The Blog at Doylespot

The historic district of Merida can be noisy and busy place.  After a full day of hot sun and navigating the narrow sidewalks, the Hotel Hacienda Merida was a true oasis.  Although this city is a about a three hour drive from the Riviera Maya, it should be experienced for its food, culture, and friendly people.  This panoramic was taken in the hotel’s beautiful courtyard as Tasha surfed the inter web.  I just couldn’t keep my feet still during the long exposure…..

(continue reading…)

We stayed at the Ana y Jose resort in Tulum, Mexico where this panoramic was taken.  The beaches of Tulum featured some of the most incredible powder sand and turquoise blue water of all of our stops along the Riviera Maya.  Just before we were to leave, I dashed out and set up for this shot at the northern edge of the resort’s property (marked by the seaweed).  Looking south you can see spa (building with the windows) and the collection of beach beds and chairs where we spent most of our three days.  Ana y Jose, and Tulum in general, are highly recommended for those wanting to visit the Riviera Maya.

(continue reading…)

Once we had the fence installed, it was time to take on landscaping the backyard.  Tasha and I spent the better part of two weekends on our patio project.  The final design consisted of a 10.5′ x 12′ patio using tumbled stone pavers.  We built three walls to manage the grade differences, and to create a planter and the grass terrace for the dogs and their business.  The contractor who built the house only put down about 3-4 inches of top soil.  Underneath that must have been all the cruddy fill they had left over.  It was a strenuous effort to get through all the clay and rocks to install the gravel base and we got good use out of the pickaxe we bought.  We used the old walkway pavers for a BBQ grill pad and the entrance path to the patio.  Next project: a basalt column fountain?????

(continue reading…)