Sunrises are amazing and sunsets are inspirational in this 5BR/3BA, architect-designed, 2-level colonial that sits nestled in privacy along Lyons Creek and the Patuxent River amid 5.8 acres of woodlands and waterfront, and includes a private pier/dock with a boat lift. The eat-in-kitchen, living room, and 3 of the 5 bedrooms (including the large downstairs owners’ suite & 2 west-facing bedrooms upstairs), as well as both the upper & lower verandahs, have open views of Lyons Creek and the Patuxent River. The adjacent wildlife preserves are home to a diverse array of wildlife including bald eagles, pilated woodpeckers, bluebirds, hummingbirds, red-winged blackbirds, hawks, wood ducks and other waterfowl, owls, hawks, foxes, beavers, deer, squirrel, and numerous fish. The 2 upstairs bedrooms each come with walk-in closests, and they each have private entries to the upper-level covered verandah, while sharing a jack-and-jill bathroom in between. The 3rd upstairs bedroom is east-facing and spacious with an extra large walk-in closet, and an even larger adjacent unfinished attic space that can be made into another bathroom, bedroom, or both. The downstairs guest bedroom is east-facing and adjacent to a large, well-lit rec room with a wood-burning stove and private entry. It also has direct access to a full-size bathroom with a jacuzzi tub. This guest bedroom can alternatively be used as a downstairs private office.The modern kitchen is well-equipped with spacious granite countertops, a 6-burner Viking gas stovetop, Wolf multi-function full-size oven, built-in CAFÉ Advantium microwave & convection oven, Kenmore dishwasher, abundant oak cabinetry and floors throughout, built-in kitchen desk, and a large refrigerator that blends seamlessly with the wooden cabinetry. The house is designed with entertaining in mind, and the open-plan, eat-in-kitchen, and adjacent living area share a large, 2-sided fireplace (originally woodburning, converted to gas). The downstairs owners’ suite includes a large west-facing bedroom, 2 walk-in closets, and an adjacent bathroom suite with heated stone tile floors throughout, a soaking tub with waterfront views, a stone tile shower, his-n-her sinks, and a privacy closet with a toilet and a separate sink. An additional ‘hobby room’ provides a 2nd refrigerator and additional cabinets and countertop spaces, as well as a built-in ironing board, for crafting and storage. This room adjoins the spacious laundry room next door which has additional storage cabinets. Beyond the laundry room, there is an additional climate-controlled storage room for cleaning and maintenance supplies. For vehicles and additional storage, there is a detached 3-car garage with an open upstairs loft space. The garage includes an attached fully-enclosed garden shed on one side, and an attached carport on the other. The Patuxent Palisades neighborhood is a highly desirable community that includes a diverse mix of families, including some residents who grew up here as children and returned to raise families of their own. In addition to great public schools, neighborhood amenties include a shared park with a pond, paved walking trail, play equipment, and tables and chairs for picnicking; a boat dock on the Patuxent River; and seasonal community activities designed to bring people together. This is a dream home for nature lovers with bird-watching, boating, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, water-skiing, hiking, camping, and fishing available right in your backyard. 5.8 acres offers plenty of room for planting and homesteading, but when you are ready for a change of scenery, the Chesapeak Bay is less than 15 miles to the east, and Washington DC is only 30 miles to the northwest. For the everyday stuff, Dunkirk Town Center, with 3 grocery stores and all the other typical necessities, is only 5 miles to the south. The elementary, middle, and high schools are 10-15 minutes (and only 2 stoplights) away.