playground deck

For a long time, we have strongly disliked the back entrance to our house.  Strongly disliked.  As you can see below, it made our house look like a box.  I know, I know.  It is a box.  BUT that does not mean it has to look like one.  Our solution - a new deck, some shrubbery, deck chairs, new door and possibly a tree.

Old back entrance

We accomplished most of our goals by midsummer.  Kevin started and finished the deck last fall.  He used a palate of cedar pieces that were slated to be playground equipment, hand dipped each piece in a sealant concoction, beveled each end to prevent catching your foot and created a lovely pattern for the decking.  But wait - before that, he gathered many, many rocks (not that difficult for a geologist) and created the pillars that the deck rests on.

This spring, we planted a few shrubs - surrounded by rock - and added two Adirondack chairs.  I feel so much better when I walk up the back sidewalk.  If Kevin were still teaching geology, he could bring his class here on a field trip.  Stone table, rock pillars, slate backsplash, the Pillow Rock across the street and don't even get me started about the rocks in the basement!

Check out the stone pillars