Comments on: Photo Friday: Devil’s Gulch, California

By: Camels_and_Chocolate

Camels_and_Chocolate — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 17:21:06 +0000

I wrote Mark back personally, as he is a delightful guy and his ranch is truly stunning and I meant no jab at him. It should also be noted that I think the farmers deserve every penny of the cut they’re given and likely deserve more, as well. I just heard through the grapevine how much the actual OITF team behind took away from each meal, and the net was pretty astounding (then again, this was two years ago–maybe something’s changed since?).

By: Mark@DevilsGulchRanch

Mark@DevilsGulchRanch — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 14:55:10 +0000

Yes, that was a truly memorable event. Mother nature was particularly cooperative. In 2009, we did a “double header” with back to back dinners, and had some of coldest weather ever experienced for an “Outstanding” dinner. I love meeting interesting folks and sharing my fairly tale. It is ironic that I am now experiencing challenges from a few of my neighbors, who can’t even see or hear our dinners. I can understand if they do not wish to share their fairly tale, but please let me share mine. As far as the price goes, I seriously doubt that you could get a dinner at Jardiniere, with wine, for less than $100 (unless you’re a tea-totaling a vegan on a diet?), so yes, perhaps the price is subsidizing some farmers and nomadic hippies a bit, but you could not possibly find a better experience at any price. It is hard for most folks to appreciate all the effort, and costs, that go into producing these events, and none of the farmers or organizers are getting rich off of them.

By: amida

amida — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 02:17:23 +0000

Wow, thanks for this. The ranch sounds like an amazing place to visit.

By: Caitlin @ Roaming Tales

Caitlin @ Roaming Tales — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 23:27:17 +0000

Jealous!

By: Sophie

Sophie — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 23:06:38 +0000

Saw your link in Delicious Baby’s photopage. Lovely photos. What a great place for a meal. I tried eating in the dark in a cool Zurich-restaurant once. It was fun; between the vines is probably even better

By: here be dragons

here be dragons — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:45:13 +0000

This is beautiful. Wish I could have been there; it sounds amazing. Ditto on the California living. I never thought California could live up to its reputation, but it has so far!

By: MonsteRawr

MonsteRawr — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:54:25 +0000

How lovely!
(I feel the same way about living in upstate New York. The fact that I can drive north and be at amazing skiing, and drive south and be in largest city in America…freaking awesome. It’s nice to love the place you live, isn’t it?)

By: Geogypsy

Geogypsy — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:02:37 +0000

Oh Yum! What a beautiful setting for a scrumpuous meal. Magazine tightwads suck.

By: jessiev

jessiev — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:45:13 +0000

i would love to dine there, amidst the grape vines. what a lovely setting – yes, you ARE lucky! great photos!

By: TheWordWire

TheWordWire — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:25:05 +0000

Oh, how this story makes me smile. I lived in San Diego for five years, and would often catch myself smiling at the thought that “this ain’t no vacation — I LIVE here!!” But since I moved to Las Vegas, I’ve done more traveling in different parts of CA than I ever did when I lived there. From the desert to the beaches to the mountains to farmlands … it really is paradise. I fall in love with each place I visit. Thanks for sharing this!