The Initial Stakeout

On a cool January morning in 2007, Barna rep David Terry, Lesley, and Danny Traver, Lesley's long-time Florida contractor, meet at the Chestnut Tops property to stake out the house. This is where the house should be best situated for septic, well, slope and optimal viewing orientation. And also where the fewest large trees have to be removed to make way for future construction.

We all meet up from diverse directions at the appointed time. David Terry from Oneida, TN, Danny Traver from Dunedin, FL, and Lesley and myself who were already in Townsend from Largo.

Danny Traver and Lesley try to determine the approximate turning angle and road width for the large construction vehicles that will soon be having to turn into Chestnut Tops Community. The turning angle limits the size of vehicles that can enter Avens Lane through the gate.

Lesley walks the property to get a preliminary idea of how to situate the house.

Danny takes all the necessary readings...

It isn't easy to imagine a three-story structure here...but I guess that's why you and I are not in the construction business, eh?

David Terry and Lesley decide they could save the biggest trees after all. Things are looking good, he says!

We were thinking the EXACT SAME THING! (YAWN)

It does like a long way off, Lesley muses...but this is going to be HOME sooner than we think! Let your imagination run wild!

Dr. Ellen thinks [that] is a great idea...as she wildly snaps yet another of her famous self-portraits, this one from her little roadster that by now loves cruising these sweet mountain roads.