Pine Bluff Backyard Project
2004

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The Plan

The first image shows the rendering I made after carefully measuring our backyard. I gave this to each prospective contractor as something to start from. They then submitted a pool design for our review. The second image is the actual plan submitted by Garden View that unanimously won our vote (and contract). A few details have changed (and will continue to change) as the project progresses. West is toward the top of the image. The spa will reside in the Northeast corner of our yard.

June 9: Signed Contract
We signed our contract today. Garden View promised a start date no later than mid-September based on their current jobs. We have to bring in a tree removal company before excavation can begin. I have decided to take out a half dozen or so smaller trees myself in order to save a bit of money; the larger trees (like our 3' diameter magnolia) I will leave to the professionals.

July 5: Original Yard

These pictures were taken mere minutes before a large and efficient crew from Discount Tree Removal wiped the slate of our backyard clean. I had already taken care of a lot of the smaller stuff myself (as indicated by the piles of dead branches). The first picture looks North toward the location that the new pool will occupy. The second pic looks south. The third pic looks West. The final pic is of the brick patio at the North end of our house that will be removed during excavation.

August 9: The Blank Canvas

The first image is a view of our backyard facing North, toward the San Gabriel Mountains. The second is a view facing West. I was struck for a moment by the poetic muse and noted that our backyard was as a blank canvas awaiting the touch of the artist's brush. At least that sounded better than dusty wasteland.

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