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THE DESERT HOUSE
2018 Journey, The Restoration

The 2018 Journey, Desert House Restoration
Desert House
Interior Work
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0312.1657) Desert House Restoration Work
Previously...
Last winter, during January and February of 2017, I was here to do work on the inside, a total Interior Restoration, getting the home ready for the owners, who moved in shortly after I had finished my work in the inside of the Desert House.
Once moved in, both continued their inside work, completing the painting and most of the decorating. They even replaced the old aluminum windows with new insulated ones.
When I returned this winter during February 2018, I was so impressed on how beautiful the interior now looks with all the work done since I departed.
Walk Through
However, before we begin, he takes me inside to show me what has been done since I left last year. I am really impressed with all the painting and decorating that has been done, mostly by Kim.
Desert House
Interior Remodel
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0223.1814) Painting Cabinets Makes a world of a the difference
Also, the grout has been completed on the tile in both the bathroom and kitchen.
Desert House
Interior Remodel
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0223.1345)
Too, the kitchen bar has been completed and this house looks so much more like a home with all the decorating that Kim has done.
I am even invited to eat at this bar a few times while I am working this winter.
Desert House
Interior Remodel
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0312.1657) The Kitchen looks Really Nice

New Windows
Also, while I was spending my summer in the high elevations, Richard had decided to replace all of the single pain aluminum windows with double pain vinyl windows.
Desert House
Work in 2018
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0312.1658) The Kitchen looks Well Decorated

Upon my Arrival in 2018
Upon my arrive in Hemet, California, Richard tell me about a problem that occurred during this past winter, that is the back yard would flood every time it rains.
Each time it rains, which is mostly during the winter, the back yard becomes a lake. To remedy this, Richard wants me to install a French drain from the southwest corner of the property, along the ninety foot long property ling and down to the northwest corner of the property next to the roadway.
A French drain will require me to dig a sloping trench some ninety feet long and because the property is higher in the middle, which is the cause of the lake each winter, the trench will be over twenty-four inches deep along the middle section of the property where the property is at it′s highest elevation.

The 2018 Journey, Desert House Drainage Trench
(Day 819 TB) 55°F. 6:00 am
Overnighting at the rental
Just before two pm, Richard stops by to pick me up and we go back to his home that is located on W. Johnston Avenue (which I have named the Desert House for this gallery page) where we both begin working on the complete overhaul of the landscaping on the property.
This project involves digging a drainage trench from the very rear of the property to the street in the front, removing all the green rock, storing it for later use in the drainage trench, removing the existing shrubs and palm tree, digging and installing a small pond in the front yard and digging a dry river bed to allow the surface water to flow from the back to the pond. On either side of the river bed will be mounds where upon rocks and plants will later be added. From the pond, the river will continue to the street allowing excess rain water to flow onto the street.

Removing the Green Gravel
In preparation for creating a desert dry river bed fountain in the front yard, a few things had to change. First on the tasks is the removal of all of the green rock from the front yard.
After the removal of the green rock had begun and we had moved it to a couple of storage locations, one in the front yard, but most of it to the rear of the property, we decide that it will be perfect rock for use in the creation of the underground French drain. Later, with the beginning of the French Drain, it is funny what the owner, Kim commented about this same green rock, she said: Finally, the green rock is where it belongs, buried.
Green Rock Removal
Desert House
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0212.1503) Green Rock Removal, Desert House

Bush and Tree Removal
Simply because the owners did not like either the bushes nor the palm tree, both are cut down, dug up and removed. I must needs agree, neither of these plants were very attractive and would not be eye-appealing for the dry river bed that is going in.
Bush Removal
Desert House
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0213.1308) Desert House Bush Removal
Palm Tree Removal
Desert House
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0213.1652) Desert House Palm Tree Removal
(Day 822 TB) 51°F. 6:00 am
Overnighting at the Palm Avenue Rental
I get busy with a spade shovel and dig a narrow trench about ten inches wide, moving the dirt to a location where more dirt is required in the overall landscaping plan.
Drainage Trench
Desert House
(b7-ca-desert-20180215.1521) Digging the Drainage Trench at Desert House
Drainage Trench
Desert House
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0215.1522) Digging the Drainage Trench at Desert House

The French Drain
Once the trench is dug, then a six mill plastic sheet is installed and then green gravel (more about this gravel later) is put in the trench on top of the plastic. Next, a three inch diameter drain pipe with a couple of catch basin drain openings and one clean-out access pipe are installed on top of this lower gravel, after which, more gravel is put around and over the pipe up to three or more inches above the pipe.
Finally, another sheet of plastic is put over the gravel and the bottom plastic and top plastic are taped together to form a shield to keep dirt out of the French drain. After the French drain is completed, then decorative rock is put over the top sheet of plastic.
Drainage Trench
Desert House
(b7-ca-desert-.2018-0218.1005) Installing Plastic and Green Gravel
Drainage Trench
Desert House
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0218.1007) Installing Drain Pipe in the Trench
Drainage Trench
Desert House
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0220.1531) Covering the Drain Pipe with more Green Gravel
Drainage Trench
Desert House
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0220.1532) Covering the Drain Pipe with more Green Gravel

Extending the Pipe to the Street
After digging the trench from the fence all the way to the way to the street, more plastic laid, green gravel put at the bottom and the pipe installed with another drain sump is put at the end of the pipe to allow the water to flow out. Then the plastic is folded over the gravel, tapped closed and the the French Drain is covered with dirt.
Drainage Trench
Desert House
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0220.1729) The Drain Pipe Extends all the Way to the Street
River Bed Digging
Desert House
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0223.1537) The Digging of the River Bed Begins, Desert House
Upon finishing work today, I get out my camera to photograph the progress and soon after notice the sky is beginning to illume.
Turning, I see that the sun is at the horizon and take photos of the suntouch.
Sunset are Amazing at
Desert House
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0220.1733) Amazing Suntouch at the Desert House

The 2018 Journey The Paradise River
The Paradise River
The Paradise River is the newest river in Hemet. It originates in the back yard near the rear fence, the lowest point on the property, flows along the west side of the property then down between two desert sand dunes into a small pond from which any overflow will continue to and along the front of the property. It has been four weeks in the making and is soon to begin serving to keep the back yard from flooding when ever it rains.
Why Paradise River? Well, we are hoping to make this feature at this home into a small preview of what the paradise of God will be like. (Revelation 2:7)
Dry River Bed
Desert House
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0306.1601) Paradise River, Installing Pond.
Dry River Bed
Desert House
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0309.1533) Paradise River, Lower Falls.

The Dry River Bed
Due to this new river being located in the desert, most of the time, Paradise River will be a dry river bed, (much like the Santa Anna River in San Bernardino County.) Soon, a new feature will be added, that of a small waterfall to be located at the fence on the west side of the property. The waterfall will be used primarily during the rainy season when the dry river bed is flowing or at other times when sufficient water is available.
Dry River Bed
Desert House
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0310.1319) Paradise River, below the Upper Falls.
Dry River Bed
Desert House
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0318.1757) Paradise River, below the Lower Falls.
Dry River Bed
Desert House
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0323.1800) Richard continues to cover the plastic with Gold

The 2018 Journey, The Gazebo
A Large Box of Parts
Upon arriving at the Desert House, one of the first things that Richard shows me is a large cardboard box weighing over two hundred pounds. He tells me that it is a metal gazebo that he would like me to build in the back yard after finishing the backyard drain.
Later, we use the wheel barrow to move it to a location where I can open the box. Soon, I have the cardboard laid out on which I put all of the parts, after which, I began to assemble the gazebo. Finally, Jane comes to inspect the progress.
The Gazebo at
the Desert House
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0313.1350) Jane Austin comes to inspect the Gazebo Parts

The Roof Frame is Assembled
I sit in a chair and begin reading the instructions, which tell me to start with the roof frame, then add the metal covering. There is a very long set off instructions and I go slowly through each step which takes parts of three days.
The Gazebo at
the Desert House
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0313.1517) The Gazebo Roof is Assembled First

The Legs are Attached
I leave the leg installation until Richard returns from his work and together we lift the roof and install the four legs. We get it up temporarily until he can purchase some concrete blocks to make a permanent base to mount the legs on.
The Gazebo at
the Desert House
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0320.1802) The Gazebo Roof is Raised and the Legs Added
Meanwhile, I grab some of my nylon cord from the jammer to use for holding the gazebo in case of a strong wind.

After the Journey On Resumes
While I am heading north towards Oregon, Richard and Kim begin to rearrange the yard furniture in the back yard. Richard sends me a photo of what has been going on back at the Desert House.
The Gazebo at
the Desert House
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0323.1801) Yard Furniture is moved under the Gazebo

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This Page Last Updated: 26 September 2024


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