Ladera Resort, Everyday Working

We each do our jobs 12 days until Ladera Reopens so much to do, so much has been done.

Another Amazing Week

This is what has been happening the past few days. 

No Work Today

Preview of Paradise

Ladera's Annual Closure

One Of The Many Pool Renovations

A Toothbrush Is Used To Clean The Cracks & Crevices

Wow there is so much going on I hardly know where to begin.  32 suites many of them multi-level, multi-room, with splash pools, bathrooms kitchenettes, 15 acres, greenhouses, storage buildings, spa, fitness center, restaurant, bar and infinity pool all being meticulously scrutinized by a team of A personalities.   Dedicated craftsman, trade workers, service workers, gardeners even accountants leave no stone unturned as we build, buff and polish our way to Ladera perfection.  Once a year closure takes place at Ladera Resort in St. Lucia and it just boggles the mind to see the amount of work that is being done.

Stripping And Staining All Exterior Wood Surfaces Is A Huge Annual Job

In addition to the yearly maintenance construction of the much anticipated Paradise Ridge suites is gearing up for December completion. These spectacular new rooms  afford both an ocean view and jungle view at the same time as you can see through each unit.  The construction supervisor Eustace, (Tace) is producing an architectural and engineering marvel especially once you understand the difficulty of the daunting task of building in the Caribbean and on this particular challenging site.  With  experience guiding him he follows the barest of blueprints as he picks his way across the ridge erecting structures few others could manage.  I will feature the Paradise Ridge villas soon.

New Flatwork Replaces Old Stepping Stones In Front Of Reception

While some Ladera employees enjoy vacation during closure many continue to work often at tasks that are not their regular jobs.  Outside workers from many of the trades are also employed for everything from flatwork to painting to gardening.  The coordinated effort is amazing.  Two years ago I came down to work after hurricane Tomas hit St. Lucia and was surprised by the effort of the staff, now I realize they transform the place yearly, constantly upgrading and improving.

Ray And Kerran Trimming The Ocean Side

I hope I can keep up with the energetic staff.  Today, Sunday I have the afternoon to chill and enjoy my view with a room for tomorrow begins the long work week.  We are carefully monitoring a storm brewing in the Caribbean which if it comes will force us to work inside on the many interior gardens and potted plants.

How About This For A Cozy Place To Chill On A Sunday Afternoon, My Room X3

I will be here for thirty days and will have the opportunity to document the fruits of the labor and love that is poured into keeping Ladera one of the most beautiful places on earth.  With jackhammers pounding, weed whackers whirling, paint brushes twirling, carvers chiseling and cutlasses slicing all things are made to look new and fresh getting ready for high tourist season this winter.

Boniface Carves A Support Post At The Pavillion

St. Lucia Videos

Here is a great link to several videos featuring St. Lucia, Ladera Resort and some of the talented people who inhabit this island.  This should give you a pretty good feel for where I am at and why I love it so much.  Enjoy.



http://www.youtube.com/user/tomscott3/videos

Greetings From Ladera

After two days of travel I have arrived at Ladera Resort in St. Lucia, West Indies with many hugs and greetings from my Caribbean family, it is good to be here and I am anxious to begin work in the morning.  This evening I sat down with the owners of the resort and mapped our strategies and priorities of the next few days.  I am so pleased to find that Holly will be here for the first half of my stay, another woman cohort and sounding board.  I will be at Ladera for a month working with the garden crew enhancing, refining, adding and subtracting plants, working in paradise.  I need to put my tropical plant brain back into action, it usually takes a couple of days for me to switch from zone 5 planting to zone 12.

Nearly all of my projects were completed when I left Indiana with the exception of some paver sealing that required perfect weather conditions and my personal attention.  By the time I get back home we will only have about 6 weeks of season left and I have some plant installations that I have put off because of the extreme heat this summer, they will make good fall projects.

The stone walls on Lake James are finished and are exceptional.  The concept of using the repeating pattern of large blue stone matches perfectly with the poured, stamped concrete patio.  It is a bit unusual seeing the hardscape installed before the house but it was extremely practical.  The contractor has dug out for the foundation while Ryan finished up the last bit of the walls.  In the photo you can see how he is dwarfed by the depth of the walk out basement.

Bruce P is completing the sidewalk in this photo that finishes up the job for our old pal Sue.  The patio was done just in time for her out of town company and she really likes the look of the pavers over the old wooden deck.

Much of our work is on the lakes but we do get to town once in awhile.  This ranch house renovation went smooth.  We kept two of the original crab trees per the customers request, I gave Jamie some pruning lessons as shaped them and opened the centers, they look so much better.

Stone Walls, Swinging Boys, Stoops & Stairs

One week from today I will be in St. Lucia working once again at Ladera Resort consequently these last two weeks have been extremely busy as I attempt to get everything accomplished before my departure.  Yesterday I smashed my finger with a rock on the hand that is already swollen and bruised from another work injury I now realize how much I use my left index finger when typing.  In addition I got my ankle ran over when I was helping Jessica push a wheelbarrow full of dirt up hill.  Bruised and bloodied I was jolted from bed by one of my dogs, Finn who apparently ate something that did not agree with him and has spent the last three hours vomiting, the first load right next to the bed, good thing I love my dogs.

Last year I bought some water lilies on clearance at the end of the season and this pink one has been blooming for almost two weeks, the yellow lily was beautiful as well.  When visiting Brazil a few years ago I saw the giant water lily pads, the leaves are so big and strong you can set a small child on the leaves.

This Allan Block porch and paver job is one Bruce designed for an old friend of ours.  We removed the old wooden deck last week and hope to have the new patio completed for company this week end.  The steps are finished and will be flanked by a hand rail.  It should be a huge transformation.

The Lake James job is in the final stages we ran a bit behind last week as we had to work around the pier installation.  The snap cut staircase, bluestone custom stoop and rock walls with the large blue accent stones really tie everything together.  Hopefully today will be our final day as they are starting the basement dig out.  The customers are really liking the way things look and many of the neighbors have stopped by to marvel at Ryan's dry stacked glacial fieldstone walls.

I caught my great nephew in this action shot over the weekend as he was leaping off a platform with a rope swing much to his mothers chagrin, he already had one trip to the ER last week.  He is one high energy kid.

Three Down Around the Lakes

We did wrap up in Timber Bay and I must say the patio, bench, stone walls and steps are magnificent, truly the work of talented and skilled individuals.  Working with all natural stone requires patience, an analytical brain, strong back and an eye for detail.  Stone masons have been highly sought after since man first put chisel to rock.  The warmth of the rocks, the enduring beauty and changing patina of the stone make flagstone the timeless, classic choice for a patio.

The job on Lake James concluded last week as well.  We used erosion fabric on nearly the entire yard since the customers are not able to water as often as we would like, the fabric holds the moisture well and now is an ideal time to seed in northeast Indiana.  The large wall along the roadside is designed basically like a huge planter, the arborvitae hedge will grow together and provide a good screen for the house from the busy road.

Because we are building a color themed rock wall and steps on another house on Lake James I went hunting for a very specific rock today.  The rock needed to be around 3.5' x 32" x 15", dark blue and flat on both sides and by golly I found it at the first gravel pit I went to Hansen Aggregates in Angola.
So I thought I would share the journey of the 2,036 pound behemoth.  Next stop for the bugger is as a giant step into the lake.

My trip around the gravel pit was more like being in a lunar scape the boulder field is on the far edge of the pit and provides a good view into the bowel of the operation.  Shopping for rocks is always a trip.

Sticks and Stones

Morning Sailors on Lake James

Larry & Charlene like the flagstone patio, walk and stairs we installed last year so much that Larry tore off the second level wood deck and we designed another flagstone patio with  a seating wall and bench.
The old concrete stoop was linked to the patio with snap cut stairs.  Bill and Doug should wrap this one mid next week.  It is going to be sharp.

So much is going on, we are still busy and we have not hit our fall rush yet.  Since we are located in a seasonal resort area many of our customers want any major disruptive work to wait until after they close up their cottages which is around Labor Day.  Additionally builders are pushing now to get in foundations, framing and roofs on any new builds to sustain them with interior work over the winter.  Customers are never happy with snow in a new home. 

Unloading cut bluestone slabs

We are working on Lake James building free stacked glacial retaining walls,  installing drainage tiles, seawall renovation, constructing a stoop, installing a yard and snap cut staircase all before the house is even built.  We are working strictly on the lakeside of the property with our only reference being the stamped concrete pour for the porches.  Once the house is actually up access to the lakeside will be severely restricted on the steep grade.

Large bluestone accents on bottom and smaller bluestone accents on top terrace

We are trying something different with these glacial walls, inserting a bluestone in a pattern on both the
terraces.  The stone matches the steps and porches.

Out on Clear Lake Gary and Cody have been busy this week constructing the fence and arbor that we pre-cut and painted at the shop, actually the customer painted it at our location.  The bluestone slabs that Jon cut will be laid to form a path through the new garden.  We are switching to the east side of the house now adding snap cut steps to the hill and a small retaining wall where we will be planting a specimen evergreen.  This job too should wrap next week.

Jon cutting bluestone slabs

The big Allan Block job on Lake James should also conclude this coming week. We installed soil ahead of Chuck's Concrete (they are poured the drive & walk) we will be boxed out of using any equipment to finish our work due to the tight lot line.  The landscape design of this job reflects the busy lifestyle of the homeowners with easy care plants, stone and weed barrier top dressing and small but functional beds.

40 Hours

Best Overall Home Show

As the valley girls say I am totally stoked to have hired our new employee, Doug Brown.  Doug is 37 and has spent nearly all his working hours in the landscape business, he hails from nearby Ohio, spent several years working in Florida and the last few years in the Indianapolis area.  He claims to understand all phases of both the green side and hardscape side of the business spending many years as as supervisor/installer.  Welcome aboard Doug, I can hardly wait for the week to begin.

Another bright spot, Jessica returned to work this week having seen five doctors in four facilities with a final diagnosis of sinusitis which was treated with antibiotics making her feel nearly immediately better, go figure.  There is no doubt in my mind it all started with  heat stroke.  Glad to have her back.  With a small company each person plays such an important role.

We jazzed up this bed by adding the dry streambed

Rejoice we are not supposed to hit the high 90's this week and will actually start the week around 83 degrees.  This is especially important as I have been trying to get Jane and Craig's paver sealing job finished but it has either been too hot to use the product.  In fact I had trouble when I applied the wet look sealer when it was hot it got tacky and dried milky now I have to thin that with a resealer product.
Not every day goes as planned.

Home Show Lake Side

This past week end and next is the local builders association Home Show where people are encouraged to visit newly constructed homes which have been professionally  judged for best builder, best  interior design, best landscaping and best overall house.  We unwittingly participated in this years Show ultimately landscaping the house that was judged number one in all categories except landscaping which placed third.  We actually started the job last fall and finished it in May.  Because of the 50/50 rule employed by our county your total hard surfaces (house, concrete driveway, sidewalks) can not exceed 50 percent of the total square foot of your lot.  The house alone nearly exceeded the rule which meant huge restrictions when it came to hardscape.  Surfice it to say I was surprised we got third place and if memory serves me this is the first, first place finish for Jim Ingledue Construction, special congratulations to Ms. Chris Evans.

Home Show Road Side

Lots of projects for this coming week.  Finishing up our rare commercial project at Lakeland Nursing Home and bidding another the up coming new Northeastern Center are on the to do list.  We should also wrap up the job Bill and Ryan are working at Lake James, finish a short clean up and renovation Theresa started last week, replace all landscaping at the Miller house on Clear Lake, seal the pavers, and start three decent size installations, no wonder I can't sleep more than six hours a night.

Home Show Lake View

Funny thing Doug talked to other local landscapers and no one felt comfortable hiring him as they were all a bit slow, we are really fortunate to be so steady.

Ash Tree Chainsaw Massacre

The heat continues, drought endures although we had an inch or two of rain during the past week.  We are losing hours and workers as we have been coming in early and barely are able to get in a scorching 40 hours per week.  Our freshman female worker sweet Jessica has been out for over a week with heat stroke and dehydration as the diagnosis, she has been to her family doctor, the local hospital and Urgent Care but continues with vomiting and fever.  All manner of tests and pills yet she feels no better.  It is on to the big city hospital in the morning for her.

What to do with dead ash trees killed by the emerald ash borer, the city of Fremont, IN has the solution turn them into wood sculpture?  Several of the trees were cleverly carved by a local chainsaw artist, bears, raccoons and squirrels are playing on the once ugly stumps.  Sweet.

Last week was cooler and we did get in a full week.  We were still short Jessica and Theresa was gone a couple of days, this week will be the last for Rick as he will be going back to college.  I hired a young man whose father is an excavator we know his name is Cody his dad says he had a bottle in one hand and a shovel in the other for as long as he can remember so I have high hopes for the kid.

We are wrapping up the odd commercial job a nursing home in Angola where Bruce has been in charge, he did manage to find a spot for one of our signature rock walls.  His biggest concern has been watering and for the last three week ends he has been going to town to water the new plants.  Soaker hose and timers have been installed and the maintenance men at the nursing home will be taking over the watering chores this week.

The landscaping around this small block wall belongs to Mike Stuckey at M & C Trenching, Mike and Cheryl's son is getting married and they are sprucing up their yard.  The wall was already there and they had a couple of deceased ash tree that were removed last year.  Mike reworked the wall and I designed the new look while he and his crew installed it with a little help from us. 

I traded Mike for the use of his mini excavator for a day and Bruce P dug a retention pond at our property to handle overflow rain water and pick up ground water and divert it from the retaining wall next to our house.  You can see the heavy clay soil that will hold the water, our soil is a mix of clay, sand, gravel spots and the rare loam all on 25 acres.

Carlos Santana Live

Our summer concert schedule included Carlos Santana at the Toledo, OH Zoo an intimate venue where every seat is great.  Spiritual Carlos entertained the audience holding those long notes and encouraging us to be what we wanted and love one another.  Everyone should see Santana at least once, it is a memorable experience.

Rocking in the Heat

A rare occurrence has taken place we did not work the crew from July 4 to July 9th and it was a great decision because it was still smoking outside with record temperatures over 106 degrees.  Our region has had a record number of triple digit days, crops are suffering, we have stopped applying fertilizer, herbicides and insecticides for those without irrigation. Lawns are crunchy dormant with no relief in sight.  But the beat or heat  goes on.........and we progress with the next jobs.

This job on Clear Lake is nearly finished and we have installed another Millgrove first, an old fashioned lake driveway with a modern day twist of pavers.  I have advised the customers that a slow and steady approach will be the best way to assure safe parking.

Placement of a 4" October Glory Maple on the right corner of the property serves to pull the earth closer to the high roof peaks.  The tree certainly makes a statement.  Likewise the the European Hornbeam on the lakeside corner of the house both grounds the corner and the low branching fills the space to the ground providing a great visual barrier between the neighboring deck levels. Intimate property lines often mean creative planting strategies are necessary fortunately we are blessed with a wonderful variety of hardy plant species and shapes.

Our next big project is well underway on Lake James (which has receded 8' )  our first shipment of 8 pallets of Allen Block Ashlar Hickory blend block is being installed as I write, well not all at once but we will need our second shipment by Monday.

We had lots of great excavation help from Dan Eyester Excavation and John Day,  John really cowboy ed up climbing a hill of loose soil in the mini sending everyone scurrying as he precipitously rocked and teetered nearly rolling  down the hill.  Having a mini excavator, a big back hoe and our tractor really greased the wheels on this project.

Before our arrival Dan and John applied the
 engineered solution to solve the soggy yard that plagued the customer lakeside.  Tile, soil stabilization fabric and fresh dirt raise the yard and the new swales offer direction for surface water should it ever rain.  Dan, John and crews did a swell job on the lawn all we had to do was a light rake and we were ready for seed.