From all places I was fortunate to visit, see, discover, this one here has earned a place in my heart.

The triangle Santa Ynez / Los Olivos / Solvang is not only one of the most beautiful areas I was ever able to visit, I just met amazing people, the weather is absolutely stunning, there’s lots of quality time consuming wine and good food. Not to mention meeting a few people who made a real big impact in my life.

I am back now for the third time, and I am beyond thankful for Ray and the Rosenbergs to make their space available for me to spend some quality time and feel like I found a home far away from home.

I was able to spend a fantastic Thanksgiving day at the main ranch – an absolutely charming place Neil and Joanne built and worked on for the last decades. The main house is so very inviting and homey. There is a paddock with a goat, three donkeys and a few dogs always running around greeting you. The entire area has an amazing farm-like feel, with lots of trees and grass, overlooking the valley and the mountains, and I have never seen so many stars in the sky at night.

The guest house is nearby and Todd did a wonderful job restoring the place and making it homey. It also contains the Mad Caddies studio and I am able to meet and hang out with some of my favorite band people ever.

Bottom line, if I could pick a place just like Joanne and Neil’s, caring for animals, raising a family, appreciating nature and enjoying the peace and quiet as a valuable quality of life, I think this would be it.

One of the most wonderful moments was when Neil and I had a chat about life on the patio, and I asked him about his happy place, he looked at me with the most happy sparkle in his eyes and calmly said, ‘It’s right here, on this farm’.

Neil, me and the wonderful and hilarious Joanne

The way to the main house

Mad Caddies studio, a.k.a. Pig Turd Alley