San Joaquin Lifestyles April 2013

Ultimately, Carole created a retreat for children, grandchildren, friends and family, with an eye toward accommodating large philanthropic events. Musically gifted, and an accomplished pianist, Carole taught piano and was a singer with the Stockton Chorale. Mindful of the large space needed to hold an audience for recitals, she insisted on providing ample room around her grand piano to ensure recitals could always be held there.

For visitors a magical spell is cast from the moment they arrive, as they travel over a covered bridge to enter the property. The enchanting wood structure is a replica of the bridge in Don Ford’s childhood town of Windsor, Vermont. The chickens, somewhat less aware of their vintage digs, cluck about in what is no replica, but the actual coop brought all the way from Don’s boyhood home.

Kelli describes the ranch as “all the grandkids’ favorite place to visit.” And from the sound of it, those visits are nothing short of kid-heaven: campouts, cookouts, a giant lakeside trampoline, canoeing, fishing and animals galore. The barn, originally used for the racehorses, is now home to chickens, pigs, horses, dogs, cats and ponies. All set among the redwoods, birch and ➤