Winter is when I get things done and problem areas get addressed.
The Chameleon Caverns Hot Springs area has sand imported for the the bathers to better experience a beach setting. Therefore I tend to keep this area trimmed of vegetation so as not to obscure the vingette. Unfortunately, this sand then sloughs off down into the river, and eventually the lake. The area needed a short curved retaining wall to hold back the soil. When the railroad is operational, this is a “focus area” for spectators, so I wanted something that looked right and nice. During the winter, this area is closed to bathers, so that’s the time to get things done.
I again employed my method of using Plumbers Goop to stick stone tile to plastic bender board. I made a “jig” (block of wood/pipe) to hold the bender board to the desired curve and just Gooped the tile right to it.
After it dries for 24 hours, I just use a teaspoon to trowel hydraulic cement into the voids. I use a small artist brush to sweep the face of the stones before misting it with the spray bottle. Go a bit light the first spray so the cement doesn’t just run out the cross lines. You can blot the excess cement off the faces of the stones with a paper towel. Wait for a while, (~15 minutes), then have at it to saturate the cement. Spray it a few times over time.
The next day, your wall is ready for placement.
