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Sunday, May 12, 2013

Brunch at a Castle

Cherokee Castle is a 1450s Scottish-style castle built in the 1920s.  It overlooks the 3,100 acres of Cherokee Ranch.  The ranch used to be known for Santa Gertrudis cattle, but nowadays Cherokee Castle and Ranch Foundation is home to cultural and educational events.  David and I went for a Mother's Day brunch and a castle tour.

Friends Rey and Jen are horse sitting for our neighbors, so they did our morning chores. 

We drove up a narrow dirt road  thinking "can this be the way"? 
At last we saw this -
 
and farther on up the road, this -
 
Yep, a castle, complete with
gargoyle drain spouts.
 
No photos are allowed inside the castle, which is home to a collection of jaw-dropping antiques (original Sir Christopher Wren drawings!  Gainsborough portraits!  Oh my!).  But for me, the view was truly priceless.
 
Looking southwest to north -
 
 
 

 
 
 
Thanks, David and my 4 legged kids, for a fun Mother's Day.
 
 
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16 comments:

  1. Kay G.May 12, 2013 at 6:00 PM

    Christopher Wren, THE Christopher Wren who designed St. Paul's Cathedral in London? Wow!

    What a fantastic place and I agree, those views are wonderful.
    Guess you had a day to remember!!

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  2. Lauren @ She Moved To TexasMay 12, 2013 at 6:45 PM

    I didn't know there were castles in the mountains, very cool!

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  3. in2paintsMay 12, 2013 at 7:07 PM

    Not a bad way to spend Mother's Day! Gorgeous!

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  4. CricketMay 12, 2013 at 9:33 PM

    Where exactly? I would love to visit a Scottish Castle and I am close enough to do so. Looks like a wonderful way to spend your day and we're finally having some warm weather sans snow.

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  5. RuthMay 12, 2013 at 10:42 PM

    Wow that is amazing!!

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  6. Zanzibah AlpacasMay 13, 2013 at 4:35 AM

    Wow ... that is a fantastic view !! What a wonderful place to visit,glad you had a lovely day .... Jayne

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  7. thecrazysheepladyMay 13, 2013 at 5:43 AM

    Holy Cow!!!

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  8. Patrycja (photoopassion)May 13, 2013 at 3:32 PM

    Hello! Very nice blog and interesting posts, great atmosphere.
      Have a nice day. :)
    Welcome to our blog about photography. +
    I hope you also enjoy it with us.

    Greetings!

    "Do what you love is not even that, but anyway"

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  9. A Brit in TennesseeMay 13, 2013 at 6:48 PM

    What a spectacular view, just breathtaking.
    We toured Glen Eyrie castle in Colorado Springs, it's a strange sight seeing a castle rising up form the Western landscape !
    Lovely pictures, thank you for sharing your day out.
    ~Jo

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  10. Lori SkoogMay 14, 2013 at 12:19 AM

    Who would have thought?

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  11. fromsophiesviewMay 14, 2013 at 9:47 AM

    This place is spectacular. The view from all sides, I could just stand there and stare for hours. Too bad about the 'no picture' policy. I suppose they don't want vandals etc. knowing about the value. Hope there is security. I need to go to castle sometime, the last time was on the Rhine River in 1969, so long ago.
    Happy Mother's Day!
    Ron

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  12. DomMay 15, 2013 at 9:58 AM

    A cool place with a GORGEOUS view. Wow.

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  13. Angelikas Photographic SketchbookMay 15, 2013 at 10:10 AM

    A Scottish castle called Cherokee Castle? Now I am intrigued. I'm sure there is a very interesting story to this place.
    What amazing view. You were really lucky you got such a clear sky.

    And I was sorry to hear about the little child falling out of the window. What a sad story.

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  14. JimMay 15, 2013 at 5:30 PM

    Better late than never!
    What a beautiful place, Terry! I thought what is a castle doing in the middle of the mountains? It just is! Incredible views and I can only imagine what it was like inside. I love the colours on the roof tiles in the last photo.

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  15. Fundy BlueMay 15, 2013 at 9:13 PM

    Hi Terry! What beautiful photos! I've been in Colorado 31 years and never have I heard of Cherokee Castle! (and I'm almost totally of Scottish descent) I've got to check this out! Thanks for sharing!

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  16. Joe BaumanMay 16, 2013 at 12:41 AM

    Nice story and pics, Terry!

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