Question

http://www.picturehosting.com/gallery.php?u=beacu&g=entrance-to-basement
I have pictures of this in the above link
My husband is a skilled craftsman, but we need help with design for the following:
We added a room to our house. It has a basement with an entrance door... (the door in the picture is temporary) The idea is to finish it and tie it in with the swimming pool... Eventually we will have a bathroom so our grandchildren and their friends can use it without having to go into our house.
Since we cannot afford to hire someone to do this we have to do it ourselves...
We need a walkway to the pool, but we need help... It has a V shape and it slopes in both sides toward the pool
I think we need some sort of retaining wall...We would appreciate any help you can provide us... Some ideas on retaining wall stepback or slope from top to bottom., etc...  

Answer
Bea:
Since you are doing this yourself I suggest a split face interlocking masonry unit wall. (some call it keystone walls).
Many different companies provide large wall blocks (60-80lbs ea). These are best for retaining your walls. Do not use the small blocks sold at most home stores, they are not strong enough for a large retaining wall.
The critical issue is that these walls must be built well and per specifications, since they carry a surcharge (extra) load from the foundation of your house. I would do a curved wall on ether side that steps up with the grade from the pool deck to the foundation of your house. Then you can pour a sidewalk or use stepping stones and gravel (do-it-yourself). You may need a drain to keep water from going into the house or pool from path...hard to tell without a detailed grading plan.
I can't really design via chat room, but I would envision that the walls on either side would open out towards the pool like petals on a flower. Color of stone to tie into your ultimate house color plans.

check these sites for info on building a wall:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbftn00-5RU

http://www.anchorwall.com/

Best of Luck
Sean J Murphy, ISA, LA
www.seengineering.com
www.sei.us
www.amenityarchitects.com