Kara spotted an advertisement in the paper for a house in Bell Canyon that resembled a Spanish mansion. Despite facing competition from another buyer, we entered the scene with a cash offer that secured our place and edged out the competition. For 19 wonderful years, this beautiful house on Coolwater Road became our dream home—a place we cherished and loved. The theme of water, though persistent, came with its challenges. The house leaked from the very beginning, and it wasn't until just months before we sold it that we bid farewell to the last drip. Despite these occasional challenges, the pictures and stories that encapsulate our time in our home vividly showcase the immense joy and love we poured into living there.

Zombie attack

Apr 4th, 2024

Bell Canyon vs Hidden Hills.

Art work

Jan 19th, 2024

This is the amazing art that we picked out for our amazing home in Bell Canyon!

Moving

May 11th, 2022

BITTERSWEET!!! Our last days in California. The cars are on their way to Greenville and the movers are just finishing up. We will miss our beautiful house and the dry heat, BUT, we found an amazing new house in Greer SC at half the price, 1/4 the property tax, and all kinds of other savings, plus a state that matches our values!

Torn, D Sani

Oct 25th, 2021

Our beautiful 1880 D Sani painting was torn/damaged while painting the interior of our house. It sadly looked like it was beyond repair, but I found a restoration company in Santa Barbara called Fine Art Conservation Lab, and after 3 months our treasured painting is once again hanging in our home. If you ever need any piece of art repaired, this company does an amazing job, strand by strand.

Staining the bridge

Jun 21st, 2021

Getting our house in fighting shape, and the bridge to the waterfall and meditation point needed some paint. Hiking to meditation point needs its due! Besides, Luna said Jefe this bridge needs some paint!

Cleared the back 40

May 9th, 2021

WEED ABATEMENT! I cleared my own hill for the first, and last, time in 18 years. It was a light rain year so I thought, WHY NOT! Well I can tell you why not, because it is a shite load of HARD work. Great exercise, but very hard billy goat work! This is 1/3rd of the bags of what I pulled off the hill over the past 4 weeks. So glad that it is done!

Boeing Trail clearing day 6

Mar 19th, 2021

Bell Canyon trail clearing update. This was our 6th day of clearing Boeing Trail with just one day to go!

Boeing Trail clearing

Mar 16th, 2021

Embarking on a multi-day adventure, Jerry, Hans, and I have taken on the rewarding task of clearing the Boeing Trail, a scenic path that stretches from Coolwater to Hacienda just above my house. Over the past decade, this trail has become overgrown, making it a challenging but worthwhile endeavor.

Pergola repair

Jan 16th, 2021

Had to repair or replace two large pergila beams, I decided to repair. Anything is possible with wood epoxy and sand paper.

Kara's Garden

Apr 4th, 2020

Kara and I planted each of 50 bare root roses in the clay of our garden. Each year depends on the rain, some are better than others, and this was a good year.

Woolsey Fire, Bell Canyon

Dec 10th, 2018

We were in Napa when the Woolsey Fire broke out above Bell Canyon. We got a call from our friends that they drove by our house and the trees on the side of the house were on fire and there were no trucks in sight, and it did not look good for our house. We sat back down at the winery we were visiting and asked for another pour, what else could we do. The next day another neighbor got in and texted that our house was still there.

The Herman Chateau

Apr 10th, 2015

First day at the new Herman Chateau and spa. Had coffee under the pergola sails, read the paper, then did stretches near the pool. Watched the birds enjoy sunflower seeds and drink from the fountain, while listening to Bach. Picked a few roses for the table, I hope they owners allow that? Later will enjoy some fine wine around the fire pit. Maybe some jacuzzi and pool time tomorrow. Additional rooms are available.

Fall decoration in Bell Canyon

Oct 5th, 2014

Fall decoration in Bell Canyon