Those are some pretty awesome yards. I don't know if I could handle not having grass though. I mean sure you don't have to mow this way, and I understand why there isn't any grass given the climate, but it still just seems really foreign and alien to me. :) That one yard is definitely interesting with all of the decorations!
Grass is not politically correct around here. It takes way too much water. Phoenix has a 'buy out' for your 'normal' yard program. Starting to see quite a little artificial turf... I'm seeing quite a few yards that have let their Bermuda grass die and just water their rye grass in the winter...
There are lots of people that rake their gravel weekly. Even a few 'power rakes' that are pulled by 4 wheelers :)
Wow, that is so crazy to me. Understandable, but crazy!