outdoors Archives - Page 2 of 4 - DeckTec Outdoor Designs

Mule Deer, Icons of the West in Decline?

October 18th, 2014|Animals Out the Back Door|

For many people, one of the great attractions to Colorado is our abundance and wide array of beautiful wildlife. Some of us with homes in the foothills have the added advantage of being able to watch that wildlife from the comfort of our backyard decks. And this time of year is a great time to get out the binoculars for a glimpse at the magnificent wild mule deer. What is a mule deer? There are two main species of deer in our region—the whitetail and the mule deer. Both animals weigh between 130 and 280 pounds, support large antlers or "racks," and are seen in abundance throughout the year. The whitetail tends to be found more on the eastern plains of our state, while the mule deer or "muley" is scattered throughout Colorado and the entire west. The big visual differences between the two species are in the tails and [...]

Keeping Cats Indoors

September 27th, 2014|Animals Out the Back Door|

Once, at a local veterinarian, I saw a cartoon that read, "When you call a dog, he comes right to you for a treat… But when you call a cat, he'll take a memo." You have to love these independent, self-content creatures that wander in and out of our lives and who allow us meager humans to service their needs. But should you keep your cat indoors for 100% of its life? Shouldn't Fluffy enjoy the exercise and fresh air of a life outdoors? Isn't it inhumane to curtail such independent tendencies and hunting instincts? This is a topic that sparks debate at any time, and at every cocktail party. We love our pets and want what's best for them, yet our neighbors don't necessarily appreciate our intentions nor the "presents" of dead birds, mice, or poo left in their yards. Beyond the impact on neighbors and friends, there are [...]

Fall is Time to Play in the Dirt

September 20th, 2014|Garden & Lawn Care, Gardening|

The first cold of the autumn hit recently, and with it comes the desire to pack everything into the garage and snuggle up under your nearest blanket. But for gardeners everywhere, this change in weather is all part of the rhythm of life. There is still plenty of work to do at this time, and plenty to enjoy about being outside. Right now is a great time to be thinking about next spring. We gardeners can run to our garden shops and catalogs and picture great color for when the last of the snows melt away, even if we haven't experienced the first touch of winter yet. Now is a great time to amend the soil for next year's gardens. Betsy Kelson, staff horticulturalist with Jared's Nursery spent a little time with us to review this past summer's challenges and getting the ground ready for next spring. "The problem this [...]

Enjoying the Change of Seasons

September 13th, 2014|Blog, Life On Deck|

Most of the time, we like to think of the art of outdoor living as having something to do with enjoying your backyard and the deck you may have had built there. But the great outdoors can encompass so much more. Take, for example, the wonderful colorful display Coloradans enjoy each fall. This year, sometime between September 15th and the end of October, we will have a chance to see Mother Nature in all her glory as the trees of our state first burn with incredible color before dropping off for a well-earned winter's nap. Unfortunately, Mother Nature doesn't keep time the way we humans do, so you need to be prepared to jump into your car on your own chosen weekend and drive to locations throughout our area to truly enjoy the spectacle of the season. Wave Dreher, a spokesperson for AAA Colorado said, "These autumn drives are a [...]

It’s A Wonderful Life On Deck

July 5th, 2014|Blog, Life On Deck, Outdoor Living|

Each year, the team at DeckTec is proud to help plan and build many beautiful decks in the Denver area. We know that we're constructing more than just a platform out someone's back door. We're creating the opportunity to build family memories, and make great Outdoor Living moments a reality. Some of our clients get so caught up in the construction process, though, that when the job is done, they're not quite sure how to make the most of their new deck. So here are some wonderful ways you can more fully enjoy your new deck experience: Enjoy the Sounds of Being Outside In our rushed world of text messages and kid chauffeuring we can sometimes forget how nice it is to sit in our own back yard and enjoy the sounds of nature. The bees this time of year present a delightful hum, and children playing create a special [...]