Couple's getaway has 'wow' factor

By Lori Johnston

For the AJC

Mike and Jane Gray wanted a getaway for themselves, their children and their grandchildren when they bought their first lake home, in Reynolds Landing. Pursuits such as golf, boating and swimming attracted them to Lake Oconee.

And they’ve met neighbors from locales such as Dubai, New York, Illinois and Maryland, forming friendships and agreeing to look out for each other’s vacation properties when they or their neighbors are away. The couple chatted about their vacation home in the Greensboro community.

Why Lake Oconee: After staying on the lake at a friend’s house, the couple decided they would like to visit Lake Oconee more often. More than two years later, they were sold on buying a place in Reynolds Landing when plans for the Southern Living cottage collection were announced. “They were so cute,” Jane said.

Their place: A three-bedroom, 3 1/2-bath cottage on the 12th hole of the golf course. It has a master bedroom on the first floor, then two bedrooms upstairs, plus a loft.

“They did such a good job of planning the space and the design,” Jane said. “You just walked in and said, ‘Wow.’ ”

The kitchen is visible to guests when they enter. It has granite countertops, an island and white cabinets, contributing to the home’s French country decor. They made only a few decisions about the home, which they appreciated, after remodeling their primary residence.

“Once we selected what we wanted inside, they did everything else,” Mike said. “It was done, and it was done exactly the way they said they were going to do it.”

How far from home: About 1 1/2 hours from their home in Marietta.

How often they’re there: Almost every weekend, from April to September, and typically once a month during the winter.

What they do when they’re there: The main attraction for Mike was the ability to play golf at the Reynolds Landing course and others in the Reynolds Plantation community.

They also enjoy walking their dog, Mira, to the different docks and have seen turtles, ducks and wildlife.

When they have company, they’ll rent pontoon boats or head to the indoor and outdoor pools.

“At the pool they have one of the most wonderful waterslides,” said Jane, adding that it’s a favorite activity of their grandchildren.

Visitors include their three sons and their families, which include six grandchildren ranging in age from 7 to 16. Jane enjoys the small-town atmosphere of Greensboro, Madison and Eatonton.

Mike and Jane Gray’s three-bedroom, 31/2-bath cottage has about 1,942 square feet of livable space. They purchased the home in November 2007.

Community overview

Reynolds Landing is a gated community on the 19,000-acre Lake Oconee, which has 374 miles of shoreline. Community amenities include an 18-hole Bob Cupp-designed course and the Village Recreational Area, which opened in 2007 with pools, a 143-foot waterslide, a lighted tennis center, croquet lawn, playground and athletic field. Its clubhouse boasts a fitness center, restaurant, golf shop and meeting space, and there’s also a full-service marina on site. The community was originally called Port Armor when it opened in 1986 and it joined Reynolds Plantation as a Linger Longer Community in 2005.

Getting there

Take I-20 east to Augusta. Take Exit 130 to Greensboro/Eatonton and turn right on Lake Oconee Parkway. Travel about 6 miles and Reynolds Landing will be on the right.

Info

Reynolds Landing

www.reynoldslanding.com

For sale

$420,000: 1031 Portside Court, Greensboro 30642. A three-bedroom, 21/2-bath home with a golf view, stacked stone fireplace and covered back porch.

Recent sale

$600,000: 1011 Ridge Terrace, Greensboro 30642. A custom-built three-bedroom home, with three full and two half baths, that overlooks the golf course.