Sometimes one just can't predict.
A few days ago, I thought I would be writing ad nauseum about the fabulous Celtic Festival I had planned to attend at least one whole day this weekend (I know you were anxiously anticipating this). It's one of my favorite events all year.
Instead, with that very Festival playing "live" on the radio above me as I type on a damp and cloudy Sunday afternoon (which morphed into Monday, by the end of this entry), I have a different adventure to report.
The chorus in which I sing is part of a larger organization, Music in the Mountains, which sponsored its annual Designs for Living Home Tour fundraiser this last weekend. The plan was to wallow in Celtic music and pagentry on Saturday, and tour fancy houses (to support my own organization) on Sunday.
At choir practice last Wed evening, during the course of some casual conversation, I may have let slip that, even though I had months ago volunteered to help with the Tour, no one had contacted me with an assignment. I figured they had plenty of help. Plus I had already bought Tour tickets for us and we planned to go on Saturday. It apparently attracted some attention.
By Friday, I had agreed to work as a docent at a "big house" on Sunday, instead of attending the Celtic Festival.
Tom and I did, indeed, tour on Saturday. There were eight houses scattered around the South Nevada County area. It was enjoyable, and some of the grounds are quite nice (I'm always on the prowl for garden ideas), but there was only one house that suited our tastes very well. No worries, though. We explored some new (to us) areas of the county plus we were supporting MIM.
So, this morning, I drove past the Fairgrounds and reported to "house #8" for duty (it was the last house on the Tour). No photography is allowed, so I can't show pictures, but, as one of the tour guides who took several groups of people through this amazing shelter, I will try to paint you a bit of a word picture.
--It's a modern style house, built into the hillside on 215 acres overlooking a spectacular section of the Bear River and well beyond. The living-room windows soar 30' to take full advantage of the landscape.
--There is a small sandy beach on the river, a volleyball court, a driving range, a picnic area with full kitchen, half bath and 15 picnic tables, and lots of hiking/equestrian trails. The infinity pool and deck area accommodate a resort-sized bar, an outdoor kitchen, a fire pit, waterfalls, ponds, etc.
--The house, itself, has 13 bathrooms, nine of them with showers of different sorts (steam/side-spray, etc.). And saunas. And giant tubs. And laundry facilities. One bathroom has three showers. Another, a sauna, steam shower and a jacuzzi. If you can't get clean in this house, you'll never be.
--Kitchen: Four fridges, four dishwashers, two identical stoves that can switch out burner units for deep fryers, steamers, woks, griddles, etc. Extra crisper drawers. Warming drawers. Well, you get the idea. If you can't cook in this kitchen, give up.
--There's a master bedroom, a master guest area (with living room) and three other guest rooms, each with it's own giant bathroom.
--A game room, a giant sports bar room w/billiard table and juke box, a full, four deck theater w/10 barca lounges, surround sound and 10' screen. A library (w/wet bar behind a secret panel), an executive style office.
--Oh, and a gym. Not an just an "exercise room", a gym.
--One huge laundry room and two "satellite" laundry areas. The master bedroom closet has those dry-cleaner-style carousels for the hang-ups.
--And I haven't mentioned the flat-screened TVs in all the rooms (even laundry), the water features, the elevator (three floors), the wine cellar, the enormous wine tasting room (with matching huge fireplace and bar), the dramatic, curving staircase, the dining room that seats 30. Well, let's just say that it's amazing what you can cram into 14000 square feet.
Hm. I see I need to wrap this up, now. I'm scheduled to report to my weekly shift at the local homeless shelter...
