“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.”
—Frank Lloyd Wright
“It was a really nice day, a really nice outing.”
—Lyla (after our picnic lunch)
Cecile and I took our granddaughter Lyla to Hidden Villa, a farm and wilderness preserve in Los Altos, to explore an organic farm, gardens and greet the
farm animals. They including lounging pigs, a regal looking ram, playful smiling goats, mellow chickens, gentle sheep and miniature jersey cows.
Some had colorful stage names like Etta the goat, Gordan Ramsey, the Horned Dorset Ram, and cows, Emelie and Harvey Milk. Nothing compares to nature’s
beauty and intelligence, from spring’s hopeful blooms, and seasonal vegetables and herbs and the whimsy
and joy of well-kept farm animals that bring joy and calm to so many visitors.
The recent four consecutive day 90-degree heat wave had eased up by 10 degrees. There was a mild breeze and plenty of open space to explore.
Farms are a magical place for little eyes and hands. I have fond memories of vacationing on a farm owned by family friends in the foothills overlooking the Amalfi coast when I was a child. The benefits of visiting an organic farm gives a child the opportunity to discover where the food comes from, how it is grown; and spending some time
outdoors in the fresh air. It is fun for kids and adults. Hidden Villa is part botanical garden, hiking grounds, retreat hostels and nature center. My wife Cecile, a former Chicago school teacher used to volunteer chaperoning kids in middle school field trips when are kids were young. Hidden Villa was a favorite destination. She would assist them in growing vegetables and herbs. Toward our two-hour visit, I took Lyla to the gardens while Cecile was setting up lunch at a picnic table nearby. After we ate, she joined Lyla and me to revisit the gardens that were teeming with life. The bees were pollinating, little lizards were slithering about, butterflies were gracing one flower after another, and hummingbirds were hovering above a water feeder and zipping about. Every conceivable herb and vegetable were labeled and growing in abundance.
After lunch, prior to making our way back home Lyla said: ”It was a really nice day, a really nice outing,” which reminded me of the biblical quote: “Out of the mouth of babes.”
Cecile and I are truly convinced if you bring joy to a child, they will mirror it back to you in unexpected moments.
Hidden Villa is the legacy of the late Frank and Josephine Duveneck who purchased the property near Los Altos, CA in 1924.
It is an educational nonprofit whose land stretches over 1600 acres of open space in the beautiful foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Their mission was sharing the land and creating humanitarian programs that have inspired many generations. Their vision was
to create a just and sustainable future for all by preserving the wilderness and manage the farm as a family ranch. Hidden Villa
today focuses on environmental education and sustainable agriculture, while sharing an abiding respect for all living things.
The earliest known stewards fo this land are the Ohlone Indians and Franciscan missionaries. Every year, 30,000 people participate in one of their programs and an
additional 20,000 visitors come to explore the organic farm and gardens, hike the beautiful trails and greet the farm animals including school groups and summercampers.
Postscript: Flower Supermoon Total Eclipse Visible from the Bay Area May 26, 2021, 1:47—6:01 AM
Named after the abundance of flowers blooming this month. It also happens to be a “Supermoon" because its elliptical orbit brings it to earth
