Visit

Visit A drab, run-down piece of property Saturday for seven years on the market. Since my visit in 2003 has won the convenience of one year, the Gaines family, owners since 1987. This is a gradual disappearance in doubt and that are also not much room for further additions. Highland Ranch is located near Hendy Woods State Park, with hundreds of miles of hiking trails through old growth redwood forests. There is one and a half miles as the crow flies on Philo, Califoia, at an altitude of 1000 meters around darkened apple orchards, vineyards and olive groves in the vicinity of the Anderson Valley, Mendocino County. These Shore.This Northe Califoia Ranch is only to be the oldest guest ranch in the mountains of work there. Not a masterpiece, but the face of a person retuing to the "good old days." You see, I am from Wyoming, and I have a lot of ranches and even in some, so I was really back. Completely restored yellow, a hundred-year-old ranch is very cozy and comfortable. One might think that a glance. The Down-home, friendly atmosphere and in the home, gourmet brings guests back year after year.According George Gaines, when he was the property and the roof sagged weeds grew through the hall, the walls and windows. He noted that it was not overly conceed about the costs, at the time because, after all, the water was free, when it rained. George, I found very amusing considering that it is a graduate of Princeton and retired lawyer.Walls in the main house are connected to the life and times of the Gaines family antics, and a collection of George's well-wo hats. Historic photos dot the walls, including a picture of his time as captain of the rowing team from Princeton University in 1950s.There had many favorite parts of my jouey, solitude and landscapes alone, my heart beating, and even less offers a "Welcome Home" atmosphere. It 'was my first taste, the portion of the Califoia coastal mountains, and I drank on horseback. I retu, I drank no wine, too.I a "group" training. The climate is cool in October. I met well-drained soil and cool offer envrironment as producers of Champagne, France. (By all means, the long-johns.). Here the grapes ripen slowly balance of acidity and sugar.It seemed all something to himself to relax, or simply taking care of business. According to reports a fifth generation Roederer studied since the late'70s to environmental conditions similar to the French property and found in Mendocino County. Its nearly 600 acres of property is hidden, even to the north of the ranch. There are many wine producers in the region, if you want to go to a wine tasting trip, but for the dinner meal can be as much as you want to ranch.How a there.There are two entrances to the ranch, north and South. I led from the south, Highway 101 from San Francisco from the Golden Gate Bridge, through Sausalito, Petaluma, and Rohnert Park at the intersection of 128 West, where a large redwood lumber mill is located, tu left. Follow this road about a mile and tu right. This is the actual highway 128 and Philo is more than twenty-five miles. If you want for the city of Booneville, and you know that you are in the right direction.It is a narrow and winding, doted by sentinels of eucalyptus, pine, oak, the needle and a tent. It 'crashed, as the maneuvering tus. This is a cozy, constitutional whose stroke with shadows and slap you awake, if you want to weigh with intuition sun.Philo is a small producer in the Community and in the center of the city at 8500 Highway 128, you can tu left l ' entry of the private ranch. The reference point is the Union 76 gas station. You need the code to the gate on this road, and then call the future for them. You reach a "Y", where the dirt road. Stay on the left you come to the here.If locked iron gate, without a code, you may have. Driving through a lean, with a bridge below rapids racked my nerves. If this happens, tu around and take the North Entrance. If you are still here, if you go through the door crest factor of a hill where the road to the right and down the main yellow ranch house, stables and cabins.The Entrance North, the "Highland Ranch" sign of her . It is located about twelve miles north of the gas station, and once you have left to hang. It is a winding, uphill through the woods on a different track. You may feel lost, like me, but if you are on the mark, you can right trail.Locals regular trips to a meal served with home-style and casual dining area in expansion, three times a day. The kitchen is equipped with a commercial stove and oven, an island cutting table, portable sinks and pots hanging over the head with an "old world" feel. The room has three long tables with a mix of chairs surrounding each period. An interesting collection of points of each panels and frames. The view from the window of the dining room window of the Flower Garden, Hummingbird feeders, fruit and grapes, by weight, and fig trees in October.George is particularly proud of his chef carves the main ENTR? And "the dinner meal. The rest is up to guests. E 'and ready to take on a variety of gourmet foods, breads and cakes, fruit juices homemade.Apple everything is nearby. George added one hundred and fifty young fruit trees this year. There are pears, figs, quinces, nectarines, grapes and, of course, in the end many of the desserts. Cocktails and appetizers served night. You can salmon, imported cheeses, pâtés, brochettes? And cocktails, as you want. Some local wines are served, Roederer, Navarro, Lazy Creek, and Handley, among other things, the not-so bottle of wine adds local.Two d? Cor on every table and every night wine classes begin, along with lively conversation. A number of languages, I did not know volleyed over. The host speaks five, French, German, Spanish, Italian, oh, yes, and English. George shouted a night, which could be Dutch, you never know! "Breakfast is at odds with their own four walls. The coffee is hot and when ready, along with tea, orange juice just squeezed, a variety of cereals and bread in the house. Immerse yourself in 8:00 to 9:30 Frias Papas Delicious with garlic, along with a selection of meat, eggs, any shape, pancakes and waffles, or of any size. Flowers add an artistic touch to the tables from moing to evening. You can even eat them.Each eight cabins has a fireplace, telephone, heating and propane electric blankets when the area of North Shore chills the bones. Wireless inteet is available in the main house with satellite TV, although only a sports lovers can not live without them. A piano and guitars expect numerous finger play and the conservatory walls are covered with books.Dutchman 's Pond, Highland Lake, and Navarro River are nearby. Part of the d? Cor the easte side of the porch is fishing poles for Grabs. Take advantage of the boat or canoe.Of many things to do, there are (Skeet), shot with the weapons in security. One reason is in the pool on a tennis court, and hammocks hung from the main house. And there's more, if you have a lot of energy. Active walkers or bikers (BYOB) is a sphere. The horses have daily workout routine, too. Gosh, you can also get married if want.The Food Health is aware of other offers healing place. After a walk or riding a massage or yoga and then some on the spot-Yurt. These two functions are new, so I lost in October out.If you dress warm. I have my long Johns, so it was not cold. I take with me everywhere I go. I am from Wyoming, forgotten! Jim Gaines contact details.   Highlands Ranch   Jim and George Gaines   P.O. Box 150   Philo, CA   Phone 707 895-3600   Fax 707 895-3702 E-mail stay@highlandranch.com   Studied joualism at the U-Bahn, in Denver and has a written certificate from Long Ridge Writers' Group. His first short story in From praise to joy, Beischel, Xlibris Press, 2000, and more on travel