Tikification of the Nation

I can't believe the amount of cool tiki joints being built around the country of late.....Not that I'm complaining...I just hope it doesn't go too mainstream.  We don't want to end up being called Fake Tiki, well come to think of it Party City has a whole section on Fake Tiki...hahaha just kidding all Tiki is cool in my book.  Anyway, I've been a busy Tiki Rancher lately...A Cool cat on the other side of town by the name of Michael rang me on the telephone.  He told me he needed a bamboo cabana next to his pool.  So, I went over to find the most beautiful Tikified Lagoon style pool - all it was missing was a grass shack to complete the scene.  The previous owner (bless his soul) built the pool and some of the bamboo components needed some help and there was a perfect spot for a nice size cabana.  Of course I couldn't pass up the opportunity to help him complete his vision.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME!

Sorry, lets say I've been a little pre occupied with life to be blogging about it.  Lots have happened in the past 2 years but lets not get into all that.  You are here to see the latest and greatest Tiki innovations and just plain fun.  This spring I re roofed the hut after 5 years and extended the roof line like I wanted to from the beginning.  I also doubled the amount of thatch that went into it. Man she looks good - let me know what you think.

Happy Tiki New Year! 2015

Aloha all you crazy tiki people! The holiday's were a blast we spent them in south Florida and the weather was awesome.  Winter time on the ranch is not as green in Georgia, but we still know how to drink rum and stay warm.  Enjoy some moments from the last couple of months.  Mahalo

Winter on the Ranch

Bar is still my office in the winter

The ranch got a new car in the stable 1940 ford coupe

And we said goodbye to Lucille our beloved 59 Cadillac -who moved down to Florida

Puffy is staying warm

back bar at the Fish bar inside the Hut

Halloween I had to carve a shrunken head pumpkin

New mugs! my first ceramic mug I sculpted

Our first Pinewood Derby was fun but not victorious

I got a new phone that allows me to take panoramic pictures!

2014 Summer of Tiki Madness!

It was a great summer on the Ranch! lots of fun things and projects...1st time to Tiki Oasis out in San Diego - Wow can't wait until next year, amazing time even got to meet and talk to Sven Kirsten while waiting to get our wrist bands. Great people, music and Rum! 

Summer of Tiki 2014 was a Hoot! Mr Gregg and the Rancher in San Diego Tiki Oasis

Yes we have no bananas but plenty of rum

the pond was blooming all summer

new vintage fish float from the Antique Factory

Giant Tiki poolside at the Oasis

New mugs from Tiki Oasis - Don and the Goof

Gregg and his 51 Fuzebox

the Rancher and the King at Tiki Oasis 2014

suffering bastard I started carving

Tiki Oasis 2014 - Follow TIKIRANCHER on Instagram for many more pictures and the craziness of the Ranch

Cool vintage trailer Deadhead Rum - Yum!

My life sized 3 ft tall midget alien tiki I carved, then burned with a torch to carbonize

Great fun at Tiki Oasis - couple of Aussies I met - Mahalo John and Ellie

Landscape Updates

Woo Hoo! The Ranch has new SOD and Shrubs...I've planted a fresh plot of Sod and several new plants and shrubs.  Gearing up for the 3rd Annual Polynesian BBQ.  I also built a living wall for my wife on Mother's Day. Came out great - check it out.

                          

New Koi Pond and Waterfall

Since last post it rained for days and finally cleared up on Easter Sunday.  I had 2 tons of rocks and two pallets of retaining wall blocks dropped off on Saturday...I was itching to get it started on Saturday but it was too wet.  I had to wheel barrow the rocks and blocks down a hill in my backyard so it had to dry up. Bright and early Sunday the sun was shining and the tiki gods were smiling.  I started moving things around 9 in the morning and ended up with a finished 400 gallon koi pond and waterfall at 11pm. I was finishing up with tiki torch lights and my wife watching me as I almost killed myself arranging 100 lb boulders solo in the dark. Enjoy the progress...next week new sod and plants, trees ect...Mahalo Y'all.

Spring on the Ranch!

Yes, it was a shitty winter everywhere and now that it has thawed out the work will begin! The cold messed up my grass everywhere, front yard and completed ruined my turf in front of the hut.  New things are planned this year and for the first time in 3 years since building the hut I have to perform some maintenance. Ropes tightened and a good spring cleaning...I've moved the big 6 ft Tiki God of Money to the other side of the yard..much better! I'm adding a fish pond and waterfall in the place the tiki once stood.  New sod, rocks and trees are coming soon. I have already put down 85 bags of mulch and 40 bales of pine straw! Reworked the stone stairs and filled some areas with top soil. Next post will show the pond completed and other stuff! So stay tuned for more progress at the ranch. 3rd Annual Memorial Day Luau is coming up!    Mahalo Y'all