Big thank you to Curiosity Stream for sponsoring this video! Check out all of the amazing documentaries they offer here: curiositystream.com/Wilkerson. Use my code “Wilkerson” to sign up and pay only $14.99 for a whole year!

@nana-px4wk

2 жыл бұрын

You are so talented April. Wish I had the strength and know how like you have. I like the way you explain everything. Everything you build looks amazing!

@jeffk464

2 жыл бұрын

Just in time for the 4th

@georgedoolittle7574

2 жыл бұрын

Well I made for you a shoe box!

@alexander1982miller

2 жыл бұрын

Im going to find you.

@musicbycandlelightmbc3225

2 жыл бұрын

When you got money to burn, it's perfect, simple, and easy...lol. But really, you did a great job, I absolutely love out of the box and no rules thinking as it pulls more on one's resourceful creativity and the challenge to bring it all together nicely as you have done here. With solar lamp lighting all the way down its path for night use, I imagine it would be gorgeous and maybe even romantic. I wonder if you are an Aries like me when waiting for something will just not do...lol.

For my eyes this walkway fits in the nature much better with the curves, than a really square/level concrete solution. Great job!

@Simon78

2 жыл бұрын

I agree, such a beautiful rocky spot. Totally fits in as best as you could want…

@operationhotshotinc.6887

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist” attributed to Pablo Picasso, and exemplified by April Wilkerson

@aligned4good

2 жыл бұрын

That why I like her!

@tjjoseph333

2 жыл бұрын

Never heard that he said this. Wonderful!

@Bible.Thumper

2 жыл бұрын

Not aware Picasso said that, but have always believed so. The balance between a master-technician and what I call “higher octave creative” or creator can only be found with a great technician or master of his or her art who can let go of the mind chatter of training on what an artist SHOULD and shouldn’t DO. Perfection being the absolute balance of the technical and creative; like the exact center point, but “poetic.” Pool sharks call it “the shit,” and basketball players call it “the zone,” I was told. Add it’s when a brain scan records an entire brain lighting up, like homeostasis, but not, and like “operating on all cylinders.” 😂 Not everyone knows to hold out for it and not everyone recognizes it when it happens. Such a loss to the world. Sometimes exploring what makes the best art is an art in itself? 😂 Anyway, April W gets it.

@MsCmsh

2 жыл бұрын

Well said, @R. Craig Collins!! Rules are rules, but humans are not supposed to act like robots!! Great job April!! 👏👏😃

@moniqueh7993

2 жыл бұрын

AMEN!!!! I found my long lost twin hahahahaha where have you been all my life ! Rock on 🤘 you are awesome 👏

Cinder blocks vs treated woods will give me a long lasting assurance for longevity. Added elevation for a floating deck height while giving extra protection to the woods.

April you work so much harder on your channel than almost everyone else. Thank you it's appreciated. You make this all look easy.

@AprilWilkerson

Ай бұрын

Building, especially something this large, is a lot of hard work but is so satisfying when finished. Thanks for watching.

Recently in a wheelchair at a young'ish age, and have been looking for ideas to get to future garden areas in my huge backyard. This style is perfect! I can add on rails where appropriate. Instant Subscription!!!

@14bqdonk

11 ай бұрын

Best wishes to you!

@leanneadams2549

Ай бұрын

Man ! You put me to shame !! I better step it up huh !!! But good for you ! A lot of people can’t do anything now and just look at you ! Got me moving !! Thanks ! 👍💯🙏❤️

@kimhorton6109

Ай бұрын

Another way, rather than handrails might be a footboard along the side of the walkway. If it’s tall enough, maybe 6”, it would keep the wheels on track and save you all those stiles and handrails.

I like the irregular shape, it gives the path character and fits in with the surrounding landscape.

@TheBoomtown4

2 жыл бұрын

You’d love my house then, lots of irregular “character.”

No digging, no levelling compounds. Smart. Save a ton of work. Great results 😊👍🏻

I love this rule breaking thing! I was searching for how to make a temperature narrow boardwalk for my back yard from a small pool out of scrap decking I have laying around the back yard. I hate having the grand babies walking back and forth barefoot thru the mulch and stones. This is going to be right up my alley!! Thank you so much!!

LOL. Pirate April, "They're more like guidelines than actual rules." Everything on this outdoor kitchen project looks beautiful.

LOVE how everything turned out!!! The sweeping curves make it much more beautiful than a straight walkway. Another great job April!

Love it. It looks perfect and you did a great job. It's what I've been needing to do at my cabin in the woods. Another huge advantage of this is if you want to run electric line from cabin to kitchen.

That’s a beautiful and practical rebel pathway! Love it.

@AprilWilkerson

Күн бұрын

Yes, thank you! I just love the look. Thanks for watching.

As the saying goes: "Improvise. Adapt. Overcome." It has served me well in my 55 years. Looks like you put it into practice with fantastic results! :)

Honestly, wow. I just want to point out how well you have used your words while narrating your work. I feel like I’ve learnt so much. Thank you for being so bad ass at what you do! Cheers pal

Love how you shamed and framed up everything. Great job as always.

@AprilWilkerson

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

Lovely pathway … makes the property so much more useable when you’re not trekking over uneven ground. Love it

Love the end result! When you're working with such uneven ground you have to adapt and you did a great job! I hope we get to see the landscaping!

I can’t believe you laid out all those boxes in 5 hours! You’ve got skillz April!

First time here. You are AWESOME, April. At 74, I spent a lifetime watching female 'know how' evolve. Watching you supports ALL women - gives our female youth a place to mentor...and realize that - I CAN DO ANYTHING I SET MY MIND TO. Kudos for your example and life-force. All that said - great project; you go girl!!! Thank you for sharing.

@AprilWilkerson

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your kind words. Thanks for watching.

That looks incredible April and it really fits the landscape. Absolutely love the kitchen and and walkway.

As long as it doesn't bother you, it shouldn't bother anyone else. Great content, April. Keep up the good work!

I love it April! It fits the environment perfectly and looks like it creates a great experience walking up to your outdoor kitchen!

How timely and fortuitous this came up into my feed! I need a walk way, much like this, and was dread the convention. Truly appreciate you!

Great vision for that project! Outstanding results & everything you did along the way lets it blend in w/ the environment perfectly!

Looks great April. Sometimes we just have to do things " outside of the box " to get a great result. Love you. Thank you for sharing XXX

Square is mostly necessary, yet not always necessary. It just depends on the project. In this particular case, the only thing that needed to be square if you will, was the vertical which you achieved by leveling the frames left and right. Great project April.

I hope you’re still checking comments. What were the spacers made of, and how were they measured, to put between the boards as they curved? Thank you so much. Brilliant project!

This is exactly what my wife wanted me to do. I am laying down gravel from my house foundation out about 14 feet ending with brown presure treated 2x4's partially in the ground. It looks good with 3/4 Shasta grant ending at a dark brown edging. But she tossing in a walk way that meanders through several cedar pine trees, we live in the mountains, while I was working on the rock I was trying to figure out how to build what she wanted. I was thinking in standard ways of making a deck, she wanted nothing like it. My wife wanted what you made, but I hadn't seen your video yet. Thank god I found you! Ha ha. My nieghbor gave me a large amount of old painted redwood deck boards, what a treasure, once I removed the paint and ran the boards through a planer I got gorgeous boards. This will be the deck boards. Any way thanks for your unconventional building deck it's exactly what the wife ordered.

@AprilWilkerson

2 жыл бұрын

That's awesome! Glad you found it useful and thank you for watching.

From one non-conventional Builder to another, excellent work. I have something similar I'm wanting to do and you just made the process so much easier. I'll be following the same method. Excellent video

Amazing look. This is exactly what I was looking for to do a similar project in my back yard without the $$$ price tag. Thanks for the instruction.

I have been watching you for quite a while and just now noticed I hadn't subscribed, so now I am. You are a wonderful example to women who have always wanted to create with wood(me). I'm 73 years old, and love woodworking, so no matter your age,gender, create to your hearts content.

@AprilWilkerson

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad you enjoy my Channel. Thanks for watching.

Such a pleasure to see woman do a work with electric tools and hands. Proud of her.

This looks wonderful and thank you for the fresh reminder that things don't always need to be done a certain way. Out of the box thinking and this really paid off.

My favourite tip for cutting curved pavers and decking: use a thin conduit or pvc pipe. You can tape it down wherever you want and its inexpensive. The boardwalk looks great!

@toveral1

11 ай бұрын

Great idea

I love your pathway! I have an area where I have been wanting a boardwalk. I'm a renter; and, I can see me picking up sections of walkway and putting them into the moving van. Thanks!

When I was a kid, I would spend weekends and my grandparents farm. It was just a little house, and they had a wooden sidewalk from the house to the driveway. Ofcourse it was in the 1970's and I don't even know if their was such thing as treated wood or galvanized nails at the time, just old barnwood, and whatever nails he had, but I always loved the look🤗 Thankyou for bringing back some happy memories of my Grandparents ❤

@AprilWilkerson

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching and for sharing your memories with us.

Another great project April. All I'd consider would be running an 1/8" round over bit down the edges to spare miss-stepped ankles. Good job.

@TheWestlandgirl

2 жыл бұрын

Great idea!!!!

The thing with traditional methods is learning and understanding WHY they became traditional methods in the first place. Once you understand the WHY, you'll be able to discern when it's best to stick close to the traditional and when doing so will be less important.

@terminsane

2 жыл бұрын

Id say this is closer to "traditional". I doubt they were pouring concrete and rebar in the 1800s

@burgerking220

2 жыл бұрын

traditional is all about control. Someone came up with"traditional" in order to control everyone else. This kind of control is occurring right now with the democrats.

Just use Cammo screws that go in from the side diagonally. Then you don't need plugs and you get a clean look.

This looks amazing.. and when you smashed that rock up with the sledge, I was thinking a combination of "WOW, don't mess with this girl!" and "I wish I was that strong" lol Well done. You just blew that thing apart no problem.

Holy smokes, you have amazing skills. That looks like a pathway to paradise. Lol, sounds like a Stairway To Heaven.

Beautiful work!! The one thing that stuck out for me at the end, however, is that I don't think you mentioned applying sealant to the pressure treated wood after cutting it. Once cut, pressure treated wood is (usually) as susceptible to the elements as other non-treated woods. One should always be sure to seal it after cutting it. Thanks for posting this, though, as it's given me lots of ideas to work from for my back green.

@toveral1

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for the reminder

@paulined5710

11 күн бұрын

I was wondering how long treated wood will last when used in this capacity. Would staining it extend the life?

Love this. I would love to do something like this on the uphill slope in our back yard.

I love it, its nice when something fits with the landscape, instead of harshly goes against the natural forms.

Awesome! I’m doing something similar but I used free pallets for the boxes.

The way you swing that sledge hammer I'll bet you could ring the bell at the county fair and win yourself a kewpie doll on every try.

Traditional methods are your foundation to know what you can and can’t do outside of those perimeters. It gives you boundaries and reasons for them, which then allows you to understand how you can push those boundaries for your own particular reasons and still be successful. I don’t know if I’m explaining that right. But I’ve done loads of projects for indoor renovations and have had to tweak to suit my situation. Without an understanding of the rules and standards I wouldn’t have known how to safely make the changes I needed to for my own individual purposes. Also I LOVE how this turned out! Really really beautiful!

@AprilWilkerson

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.

Looks so good!! I've always wondered how it's made. Thanks for this!

This is absolutely beautiful work. I’d love to do something similar on our lakefront property, but I live in Northeast. With the ground freeze/thaw, I think we need deep footings to keep the path in place.

@brucediducca6018

2 жыл бұрын

I wondered the same thing myself, I don't know if she is in a freeze zone. Footings would add quite a bit of labor to the project

@TheWestlandgirl

2 жыл бұрын

Naw. Just shim up where needed after ground warms up.

Ein tolles Video :)

Easy? ... EASY!?!? ... Absolutely not!! Brilliant? Yes! Am I sitting here in awe of what you've created? YES!

Looks incredible I love every part of what you did and hope to relocate it in a smaller sloping backyard!

This is a really clever concept. My only concern is that, although treated, the structural lumber will not last as long as the composite treads. I've built planters out of pressure treated lumber and seen them rot within 2-3 years. I'd avoid actual ground contact with any of that wood.

@mrcwoodworks4523

2 жыл бұрын

They rotted because they are in direct contact with moisture

@JayDee-xj9lu

2 жыл бұрын

My concern if I built it here in Australia is white ants, termites would eat it within a year. Nice job though.

The walkway looks great. The curved design makes it look organic and tied into the heart and soul of your property. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Came out BEAUTIFUL!! Looks like you built this project in the TX Hill Country area. I plan to build a few pathways as well. I live in the Brazoria county area, and we have issues with marshes that form in the yard after heavy rains. Sure would be nice to be able to walk through my yard without getting wet/muddy when this happens. I may raise the boxes up a little higher by attaching to 4x4" lumber risers cut to the desired elevation. What I appreciate most is how you dealt with unleveled ground, while preserving the natural landscape. Good job!!

I was looking for a relatively inexpensive way to build a path to and through my planned gazebo/butterfly garden project. You've given me some great ideas, thanks!

@AprilWilkerson

Ай бұрын

Awesome! Glad you found it useful. Thanks for watching.

Extremely cool! I have a wooden walkway that is going to be demolished and I've been researching different ways to replace it. This looks so much easier than digging out, leveling and setting pier blocks. I had thought about using boxes like you did and now I definitely will. Mine ill be easier as it is a straight shot of about 60 feet. Yours looks great! Thanks for posting.

@jamjar5716

2 жыл бұрын

Easier sure. But put in a wiggle or two for interest!

@ramdam974

2 жыл бұрын

It looks easier like you said but in my opinion it is the big flaw here. 4 or 5 storms later her walkway will be floating in the air, causing cracking noise and eventually damaging the structure just by people walking on it. You have to at least partially bury in the ground the leveling blocks unless it never rains where you're from.

I need to build an over the landscape walkway which needs to be bare feet friendly. Thank you for showing your walkway build. The one you built looks exactly like what I need to build. I’m so glad you demonstrated your build. Thank you and happy 4th of July!

@lucasjw

2 жыл бұрын

Just beware of Trex in the sun because it can get VERY hot. Our previous deck was definitely not bare foot friendly with a similar color Trex as in this video. Either another material is needed, possibly the lightest color of Trex (our new deck seems good so far), or you have to make sure it’s shaded.

@jimownby3234

2 жыл бұрын

@@lucasjw Thanks for the tip. I’ll try for closest to white I can find. Thanks again for the tip.

No surprise that Curiosity Stream is a sponsor. Best streaming service there is!

Awesome vid! Love that it is actually pretty simple (framing wise) but looks ultra modern with the trex.

Beautiful and Stunning. Hmmm April has become a mastercraftwoman.

Really nice. Only thing I’d do differently would be a ramp other than steps. That whole kitchen looks great. Can’t wait fot the rest of the treehouse though. 😉

@danagovang2520

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, that would have made it wheelchair accessible.

@andresilva8444

2 жыл бұрын

@@danagovang2520 that wasn’t even the first thing I thought but it is a very good point. Just the fact that someone will have to carry stuff there a ramp would make everything a lot easier.

We love the composite board, you did a great job on that.

It’s just perfect. I love the way you think and work. Smart, creative and out of the Norm!

Love the Curiosity deal! Thanks April

April it looks great. Take care and have a blessed 4th of July and I'll see you on your next vidja.

The end result was beautiful! Enjoyed the video immensely and picked up all kinds of tricks along the way. Thanks!

Loved this project. I've got 78 acres, most of which are set up for wildlife. I've dedicated a few acres for gardens that I'm putting in now with bright sun, full shade and in between. Your project looks perfect for winding pathways which will make for much better footing. I think I'll add some extra boxes along the path for 2 chairs and a table for sitting and looking at the plantings. Thank you so much for this inspiration.

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Awesome! That sounds great. Thanks for Sharing and for watching.

Love it! I’m willing to bet some random code inspector’s head is getting ready to explode right now though. haha

Im in a wheelchair and its really hard for me to go to out door events because most places door keep in mind not everyone walks we have a area like the one you recently built could you show or do a simple safe steardy wheelchair ramp onto your out door grill area if anything to show how simple it could be know its not needed but i think it could be handy to do and see

@DavyHulme

2 жыл бұрын

I second that request, many public event spaces do not put enough thought into accessibility issues, if any.

@royreynolds108

2 жыл бұрын

To make the area assessable to wheelchairs, I would attach the box to the deck so the walking surface will be flush, keep adjusting the height to slowly lower the height close to ground level and then make a transition from the ground to the walkway surface to be able to get a wheelchair across it. You can't use washed gravel or sand for wheelchair paths because the wheels will sink into the stuff; use 3/8 to dust crusher run smoothed and tamped into place and it will set up just fine.

Beautifully done April love your persistence to completing your project.

@AprilWilkerson

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much!

I like that you allowed a decent gap between boards. Not that it matters for composite, but my cedar deck boards were installed a tad closer, allowing pine needles and stuff to jam in the cracks cause moisture buildup and eventually rot.

You've got to learn the rules to break the rules. Awesome build!

I bought some pressure treated lumber last spring and was extremely lucky to get it both as there was a shortage and within a week after my purchase the prices tripled. With facilities opening back up, I'm wondering if supply has caught back up with demand yet.

@BoomerKeith1

2 жыл бұрын

Still probably a few months away. I think there's still a backup on the East & West Coast docks which will hopefully be dealt with soon.

@maingun07

2 жыл бұрын

@@BoomerKeith1 Got my fingers crossed.

@BoomerKeith1

2 жыл бұрын

@@maingun07 You and me both my friend! I need plywood sheets in the worst way but I'm not paying what they're asking right now.

Love this! Was just planning my own walk and was so happy you did this video. Swamps in Florida are full of these pathways. And my terrain is full of undulating roots, hard clay and rocks. Definitely using your ideas and techniques! Thanks!

@AprilWilkerson

2 жыл бұрын

Sounds great! Enjoy the build and thanks for watching.

Thank you for this video!!! I’ve been tearing my hair out trying to figure out how to make my back yard look decent for years. I have a small yard with 2 big oak trees that have cracked and lifted a path & left large exposed roots in the rock hard soil. I think your idea may be the fix to my problems. I thought a level ground was a must. So excited, thank you! And I love this is done by a woman. I love my diy too :)

@AprilWilkerson

2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

It looks great. One question? Why did u cut of so much? It looks like u cut off 5 inches. Could u have cut off less off the sides?

I would love to make something like that... but I think in this climate even then best lumber or composite decking will get trashed fast.

@skysoldier31

2 жыл бұрын

Remember, composite and glass railings should never be in direct sunlight. They get way too hot in the sun. Not to mention the static electricity that accumulates on the composite. I have experienced this on a two million dollar house that was wrapped in back with an uncovered glass railing on composite decking. What an absolute nightmare. It was pretty. Pretty useless unless the day was overcast. Not to mention the composite reflects sunlight as well as it absorbs it, so the entire deck was absolutely blinding and scorching.

@edinstruction2011

2 жыл бұрын

@@skysoldier31 Live and learn, Eh!? Some educational costs even exceed the best college education...I should know!

@michaelpeck5547

2 жыл бұрын

@@skysoldier31 That's good input indeed. I have seen how hot they get as well. I did my deck but not before I figured out a good shade sail to keep the sun from getting to it.

I love it April! I really liked it but my ocd was going wild with the gaps wider on one side of the walkway but I see it definitely came out great regardless. I love it, good work

EXACTLY what I was looking for! I need to place an elevated path through some cypress trees, avoiding the knees and my twisted ankles. I can't wait to build it and looking for more of your videos for inspiration!

@AprilWilkerson

Ай бұрын

Awesome! Glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching.

Once I had the boards in place I would have left it as is. It was good looking and didn't need any ends cut off, but each to his own.

@Sylvan_dB

2 жыл бұрын

Too much overhang. Someone stepping on the end would break it and fall thru.

It would be interesting to see how it looks in five or ten years.

@craft0145

2 жыл бұрын

If I spent this much money on materials, I would do a much better job with footings and attaching stringers. Makes you wonder who pays for this stuff?

Love the natural ebb and flow of the walkway is very organic and looks like it was very intentional to not to disturb the nature around it. Am learning while building projects around my home and am looking forward to learning more from you.

@AprilWilkerson

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

WOW!!! That is probably one of the most brilliant ideas I've ever seen!!! I have the exact same problem with uneven, rocky terrain at my ranch. I will certainly be taking your idea to heart when building my outdoor kitchen. Thank you so much for the great idea!!!

@AprilWilkerson

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching.

April inspires me to not feel negatively stereotyped when I get creative working with wood and my power tools! These projects are not just for men anymore! I am constantly "engineering" projects in my mind's eye when I am in my yard. I use my Sun Oven daily in the summer and plan to build an outdoor kitchen area. Just cuz a single woman buys construction materials doesn't mean that she doesn't want a boyfriend! April helps smash the stereotype around females who do construction projects :) Kudos to this modern day trail blazer!

Still waiting to see what’s growing in that huge garden you built last year?

Thank you for this video! We have a lot of rock and uneven ground. This is a great method to deal with both!

April, I can't remember how long ago I first subscribed to you, but I have always enjoyed your unconventional method of building and a lot of your projects have been replicated in home. Thanks for what you do and keep doing you.

@AprilWilkerson

2 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Thank you for still being along for the ride and sharing. And thanks for watching.

The process hurt my OCD soul, but you can't argue with fabulous results.

Hey April, first-time viewer here. With so many women feeling the need to put themselves half-naked in the thumbnail to attract viewers it is very refreshing to see one of your videos. None of that nonsense, just a great video, great craft, good narrative.... respect, well done.

@AprilWilkerson

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.

I absolutely love this! I have been trying to figure out a pathway that calls to me for my little urban garden in the city. This is it!!!!

Isn't the purpose of a boardwalk to not need to worry about the ground below? I don't think you broke a rule by not leveling the ground.

Can’t say enough “att-a-girl” while watching this. It’s admirable to see someone break the rules to make something fit their style and needs. ( would have left the boards uncurved at the end)

Wow awesome. I wish I would have seen this before embarking on my 150ft walkway. Great stuff. Great finish. Great tutorial!

Wow April your walkway is amazing. Great job!! I love gardening and landscaping. I know how to use my landscaping tools like my Dewalt chainsaws, but I admire your woodworking skills. Wish I knew more woodworking.

It looks fantastic! Some rules should be broken 👍🏻

Can be fine in some dry lands, but in most places it'll decay in a few years, that makes it too expensive.

@zedwpd

2 жыл бұрын

pressure treated lumber will not decay in a few years

@tomekvilmovskiy6547

2 жыл бұрын

@@zedwpd thats about top planks? the bottom will decay.

@markgibbesh

2 жыл бұрын

I didn't see any end cut preservative being used on the fresh cuts.

Beautiful walkway. Great adaptation for varied terrain.

You go girl! Came out amazing! I would love to try this sometime 😁