Tonight’s sunset hit just right, splattering gold over the yard and making me wish—again—that we had a better spot to just be together as a family. Our property in Augusta has that dreamy, rolling feel, but the slope is tough. Every “easy” DIY deck plan falls apart once I consider our hilly backyard or the surprise rocky bits underfoot.

Rather than give up, I went on another research spree, hoping to find a solution that didn’t involve detaching the house or blowing the budget. I stumbled onto this Augusta-specific page from Supreme Deck Builders, and it shifted my perspective: https://supremedeckbuilder.com/augusta/

What grabbed me were their stories of creative, local projects—wraparound designs for uneven terrain, sturdy steps rooted in the hillside, and plenty of cedar decks that somehow look like they were grown there, not built. They’re big on flow: planning layouts so you can step right from kitchen to deck, or follow the contour of your land in a way that feels intentional and cozy, not like a precarious balcony.

Also, they don’t gloss over the details: smart footings, secure railings, even hot tub-friendly layouts (someday!). I’m now imagining a multi-level nook with built-in benches cut into the slope, shaded by a pergola, maybe edged by planters overflowing with summer herbs. It feels doable, not daunting.

We’re still months out from breaking ground, but every sunset lately feels like a little call-to-action—a sign to keep dreaming up the right space for this house, this view, and our weird, wonderful yard.