Gates

I thought I would show a couple of ideas for gates.

 This is maybe one of the most beautiful ones 

I have seen at the Glen Burnie gardens in Winchester, Va. 

Attentive readers of this blog may remember this photo

 from a post I did on February 16th with the same title.

How Buildings Learn By Stewart Brand

     In a post I did on 2/23/10, The Old Home Place In Ruins I mentioned the book by Stewart Brand called How Buildings Learn - What happens after they're built. There is a companion six part BBC tv series that goes with the book that is available on his web site.

Stonework At The Lake Valley Ghost Town

Last fall I ventured by the virtually abandoned ghost town

 of Lake Valley, New Mexico, where I got some photos
of the building above which was the saloon, general store,
 and gas station.

Tucson Botanical Gardens

We were in Tucson, Arizona back in early March

 and stopped by the Tucson Botanical Gardens.

Gila Resources Information Project

     We are currently in Silver City, New Mexico and just became aware that GRIP ( Gila Resources Information Project ) had a section of their web site devoted to  sustainability and green design. Just scroll down the page to the tabs on sustainability and sustainably built homes and click on for a tour. These are some nice homes and give a good over view of green building techniques. There is a lot going on in this area in alternative building and this web page was put together for last years Viva Verde Conference that was organized by GRIP. This is a great group of people working on a grass roots effort to protect the area and its environment.

Besh Ba Gowah

Last month we were in Globe, Arizona to meet some friends

 on their way back north from Mexico and we all decided

 to see the ruins of a Native American pueblo, Besh Ba Gowah,

 that is now part of a Globe city park.

A Cold Frame

While most people are thinking of gardening outdoors

 it is also a great time to get ready to garden next winter. 

Our friends Susie and Ray have a great cold frame in Albuquerque, N.M.

 We have profiled their urban garden with a post on Worm Composting 

on April 2, '10 and The Urban Food Producing Winter Garden posted March 7 '10. 

Of course you can also check the archives on the side bar.

Cosanti

On April 4, '10 I did a post on Arcosanti and now I want to write 

about Cosanti which is located near Scottsdale, Arizona 

and is where Paolo Soleri lives and works.

Stonework at Chiricahua National Monument

Last Fall I had the occasion to visit the Chiricahua Mountains

 for the first time and I stopped by the Chiricahua National Monument 

and loved the stone work at the Visitors Center.

Unconventional Homes

I have been wanting to do a post on this topic

 for awhile now and have been collecting photos. 

As time goes on I hope to add future posts.

The Book and DVD - Building with Awareness

  

      Last year when we were house sitting for some friends I noticed the book and DVD Building with Awareness, The Construction of a Hybrid Home, by Ted Owens. I read the book and thought it was terrific, praise that I don't normally put out there for how-to books. We are currently visiting our friends again and I was reminded of the book when I saw it sitting on the table. I have not seen the DVD but I would assume it is as good as the book. As an aside I want to mention that I receive no compensation for this or any other book or product I may review in this blog.

Arcosanti

We recently stopped by both Cosanti near Scottsdale, Arizona

 and the better known Arcosanti about 50 miles north of there.

Concrete Walls For A Concrete Bridge

As soon as the piers in this row ( please refer to the previous blog )

 were finished a crew started right to work

 on what I suppose would be called the footer.

 You can see the rebar from the piers sticking up from the water.

Concrete Piers For A Concrete Bridge

Now here is something a bit different. 

Ever need some concrete piers for that backyard project? 

Well when we were in San Carlos, Sonora this winter a new bridge

 was being built to replace one that was washed out by a hurricane last fall

 providing much entertainment to the people wintering there including

 myself. Above the crew is just starting to drill a hole with the auger bit

 you see on the pile driver.

Worm Composting

My posting for March 7 was The Urban Food Producing Winter Garden

 about our friends Susie and Ray and their green thumbs. 

 Now I want to show you their worm composting set up.

Fences

We have been missing in action lately, at least from blogging,

 as we travel around Arizona trying to stay warm, 

and dodging the wind, and looking for internet.

 Above is a bamboo fence that Allison and I made

 work camping at El Dorado Hot Springs.