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.

Bunker pictures

Bunker pictures
Originally uploaded by neillsmth.

Bunker pictures

Bunker pictures
Originally uploaded by neillsmth.

The rest of the courtyard

After the kiva is completed (at least the structure) the rest of the courtyard will be enclosed with a knee fence and gates at the front. The gates will be swung from the bunker NE corner and a wall made from the concrete which was cut from the door and windows. This wall will be a rubble style with the North face appearing to be crumbling down to the knee wall. The knee wall will be of various heights (as rubble) and in the center topped with an arch then continued to the kiva. Drawing below shows the general concept.
The construction of the wall will be metal frame covered with EPS and drivit. This wall will be anchored with concrete each four feet. There will be no attempt to make it water tight other than sloping the earth away from it on both sides.

Fence rendering

Fence rendering
Originally uploaded by neillsmth.

After the Kiva is finished work on the fence will commence.

A really new year

I was chided by Van about not keeping up this blog. A picture may be worth a thousand words but lately that's all I have posted.
I'll try to do better this year.
First of all the Bunker is Done. Lots of little things to do but if I didn't hit another lick it would be liveable. The next phase is to make the courtyard a showplace. The first project, outside of the spiral stairs, will be to build a "kiva". That's the beehive style fireplace you see in all the fancy places in Santa Fe. I will start with a fireplace insert and make a chimney (chimley, for some of you) out of square sewer tile. The whole thing will be on a raised platform in the NW corner of the courtyard. The raised platform will be the sit-on hearth and become part of another porch when that phase is started. Then I will begin with sand bags full of dirt alternated with barbed wire, (bob wire to some) to keep them from sliping, arranged in a circle that gets smaller and smaller as it reaches the chimney. Once formed the shape can be tweaked with a large hammer and a 4X4 then covered with stucco. The opening will be glass block arranged in an arch and set so as to catch and reflect the fire.

Bed room

Bed room
Originally uploaded by neillsmth.

Bunker Sweet Bunker

Final
Originally uploaded by neillsmth.