Here they are, by request... Some of the pix from the Dallas area Pond Tour 2001. We were interested in how people had incorporated pebble beaches into their ponds...
This one was a simple pond with a cemented pebble beach to the right. No, the alligator is not real.
Another nice pond just off a back deck.
Nice pond with a waterfall covered with creeping fig. We used that idea, but it is slow growing in our heat.
This is a very nice larger pond donated to a Garden Of Angels- a memorial for missing and abused children.
A nice established pond with larger plantings and trees. A very large rock makes a bridge across to the other side.
This is the beginning of our favorite pond and landscape (as well as the most expensive one).
This waterfall wells up and splits into two separate directions. It looks so natural.
Same yard, same pond/stream looking toward the house now...
Same pond, another split waterfall.
Here is a closeup of the last waterfall, we have been trying to recreate this in our own falls... just breathtaking...
This is up near the house looking out to the beginning, wherever that is....
How peaceful!
This is a display yard for one of the pond contractors. His own personal home had this same setup, but the lighting was too dark later that night to show it, but there are a row of sprinklers on top of the faux shed, that when turned on slowly.... rain down INTO the pond. Talk about tranquil... this is one aspect that we could not work into our own pond... but maybe in our next one! When you add curtains in the windows and chairs on the porch, it makes a very homey place to sit and relax!
Same set up, different view. Imagine this fully landscaped around... it is very quaint.
WOW. This was one of the largest ponds we saw. The shade and the dark liner make it look deep, but it was really not all that deep. Very nice looking!
There is another pebble beach cemented in the foreground...
Same pond, but a closeup of their waterfall. They had alot of rocks cemented in around it.
This is the same home as the large pond. They made a great dry creek look in their front yard!
Nice steps going to the bridge crossing the drycreek.
OK, it was getting very dark, as we pushed the limits on this one, but it was another wonderful shady pond that continued down the hillside to a wonderful walk along the stream!
Last one! Same pond, but a view of their waterfall.
Thanks for your interest. I hope that this gives you inspiration, as it has for us.
mel
I sure enjoyed this show, TXMel. Got oodles of ideas. Thanks for sharing these gorgeous ponds.
I sure enjoyed this and gives me a lot to want and do. My pond is an ongoing project and will be for years to come. Thanks for the pictures. Ted
Boy, I enjoyed this tour as well. Am definetly inspired and got some ideas. Ted, you have got a great start and are way ahead of me.
Thanks for posting these, TxMel! I am loving these pebble beaches and these photos have helped me visualize how to do it. I've seen some photos in books, but not close-up enough. Our real beaches around the Puget Sound area are basically pebble beaches so I was trying to stick with what looks natural around here. Thank you, again, for taking time to post these photos.
Today I cleaned up some pebble sized rocks (just large gravel really) that I'd sifted out of the soil I've dug already. I used my cement mixer and a mild muriatic acid solution and just let it run for about 30 minutes. After a thorough rinsing with water, they're just beautiful! A mixture of green, brick red, white, pink granite, just about every color! They'll be beautiful for the pond.
I hope everyone who wants to build a pond, or just dream, will take a look at this thread. You have done a wonderful job of 'taking' us with you.
Thanks for bringing pleasure to so many.
Judy
Oh thank you for your comments! After we brought back so many pictures, we looked them over, and filed them away on a CD... thankfully, cause when our computer crashed, and later got a new one... voila! I still had the backup!
I am thrilled that someone else can get pleasure from the tour, and ideas too. The tour is coming up again this year, and we always watch for it, in hopes that the date fits into our schedule. Even though our pond is "done" we will build another when we... move. YES, we will miss it, but we learned SO much from building this one, there are a few changes we would make, (like most projects). Someone else that buys our home will walk in to a perfect oasis, without all of the planning! WE will have the knowledge to do it again!
FYI, I saw 50# (or, so) bags of river pebbles at Lowe's the other day! Near the concrete bags. Not everyone has access to the free stuff. :-)
John
Just checking in to look at these pictures again and dream
Judy
There's some great stuff here. I keep coming back, too.
John
I saw that the Dallas Pond Tour is coming up again in June, the 18-19th! Watch your local areas for tours. I saw that the national tour is July 9-10.
www.nawgs.org for info
mel
Thanks so much for the pics. I wanted a pond 20 years ago and had it all drawn out. Then I realized that living on a lake that I would have every duck, heron, egret, ibis, etc in my yard, POOPING. Also, forget any fish!!!! I put in a dry pond!
Nancy Lee
