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buildings were for his exotic animals collection, including elephants and a lion.

Built in the “Tudor Revival” style, gabled walls chiseled from mellowed stone sit under steeply sloped shake roofs.

Hand-wrought ironwork lamps and xtures accent carved wooden beams, stairs and railings glow golden in the ruddy sunlight bouncing through the diamond-paned windows that grant visitors a glorious view of Lake Tahoe.

e home is four stories, including the servants’ quarters in the basement. A ham radio, movie camera, a hydroelectric plant fed by an elaborate fountain, air conditioning, and an exercise machine reveal Whittell’s interest in (at the time) leading-edge technologies. An electronic intruder sensor-siren system and hidden passages, stairways, and cupboards re ect his passion for privacy; he was known to “disappear” from card games or his wealthy guests when he tired of them.

Stone pathways curl about the massive granite boulders and gardens, edging along the cove where boats docked and guests would swim, overlooked by a restored lighthouse. Stories say that Whittell would light its beacon so he could nd his way back from visits around the lake.

Queen of the Lake

A twisting 600-foot underground tunnel extends from the main house to the boathouse. Out-of-work miners blasted the tunnel and the stone was used to build the pathways. In one chamber, a dancing devils replace grate likely gave eerie illumination to what is believed to be an opium den, a perfectly acceptable practice in the day. An unknown room, re-discovered a er Whitell’s death, is an un nished swimming pool. A worker died there in an accident, and Whittell chose to seal it o . e beautifully maintained 55-foot long vintage 1940 underbird Yacht personi ed Whittell’s love of technology and opulence. Cra ed with Honduran mahogany, featuring a gleaming steel and chrome Duesenberg-styled exterior top cabin, the “Queen of the Lake” was designed by famed naval architect John L. Hacker explicitly for use on Lake Tahoe.

Nicknamed the “Castle in the Sky” by locals, the Lodge is now on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to private and group tours, underbird Lake Tahoe is popular to rent for parties, weddings, corporate events, school programs and more. Note that to visit, you have to take a shuttle bus that leaves from Incline Village; no private cars are allowed at the Lodge. (thunderbirdtahoe. org). ●

By DENNIS WYATT

MORGAN HILL — Shangri-La does exist.

It’s a two hour drive from the Northern San Joaquin Valley followed by a blissful 5-mile hike to a spot that in another day and age one might aptly have called a swimming hole.

Once there you can reward yourself with a lazy nap, stretched out on a boulder at the edge of a 20-foot wide and 8-foot deep pool of clear water on Coyote Creek fed by early spring runoff. It’s hard to figure out what’s more rewarding — your eyelids getting heavy surrounded by rolling hills of stunning greenery unmarred by signs of civilization save the trail that brought you there or waking up from a mid-day nap to scenery that puts anything you can dream about to shame.

Welcome to China Hole, one of the gems you’ll find in Henry Coe State Park high above the Santa Clara Valley protected by the steep ridge lines of the Diablo Range.

There are a lot of reasons to venture to the Northern California’s second largest state park with its 87,000 acres of seemingly endless hills, valleys, and mountain ridges without a structure, telephone pole or even fence in sight from as far as you can see from almost every vague point you reach.

Solitude, however, tops the list.

It’s a place that draws around 40,000 visitors a year — a mere pittance compared to those that venture to the hikeable 1.3 million acres found in state, regional, and county parks that ring the San Francisco Bay Area.

There are more than 250 miles of trails that include old ranch roads that lure hikers, backpackers, mountain bike enthusiasts, and equestrians.

Because of its low numbers the park has a true wilderness area with about a fourth of the park that’s devoid of trails. It is the real McCoy when it comes to offering a visual taste of “wild” California in terms of the landscape that once was spread across much of the valleys and mountains of not just the East Bay and South Bay but the western edge of the Northern San Joaquin Valley as well.

The park actually covers parts of two counties - Santa Clara and Stanislaus. Its highest point — Mt. Stakes at 3,804 feet — sits within Stanislaus County on the park’s northern boundary. Mt. Stakes some 22 miles west of Newman also happens to be the highest point in Stanislaus County.

Most of the 40,000 visitors enter the park by taking the East Dunne Avenue exit on Highway 101 in Morgan Hill and driving 14 miles to its terminus at 2,664 feet above sea level.

If you want even more solitude for a day hike there are three other seasonal, weekend entrances with two accesses from the Gilroy area and the other from the ridge line that runs from Livermore to Mt. Hamilton that can be accessed driving up Del Puerto Canyon out of Patterson.

The views along Dunne Avenue as you take a narrow windy road out of the Santa Clara Valley are impressive as well but pale into comparison with what you can find even on just a two mile or so walk-about from the park headquarters.

The most popular destination in the spring is China Hole. Coyote Creek will dry up as spring unfolds with China Hole itself likely to disappear by midJune.

It is comparable in a way to the popular Little Yosemite Valley swimming hole to the north in the Sunol Regional Park south of Pleasanton with a bit less trees overhanging the creek.

China Hole is also a slightly longer hike without a relatively flat trail option you could take instead of crisscrossing hillsides where the effort is rewarded with striking vistas. The biggest difference is the depth of the wilderness and accompanying solitude thanks to the dearth of people.

On my most recent trip I opted for a 10-mile loop that avoided ranch road segments as much as possible. That allowed for maximizing the hiking experience given narrow trails weds you with nature more so than a primitive dirt road that carries with it the knowl- edge that vehicles can travel it.

Given the tight space at the park headquarters for parking, you will likely end up parking at the entrance parking lot that affords you a stunning view in its own right of the southern Santa Clara Valley to the west and the park to the east.

There is a pleasant half mile long trail dubbed Live Oak Trail that takes you from that parking lot right past the park headquarters building where you pay your $8 per vehicle entrance fee.

By opting to stay on trails I was able to enjoy 10 easy and slightly whimsical crossings of Soda Springs in a rugged canyon. It offered plenty of excuses to stop and take photos and video of the stream tumbling over rocks.

The most temperate times to visit the year round state park are spring and fall. Usually by now park rangers and volunteers will tell you the peak is ablaze in color. But the cooler weather and late rains delayed earnest blooming. That means there is a solid month-long window until perhaps mid-May to savor nature’s palette as it unfolds.

The scenery for the next month or so will be in the “green mode” you’d expect to see in late January or early February during a normal winter at Mt. Diablo State Park.

Besides backpacker camping there are 20 drive-in campsites.

Given this is a wilderness area, Henry Coe State Park is home to mule deer and a variety of smaller animals such as black-tailed jackrabbits, raccoons, coyotes, bobcats, foxes, and rabbits to name a few. There are even elusive mountain lions roaming the park. During my visit I came across none of the aforementioned but there were a large number of hawks and other raptors as well as birds.

You need to carry adequate water with you and also dress accordingly. Even when temperatures start to dance with the 80s, if you are out and about as sunset approaches it can get chilly. ● rst time mom of a 31-year-old son and a 28-year-old daughter and continue to be amazed with the wonderful lives they have built for themselves. Later in life, our relationship is more interesting, and friendship has emerged in the best possible way, however, parenting continues ... all the days of our lives. What does it mean to be a mother? It’s the most rewarding job of my life.”

Cheryl Brunk, mother of two: John Tyler Brunk and Kristen Brunk

So as Mother’s Day draws near, as women, celebrate your mentors; as daughters love on the ladies who did their best to “get it right” and as moms remember “the days are long, but the years are short.”

Happy Mother’s Day! ●

Hostas are very strong plants and feel at home in many places. With their beautiful leaves and ease of care, these perennials are very popular right now. ere is plenty of choice in colors and patterns: from dark green to blue and from spotted to variegated. Versatile hostas will bring you months of joy, year a er year.

Color variations

Hostas originate from northeast Asia. In 1784, the first seeds were brought from the Chinese port of Macau to the Jardin des Plantes in Paris. Initially a true collector’s plant, today this perennial is loved by a varied audience. This is hardly surprising, given the beautiful leaves in all sorts of sizes, shapes and color variations from blue-gray to variegated white-green. What’s more, in summer, graceful stalks bearing white, blue or lilac flowers also make an appearance.

Where to plant hostas

Hostas like moist soil and organic fertilizer. Most hosta species thrive in a semi-shaded spot. The guideline here is that blue-leaved hostas do well in the shade and that yellow-leaved ones can handle a little more sun. The more variegated the leaves, the less sun they will toler- ate. Hostas with thicker leaves, on the other hand, can tolerate more sun. They look great in ornamental pots, in a mixed border, on water banks and as solitary plants. The lowest variety will grow to about 4 inches, while the tallest can grow higher than 3 feet.

Keeping snails away

Many hostas suffer from slug infestations. Fortunately, there are plenty of environmentally friendly methods to protect your hostas against snails. A regular snail-catching session at dusk will go a long way. Setting up a wide circle with broken shells or coffee grounds around your plant (or pot) can also work as a slug barrier. Spraying hostas with garlic powder dissolved in water should also keep snails at bay.

Fun idea

Create a hosta corner featuring plants with different leaf colors. Position taller varieties behind low-growing ones. ●

 Hostas are also known as plantain lilies.

 There are more than 7,000 different hosta varieties.

 The plant got its name from Emperor Franz I of Austria’s physician: N. Th. Host (1761-1834).

 Some hosta flowers smell divine!

 Hostas are not evergreen. In autumn, this perennial will die back, and sprout again in the spring.

 Hostas are perfectly hardy. Some varieties can easily handle temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit, including in pots!

 Variegated hostas are also known as streakers, and no two leaves are ever the same.

If you’ve ever driven by a stylish home and harbored the desire to poke around the inside, then the Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock has the perfect event for you.

The Carnegie Arts Center is holding The Art of Design, a two-day fundraising event that features uniquely designed homes and highlights the creative expression of designers, homeowners, and some local artists.

The Art of Design Twilight Tour is from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. May 12. The Home & Garden Tour takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 13. Twilight Tour tickets are $75 for Carnegie Arts Center members and $90 for non-members; advance purchase Home & Garden Tour tickets are $25 for members and $30 for nonmembers; tickets purchased on the day of the event will be $35. Tickets are available at the Carnegie Arts Center and online at carnegieartsturlock.org. Proceeds from the weekend’s events go toward support for the CAC’s exciting exhibitions and youth educational programs that serve the entire community.

This year’s homes are: