Rock wall

One more outdoor project that I have been wanting to do for some time, and really wanted to complete before winter set in, was to build a dry stack retaining wall on the low side of the shop.  I have been planning a drive way to circle around the building from the start.  So every time I did any earth moving, I did it with that in mind.  That was all set pretty much where I liked it by October, but I did want to set the stone wall before I spread the gravel.

I was told about a local stone quarry that sells local stone for building.   The quarry is a bit far (almost an hour drive near Eddyville) and I figured I couldn't haul too much at a time. But the stone has the right look and is always available.  I ended up hauling 7 pallets in 3 trips; probably close to 8 tons.  I also had to make 3 trips (the opposite direction) for fine gravel for bedding and backfilling the stone.

I have been taking a pictures from a couple of spots since we first started.  One of these spots looks towards that side of the shop.  Here is a series from the beginning:

 

 

 

Although now all the plants are down and dormant, the bed between the trees on the left is filled with ferns and hostas that Jan moved from Virginia.  This should all look pretty spectacular in the spring.