BajaNomad

TA DAAAAAH!!!! Rock room B&B unit nearly done!

shari - 2-5-2010 at 07:26 AM





After 2 years at the rock pile, we have finally finished the suite and bathroom of our new Rock House out here at the blowhole. It has been a labour of love and yesterday we celebrated the first room being done. I am soooo proud of Juan's work and the room feels so....safe....a quiet sanctuary.



Today we start cleaning out the second room to varnish next week. It will be a study/bedroom type room with fridge, coffee bar, microwave etc.

Next week, Juan will start the rock arches over the patio which will be laja rock. Nancy Pridham of Galeria Bahia has been comissioned to grace the wall with one of her lovely paintings (after she finishes dtbushpilots of course).

In the true baja spirit, Juan started another building project too... a new rock addition to the front of our house...a sunken living room and little office....work work work



[Edited on 7-4-2010 by shari]

[Edited on 7-30-2010 by shari]

addition2.jpg - 39kB

jorgie - 2-5-2010 at 07:36 AM

I recall Juan saying three years ago that the house needed to be enlarged . When he does it he does it great and you are terrific . Shari it looks great

wessongroup - 2-5-2010 at 07:43 AM

"maybe I'll go wake him up right now!!! crack the whip...no more fun fishing for you my man...back to the rock pile!"

Should we send a Doctor for Juan..... his back must be a real mess...

My God woman.. give the man a little slack... :lol::lol:

Great job.. I like that effect (wood ceiling contrasting against the rock) .. it came out really very nice.. now let him rest a few hours!! :):) or are we going to have to form a rescue party to free Juan from enslavement :lol::lol:

[Edited on 2-5-2010 by wessongroup]

[Edited on 2-5-2010 by wessongroup]

Bajaboy - 2-5-2010 at 07:51 AM

Wow! Looks really nice.

torch - 2-5-2010 at 07:51 AM

wow that looks great. are the walls all rock or rock over block?

Santiago - 2-5-2010 at 08:03 AM

Shari- that looks really great. Poco y poco and 'soon' it's done. In a few years your compound will be done.

shari - 2-5-2010 at 08:10 AM

it's all rock...what takes so long is you have to do both the inside and the outside...2 walls really...but boy it is so quiet in there! It feels very solid and soothing.

Natalie Ann - 2-5-2010 at 08:16 AM

Your new room is beautiful, shari. Congratulations!

nena

mulegemichael - 2-5-2010 at 08:21 AM

da man does fine work!....wish ya could be here for my b'day party today, shari and juan...we're gonna rock!

knuckles - 2-5-2010 at 08:23 AM

Shari:

Thanks for sharing, it looks fabulouso. Not only the rock, but the decorator did a great job too!

Really lovely.

Wait till I show my husband this picture, he will shudder in his boots....Honey, I want one!

Gaucho - 2-5-2010 at 08:30 AM

Beautiful room Shari!

Donjulio - 2-5-2010 at 08:59 AM

That is awesome. I really love rock buildings. So cool.

Iflyfish - 2-5-2010 at 08:59 AM

Gorgeous!!! The room is spectacular too.

Iflyfish

David K - 2-5-2010 at 09:06 AM

That's really great...It was just started when we were at your home in 2007. Nice looking interior, too. Good luck on the expanding Bed & Breakfast business!

Udo - 2-5-2010 at 09:16 AM

Superb work by Juan (and his helpers), Shari.

BTW, there are some people that will be contacting you later this month about staying at your B&B. I met them at the Bass Pro Shop in Rancho Cucamonga (the fishing section). They were very interested about your never-ending fishing season.

bajadock - 2-5-2010 at 09:27 AM

Very nice sanctuary, Shari. 2nd on Wessongroup's comment on the rock and wood complimenting each other. That's a lot of work, but, what a nice reward.

Gorgeous!

Mulegena - 2-5-2010 at 10:05 AM

Rock work is truly an artform.

I was friends with the man who did the rockwalls at the visitors' center at Glacier Point in Yosemite Ntl. Park (no not God, the other rock artist name of Bill Fulton of Oakhurst California).

He was an eccentric guy, as rough and tough as the beautiful granite he handled every day. He did the rock walls in my family home, and I got to watch a master. He'd have his rocks all laid out of the truck and walk amongst them, studying them throughout the day. It seemed he knew them intimately, each rock's individual characteristic shape, size, special characteristic.

He built his walls choosing each rock specifically for its special place on the wall. He built the wall "tight" some of the rocks seemed to fit together. He'd place large rocks high up on the wall but in such a way that they seemed to be supported by those underneath.

Periodically he'd stand back and study his work, seeing the design completed in his mind I assume. "Beautiful. Beautiful!" he'd mumble to himself as he went out to gather the next bunch of stones.

Juan has done a marvelous job. What a comfort your house feels.

Skipjack Joe - 2-5-2010 at 10:30 AM

Slavedriver! Give the man a break and let him go fishing.
.
.
.
Wonderful room. I'm so envious.

ELINVESTIG8R - 2-5-2010 at 10:34 AM

Shari, God Bless your Happy Rock House and may all who enter feel peace and tranquility!

shari - 2-5-2010 at 10:36 AM

It is so neat to watch Juan erect these rock walls....first he goes to the mountain and hand picks pretty coloured rocks with smooth faces...while his amigos and visitors load them into the ole pick up...then unloads them here....then spreads em all over hells half acre...walks among them...memorizing which ones are where...then places them slowly and carefully so they look nice together. (I think the rocks speak to him...pick me..pick me! I wanna be next to by brother...etc.) It is truly amazing.

Ok...maybe he can fish once a week...and go to the beach to fish on sundays!

wessongroup - 2-5-2010 at 10:40 AM

Your a good sport... :):)

KurtG - 2-5-2010 at 11:51 AM

Having been there when there were just some footings poured it is great to see the finished room. Kathy and I will be in Baja for two weeks in March and we look forward to visiting again. Juan's work is outstanding!
Kurt

Packoderm - 2-5-2010 at 12:01 PM

Is he going to build a rumpus room for reading, pool table, table tennis, and fireplace?

wessongroup - 2-5-2010 at 12:09 PM

Yes, when his back is healed up.. :lol::lol:

Packoderm - 2-5-2010 at 12:11 PM

My back hurts just looking at the pictures. Great job.

Heather - 2-5-2010 at 04:02 PM

Looks great! H.

fixtrauma - 2-5-2010 at 04:41 PM

I really like that look.

shari - 2-5-2010 at 04:53 PM

hmmmm....packoderm...I'm really likin that idea about a fireplace or at least a woodstove...being an old BC canada gal, I sure miss my woodstove!

bkbend - 2-5-2010 at 07:48 PM

It looks great! Juan deserves an extra Tecate.

Bob H - 2-5-2010 at 08:02 PM

Shari, the rock house came out fantastic! I remember seeing the foundation a while back. Juan's skills are just outstanding!
Bob H

Barbareno - 2-6-2010 at 06:52 AM

That really looks nice Shari. All 3 of us can fit on that bed no problem. :lol: Ottis will have so much leg room now and Tim won't need to be the monkey in the middle anymore.

Barb

bajafam - 2-6-2010 at 08:51 AM

Wow, Shari!! That is spectacular! We can't wait to try it out in March :) We'll bring cashews and organic tobacco and a few of those c-cktails in a can that you like :) It is truly a work of art....I know that Lionel will want several just like that on our property! Juan, you're hired!!!

Mexitron - 2-6-2010 at 11:54 AM

Nice job Shari and Juan!

You finished at the same time we finished our wood-fired pizza oven project...I was thinking that if we got a place in Asuncion we'd build one there and I needed to do a little practicing.................! :biggrin:

shari - 2-6-2010 at 12:06 PM

hey mexitron...i have a wonderful idea...why dont we just combine the pizza oven/fireplace we want to build in our new rock living room...sounds like a plan to me! Just build the fireplace a bit higher and deep enough to accomodate a big pizza!

Pobrecito

Skipjack Joe - 2-6-2010 at 03:32 PM



sysiphus.jpg - 46kB

Pompano - 2-6-2010 at 03:59 PM

shari..I have an old Ben Franklin woodstove at my rundown duck shack Up North.

It's gets hotter than the Gates of Hell.

I will being it south next season.



Then you can come over and cook me a pizza on it! :rolleyes:

BajaDove - 2-6-2010 at 04:46 PM

You are absolutly right that is a do me from the rocks.
beautiful spells sentuous enjoy
Quote:
Originally posted by shari
It is so neat to watch Juan erect these rock walls....first he goes to the mountain and hand picks pretty coloured rocks with smooth faces...while his amigos and visitors load them into the ole pick up...then unloads them here....then spreads em all over hells half acre...walks among them...memorizing which ones are where...then places them slowly and carefully so they look nice together. (I think the rocks speak to him...pick me..pick me! I wanna be next to by brother...etc.) It is truly amazing.

Ok...maybe he can fish once a week...and go to the beach to fish on sundays!

oldlady - 2-6-2010 at 05:06 PM

Stunning!

Pobrecito

wessongroup - 2-6-2010 at 05:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Skipjack Joe


SkipJack Joe, I'm still laughing, hope Shari let's the poor Pobrecito in... so he can have some hope of rescue, and see his fan club is rooting for him...... he has no idea what is in store for him... will he get Sunday off:):)

You got a keeper there... can't wait for the second story and the...... oh the horror :)

There Goes The Neighborhood

Bajahowodd - 2-6-2010 at 05:37 PM

Shari y Juan, have you any idea the pressure you have placed upon your neighbors? They just might hate you for such a beautiful work of art. Shame! Actually, you guys have basically laid down the gauntlet in Asuncion. Your neighbors will resent you for what you have done. Before you know it, Ritz Carlton will be scouting for real estate.

Beautiful work. Love it. :yes:

shari - 2-6-2010 at 09:16 PM

hahahahah...way too funny skipjack!!! that guy wasnt even wearing a thong!

Here is Juan today...smiling...doing what he loves to do best.



See I'm not such a slavedriver!!!

back to work now gentlemen...enough fish pictures already!

P1010920.JPG - 42kB

very nice work

eetdrt88 - 2-12-2010 at 12:59 PM

i remember being out there a few years back when Juan was first starting the walls,so cool to see the finished product...definitely the kind of baja place i'd like to build one day:cool:

BajaGringo - 2-12-2010 at 01:09 PM

We did some rock work of our own here in the living room and will be doing some more as we progress on the house. It does take time but it really is worth the effort. Congrats you guys and look forward to see how the addition comes out...

Sharksbaja - 2-12-2010 at 01:21 PM

Very nice. Beautiful choice of colors. You lucky Canucky!

golden arches

shari - 6-6-2010 at 08:11 AM

this project is on baja time for sure...but this week after our little mini holiday, Juan has been putting serious time in on the rockpile to finish up those arches so we can finally lay the rock patio in and be ready for fishing season.

this being sunday, I agreed to allow him to work a half day and go to the beach this afternoon...to get more rock!

pouring arch-1.jpg - 48kB

Barry A. - 6-6-2010 at 08:21 AM

Whoa----------looking GOOD Shari and Juan.

You gotta luv it!!!!

Barry

zforbes - 6-6-2010 at 08:45 AM

Juan is a super-hard worker and a true artisan. Amazingly. I've never seen him without his smile and I've never heard him complain. Ya' gotta' love a guy like that!

Iflyfish - 6-6-2010 at 09:00 AM

Wow, that man is an artist!

Iflyfish

Bob H - 6-6-2010 at 09:09 AM

Lots of progress... and it's looking fantastic.

I'm a little confused as to where the archway is located. But, from what you have posted so far, the views are breathtaking.

Bob H

shari - 6-6-2010 at 10:07 AM

the new rock rooms (flintstone quarters)are behind our house at the blowhole and the arches are in front of the rock rooms to frame the patio and provide shade...the view is straight onto Asuncion Island and on the leeward side so nice and protected...one cool thing is these rooms are so silent...the rock really blocks out the sound...but you can hear the gentle surf on the beach below to lull you to sleep.

Here is today's progress...started on the main arch! but the job must wait a bit more as we're off to San Roque for a bit.

[Edited on 6-6-2010 by shari]

DSC05368.JPG - 43kB

BajaBlanca - 6-6-2010 at 02:00 PM

I think maybe we were the first to see the completed job !!! How lucky were we !! The rock room is quiet and peaceful and solid. A work of art. We have a rock wall in the back under the palapa, but I will definitely keep a rock house in mind for a future project ... so pretty !! congrats !!

shari - 6-9-2010 at 09:40 AM

while Juan finishes the last arch...our guys (Manos Frios) are putting laja on the bathroom. This is a different approach to the solid rock work Juan does...where they just put flat laja rock over block...looks nice even though it's cheating!!

Each rock is chosen, then wire brushed to clean off all the dirt, then artistically arranged....slow going but beautiful...when the arches are done, the boys will lay the laja for the patio all around and make a planter outside the bathroom where they are working in this photo.

DSC05382-1.JPG - 48kB

Looking good Shari...

Sunman - 6-9-2010 at 10:34 AM

I wonder how many Tecate's that job has taken over the years!??

[Edited on 6-9-2010 by Sunman]

capt. mike - 6-9-2010 at 10:38 AM

i would kill to have Juan build me a home there, do a stone shell and floors.
i would he happy with the skin version, we could start with my fav Omni-Block.

shari - 6-9-2010 at 10:58 AM

Sunman...very good question....a sh*tload!

Reminds me of when Juan was in Toronto and when gazing up at a high rise for several minutes, my sister in law asked him what he was thinkin?
He said he was trying to figure out how many bags of cement it took to build!!!!

Sunman - 6-9-2010 at 02:02 PM

Too funny, i remember you telling me that. Yessica and I may just have to cruise by next month and see the finished product.

Anyword from the Birddogs and their annual migration? Haven't seen hide nor hair of them around here lately.

oh those arches!!

shari - 7-1-2010 at 06:36 AM

in honour of Canada Day...the forms were removed from the arches over the rock room patio...oh wow, they look so pretty. Now to gusaniarles...which is to worm grout between the rock that makes it look fancy dancy...then the rock floor goes in...maybe a planter or two...then the little rock wall around the cliff....no rest for the wicked.

Got the shot glasses ready for your visit Sunman!!

DSC05541.JPG - 46kB

jorgie - 7-1-2010 at 06:59 AM

Thnk I heard Juan whisper " come on yellowtail and tuna " . Shari it looks great

Geo_Skip - 7-3-2010 at 03:28 AM

Shari, What I don't understand is hoe Juan can get such beautiful rock work done when the fish keep jumping into his lap! It must be terribly distracting.

Best wishes to Sirena and everyone!

WAY TO GO JUAN AND SHARI GREAT WORK

ELINVESTIG8R - 7-3-2010 at 12:27 PM



[Edited on 7-3-2010 by ELINVESTIG8R]

shari - 7-4-2010 at 09:34 AM

Juan & his helpers got the roof on while the girls were at Sirena's baby shower! They moved some rock around to get ready to put the laja rock on the patio floor and started a new planter for the new jasmine vine...cant wait to sit on the patio and smell the flowers!!!


[Edited on 7-4-2010 by shari]

dtbushpilot - 7-4-2010 at 12:27 PM

Its coming right along shari, looks great......dt

shari - 7-30-2010 at 11:21 AM

a little update on Juan's rock work...room done (check)...arches done (check), roof on (check) laja rock patio nearly done (check), foundation for the low rock wall (check) so the last thing to do is to build the curving wall around the edge so drunks dont fall off the cliff!!!

the good thing is Juan has had a few fishing and snorkeling charters to break up the monotony...it's looking so sweeet!

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BajaGringo - 7-30-2010 at 11:31 AM

Looks great Shari! Please give my congratulations to Juan on the wonderful job he did...

windgrrl - 7-30-2010 at 11:33 AM

Congratulations! Can't wait to see the party pictures!

Barry A. - 7-30-2010 at 12:54 PM

Outstanding, Shari and Juan--------------looks GREAT!!!!!

What a beautiful site. Thanks for the update.

Barry

Iflyfish - 7-30-2010 at 03:13 PM

Wow!!!

Udo - 7-30-2010 at 03:26 PM

Dreams do come true!

[Edited on 7-30-2010 by Udo]

David K - 7-30-2010 at 06:10 PM

Looking good, looking good... If anyone can, an ARCE can!

shari - 7-30-2010 at 08:18 PM

thank you for your comments...I'm so proud of this project...it's been a very long arduous task but finally coming to fruition...time for a tecate!