The Unturned Stone

This project near downtown Asheville has had a decidedly Portland, Oregon feel. It could be the six biodiesel Benzes on one block. It might be the girl in a skirt, jeans and leg warmers walking by today (it was cold). It could also be the urban bench that we built as part of a retaining wall for a homeowner. Portland is full of small urban treasures like this: bike sculptures, cob benches and postage stamp gardens overflowing with rosemary and flowers. It has felt good to contribute to that ethic here in Asheville.

The bench stone is about a ton and was moved into position using only hand tools. Jesse added the back rest, with a nice hourglass design. I ate lunch here today and it was good.

A view from above the cabin while the fireplace arch was being built. We have pulled off of the cabin project for the winter and will finish in the spring.

A detail of the fireplace upright, the stone that sets the shape for the arch.

This is a small wall we did earlier in the summer, nicely recovered with some fall plants.

A detail from the same wall.

A detail from a crazy quilt walkway.

Jesse and Jill pondering a bench stone that weighs approximately a ton. The three of us moved the stone into position only using rockbars and rollers. It was slow, but totally cool.

A veiw of the rollers on the scrap lumber tracks.