The McParland Mountain Retreat

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All it took was skill and persistence for this couple to fulfill the dream of getting back to the land.

Roger and Doris McParland began to plan their home more than 20 years ago, when Doris was a personnel manager for Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Roger was in the Air Force. The couple—who are enthusiastic bargain hunters—started their long-term project by collecting materials ... such as a halfdozen French doors bought for $2.00 apiece from Goodwill, bathroom tiles picked up at a church sale, and even handmade hardware that Doris brought back from a visit to relatives in Czechoslovakia. During that same period they also traveled to study buildings that had been designed by the architect whose work most impressed Mrs. McParland: the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright.

Yet today, seven years after breaking ground for the second time, the McParlands still haven't finished their home. And once you know a bit more about their innovative, experimental natures, you're likely to understand why they probably never will.

FROM SPRAY BOOTHS TO BEACH BALLS

Roger was discharged from the service—in Port Huron, Michigan—in 1964, and opened an automobile body shop soon thereafter. Not to be daunted by his own lack of experience, he taught himself the new trade, by reading books and practicing on the family car. In short order, customers were clamoring at the doors, and the fender-unbender business rapidly became a success. However, when a doctor told Roger about the respirstory problems that were beginning to be associated with the auto repair occupation, the health-conscious pair decided to sell the body shop and try again.

Before long, they announced to friends that they intended to start a swimming pool construction business ... and more than one acquaintance suggested that—given their northern location—they'd taken leave of their financial senses. (At the time, the mid—1960's, few people guessed that Michigan would rank ,third in the nation in private swimming pool ownership within ten short years.) Indeed, business was little slow at first for Pleasure Pools, Inc. But the combination of good timing and quality work got the firm on its feet, and soon Doris was able to give up her job and devote her time to keeping the office end of the concern under control. Within a decade, Roger and Doris had built the business to the point where the proceeds would allow them to realize their dream: constructing a tome in the woods that would permit them be relatively self-sufficient.

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