I do like what you did with the third one but, like tmpadmin said, it doesn't really look old.
When I see a photo of a place I want to feel like I'm there. Like I'm transported to a place I would like to be. I get that from the second photo.
To see the grass and looking across the water gives a sense of place, like your standing on the shore, which is what "transports" you.
Sorry if that sounds a little on the odd side, but that is how I look at it.