I haven't started digging the pond yet... but here's the latest on the pre-pond work -- building the rock walls for the patio area:

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I took this picture from the second-story window, to give an idea of the overall shape. The walls on the left and center are done, with 2 tiers, but the wall on the right is being rebuilt - I've torn most of it down, and I'm going to rebuild it starting at a lower level. Part of this project, as you can see, is un-burying a poor tree that had been buried by previous owners years ago. The shape and slope of the yard has been a challenge, for sure.

My neighbor calls me "Rocky", and when his wife saw me sorting rocks by size, I did make sure she wasn't going to send the men in the little white coats to come and take me away...

Break over - I'd best get back to work!

LOL I had a friend come over when I had dug out my pond and he asked if I was burying bodies!!

It looks great. Is that tree on the edge going to be a problem, with roots or anything? Is that the one you said the previous owners buried?? Why would you do that?

I really love all the river rocks. THey look so nice and natural. Around here you have to buy them or take a truck up into the mountains somewhere. You're lucky to have so many for free!

Keep us updated!

Rocks! Rocks! We have rocks! Here's the latest:

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I think that this area was part of a huge river bed after glacial times, and in fact we have a lake across the street - my thought it is the remnant of that river.

The big tree was buried with fill by previous owners to make some of the yard flat, for about 30 feet, then it fell off into a cliff. Several trees died as the result, but this hardy oak tree survived. Also, we didn't have access to the rest of the yard with that cliff. So we've been re-working the landscaping for a few years, and with the semi-natural looking terraces, and LOTS of plants to soften the look, we will have a usable yard that goes back about 100 feet ending in a natural wooded area. I am going to be planting lots of native woodland plants back there, along with the bird feeders.

No, I am not burying any bodies - in fact I have to rescue the salamanders that I find under the rocks. I have a place in the garden with wet leaves and compost and things to hide under, where I re-home them for now.

Pouring today, so I'm inside, looking at everyone else's pond, gathering inspiration. We needed the rain, so I can't complain.

You are doing realy well

Little Peanut! The encouragement sure helps!
I can see you are making great progress on your pond, too! It's fun to see the pictures as the work goes on.