In 1972 I bought a one bedroom cottage in picturesque Laurel Canyon, California. For the next twenty years it served as a learning ground for all manner of home-maintenance projects.
The yard behind the house overlooked a creek bed that came alive during rainy seasons but was unfortunately subject to considerable erosion due to the run-off. To protect the property, a retaining wall seemed like the best solution and the setting called out for a redwood hot tub and deck.