Open House

Sunset, Oct, 1999

LETTERS FROM OUR READERS

PROUD POND BUILDERS

My husband, Larry, and I - with no building experience - followed your step-by-step directions ("Instant Pond," June, page 58) and successfully built a garden pond (shown at right) on a Sunday. We are really proud of ourselves. It was relatively easy, fun, and very satisfying. However, I wouldn't recommend the solar pump for those like us who have a yard where the sunlight varies greatly through the day. When we realized the solar pump wasn't going to do the job, we switched to a plug-in electric unit. Thank you for the many delightful hours we have already spent next to the pond.

Tova Siegel

LOS ANGELES

PRAISEWORTHY ARBORS

I was pleased to see the picture of the arbor in "Paths of Discovery" (July, page 56). A few years ago, I built two in my yard (one is at right) and one for my neighbor. Materials cost about $30 for each. I trained climbing roses and clematis vines up my arbors. It's a beautiful design that I get many compliments on.

Jerry Thirloway

SOLANA BEACH, CALIFORNIA

MORE DISCOVERIES ON THE WESTERN WINE SCENE

Enjoyed your article "The New Wine Countries" (August, page 84). We recently discovered Pahrump Valley Vineyards in Pahrump, Nevada, located between Las Vegas and Death Valley National Park in California. All the wines we tasted were excellent (our favorites were burgundy, cream sherry, and "Symphony").

Pat Smith

YUBA CITY, CALIFORNIA

We were thrilled that your article included our beloved Amador County. Although we are not located on the Plymouth "loop," Argonaut Winery in Ione is the first winery on the route there.

Argonaut Winery has been producing wine since 1975, featuring estate Syrah and Barbera. The Fake family purchased it a year and a .half ago. We are making many improvements, including a new Zinfandel vineyard.

Steve and Debe Fake, Brian and Jennifer Marston

ARGONAUT WINERY

IONE, CALIFORNIA

SUMPTUOUS SADDLES

Your article on Western saddles and the museums in which to see them (Best of the West, August, page 12) was wonderful. The Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum in Victorville, California, also has a superb collection of beautiful saddles on display We visited last fall after Roy's death, and his son, Dusty, was a wonderful host. Happy trails!

Bonnie Siegel

NORTHBROOK, ILLINOIS

HER LAST STRAW MULCH

"The Merits of Organic Mulch" (August, page 80) brought back memories of my attempt two years ago to mulch my veggie garden with straw. Though I was assured that it had been through the thresher, it was loaded with wheat seed, and within a week I had a "lawn" all through my garden.

Lisa Keller

SANTA BARBARA

Send letters to Open House, Sunset Magazine, 80 Willow Rd., Menlo Park, CA 94025,. fax (650) 327-7537. Send e-mail (including full name and street address) to openhouse@.sunsetpub.com. Include a daytime telephone number.

The gardens at Sunset's headquarters are open to visitors 9 to 4:30 Mondays through Fridays except holidays. Call (650) 321-3600 with any questions.