PondJoy,
Two years ago, someone up on Lake Houston / Atascocita, had his pond on the tour, and it was unparalleled! A HUGE pond, and then a really nice covered patio all around it, BBQ grill and all of that, and a special side section of large tanks holding prize fish and favorite lilies. The main pond spilled over a wall and down into the lily tanks. And a natural creek running into and through the tanks. Very well planned out. I can't even imagine what it cost to build it.
In addition, he had acreage, and actually had a hiking trail, alongside a small spring, through his woods. All this was right on the shores of Lake Houston. It was stupendous.