It is gratifying to see new folks coming into the hobby with enthusiasm! Perhaps you guys will be the spearhead of a new club in the Concord/ East Bay area.

Like most of you I have what passes for a "normal" lot here in Concord which is pretty tiny compared to most of those I've seen here in other parts of the country and world. I had a much larger place up in Sonoma county but decided against keeping it as it was much larger and a lot more work. With the rain we've had this year I can't imagine what the weeds would have been like up there as the 1/3+ acre lot was largely undeveloped but would have offered a great place to build a running ground. As a reality check I'm having a tough time keeping the weeds down, down here where I normally run.and this is tiny by comparison. My yard as many is "U" shaped with dirt on either side with a deck and screen room taking up a fair amount of space on the left. I probably could( and will ) make a small - village like diorama that extends up onto the incline on my right side, once I have a plan and time. If I have a subsection that can double for my 1/10 scale stuff so much the better; not a lot, just a bridge and a short roadway for the 1/10- imagination to fill in the rest.

I haven't completely given up the idea of moving to a slightly larger home here if the deal was right....but not because of the hobby... :-)

One just has to make do with what you have...

My hat is off to you guys.

Jerry