bamboo treehouse

An informal blog version of my formal website. The intention is to add news and some insight into my ongoing predilection for bamboo and the hooch. With these raw materials and conceptual abode, I have evolved a paradigm for living lightly on this Earth. It is quite the adventure, so, why not share.

Saturday, August 26, 2006

the venice beach hooch gets a facelift



After three years, we returned to Venice beach to correct a situation of dire circumstances. The original hooch, built with local B. bechyanna bamboo, was being eaten up by bugs. The particular species of bamboo, harvested locally from the estate of Jerry Bruckheimer, was strong, straight, and big. Unfortunately, it also has a very high starch content- food for the bamboo beetle, Dentritis minutis. The bamboo was nothing much more than skin and powder, however still strong and standing. Over a two week period, with much time devoted to beach activities, we replaced the bamboo, pole by pole, with FSC certified Douglas fir poles, harvested in Southern Oregon. The new hooch is pretty as ever, and strong enough for a major party.
My thanks to Sid and Eileen for being such wonderful hosts.