Memories of MiraLago

Before starting construction

 MiraLago, means Look… A Lake!         

 Having just returned from spending time in the US to see family and friends, I would normally write about all the new sights we saw along the way.  However, I feel compelled to write a more reflective post today. This is sort of a historical account of MiraLago. I have mentioned before that I name my houses, so when Dave and I built a house on Lake Travis, the name MiraLago fit perfectly. 

The building of MiraLago came at a time when Dave and I were working to restore a bumpy phase in our marriage.  This house was a commitment of devotion, hard work, and a future together. I admit this was one of the most challenging tasks I have ever attempted and something I look back on with great pride.  We were enchanted with the neighborhood of Travis Landing, just west of Austin, after spending many weekends with friends who lived there.  We found an empty lot that looked intriguing.  To ensure that it had a view of the lake, Dave took long sections of PVC pipe and duct-taped a video camera to the end of it.  Do I need to remind you how big a video camera was back in 1993?

He managed to stand the pipe up and spin it around quickly enough to convince us there was a view of the lake.  We were hooked!

Dave and Reese putting
in the front door

    We stumbled upon an ad in the Greensheets circular for a cool, handmade, one-of-a-kind front door.  After going to look at the door, we got to know the designer and ended up hiring him to be our architect, builder, electrician, and cabinet maker.  He was not a big-time, well-known builder, but rather an eclectic individual that we instantly connected with.  He introduced us to  Ponderosa pine, which we used for all our trim and cabinets. 

One of my most vivid memories of Bryant was when he brought his lunch (a sweet potato wrapped in saran wrap) to the job site and “baked” it on the dashboard of his pickup truck in the front yard. Yes - you can actually do this on a summer day in Texas.   

So – once we had our front door and a set of plans – we were ready to start!   The task of building a house from scratch was overwhelming for me.  Dave convinced me to focus on one step at a time, not the big picture.

When I say we “built” this house – I do not mean we sat in an airconditioned office making paint color, flooring, and cabinet choices. 

Not hardly!  This was an “everybody has their own tool belt and let’s get sweaty” kind of project.  I was soon driving nails, sawing lumber, pulling electrical wires (until my hands went numb), laying Saltillo tiles, and helping mill our own cabinets and trim. We spent countless hours walking through the house deciding where to put light switches.  We hung ceiling fans, grouted all the bathroom tiles, cut and fit Pergo flooring, and sanded any piece of wood that didn’t move fast enough to get out of the way. 

 I even learned how to use a router to install

the hinges on doors. 

After a full day of work, we would pick Danny up from daycare, grab something for dinner and drive out to the job site.                                                                                                                                     One night the neighbor's dog helped himself to the sandwiches I had left sitting in the back of the car.                                                                                                                                                          We would work until 9:00 or 10:00 p.m. every week night, and all day on the weekends. And then do it again the next week. 

Danny even had his own tool belt and when he wasn't making ornaments out of discarded lumber pieces, he became an expert at screwing on the faceplates of all the electrical outlets.

 

One of the best parts, after a long hot day, would be to treat ourselves to a swim in the lake to cool off.  It was so refreshing and relaxing.  I don’t recall ever taking a life jacket with me. At most, maybe a pool noodle to float with.

Whenever friends and family came out to visit while we were in the building phase, we immediately put them to work!  We took advantage of everyone’s carpentry skills and general willingness to participate.

We spent eighteen years in this house, and this is where Danny grew up. He started out at Lake Travis Elementary.  He played soccer in first grade, and we made friends with the other soccer parents. He had birthday party sleepovers for years in the park.  Halloween hayrides around the neighborhood every year were an annual event. Dave and I were well vested in the neighborhood. David served multiple terms on the Architectural Control Committee, and I was even the Travis Landing Property Owners Association President for a short time. I was on the Board and worked on the Deed restrictions committees as well.  We both helped with Park cleanup days and loved just walking in the park with the dogs.   

We spent lots of time in the lake. I even trained for the swimming portion of the Danskin triathlon in that lake.  Our dog, Fonagin, never tired of retrieving balls and digging up rocks in the water.  

We spent lots of time on the lake.  Early on, we attempted to restore a large sailboat.  We eventually gave that project to someone else, and Dave took up sailing a smaller vessel called a Dolphin. 

Danny took boating lessons through the PB&J Club at the Austin Yacht Club, just down the street. I took a sailing lesson as well but never quite mastered the skills to be a competent sailor.

We also spent lots of time just sitting near the lake. We had quite a few parties in that park over the years.  We also spent loads of time on a neighbor’s dock, soaking up the sunshine and friendship.

I was continuously fascinated by the water level fluctuations.  Lake Travis is one of two reservoir lakes in the Texas Highland Lakes chain.  It never ceased to amaze me to see how quickly the lake would fill up during the rainy times and how quickly it would dry up during the droughts. 

As time marched on, and Danny eventually graduated from high school, and Austin traffic got worse, I grew weary of the drive back and forth into town.  My job, a lot of my doctors, my synagogue – were all “in town”.  In 2011, we made a huge decision to move back into Austin proper.  

Since such a big part of my life was connected to MiraLago, I could not bring myself to sell it.  So, we decided to rent it. 

Our realtor found a wonderful couple, Maria and Alberto.  When we met them, we instantly liked their easy-going manner and positive nature.  They were sensitive to my emotional state of moving out of the house we had built and they promised to take good care of it – which they absolutely did!  I know that they loved living there, as they stayed for ten years. 

Last week we received the horrific news that both Maria and Alberto had drowned in the lake.  We are still trying to process how this happened.  I know that water is a powerful force, and in retrospect, I acknowledge how I have failed to be adequately respectful of it.  No matter how good a swimmer we may be, the danger of drowning should never, ever be taken lightly. When tragedy hits us personally, we certainly see things differently. 

This tragic event has left a void in our lives that is hard to comprehend.  Our hearts and prayers are with the surviving family and friends, as we all try to sort through this incredibly hard time.  

It is a vivid reminder to cherish our time on this planet.  This certainly feels like a chapter of my life is closing.  I am reminded that nothing stays the same – life is constantly changing.  And we must adapt and change with whatever lands in our path.  Every decision we make propels us towards some unknown destiny. 

Hug your loved ones.  Make the phone call you have been putting off.  Speak kindly to others – we never know what struggles other people are facing.     

More pictures below of many of the people who helped us build MiraLago!  We thank you with all our heart!  Apologies to those I did not get pictures of. 

My mom, Ruth and friend Arlen

High school friend Angie S.

David's Dad Bill and cousin Stephanie

Cousin Craig L.

long-time friend Dani L.

former neighbor Jeff D.

Bryant F. and David

long-time friend Lisa L and son Logan
with Danny in wheelbarrow

    

Danny and cousin Logan L. 

Some more random pictures 

Danny on the bobcat! 

workshop in the garage

refinished clawfoot tub

MiraLago, nearing completion