Page 61 - August Sun Rays_Flipbook

Behind the Lytton’s Sun City home, native
Texas foliage bursts with color and entices
local wildlife alongside Cowan Creek.

Continued from the previous page into the house, committed to making it City had brought us scorching drought,
a place that was truly ours. Terry took followed by Biblical rains, followed by
like a lovely fit for Martha’s parents. charge, designing and editing both more drought.
But as we drove back to our three-story inside and out. Though we were eager
townhouse in Dallas, Terry and I turned and impatient, time neither waits nor But then: autumn. Colors of red, amber
toward one another. Living in Dallas’ hurries for anyone. For 14 months, we put and bottle-green blazed through our
Turtle Creek neighborhood close to the retirement on hold, working on the house. backyard. Among the foliage making
downtown arts district, we were urbane. When outdoors, we were captivated by the welcome appearances were Copper Canyon
We would never want to live in a place migrating birds like blue heron, white daisies, pink sedum, verbena and salvia
like Sun City! egrets, belted king fisher, and enjoyed Hot Lips. Migrating birds, turkey and deer
constant visits from goldfinches, wrens, added to the activity as they passed along
Oh, how things change. bluebirds and red-winged blackbirds. Cowan Creek. Sitting back on our patio,
watching the bountiful colors and sounds
Flash forward 20 years to us as new As our projects wound to conclusion, we sweep over the landscape, we knew that,
retirees, house hunting in South Austin. wondered if all the work we’d put into our here in Sun City, our season had changed.
The very urbane condos in Zilker Park vision of a colorful garden would remain Our Autumn of Life had begun.
were only five minutes from our daughter’s only in our minds. Our first year in Sun
house. And yet, we found ourselves driving
nearly an hour north to take a second look
at Sun City.

We were astonished by the community’s
transformation from its first opening
days almost two decades ago. There were
the promised golf courses and amenity
centers, yes, but also hiking trails shaded
below beautiful wooded canopies and
bike paths that led past well-manicured
greenways. On a long walk near the large
pond, Terry and I fed ducks and absorbed
the feel of the place. It was instant love.

We found the perfect lot on a beautiful
creek with long-limbed oak trees and
elm. Deer frolicked near the creek as we
walked the lot. What’s more, this was
a place that we could truly afford and
turn into our dream house. In the same
month that Terry retired, we finalized
the purchase of our brand new home in
Neighborhood 59.

We immediately began pouring ourselves

60 | SUNRAYS AUGUST 2016 ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG