The Gate

Below is a bad photoshop rendering of the front gate at the courtyard. This wall is to be constructed from the large concrete blocks that were cut for windows and door. They are many and are in the way so this is the best thing I could think of to do with them. They will be "dry stacked" and trimmed to square. Each course will be pinned with rebar drilled through and leveled, if required, with a shovel of mortar. The beam will be peeled cedar like the porch posts and will serve to give lateral support for the weight of the gates. The gates will be built from cedar tongue and grove and have a 32" door on one side for access to the courtyard.

photoshop of future

photoshop of future
Originally uploaded by neillsmth.

The Corner Post Footings are Ready

The Corner Post Footings are Ready
Originally uploaded by neillsmth.

Working with the tractor and moving LOTS of rocks gave me this nice flat

courtyard. The pavers are there and ready to be laid. The cornerpost and

the bunker side of the gate will be next.

Tractor work

Not buying a tractor is one of the best moves I have made. For two hundred bucks I was able to rent a back-hoe (as opposed to just a 6th street one) and move all the dirt and rocks that I could stand. The West side was leveled and a large hole filled where the sewer exited the slab. The courtyard was dressed and leveled and all of the concrete blocks that came out of the door and windows were moved in preparation for stacking up and making one side of the courtyard.

Roadhouse

Roadhouse
Originally uploaded by neillsmth.

Ready to start

Ready to start
Originally uploaded by neillsmth.

Easter

Time for this months assault on the mountain. I have reserved a tractor/backhoe and now the fun will begin. First I will use the bucket to mow the weeds and pick up the rocks that are everywhere. There is a large hole on the West side where the sewer comes out of the bunker and I will level this side before moving on to the digging.
Footings are next, both for the courtyard wall and the false front that will be the West wall. Should take most of the day Saturday and even part of Sunday if I find rocks. All the rolling stock gets relocated and the place will begin to look like mountain top villa, which it is, and the outdoor structures will start up.
Barbara is assigned the job of painting the spiral stairs. I think she plans to sit in a bucker of paint and slide down the handrail. Anyhow that will make it look great.
This trip Pepi will go with us. G'maw dosen't let her go normally so we are taking them both. I'll have plenty of pictures to post after this trip.

Stair

Stair
Originally uploaded by neillsmth.

Now it really looks good.

Texas Flag

Texas Flag
Originally uploaded by neillsmth.

This picture was taken toward the stair entrance. The metal is covering the frame for the tile roof and dresses up the view. The flagpole is on the top of the tunnel that runs from the bunker to the clif and the picture below was taken with my back to the pole.

Stairs

Stairs
Originally uploaded by neillsmth.

The stairs are up. The wall had to be cut to clear two stair treads but it looks really good. The concrete pad that the stairs set on forms the first step and it fits. All in all when I finish at the top landing it will the first step in the courtyard design. The top of the tunnel forms a sidewalk that runs 20' to the rock wall on top of the clif and the flagpole sits at the end.

Welcome

Welcome
Originally uploaded by neillsmth.

This is the completed bunker from the front.

KIVA

KIVA
Originally uploaded by neillsmth.

While this is not my handiwork it is a good idea of what I will do in

the corner of the courtyard.

Courtyard wall

Courtyard wall
Originally uploaded by neillsmth.

Line drawing example: This will be the NW wall of the courtyard. The right side is made from the blocks that were cut out for the windows. These blocks will form a "L" shaped corner and a gate will run to the bunker. The gate in the picture will be mostly for looks but it will provide access to the flag pole which will be behind the Kiva and outside the wall. On the left will stand a wall that will be fourteen ft tall and look just like the front of a spanish villa. This wall will provide shelter from the wind and when the addition is started will be incorporated into the construction.

The Big 65

Birthday, today. This is the biggie, that's what "they" say but somehow I don't feel any change at all.
Work on the bunker is all but finished. It will be nice to just enjoy it for a few trips. I know, I know, just being here will cause both of us to work on something. Now that the heat is all ducted in it's looking like summer and I will have to hook up the AC. The carpet is down and the floor really looks good. I think I'll start planning the courtyard.

Valentines Day

Happy Valentine Day. This blog is the best place for that wish. Valentine is the only other town in Jeff Davis county. Each year the post office gets inundated with cards to stamp and send all over the world. Neat post mark, eh. As for Barb and I, we are as much in love as ever and we are way ahead of the day because we have a "date" each Wed for lunch. And this bunker has been an on going work of love too. One of these days we will be able to spend more time here and that will be a great day.

Texas Roadhouse

May have to change the name of the bunker. These neons came from a B-B-Q joint that was undergoing transformation to a Madam Mam's. If there is Anything that is as good as Texas B-B-Q it's Viet/Thai from the madam. I think I'll place the neon pieces where you can see them from the highway. It'll be too far away to read them but it will make everyone wonder.

neon

neon
Originally uploaded by neillsmth.

pix

pix
Originally uploaded by neillsmth.

pix

pix
Originally uploaded by neillsmth.

pix

pix
Originally uploaded by neillsmth.