTONE FIREPLACE DECORATED WITH AN ARROW SHAPED STONE AND OTHER UNUSUAL STONES COLLECTED FROM MANY AREAS OF THE WEST. THE FIREPLACE IS LARGE AND EFFICIENT AND WONDERFUL FOR A COLD WINTER NIGHT.

THE MAIN HOUSE HAS TWO CENTRAL AIR UNITS AND HEAT PUMPS WHICH HAVE ALWAYS KEPT US COMFORTABLE.

THE TWO STORY HOUSE HAS A FIREPLACE MADE OF BROWN STONES WHICH GEOLOGIST FRIENDS FIND INTERESTING, I JUST THINK THEY’RE PRETTY. IT CONTAINS AN EARLY FORM OF HEAT EXCHANGER WHICH DRAWS IN AIR, HEATS IT AND WITH AID OF A FAN RECIRCULATES THE HEAT INTO THE LIVING ROOM AND THE MASTER BEDROOM. SINCE THE CENTRAL AIR HAS BEEN INSTALLED THIS IS NOT REALLY NEEDED.

THE UPPER LEVEL HAS CENTRAL HEAT AND AIR AND THE DOWNSTAIRS BEDROOM/OFFICE HAS A HEAT PUMP FOR THAT ROOM ONLY.

THE ATTACHED ART STUDIO / EXERCISE ROOM ALSO HAS AN EFFICIENT HEAT PUMP WHICH KEEPS THE ROOM COMFORTABLE.

THE CASITA GUEST HOUSE HAS TWO WALL UNITS FOR AIR CONDITIONING/HEAT PUMPS.

FURNITURE

THE MASTER BEDROOM HAS A QUEEN SIZED BED CUSTOM MADE FROM A NAKED INDIAN TREE. THIS IS MOST UNUSUAL BECAUSE THESE TREES RARELY GROW AS LARGE AS THIS.

THERE IS ALSO A DRAPE HUNG FROM A BRANCH OF THE SAME TREE SHOWING THE WONDERFUL COLOR.

LIVING ROOM FURNITURE IS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD, GOOD QUALITY AND EXCELLENT CONDITION. THE COUCHES WERE SELECTED BY THE INTERIOR DECORATOR TO REFLECT THE SOFT GOLD AND BLUE IN THE LIMESTONE WALLS. THE RECLINERS ARE NAVY BLUE, THERE IS A WONDERFUL CARVED SIDE CHAIR IN A SOFT BROWN LEATHER WHICH MATCHES SOME OF THE STONES IN THE FIREPLACE. THERE IS ALSO A COMFORTABLE SIDE CHAIR IN A PATTERN THAT REFLECTS THE OTHER COLORS.

THE ROOMS ARE SPARKED BY THE BRILLIANT TERRACOTTA, REDS, BLUES AND GOLD IN THE ORIENTAL CARPETS.

I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE FLOORS ARE LONG LEAF PINE, THEY ARE GROOVED 2X6S STAINED A SOFT GREY-BROWN. THEY CAN BE SANDED AND RESTAINED EASILY.

KITCHEN

THIS IS A ‘I LOVE TO COOK AND ENTERTAIN’ KIND OF KITCHEN. WHEN WE BOUGHT THE HOME THERE WAS ONLY A RUDIMENTARY KITCHEN IN A LARGE OPEN AREA. I HAD THE FUN AND CHALLENGE TO PLAN THE LAYOUT AND CABINETS. WE SELECTED THE HONEY TONED WOOD CABINETS TO BLEND WITH THE LIMESTONE WALLS. IMPORTED ITALIAN TILES EXACTLY MATCH THE LIMESTONE AND COVER THE TWO LARGE ISLANDS AND THE COUNTER. (THE INSTALLERS WERE CAREFUL TO SHAPE EACH TILE IN THE BACKSPLASH SO AS TO FIT THE IRREGULAR SHAPED STONES IN THE WINDOW SILL).

ONCE AGAIN THE VIEW DICTATED THAT NO UPPER CABINETS WOULD IMPEDE THE VIEW OR THE LIMESTONE WALLS. A WALL OF CABINETS WERE PLACED TO FORM A PANTRY, FOR STORAGE.

A HUGE 4 X 8 FT ISLAND HAS AN IMPORTED FRENCH POT RACK WITH DISTRESSED FINISH AND GLASS COOK TOP. GREAT FOR COOKING AND SERVING A CROWD OR CHRISTMAS COOKIE BAKING. THE CHIMNEY BACK FORMS AN INTERIOR STONE WALL WHICH BOASTS A HUGE MIRROR FRAMED IN DRIFTWOOD FROM THE LAKE OVER AN ANTIQUE BUFFET.

DINING ROOM

TWO TEN FOOT WINDOWS OVERLOOK THE LAKE AND A TWELVE FOOT WINDOW LOOKS OUT OVER THE VALLEY AND FRAMES SPECTACULAR SUNSETS.

THE SECOND ISLAND OF THE KITCHEN DIVIDES THE TWO ROOMS AND IS GREAT FOR SERVING AND STORING CHINA AND CRYSTAL.

WEATHER

PEOPLE FROM OTHER AREAS HEAR ABOUT THE HEAT IN TEXAS BUT SELDOM UNDERSTAND THE LOVELY CLIMATE WE ENJOY IN THE HILL COUNTRY. YES WE MAY HAVE SOME 100 DEGREE DAYS BUT THEY ARE NOT THE NORM.

IH35 BISECTS THE STATE NORTH AND SOUTH DIVIDING THE COASTAL PLAIN FROM THE HILL COUNTRY, WHICH STARTS JUST NORTH OF SAN ANTONIO. OUR UNIQUE TOPOGRAPHY ALLOWS US TO ENJOY TEMPERATURES AT LEAST TEN DEGREES COOLER THAN OUR NEIGHBORS, LOWER HUMIDITY AND WONDERFUL BREEZES.

ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING THINGS TO DO IS WATCH THE THUNDERSTORMS AS THEY MARCH IN, USUALLY NORTHWEST TO SOUTHEAST. HUGE CLOUDS REACH 35,000 OR MORE FEET AND THE LIGHTNING DISPLAYS ARE SPECTACULAR, THEN WE WATCH AS THE CELLS ADVANCE ACROSS THE VALLEY AND LAKE TRAILING VEILS OF RAIN. IT’S HARD TO FORCE YOURSELF INSIDE WHEN IT COMES NEAR.