Not Just a Ramp...(4)

A Drive
March 13 The drive was not quite cured but I got the OK for the maiden drive up the new cement so I could take Dave to the doctor.

Driving up, parking and getting Dave into the van was a cinch...

my backing skills needed a lot of work. Both the side panels on the van and the cement have permanent patina from my up-turn-back, repeat until a very frustrated passenger Dave was on the road. I love the permanent tire squiggles on the cement - the scratches on the van not so much.

March 17 the weather cleared and it was time to put in the last boulder. We had been saving this one for a special place but we weren't quite sure which surface would look best where so we brought in Matt to run the excavator while Wayne and I tried out all sorts of looks.

"No, try again with the other side up"

 "No, try again with another side up"

 "No, this side should go to the back."

 "Na, the other side needs to be forward."

 At last we were satisfied.

March 20 after a trip to the Home and Garden Show for a large assortment of herbs, the planting of the rock gardens began.

Trask checking out the reject boulders just in case lizards or snakes were hiding.

 My project helpers.

 March 23 winter arrived again to test my herb starts and backing skills.

My backing skills were not the only ones tested. A friend came by to take Dave on an outing. First they got to negotiate the slick ramp and drive...

then he got to attempt the not-as-easy-as-it-looks back out.

March 24 brought even more snow. The drive proved to be a perfect place for a Trask snow angel.

 Such a handsome boy.

 Such a beautiful morning.

March 30 The excess boulders are back on the bone pile for future projects and the rock gardens are almost finished.

The extra space will make a beautiful setting for patio leisure time.

 Chinook approved.

I "painted" the retaining wall boulders with moss. Soon they should look as if they have always been there.

The inner rock garden was taken apart and re-stoned several times until I decided that it should be a sundial and include multiple plants. When it grows in, each of the "hour" stones will be surrounded by creeping thyme. Other low growing herbs, succulents and moss will fill in between other stones.  I still have the capital to put on the sentinel stone and some work decorating the hour stones...

and to figure out how to keep the lizard seeking dogs from dislodging the "hours".

 The inner rock garden from above.

 The drive complete with tire patina and plantings.

April 2 Ullr came by for a visit.

He too was curious about what might be hiding in the rock garden and smells of the newly planted herbs.

But mostly he was into playing with his bigger 1/2 brother Trask.

April 12 Snow.

April 28 The hour stones are decorated. Once it quits raining, I can glue the capital and stones on.

What started as a ramp to aid getting Dave out of the house, turned into a work of art to be enjoyed for years to come. Dave already sits outside on the patio whenever the warming sun beckons. I can finally back the van with confident ease opening the world for us to travel and enjoy.