…and still counting. First, a little orientation is in order. GVL, or by its proper name Grand Valley Lakes, is a gated community in Tennessee. Now on with the story.
I had re-enlisted in the U.S. Navy back in the early 1970’s and had about $4,000 burning a hole in my pocket when we came upon a development community that seemed to hold some promise. We had no idea what we intended to do with the property but it seemed like a good investment. So instead of buying something that was sure to depreciate in a few short years (like a new used car or fancy furniture), we purchased land. The subdivision was 50 or so miles south of Jackson, Tennessee and was in the process of building out a golf course, pool, lake, and camping area. It was then and is now very beautiful.
The boat in the distance is pulling a rubber tube with a young person on it.
I explained to the gate guard that I was a property owner. He checked his list and was surprised to see that this was only my third visit in 40 years. (From his “last visited on…” list, I suppose.) I stopped at the property owners’ office to refresh my memory on exactly where my property was.
The kind helper in the office said that I was a rare property owner to have held on to the land so long. But she helped me locate the land and gave me a paper map to follow.
I stomped around on the just-under-an-acre lot and saw the effects of erosion in the early days and how the under brush and volunteer pine and scrub oak saplings finally grew in. Nevertheless, the old ruts make for some tough terrain to navigate. There are also some very large drops-offs. I don’t remember them but then this is only my third time on the property.
This little side trip was to explore the old investment and determine if it might also be an option for us to clear and build upon. We’ll continue to ponder the possibilities for our future use.
Here’s a short video of me on the property:
If you would like to read more about GVL, visit their website here:
