Taking a look

The first time an opportunity presented itself to take a look at Denton, it was just Susan and dad and I (Eric was at work).  It's OLD.  In fact, the auditor's website--where it should list the year the home was built, says "OLD."  It's become a running joke.

Coming up to the driveway (keep in mind, this was January) there were pretty big trees down, near the entrance and you can't see the house from the driveway.  As it snaked to the right and over a tiny stream, it curves back left along a giant pine tree lined, curvy entrance. 

Heavily wooded on the left and with the pines on the right, you really don't know what you're coming up to.

The barn is on the left.  Good size (noted.)  Of course, LOTS of overgrown and neglected landscaping all over the place.  Container trees left to die, brush in need of a haircut, but the potential was overwhelming.

Taking a peek inside, it was pretty cool.  9 ft ceilings with 5 inch base and crown molding, fireplace, glass French doors to a formal parlor room with huge windows all around...and the house kept going.  Past the wood staircase with runner, the 5th bedroom, full bath, into a cool--centralized dining space, where another set of French doors led out onto an awning-covered, screened in patio.

The kitchen is a great, cool space.  (Lots of potential)...but old, stinky and ready for demo!

A mudroom, entrance to the outside and garage and back bonus room, and powder room all rounded out the first floor.  All of us kept commenting that the house went on and in--I described it like a Tetris puzzle piece.

Upstairs are four more bedrooms, all pretty good sizes with nice closets, ceiling fans, 2 more baths.  Cool banister, large light fixtures, and a nice landing and wide hallway.

The basement has a wooden spiral staircase and leads to a cellar, straight out of a slasher movie.  Timbers, railroad ties, fieldstone and concrete make up a crazy maze of additions, upgrades and original foundation.  A giant furnace, humidifier, water softener, and an array of crazy electrical panels and meters round out the (clearly un-finish able) space...but maybe a wine-cellar down the road...

Outside, just off the kitchen, is a neat old building, stone or cement--hard to tell, with a roof and bright yellow door--a 'park ranger' placard next to the door, but locked (dang it.)  Looks like an old pump house maybe?

Lots of flower beds, a big old barn, and some railroad tracks in the back finish off the back of the over 6 acre lot

Even though I tried to contain my excitement, I couldn't wait to call Eric on the way home and tell him "you just have to see this place."  I reserved my poker face for Susan and dad.