The day Sampson and his family first discovered the land was a blessed one. En route to New York to visit Martin, they were headed to the Dallas-Fort Worth airport when they decided to make a detour. Sampson’s son, Jonathan, had heard about a property for sale, and they had just enough time to take a quick look. What they saw was a piece of land that was untouched by time. Gigantic oak trees grew in the river bottom, where squirrels scampered, unafraid of the human intruders. The air smelled fresh and clean, and the family was invigorated by nature's touch. Sampson met the owner, a wonderful man named Greg, who explained, "I'm just looking for some fine folk to become our neighbors."

On their long flight north that day, Sampson’s thoughts were on the magnificent acreage and it’s many possibilities. So, as soon as they touched down, he rushed to a pay phone, called Greg, and announced they wanted to buy the land! He couldn’t wait to share the good news with Martin, and upon arrival, Sampson immediately sketched the plot for him, doing his best to illustrate the waterways.  Suddenly, Martin pointed to an area by the big lake and said, “Here’s where I want to live!” With that, Martin began his migration to Texas, where he established his home next to what became known as the “Lake of the Blue Heron.”

Together, Sampson and Martin worked to create the property’s quaint woodsy road, bring in the necessary utilities, and build their respective houses. They also convinced their friends Maribeth and Bob Nottingham and Carrie and David Canzoneri to join them, and the couples soon made the land their home as well.

And the name of the place? Woodfrost. Coming up with the title as a reflection of his love for Robert Frost and Frost's poetry, Martin would spend the last 11 years of his life on his beloved homestead. The place was a haven where he could escape the hustle and bustle of the world, and he went on to write his final 15 books at Woodfrost, working with Sampson to create modern classics including Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3 and Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?

Woodfrost offered the co-authors a daily reminder to celebrate God's creative genius and rich blessings and became, in effect, their own Walden Pond. According to his wishes, Bill's ashes were scattered among the pine trees he planted by the little pond at Woodfrost, and a commemorative park is currently planned on the site.