Landscaping Project
I can’t believe it’s been 5 days since I last wrote. Besides the usual excuse that I’m enjoying the sunshine and keeping busy - which I am! - Steve and I have been busy the last two days with a huge landscaping project.
When we bought our home back in late 2006, the only outside landscaping was a gravel driveway. The yard in the front and back were dirt. This isn’t out of the ordinary for new homes in Alaska. Putting in a lawn takes time and care - the time and care most contractors just don’t have, especially when they’re putting up a half dozen houses at a time. And the dirt here isn’t the best for growing grass either. Our soil is mostly silt and clay. The only thing that grows well is moss and other wildflowers that are native to Alaska. Oh, and of course the occasional sunflower, sown by my bird and squirrel guests.
In addition to a lawn, Steve wanted to resurface the driveway, and widen and lengthen it for RV parking. Up until now, the RV has been parked on dirt, which turns to mud every spring. We also wanted to extend the driveway back to the tree line so that we have a level pad for building a storage shed eventually.
We talked to several landscapers before hiring Bren Contracting LLC. Jeremy (the owner) came in with a fair estimate for both the lawn and the driveway, and listened to what Steve wanted to do. After discussing the costs, Steve asked Jeremy if we could get a price reduction if the two of us raked the topsoil, rather than having him do it. He was open to the suggestion, and Steve and I knew we’d be working our tails off. A little sweat equity never hurt anyone! Besides, the exercise would do us good.
Yesterday, Jeremy brought in 5 dump truck loads of topsoil. He used his bobcat to carry loads to different areas of the yard. Steve and I took over then, with rakes that Jeremy supplied. We spread topsoil for about 6 hours. What a workout! My arms are aching a little bit today, and yesterday my back was sore - but we did a good job as a team, and I’m proud of us.
Today, he worked on the driveway, and Steve and I had a day of rest. Tomorrow, Steve and I will be out there fertilizing, raking, rolling, seeding, and watering. We should see germination in about 14 days.
Here are some photos I’ve taken of the transformation so far:
This is the backyard before the topsoil was brought in: |
And after: |
Here is the front yard while it’s being leveled for topsoil: |
Here’s the front yard after the topsoil. We put a ‘turnaround’ driveway in too: |
Here is the back yard standing at the *new* end of our driveway: |
Here’s a view from my bedroom window, looking down on the back yard: |
Here are some more photos of the yard project:
| Steve really wanted to try the bobcat, and Jeremy was nice enough to give him a quick lesson:  |
Here they’re grading the back end of the driveway:  |
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A few days ago, I had a wonderful visit from a pair of snowshoe hares. One of the hares sat in the yard, just outside my back door, and proceeded to give himself a bath. I never saw a hare bathe, and I was surprised that he did it just like a cat would.
He started on his back feet first - even cleaning between his big toes. (And they really are big toes!) Then he cleaned his front feet. And then he wet his front paws and used them to clean his face and ears! It was adorable! Of course I grabbed my camera to capture it for you:
Those are some BIG feet:
Cleaning between his toes. Look at the size of those toes!
Just in case you haven’t seen how big my feet are, here’s another look:
Time to wash the front paws:
And now my face. Ahhhh, that feels good!
Can’t forget the ears:
I think I need an eyebrow wax to get this winter fur off my face!
Uh Oh! What was that?! I’m out of here! (I love the cotton tail)
The power of big feet:
Mrs. Hare is waiting for him in the safety of the wood line.
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I took Sedona to Creamers Field for a walk the other day. The cranes and geese are gone now and the only wildlife I saw in the seasonal wetland pond were ducks. It was a beautiful day and the sun was shining brightly. It was warm too - 60s - and quite a few folks were out wearing shorts and sandals. It may not be summer on the calendar, but it’s summer in Alaska.
We enjoyed our walk along the pond, and stopped to listen to the frogs. I wish I would have seen them, as there was quite a bit of racket going on. The frogs up here hibernate in the winter, and then wake up in the spring. I think it’s pretty amazing that they survive arctic cold.
The view of the pond was beautiful, and I took photos during our walk:
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I had a baby snowshoe hare visit me yesterday morning. I knew he was only a young hare because he didn’t have the scraggly white winter fur. And he was much smaller too, and even looked younger. I first saw him while he was stretched out in my yard resting:
A bit of an itch?
His fur is so much prettier than the older hares, who are still losing their winter coat:
Steve is off until next week. He lucked out in that his seven-days-off fell over Memorial Day weekend. As long as we get the seeding done tomorrow, I plan to take a scenic drive down to the Delta area and Rikas Roadhouse on Sunday. I hear there’s a fair of some sort going on down there. I might have to check that out too. I’ll be going with Lisa, and leaving Steve home to play in his new yard and on his new driveway.
Whatever your plans include this Memorial Day weekend, take a moment and remember the brave U.S. men and women who died while serving our country.
Until next time…
Good Morning Susan,
Just make sure Steve gives you a good massage 
The driveway way is lookin good
I love the pictures of the Snowshoe Hares…they are Adorable…you just want grab them and snuggle with them and just squeeze them to pieces…..lol
I’m Excited about Memorial Day Weekend!! We will remember all the past, present and future men and women. My oldest son is in the Navy, my youngest is graduating 6-4-09 and going into the Navy. I’m so Proud of them.
Happy Memorial Day,
Liz
Fl
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
May 28th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Hi Liz! The hares are so cute. I too want to snuggle them and feel their soft fur. I don’t think they’d take too kindly to that though. *grin*
Thank your son for his service, and congrats to your youngest for making the choice to serve our country too. I know how proud you are of them.
[Reply]
Comment by Liz McCollough — May 23, 2009 @ 1:33 am
Yay for you both!! Can’t wait to see the finished project! We embarked on a major landscaping project about 2 1/2 years ago and finally it’s almost finished! We are so pleased with the end results and I know you will be thrilled to see GREEN!!
Wish I could truck up a little sod for you from the East!
S.
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
May 28th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
This has been so much work, but also so rewarding. It will be even MORE rewarding when I see grass! I have been quite impatient. I am happy though to see wildflowers springing up along the roads now. Summer is here.
Sod would have made things so much easier. The only downside to this project is that my bird friends haven’t been coming around. I think all the activity with the trucks and bobcat scared them. I hope they’ll come back when things start growing.
[Reply]
Comment by Another Susan — May 23, 2009 @ 10:26 pm
Wow! That is some kind of project you have going on. Can’t wait to see the final results. Love the pics of the snowshoe hares. They are so cute.
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
May 28th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Thanks Dewise. We’ve been working hard. It’s good exercise, and we certainly need that after our long winter!
[Reply]
Comment by Dewise Bailey — May 24, 2009 @ 4:31 am
Hi Sue,
What a great job! I can’t wait to see the finished product! This will make your beautiful house even more beautiful outside as well as in (less mud)! And the trailer will stay cleaner too!
I will have to come see it one day.
Take case my friend!
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
May 28th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Thanks Donna! I can’t imagine what it will be like to not have mud in the yard! It’s become such a regular thing for us!
I got your email about Heather! Congrats to her for her work with the dolphins in FL! She must be in her glory!
Love you and miss you! Come visit again - we’d love to have you!
[Reply]
Comment by Donna — May 24, 2009 @ 4:54 am
Hi Sue,
What a great job! I can’t wait to see the finished product! This will make your beautiful house even more beautiful outside as well as in (less mud)! And the trailer will stay cleaner too!
I will have to come see it one day.
Take care my friend!
[Reply]
Comment by Donna — May 24, 2009 @ 4:55 am
Good teamwork on the landscaping project! It will look great! Also it will be nice to have a paved driveway and paved parking for your trailer. Oh, the snowshoe hares are so cute, love their big feet!
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
May 28th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Thanks Heidi. It’s a lot of work, but it will be worth it when we’re able to walk out in the yard and not have to take our muddy shoes off on the porch!
The hares are in abundance this year. They say they come in cycles - well this is the year of the hare!
[Reply]
Comment by Heidi — May 24, 2009 @ 8:52 am
Hi Susan and Steve
Really sounds like a lot of work that you both have got your selves into One thing is for sure When you finish it You can say that the both of you really had put in a lot of sweat and aches That is where good old Ben (bengay) come in Also working on it is something you did together It will make you love each other more
Take care Love you both John and Shirley
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
May 28th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Hi John and Shirley! Thanks for commenting on the yard work. I know it will look so nice when the grass grows, but I want it to grow NOW! I’m quite impatient. *grin*
We’re quite proud of the progress and we loved working together to get it done.
Take care! Love you too!!!
[Reply]
Comment by John & Shirley Strauser — May 24, 2009 @ 12:40 pm
Hey Susan,
It looks great! I wish I could have been there to help. Luv ya’ll!!!!
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
May 28th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Thanks Kayla! We could have used your help! *grin* We could have used another dozen folks. I hope the grass grows soon because I want to see green! Love you!
[Reply]
Comment by ~~*Kayla Melton*~~ — May 26, 2009 @ 3:15 am
For the longest time when living in Alaska, I used to get Memorial Day and Labor Day mixed up. Seems your garden went in over Memorial Day and we had a quarter acre in garden so it always seemed like labor to me! Beautiful work. Stay well and enjoy the sunshine………m
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
May 28th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
It was labor for sure, Mary! But in the end it will be worth it. Still no ‘formal’ garden for us, but we’re container gardening. Steve’s got tomatoes, but I’m sticking with flowers. Next year, we’ll try to put in some raised beds. Right now though… grass would be awesome!
Take care,
Susan
[Reply]
Comment by Mary — May 27, 2009 @ 6:52 am
Your yard will be so pretty when you have nice green grass growing. Wouldn’t it be nice to feel that grass between your bare toes! My husband and I just got back home yesterday from our 4th Alaskan cruise. Although the weather could have been better (it rained in every port), a bad day in Alaska is better than a bad day in Cary, NC. The scenery, as always, was just gorgeous. I felt like I’d come back home again. Oh if I could just afford (and were younger) to live there!!
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:14 am
We have the beginnings of that green tinge showing on top of the dirt now! We’re so excited! We were worried we wouldn’t get grass, as we had some cold overnight temps.
How fun that you did a cruise! I still haven’t done one. My friend Rachael and her sister (and other friends and family) did a Princess Cruise and left on the 23rd. They just got back a few days ago too. I haven’t seen photos or talked to her yet, but I expect they had rainy weather as well.
I do agree that Alaska is beautiful even in rainy weather. I’m glad you had a good time.
Thank you for commenting. Have a lovely day!
Susan
[Reply]
Comment by Marylyn Jessup — June 2, 2009 @ 8:32 am