Heading down a new path

Bill Wanamaker and his wife, Jane, came upon their secluded De Pere, Wisconsin, home mostly by coincidence. Years ago, when Bill, a neurologist, made a house call to one of his patients afflicted with Lou Gehrig's disease, the beauty of that home and its location on the East River left a strong impression on him. Several years later, his patient's wife came to see him and mentioned that their son was selling 32 acres of riverside property less than 1 mile from the house he had admired so much. Bill and Jane jumped at the opportunity.

From neurology to the country

After Bill's 27 years of work as a neurologist in Green Bay, Wisconsin, both he and Jane were ready to try something a little different.

"We waited a long time in our lives to do this," Jane says. "Too bad we didn't do this 10 or 15 years earlier."

For Jane, living in the country is a return to her roots, having grown up on a farm in Nebraska. She met Bill, a native to Seattle, while he was attending medical school in Omaha. Despite his coastal background, Bill has had little trouble adjusting to life in the Midwest. "He has no desire to go back to live on the West Coast. In his heart of hearts, Bill is a farmer and a builder," Jane says.

The Wanamakers' only complaint in making the switch from city convenience to a country lifestyle is the driveway. 'The mailbox is a half mile from our front door!" Jane says.

Dealing with winter

During the fierce Wisconsin winters, their long driveway must be plowed regularly. Fortunately, Bill has a small collection of antique tractors that he uses for chores around the property. "One I use as a farm tractor to plow ground and snow, one I use as a lawn mower, and the third is in all sorts of pieces," Bill says.

The town road leading to the their driveway has also presented some challenges for the couple in the past. It was once a road that stood little chance of being plowed during the winter, so the Wanamakers took it upon themselves to clear it as well as their lengthy driveway.

Nature is just out the window

The privacy and abundant surrounding nature are not lost on the Wanamakers. "It's very private and quiet, with a lot of wildlife, the pond, and the river." Bill says. "Surprisingly, although we're very isolated, we have more association with our neighbors than we did in the city."

Jane says her simple pleasure is not having many curtains on the windows. "I've gotten so spoiled having so much privacy; I don't really miss living in town," she says. "It's a very pleasant atmosphere here."