They are both unique, for sure, and took years of dedication and alone time. It is so interesting to me that if a person dedicates themselves to a project and really loves it, and puts their heart and talent into it, someone will eventually notice. Even though that wasn’t the purpose of doing the project, beauty has a way of being discovered.
I watched the video as well. This is so amazing and grand. It takes my breath and my mind away. Thank you for sharing this.
There is an underground gardens along the freeway in Fresno created in the early 1900s by an Italian immigrant. Carved out of hardpan, he created rooms and gardens furnishing them with furniture of the 1940s I think. It was his home, but it was not nearly as extensive or elaborate, at least what is shown to the public, as what we see here. It is very remarkable, nonetheless. Here is a link to one of the posts. Scroll down to see pictures. https://alwayswrite.blog/2013/04/10/california-valleycation/
Marsha, thanks for that link. What an amazing place. I’m dying to see it. I wonder what he did when it rained? I saw a post with distance markers on it. Was that to mark water levels? Surely not, as it looked like a room, not a well. Was there a drainage system?
When it rained, it went into various holding places. Most of the rooms were dry even if musty. In total, by his death in 1946, he had carved out 90 rooms our of his 70-acre plot of hardpan.
Somehow he used the rain to irrigate his underground orange trees and other garden plants and bushes.
He had an underground aquarium stocked with local fish. He had a solar heated water tank for his bath tub. I couldn’t find anything specifically about drains with a quick perusal of the book I have, but parts of it were open to the outdoors.
Indeed, he was, Judy. He worked during the day, digging until he was 40, then retired to just work on his home. It was very self-sufficient, and he lived sparcely. After some research, I am telling a more complete story in my Wednesday Quotes post. I’ve included a link to your beautiful post that inspired it.
lifelessons - a blog by Judy Dykstra-Brown 
The detail on these sculptures is staggering
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know. What dedication.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s amazing, Judy.
The video didn’t work for me, probably a geo-blocking thing.
LikeLike
Darn…Try this one. Let me know if it works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxcftjJ39BU
LikeLiked by 1 person
Turns out it was my browser (Firefox) that was the problem. It worked fine when I copied it into google.
What amazing work. A modern day Michelangelo.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, that is spectacular, Judy. It boggles my mind that someone could be that talented.
LikeLike
I’d love to go see this. Thought you’d appreciate it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely!
LikeLike
Marsha, I know.. for both my underground cavern sculpture and yours!
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are both unique, for sure, and took years of dedication and alone time. It is so interesting to me that if a person dedicates themselves to a project and really loves it, and puts their heart and talent into it, someone will eventually notice. Even though that wasn’t the purpose of doing the project, beauty has a way of being discovered.
LikeLike
I watched the video as well. This is so amazing and grand. It takes my breath and my mind away. Thank you for sharing this.
There is an underground gardens along the freeway in Fresno created in the early 1900s by an Italian immigrant. Carved out of hardpan, he created rooms and gardens furnishing them with furniture of the 1940s I think. It was his home, but it was not nearly as extensive or elaborate, at least what is shown to the public, as what we see here. It is very remarkable, nonetheless. Here is a link to one of the posts. Scroll down to see pictures. https://alwayswrite.blog/2013/04/10/california-valleycation/
LikeLike
Marsha, thanks for that link. What an amazing place. I’m dying to see it. I wonder what he did when it rained? I saw a post with distance markers on it. Was that to mark water levels? Surely not, as it looked like a room, not a well. Was there a drainage system?
LikeLiked by 1 person
When it rained, it went into various holding places. Most of the rooms were dry even if musty. In total, by his death in 1946, he had carved out 90 rooms our of his 70-acre plot of hardpan.
Somehow he used the rain to irrigate his underground orange trees and other garden plants and bushes.
He had an underground aquarium stocked with local fish. He had a solar heated water tank for his bath tub. I couldn’t find anything specifically about drains with a quick perusal of the book I have, but parts of it were open to the outdoors.
LikeLike
What a hardworking genius.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed, he was, Judy. He worked during the day, digging until he was 40, then retired to just work on his home. It was very self-sufficient, and he lived sparcely. After some research, I am telling a more complete story in my Wednesday Quotes post. I’ve included a link to your beautiful post that inspired it.
LikeLike
Pingback: WQWWC #49: Silent as a Falling Leaf, Thoughtful as a Man with a Dream – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write
Pingback: PPAC #23: Pony Express Statue in Old Sacramento Historic State Park – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write
Pingback: PPAC: #23 – Bridges – Cee's Photo Challenges