
The Holler is surrounded by thousands of empty acres.

It has many oak groves, and permanent and seasonal creeks running through it.

900 of these acres are set aside as a permanent nature preserve, and many more 1000’s of acres are still free from human development.

There are no hiking trails or public access, but we live adjacent to the preserve and hike it several times a week.

The Holler was first settled in the 1890’s and consisted of 2,700 acres. It was a working ranch for much of its history. Crumbling fences and old ranch dirt roads remain. We hike the dirt roads, and game trails, which are everywhere.

This is the lower pasture below our house, and this is where we access the preserve.

Since people are not here, The Holler is full of wildlife and has an entirely different feel from hiking in parks that people frequent. This natural ecosystem is unique for over-developed Southern California.

We see oodles of tracks, coyotes, bobcat, cougar, raccoon, but no deer. There are no deer because there are too many predators for them to survive. There are lots of kill sites and bones scattered around, but I will spare you photos of these, even though I have them.

And of course there are hundreds of birds! Cheers to you from the still wild Holler~
Where exactly is this incredible Xanadu? Your photos are wonderful!
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This Xanadu, with no Kubla Khan, is hidden away in a rural part of Southern California.
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Aah… once of the most beautiful spots in the world. You are very blessed!
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❤ ❤
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How you know where and how to live and go and take great photographs! Thank you for sharing them with us!!
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Thank you much more for your very kind appreciation.
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Beautiful Cindy, and this sure sounds like the kind of place that I would dearly love 🙂
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Yes, I know you would and the birds would love you!
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Oh my goodness, what a wealth of wildness. My heart leaps to know there are 900 acres of wilderness in southern California. And how fortunate to live next door. Great post, Cindy, thank you — and happy hiking!
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Thank you my friend. Thankfully, SoCal has a surprising number of often unknown preserves sheltering wild critters.
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What a great area to live in, with what amounts to your own private nature preserve!
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Yes, for people like us, who love nature, it is ideal.
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Beautiful place to live and enjoy. It is a blessing.
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Love it Cindy! If you added some vineyards some of those photos could have been taken here. ❤
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Cheers to French vineyards everyday!!! ❤
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creative as always ???<3
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Just like you sweet friend ❤
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love
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Love back to you ❤
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Thank you so much & cheers to you!
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I am absolutely entranced. I too live in Southern California, and clearly I do not know this part. I live in the Inland Empire, in Yucaipa. Do you have a ranch or a farm, and I would love to know the story of how you came to live where you are. It is absolutely beautiful. Loved the photos of some part of the wildlife too.
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I know Yucaipa.
California is amazing isn’t she!
There is more diversity contained here in every way, than anywhere I have traveled.
The greatest thing about blogging, for me, is meeting people like you.
Wonderful to meet you, and look forward to getting to know you.
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Thank you so kindly, Cindy, and the feeling is definitely mutual. Hugs, Anne
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❤ ❤
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Thank you kindly, Cindy.
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❤ ❤ It is my native state.
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Regularly I get the impression you already live in the paradise.
Like Anne Copeland I wonder how you came to find such a beautiful place to live?
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Awwww, so nice of you Marcus. Thank you & be well my friend.
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Bonjour ou bonsoir mon amie et belle CINDY
La mélodie du cœur

Celle que l’on entend qu’une fois et qui nous transporte si loin
Au delà des nuages et au delà des paysages
La mélodie du cœur ne s’invente pas elle s’écoute
Elle est si belle
La mélodie du cœur
Elle nous transporte, fait pousser des ailes d’anges dans le dos
Qu’elle te transporte au paradis là ou tout est éternel
Que ce weekend à venir soit une explosion de bonheur avec tes proches
Bonne journée ou belle soirée
gros bisous
Bernard
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Merci beaucoup mon ami Bernard!
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Big moments
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❤
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🙂
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This looks beautiful! Thank you for sharing! 😀
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Thank you more for your thoughtful appreciation ❤
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Loving that image of the shady grove of trees! 🙂
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It would be fun to hike The Holler with you!
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Sounds like a lovely spot! We still are dark and brown over in New England!
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But spring is going to burst forth for you so soon and it will be so beautiful!
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Definitely true! Although Winter can be very beautiful too! Just can be long and brown sometimes.
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My parents lived in New Hampshire so I know.
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What part of New England are you from? I’m in Nottingham, NH, where I’m looking out my window at a wet, brown day.
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Oh! I’m in Massachusetts and take many Adventures to New Hampshire!
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It’s a beautiful place.
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Beautiful shots. Thank you Cindy.
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Thank you more for the kind appreciation.
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