This is a shot of the southern end of the layout featuring the mountain I took the side out of getting dead plants out.That big patch of green stuff is Blue Star Creeper, which was recently in full bloom with little star shaped light blue flowers.The little buildings along the curve of the track were scratch built for me by Ken Brunt (RGSGRR) and were tin roofed by me (I have the scars to prove it) and dirtied up.There are more behind the outside track, which can’t be seen in this shot and two more not featured needing to be roofed.

The stepping-stones leading to the pond are Koi which one-week ago was completely covered over by the creeper.The tree to the right is a, ahemmm, miniature Dawn Redwood that was about 9” tall two years ago.I may have to take a chain saw to it as it is planted between the two track beds.The portals for the mountains were hand built for me by Charlie Tidd as a birthday/Christmas present. They were all hand nailed and glued and his hands were swollen for about two weeks upon completion. Charlie also built the little house on top of the mountain.Isn’t it nice to have friends!

This is the northern end of the layout featuring a covered bridge and an arch truss bridge.This is my little farming community of Peach County, GA.If ya look real hard you can see my peach orchard to the front and right side of the barn. The courthouse was a big hit during the tour and one of the most asked about features.It was identified to me (I bought it used) as being a Depot G Hobbies building by one of the tour participants. This end of the layout features many sedum type plants as it gets the most sun.That big bushy thing in the background behind the church steeple is a Sweet Autumn Climates that will be loaded with blooms and aroma this fall.

 

 

This is another shot of the northern end of the layout giving you a different perspective.Most of the layout is cypress mulched but the ground cover that I used around these buildings is called Natures Helper, which is actually a soil conditioner. It’s actually supposed to be tilled into the soil to enrichen it, but I use it as a top dressing.I like to use it cause it makes the buildings and detailing (which you can’t see in these shots) stand out more.The buildings, left to right as you see them, are a saloon, general store, school Marm’s town home, school house, bank, church, and then the freight depot and water tower.I am adding a train depot, which I already have, it’s just not ready yet and I would like to add some more homes and store fronts.As you can see, I’ve got plenty of room for expansion.Are we bored yet?

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Ron Gibson, LGB of America and friends paid a visit to my layout during the tour

Me, apparently studying something cause Brian Vaughn behind me is too.Just taking a brain break here and pondering the time.I am going to the convention banquet tonight. Brian, by the way (the other studious lookin one) along with another club member, Jerry Huber did the wiring setup on my layout to make things go. Thank you Brian and Jerry!
 

OK, here’s another shot of the southern end of the layout, which by the way in my definition is differentiated by that tree in the middle.This gives you a closer shot of the pond, which is my favorite feature of the layout……..aahhhhhh, the sounds of running water!The pond has a dock and a bait and tackle shop with a nudist colony (Sunny Buns) tucked in between the grasses to kinda keep it hidden from plain view.Kennedy told me two years ago “Grandma, you need to put some clothes on those people”.I told her to think of it in terms of taking a bath. She said “But, they’re swimming, they should have their bathing suits on”!Why argue, just tuck it away!I hope this whole thing does not get scrambled when I try to upload it!

 
 

Looking like an aerial view of the northern section, but actually taken by a very tall man

A “studious person” observing my “studious frog”(sitting on a rock to the right of the phlox)

The End

But not the finish!Look for a future update.