How we got here...

In 1995 Lori and Greg Turton were married in Cordele, GA.  The years that followed held many adventures; their favorite adventures happened when five couples would board a catamaran and set sail for the Abacos.  Some people vacation to gamble, others want to shop... not Lori and Greg.  All Greg wanted to do was lobster, fish, dive, or hear a story from a new friend and Lori was in heaven when she could find a quiet beach and have all of the shells to herself.  They both found their paradise on Guana Cay.  

Years later after having three children, Mary Margaret, Stephen and Mitchell, the couple began thinking about investing in a property that the whole family would enjoy.  Some friends encouraged them to look at the easily accessible Destin or Panama City areas, others said to go to Hawaii.  No matter where they looked, they found themselves comparing the beaches and their experiences to their time in Abaco.  In 2008, the family spent a week in Nassau and traveled to many islands from there.  During their day trip to Guana Cay, Lori took the kids to the Nipper's beach while Greg talked numbers with the realtor.  Once Greg saw the lot that Grandview is currently located on, he told the realtor that they wanted it, and then laughed and said "Well, wait just a minute let me go check with my wife!"  Lori excitedly agreed and that began the family's great adventure on Guana Cay.  

The family had a blast discussing ideas and planning their dream house.  The sketch that the whole project was designed from was drawn on a napkin by Greg and Mary Margaret at a local restaurant.  Greg learned that nothing happens easily or quickly in the Bahamas once building begun.  He was determined to have the house completed within a year and managed to complete Grandview in a short 8 months.  The quick completion was mainly because of Greg's experience in construction and his ability to frequently oversee the work in person.  In December of that year, Greg, Mary Margaret and Stephen went to Nippers for the New Years celebrations. The trio walked the 100 yards down the beach to Grandview and laid down on the second floor and watched the stars through what would soon become the upper deck of Grandview.  Greg says that's one of his favorite memories and what building a home like Grandview is all about, sharing it with the ones you love.  

Over the next few years, Lori and Greg had the opportunity to share their home and the island with many friends and family, all while making life long friends on the island.  While preparing bacon wrapped lobster bites at a friend's home, Greg multi tasked and watched the three kids while Lori got Grandview ready for the housewarming party.  Within an hour, three year old Mitchell had escaped the watch of Greg and set off to find his mother.  Greg realized soon after he left and set off to find his son and to not let Lori find out that Mitchell was lost!  Greg knocked on the door of neighbor "GoJo" and asked him to help, he responded, "of course I will help but let me fix a bigger drink first."  Greg found Mitchell in Lori's arms, and bought her a very nice dinner that evening.  The couple met Skip and Betty Ann Hudgins from Atlanta, GA at Nippers one afternoon and the kids now consider them a third set of grandparents.  Lori celebrated her 40th birthday with 12 girlfriends in 2009 and Greg recently celebrated his 50th.  

In 2012 Greg inquired about a house that had never been finished near his boat dock, but had always been admired by the family.  He found out that the owner was hoping to sell and was hoping to do so quickly.  The timing was right and Greg and Lori decided to purchase their second home and boat dock on Guana.  The new project was just as much fun as the first, and Seaside quickly became the family's favorite home, primarily because of the view.  

Greg and Lori say that raising children around the island was one of their best decisions.  The time spent on Guana always produced the best family time.  The children are encouraged to make new friends, enjoy the beautiful environment around them, and have fun with their parents, who are surprisingly "cool."  With Mary Margaret and Stephen both graduated from high school, family time is even more valuable, and every member of the Turton family agrees that Guana Cay is his or her favorite spot in the world.