Pond Installation
The Concept
Summer 2019
I love the idea of a backyard plunge pool where my fur babies and I can go for a dunk on a hot day. But since New Hampshire doesn’t have a majority of hot days, it seems silly to install a pool. So… why not a water feature I can enjoy most months, even when it’s too cold to swim? I’d like the water surface to be maybe 10’ x 15’, 3-4 feet deep… enough for dogs to plunge, and for me and a friend to relax with a couple of tropical beverages. And it won’t look like a tarp-covered hippopotamus all winter long.
Other requirements:
Most important: sloped egress for the dogs… drowning hazards are no joke.
Integrated landscaping… I know it might not look like nature put it there, but it should look like it fits in.
No loose sand/mud for wet dogs to track in the house.
Waterfall for soothing white noise.
Low-ish maintenance. I can handle skimmers, chemicals, and seasonal maintenance… but nothing that I have to keep alive (e.g. fish).
Maybe: ambient lighting?
Now I’m really starting to collect ideas. And searching through online tutorials figuring out how much of a pain in the butt this is going to be.
THE CANVAS
Spring 2020, A.K.A: “Before”
Ideas
I’m envisioning the pond and waterfall built into the existing slope. The ferns are in the back corner of the lot. I’m sure the fir tree will be in the way… that can easily be removed. Actually, any of the plantings in this corner can be yanked out… the bushes obscure some boulders that stabilize the corner. There is an irrigation line that I’ll have to deal with.
Instructional* Videos
* Not to be confused with thinking I can do this alone.
VISIT TO THE POND SHOP
July 2020
Maddox and I headed out to Chester Hollow Water Garden for a socially-distanced tour of the fountain-studded grounds.
Making it Happen
July 2021
It’s been SO HARD to wait, especially through the heat waves New England has already experienced. But the time has come: I’m getting a pond. Correction: Maddox is getting a pond. 💖
Charlie from Chester Hollow Water Gardens visited my property to get an idea of what I want, and to formulate a design. We walked and talked and pointed and I tried to envision what he will build for me, but I probably won’t be certain until it’s actually in place. Of this I am certain: it’s going to be gorgeous.
Maybe something like this? Except better.
Pond Equipment
Here are the highlights of what went into my pond construction, all by AquaScape.
digging and Building
Click open each picture to see it full-size and read descriptions.
Now that the installation is done, it falls to me to plant and dress the edges. I have my work cut out for me!
Mommy & Maddox Tour Vermont
Spending time touring lovely New England scenery with my dog.
Maddox and I spend the day driving the meandering roads through the hills of Vermont. The weather didn't cooperate initially… I suppose the overcast skies lend a sort of gloomy mood. But the afternoon sun peeked out long enough for us to enjoy some walks in the woods and snacks on a blanket outside the Vermont Country Store.
Buttercream Falls
Horses graze at Jenne Farm
Jenne Road
View from Coolidge State Historic Site
Breakfast at the South Woodstock Country Store
Rock Candy at the Vermont Country Store
Maddox at Buttermilk Falls
Eastern Time
Today marks the passing of yet another time zone. I started out in Indiana, and drove through Ohio, Pennsylvania, and into New York. Tonight I'm camping on Grand Island, in the Niagara River. Tomorrow I'll go see the falls.
In my quick web search for where to go with the dogs, I learned two interesting tidbits:
- The Rainbow Bridge is not only a structure that connects the US to Canada, but also a metaphor for the passing of a beloved pet.
- The second most frequently asked question is, "Are the falls turned off at night?"
I'm not sure which of these discoveries bothers me more.
Boston, Ohio
Sounds weird to say it, I know. I think original place names were scarce in the early 1800s. There is even a Harvard Park in Boston. In Ohio.
Since I had taken a wrong turn that put me within 3 miles of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, I figured I'd stop in and feed my obsession. The Boston Store has been converted to a visitor's center, and the ranger directed me to the nearby Brandywine Waterfall that I could walk to with the dogs.
Sioux Thunder
I got to Sioux Falls around 4 pm yesterday, which gave me enough time to walk around Falls Park with the girls and pick up a burger and onion rings on the way back to camp.
My hopes of getting a good night's sleep before the long drive to Chicago went sideways when thunderstorms rolled in. Three distinct bouts of thunder and lightning had Maddox curling up close to me for protection. Sadie seemed unphased.
Minnesota welcomes me.
Gas tank is full.
David Sedaris audiobooks queued up.
Only 587 miles to go.