Just played Minecraft for another long while. My Starter Mines managed to find a cave at level 1 (at least 32 tiles downward from the start of the home.) filled with gravel, iron, and plenty of coal, Level 2 not so much. I managed to also improve my defenses well. My front door has a couple cactii on the sides, it's got plenty of torches around it, so ambushes aren't so likely, and I have a nice little garden near the front door with a farm above that. the bedroom to the cave is rather snazzy (and decided as a save&quit point, seeing as I load the game back up, I'm in the bed). I also established a tree farm near the wheat farm. Ther's also a nice little dock made with a small supply of boats in a crate of holding with a flammable cloth barrier to prevent any boats from escaping while docked but not packed.
I'm still working on making a path to the docks, as well as re-flourishing the area with some trees (reason for the tree farm, along with gathering wood). I have a larger development in mind across the river from where I started, a straight shot from the docks. I'm just gathering materials so I can make a large haul to the big mines where the serious work gets started. I might work on a major fortress with a dry-dock for building an air-fleet. Of course I'll make a sea navy as well if need be. I'll need tons of iron to get what I need however, so hopefully the big mines will come to good use in due time. Hopefully I'll find some red powder to make more elaborate stuff, but I like what I have setup.
I'll probably show some pictures after I eat. Oh, and happy birthday MZ.
EDIT:
Found the great mines I lost track of. Setting up pics right now (maps at least, for now).
Above Ground
Underground (only showing the mine map and what I know/discovered)
Same perspective as Image 1 above
Come and think of it, the Great Plains I marked down would be an excellent spot to work on surface building only-wise. Of course, hauling all the materials (and especially any water) could be a bit of a pain to get done. Provided I can find one hell of an ore deposit, I should be able to make myself an easy way to and from mines, and even the main fortress. But that'll be a ton of ore I'll need.