February 2013: Located just outside of Temecula California, Chandelier is a homestead in it's very beginning stages. When we first arrived there was one small garden and plans to build at least 3 more gardening areas throughout the property & eventually a chicken coop. Each group of visitors was encouraged to work on a project while they were there - and Doug, the owner, was incredibly open to new ideas - anything was on the table, as long as it would improve the farm. The picture below is a garden that myself and 3 other wwoofers created. We started by excavating and tilling the land, digging trenches and installing pvc pipes to supply water to the area, then mapping out a garden, planting seeds, and installing a surrounding fence and a gate.
Garden 3
we made signs for the garden out of old wood that was lying around the property
the Excavator - my favorite way to pass time!
we had to dig trenches for the pvc pipes which would carry the water directly to spigots in Gardens 2 & 3
we also helped jump start Garden 2 by excavating, tilling,
laying drip irrigation and installing pvc to get water right to the garden
The property is (almost entirely) off-grid. There is one trailer with a running toilet and another with a working shower & propane stove, however the trailers that visitors stay in are all electricity & running water - free. While there is a kitchen available, we cooked all of our meals over the fire and only used the kitchen for washing dishes and storing food (although there is no electricity to keep anything cold).
Kitchen Trailer
cooking/dining/living area - there was never any reason to go inside!
the trailer I slept in
Garden 1 - we helped set up the gravity-fed drip irrigation (the buckets on the right along the fence) by syphoning water from the creek that runs a few feet behind the garden.
there's a waterfall on the farm - it was my favorite place to read, paint or just sit & listen
the morning after a heavy rain
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me on the waterfall! {photo taken by Lucy}
Chandelier Springs sits on a very large hill & the gardens are nestled in tiers which run up the side of the hill (hence the name: Chandelier).
Needless to say - there were breathtaking views from any spot on the homestead!
one of our neighbors had acres of avocado & grapefruit trees!
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Morning Star Ranch in the distance
down the bumpy dirt road 5-10 minutes is The Yellow Deli - a restaurant, cafe and farm stand owned & operated by Morning Star Ranch {Chandelier's neighbors}.
The Yellow Deli has quite a few other locations throughout the country - I highly recommend a visit and a tea! : yellowdeli.com.
our little WWOOFer family at Chandelier Springs [left to right] - me, Lucy, Yann & Elodie - photo taken by farmer Doug