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News from the hive.
March 23, 2009
A day trip that lasts a lifetime, Deep Creek Plantation is a country retreat, like no other
You hear a lot of talk these days about getting back to a simpler way of life.
Of learning to appreciate what each day brings. Of living in a way that connects you to the earth, to nature and to your family. As it turns out, in a place not too far from Jacksonville, that kind of life is not only possible, but also already waiting for you.
Deep Creek Plantation, set on the banks of the St. Mary's River, offers you a country retreat like no other. Here you can escape the city crowds and the congestion of suburban living to relax in a place where stress can't begin to find you.
Here you can measure your lot in acres, not feet, and have land enough to plant an orchard, a large vegetable garden or even your own vineyard. You can enjoy the peace of mind that living in a gated community affords, along with the gracious, unspoiled serenity of nature preserve.
Sheltered by a canopy of old growth Water Oaks, Sweet Bays, Live Oaks and Tupelos, your home is your refuge, your private sanctuary alongside a river of amber glass.
And it all starts with a day trip.
From Jacksonville, point your car west on I-10 and head on down the road to the exit for 301 and Baldwin. Driving through this laidback slice of Old Florida, you'll be tempted to stop at Fat Jack's Bar-B-Q. By all means do, because you don't want to miss their pork sandwich with a side of sweet potato fries and jumbo sweet tea. Back on the road, you'll breeze by the Baldwin "Rails to Trails" Bike trailhead (bring your bikes and be sure to take a spin on the way back.)
As you motor further into the country, past the Cut N' Curl, small farms and homesteads, you start to feel the world fall away. By the time you reach Deep Creek, its rustic stacked stone entrance and black wrought iron fences come as a bit of a surprise, an unexpected, yet inviting sign of civilization.
There are actually three entrances to Deep Creek and driving along the long stretch of trees you begin to get a sense of the breadth of the property's 917 acres, but it's not until you turn inside the community, that you begin to appreciate the depth of the place.
Because the terrain of Deep Creek is quite unusual for North Florida. Unlike the pancake flat pine tree farm landscape of other large acreage communities, Deep Creek unfolds with rolling contours of hardwood bluffs and ravines that differ in elevation by as much as 40 feet.
Approaching one of the wide wooden bridges spanning a meandering creek, you find yourself doing something you rarely do in Florida--braking on a downhill grade.
It was just this experience, the sloping road, the wooden bridge, the pristine, undulating forest view that prompted one visitor to say to her husband, "Let's buy a lot here."
Inside Deep Creek, you are struck immediately by its tranquility and timelessness. It feels as if you are in a state park, so much of the land is left untouched and as nature intended. With underground utilities in place, and over half of its acreage dedicated to preservation and conservation, the community will retain this beauty from now, as its covenant states, "until forever."
Another feature that gives Deep Creek the atmosphere of a nature preserve is the abundance of wildlife. It is a birdwatchers' paradise--and deer and wild turkey roam freely here as though, "They can sense the peace and protection of Deep Creek, " points out marketing manager, Larry Lanier,
Sometimes when Larry escorts prospective residents around the property, he has to honk his horn to shoo a gaggle of turkeys out of the way. Of course, one of the biggest draws of living in Deep Creek is the St. Marys River itself with its quietly winding waterways inviting kayakers, canoers and fishing enthusiasts to come spend a day navigating its undisturbed islands and byways.
The community has been designed so that the river will truly belong to every resident, with seven miles of nature trails leading to the River Park, a planned waterfront launch and recreation area. There's also a planned lakefront recreational area. And horse lovers will appreciate the wide medians and trails throughout the property set aside to accommodate riders of all ages.
In fact, the 4H Club of Nassau County just held its second annual second Ride for charity event in Deep Creek last weekend.
Who is Deep Creek for?
It's for families looking for a natural getaway playground far from the congestion of the city, but near enough, as in an easy 30-minute drive. Deep Creek is also perfect for retirees desiring a secluded country cottage. (The Nassau County schools are well regarded and every middle and elementary school received an "A" rating.)
It's for retirees desiring a secluded country getaway. It's for active couples who love having trails to explore and rivers to roam just 30 minutes from downtown. It's for anyone who appreciates having more elbow room and the opportunity to see the stars shining clear and bright above a towering tree line at night.
Estate sized lots ranging from 2.5 to over 15.5 acres give homeowners space to build their dream home or cottage --- and no time limit to build means that they can do it on their own schedule. Some owners who haven't built yet make it a point come by Deep Creek Plantation on the weekends just to visit their land, picnic in the natural peace of the place and linger at the river's edge.
Despite the challenges of the real estate market in general, many people appreciate the value of having land you can call your own and Deep Creek Plantation has already sold a third of its available lots. With only 109 lots planned in order to preserve the natural environment, the opportunity to live here will necessarily be limited to the like-minded, forward-thinking purchasers.
Your day trip to Deep Creek Plantation is almost over. You meander down a white sand road beside a winding creek skirted by palmettos and shaded by sculpted oak trees. You spot wild turkey prints crossing your path and a little further on, the soft indentations of deer hooves. A hawk traces lazy circles in the blue-sky overhead and a gentle breeze stirs the music of leaves. This perfect stillness is broken only by the insistent clickety-clack of a woodpecker cloistered in the trees.
You take a deep breath of pure country air and make a promise.
You'll be back.
For more information visit www.deepcreekplantation.com or call (904) 237-5844.