Happy 2021. The last time I wrote, we were pushing walls into place up in Modoc, California was just emerging from a Pandemic Lock Down, and there was all kinds of social and political tension across the nation. I guess things haven't changed too much, but maybe turning the page on 2020 will bring some relief. As I write from my place in the Bay Area, I'm admiring the courage of my neighbor's cherry tree, already in full blossom, and also watching birds tear into the remains of last year's persimmons right next to it. It takes a while for last year's fruit to make way for the future, but eventually it happens - it seems like there's a metaphor in there somewhere for where we find ourselves today. 

We did get those walls up in the Bath House in the remainder of 2020. We also got the solar PV system installed and the septic system 99% complete. Those were huge! My hope was that we'd be able to light a Christmas tree on the berm so people would see it when they drove by and... on December 21, the Winter Solstice, shortest day of the year, we flipped the light switch and lit that tree! What an awesome moment that was. I wish I had a better picture, but you'll have to look closely on the left side to see the lights of the tree.

It made me really happy when a neighbor texted me saying ~ you must be up, we just saw your Christmas tree lights when we drove by!

The Bath House has taken shape and although we need to side it, it is actually starting to look like a small homey building. We're still staying in the trailer when we're up there, though.

Starting to take shape inside too!

Solar PV worked well, even on the shortest sun days of the year, with snow.

We're hoping 2021 will bring completion of all utilities and of the Bunk House. That includes the star gazing deck, which has undergone several transformations on paper but is currently planned as a roof top deck on the well pump house. Our location in Surprise Valley is adjacent to one of fewer than 10 designated "dark sky" regions in the world... we hope that things like staring at the Milky Way or watching the Perseid Meteor Shower in safety and comfort will be unique experiences for our guests. If you like that sort of thing, please plan to come up this year.

We've also created a calendar using Shutterfly, featuring photos of the property and dates of covid-safe visiting opportunities we plan to have this year. If you would actually hang a calendar on your wall and would like one, please let me know - we ordered a few extras so we could give some away. Here are the first 3 months...

               

Finally, we've had guests and they've taken some great sets of photos... I'll end this entry with a link to a set of photos taken by Nolan's handy drone. 

https://adobe.ly/3nEuc2B

I promise I will be better about updating this blog going forward... we get so busy doing things that we sometimes don't stop to reflect and share, but my gut says that humanity is going to have a beautiful renaissance when this pandemic subsides and we want to be ready to welcome you and others in joyful gatherings when that happens. Meanwhile, the property is also a relatively safe place to welcome smaller groups of people who want to visit with others from their bubble. 

Stay safe.