One of my goals for the front yard project is to use re-purpose reclaimed, recycled, and rescued materials. These are found and free materials that would otherwise go to a landfill.
The immediate challenge this presents is that I could not create a design for the pathway until I had materials. The opportunity this creates is the fun to always be on the lookout for possible materials and to keep an open mind. Construction sites, alleys, areas where materials have been illegally dumped, neighbors who have spare materials…every trip in the car becomes a journey in discovery.
Collecting potentially suitable materials invariably involved Dave’s participation (and we collected a lot of heavy material). Without both his physical and emotional support at these and so many other times this project would not be nearly as enjoyable to pursue.
Slate
The first material I collected was 12″x12″ slate from my friend Elizabeth in Laguna Beach. When she said I could take the slate she cheerily instructed, “Create something beautiful!”
Broken concrete (“rip rap”) for mounds near sidewalk
River rock for decoration
Madeline was selling her house and offered us all these beautiful smooth river rocks. Note the Jeep sitting hard on the rear springs bearing the weight of the stones. This was neither the first or last time the Jeep so capably handled an awkward and heavy load.
More rip rap
Pink Concrete:Â The Mother Lode!
Dave’s Jeep, my Saab and finally a few trips with Orijano’s trailer were used to collect the rosy concrete chunks.
