This land is my land

By Devin Holdraker

Updated: May 24, 2012

I’m not a big “outdoors” guy. I don’t hunt, fish or camp. I was in the Boy Scouts for two weeks when I was a kid and slept in a tent for a weekend…it was awful. I remember fishing when I was much younger too. I caught stuff, but then you had to take it off the hook…gross. As for hunting, I’m not big on that either, but my wife’s family is. I suppose I just prefer air conditioning and a flatscreen tv to the smell of lake water and mosquito bites. That is until recently.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been looking at getting some property for the family. When my wife Christy and I first got married, we both agreed we wanted to have a family property some day. One that would hopefully stay in the family for many years to come. It wouldn’t have to big anything big or fancy, just something to call our own. The rest of my family could really care less. With my parents in their new home and my brother just nesting with new baby, nothing could be further from their minds. It isn’t as if we’d have much time to go there anyway.

The point for me is that if I had it, I’d make the time. That’s why I’ve been looking within a 2 hour radius from our home. Places like Sodus, Cayuga Lake and even near the Thousand Islands. Much to my dismay, my pocketbook hasn’t caught up to the prices there yet. To be perfectly honest, I should be saving up for a new home for us, not a second property. Unfortunately, as I’ve mentioned before, I’m a contrarian. If too many people tell me not to do something, chances are I’m forging ahead. I don’t take many risks, especially when it comes to my family, but this time my mind is all but made up.

This brings me to my current property search – Duck Lake. Located just outside of Wolcott/Red Creek, this tiny little body of water may be my only hope. My aunt had a cabin there many years ago, but sold it off as her kids were grown and had moved away. It’s a far cry from Canandaigua Lake or anything quite so posh, but I remember it being just enough. Small little cottages lining the water. Families enjoying the weather and more importantly, each other. This just may be the place. What’s even more appealing as it’s close enough to head up for the day but far enough to feel like we’re getting away.

Currently there’s nothing for sale and the last few properties sold were done to family members for $1. That’s the type of place we want to be. Now the tricky part – waiting for one of them to slip up and let one go! For me, the worse shape the better. I’d enjoy the project and would be able to take pride in passing it down. Keep your eyes and ears open and let me know if you get any hot tips!