Artist's Redwood Retreat with Zen Garden & Hot Tub

Stay in the expansive and inspiring private home of a local artist and art collector who has made this home and grounds her life’s work for a quarter century. Featuring art and artifacts from around the world, as well as the homeowner’s photographs that are sold in local galleries, the home is a feast for the eyes as well as a respite from an often overwhelming world. Take your coffee to the Zen Garden in the morning, breathe in the air purified by the ancient Redwoods surrounding the home, practice yoga or meditation on the decks and then make a beautiful breakfast with friends in our double kitchen. Cozy up with a book by the fire in our Library, have a memorable chat in our heated Sunroom, or explore the many groomed trails around the 15 acre property. Explore further through the Southern Gate entering Jackson State Forest hiking or mountain biking on trails which lead to Hare Creek, a beautiful river that ends at the Pacific Ocean. (NOTE: Children under 8 and Pets are not permitted.) Let the owners paint a picture for you… "Early morning deep in the redwoods of Jackson State Forest, the Eastern sun streams into the large, bright kitchen of our retreat home. As rising sleepers are drawn to the smells of the coffee pot, the first sight out the sliding glass doors are the tallest trees in the world, the majestic redwoods surrounding the expansive redwood deck which surrounds our home. Coffee mug in hand the cries of ravens greet our visitors beckoning them to the cushioned chairs where they can curl up and embrace the morning sun. Others may make their way to the South West corner deck to begin their Yoga practice quietly apart from the kitchen activity which increases with each moment as the breakfast preparations begin in the extra large kitchen with state of the art Wolf oven and range, and the top quality kitchenware and food preparation implements. Later explore the large and private property, which boasts no neighbors with the exception of the owners who live here year round in a nearby cottage and are always willing to help with any issues or questions. There are marked running or strolling paths with educational information about the life of the Forest. Jackson State Forest butts on the SW border of the property with 55 thousand acres of trails for hiking, biking, and strolling looking for wildlife and the beautiful Hare Creek that meanders only a twenty minute walk away through the forest." This generous 6 bedroom multi-level house also includes a library, sun room, dining room, games landing and living room. The sun room (oiptional bedroom #7) and library (optional bedroom #8) can be closed for privacy and sleep as well. As a social area, the Sun Room is a favorite with beautiful views of the redwoods, and large enough for a group class. The Library is filled with books to indulge in and is a perfect place to tuck yourself into a corner and relax alone. The atrium, center of the home, has seating for a small group chat, the new Foos Ball Table with an electric score counter, or move the furniture aside and voila, a place to play music and dance or practice yoga. The dining room is formal and can seat your whole party. The living room, all of 500 square feet, can be arranged for a group activity, movies, games, dancing, or an educational seminar. Have a dip in the new hot tub on the West facing deck overlooking the Zen Garden pond filled with Koi and frequented by a variety of dragonflies: fiery red to blue and black striped ones flitting about the ferns. In June the pond is ringed with lavender and snow white oriental irises. In the evening on a crystal clear night with the deck lights off, the views of the stars are spectacular as there are no city lights! Floating in the hot tub gazing up at the stars, perhaps hearing an owl, it doesn't get more peaceful than that. The garden and home have been designed with Feng Shui principles for capturing and enhancing energy and creating a peaceful connection to Nature. A stroll through the winding pathways brings one surprise turn after another towards a new view of the garden and its lovely fountains, and beautiful landscaping with blossoms that alter with the changing seasons: daffodils, narcissus, rhododendrons, geraniums, dahlias, hydrangeas, agapanthus, lilies and more. The sound of running water catches your ear, and your eye is drawn to the Quan Yin fountain and other sculptures and meditation areas which abound. Wander the paths to the orchard and vegetable garden. Spring brings cherries/pears and summer a variety of apples. Huckleberry bushes abound and if you are willing to pick and bake, a huckleberry pie is such a treat towards the end of summer. Oh, the black berries too, yum! Children love blackberry picking . The home has been designed for utmost comfort, contemplation and beauty with displays of artistic endeavors of local artisans including objects collected by us in our travels. Each room honors Nature and the forest creatures of this land and sky as well as honoring the evolution of earth's peoples' consciousness and celebration of our unity. We welcome Earth's peoples from all over the world and will do our utmost to assist you in having a wonderful visit to the forest and meadows of our home! Please note: This home is immersed in a Redwood Forest next to a state reserve, and understandably wifi is a bit slower and cell service can be spotty, depending on your provider. This home is ideal for unplugging and not for streaming technology or video calls. We have a library of books and DVD's at your disposal. This home is ideal for retreats and gatherings of family and friends. The owners live on a property nearby and do not permit extra guests, weddings or wild parties. As we have a hot tub and are in the middle of a forest children under age 8 are not permitted. Pets are also not permitted. Nearby Attractions: A twelve minute drive brings you to lovely and historical Mendocino Village with Victorian homes, beautiful shops, excellent restaurants, and the stunning cliffs of the California coast, a photographer's delight. For the photographers there are hikes to Russian Gulch waterfall, the largest Redwoods of Montgomery Park, Noyo Harbor with its fleet of salmon seeking ships, the crashing of waves on the cliffs and ocean rocks, among so many other beautiful sights. A seven minute drive from your retreat home, you arrive at downtown Fort Bragg, an artist community with lovely shops and galleries and great restaurants many which offer vegetarian, organic, vegan choices as this community is conscious of sustainability in its local farming and wine orchard, and world famous North Coast Brewery which has won many awards competing against the best German/European beers. Each season the Mendocino county offers weekends of various activities: Wine Song in Sept., and Mushroom collecting in the fall, January has the famous Crab and Wine festival, Whale Watching in the Winter months. The lovely Botanical Gardens offer Rhododendrum contests and splendor in the gardens of the spring, Dahlias in summer, and Begonias in fall among others. Most fun for the families is Paul Bunyan Days Labor Day Weekend where there is competition among the loggers followed by the Fireman's Battle of Hoses, different fire stations compete to soak each other and the passersby who dare to get too close, lots of fun! For families there is the historical Skunk Train ride and the excellent train models in the old train house. Each summer the circus comes to town plus there are local musicals and drama. Very popular is the Mendocino Musical Festival in July, two weeks of performances each day which is also followed by the Cinema Festival. And did we mention beaches plus beaches: gorgeous Jughandle always sunny when it isn't fogged in, Glass Beach, and our personal favorite, sandy Seaside Beach.