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Idiots Avaunt 19 AHS Garden Art 5

14 years ago

OK... this is ridiculous... its been over two months and IA isn't quite completed. They've even started another Idiots adventure in the meantime...

The Idiots returned to a garden abandoned by the high-school apprentice they had hired for the summer. Ten bucks an hour, no taxes withheld, and he could work as many hours as he chose, any time he chose. He chose to work 9 hours in the over three weeks the Idiots were gone - and a total of 21 hours from May through August.

So it was "combat gardening" the rest of the summer, trying to get everything in shape so all of their forum friends can visit next June during the AHS convention in Minnesota (hint... hint... hint...)

anyway, here is the last installment of the "garden art" sequence... and then there will be one more with the largely uneventful trip home...

love her expression...

Only in Michigan... a chunk of native copper... giant nuggets of pure copper were used by the natives and drew white explorers to seek metal wealth in northern Michigan...

The steps up the hill to allow walking across the top of a huge waterfall, lined with sculpture...

Sometimes nature just says it best...

The Idiots wish they could find a spot to collect rock concretions like this... too cool!

Loved these two "temple guards" flanking a pathway- The cocky expressions reminded Idiot She of somebody...

Even the odd half of the Idiots found this... odd...

A huge, quirky "garden room"...

Layers upon layers... in the foreground, the huge chunk of native copper... the sculptures... bottle art...

in the midground, the huge pond, part of a multiple pond system... the waterfall, the dock, the temple bell...

and in the background, trees carefully chosen for colors and textures...

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Comments (8)

User
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I'm not just nuts about that "garden room." The rest is so inspiring! Wish I had the budget for sculpture or for the labor to transport and place one of those huge fabulous boulders.
idiothe
Original Author
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
interesting you would say that... yesterday my DW and I single-handedly moved an 1100 pound boulder from the driveway where it was delivered around back onto our deck onto a 24" high platform where it will become an focal point in our "Zen Room" outdoor area. (It will be quite different from the outdoor room pictured... not sure if I think their room is really really cool, or ???)

After worrying about it for over a month, the actual process of moving that sucker was much easier than we expected... pictures will follow, but I want to get more done on the project first...
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hostasformez4
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
So glad you took the time to post. I have really enjoyed all the pictures over the last couple of weeks. We each have the chance to duplicate or take ideas from what others have done to enhance their gardens. I plan to make some changes to my garden because of what you shared with us. Thanks so much.

Can't wait to see what you did with that boulder!!!!!

Connie
jennaj_z4mn
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Beautiful pics Jim--thanks for sharing! I love the sculptural element in the garden--it adds so much! If you need any help in your garden this year (or next)--send me an email--I'm always up to playing in the dirt!! Jenna
idiothe
Original Author
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
oh, Jenna... you are entering dangerous water... I know that I will go into totally crazy mode next June before the convention hits, realizing that no matter how many hours I spend I won't have everything the way I want it for visitors!
jennaj_z4mn
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I can only imagine...but the offer still stands ;)
cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Can you share how you moved the boulder? I have wanted to get a couple for our backyard, but figured there was no way DH and I could move them once they were delivered.

Cynthia
User
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I want to know how you moved the boulder, too.

I took these pictures last summer at the Japanese Garden in Portland, Oregon. Your pictures of sculptures, stones, and boulders reminded me of this beautiful place. I think McT will like the light.

This is the only picture with hosta.

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