50 Acres in Squaw Valley, CA - $895,000

** a brilliant, 300 sq. ft. covered entertainment pergola... backed by a custom outdoor kitchen with both a gas and charcoal grill; all overlooking

** your very own private pond - with a running track around it - and the hills beyond;

** a beautiful, backyard free-form swimming pool with passive solar-heating, a secluded hillside backdrop, an amazing glass block outdoor shower, and a covered back patio;

** an archery range; and

** 2 horseshoe pitching courts.

The house itself is surrounded on 3 sides by an elevated 2,100 sq. ft. wraparound redwood-planked veranda. Inside the home is over 3,700 sq. ft. of gracious living, consisting of 10 rooms with 3 bedrooms and 3.5 baths. All the walking and dining areas are hardwood floor while the bedrooms and living areas are all carpeted. In the front of the house, you find:

** a hollywood-style sunken living room... which features a rock-faced corner fireplace and leads out through French doors to the backyards covered patio and pool area.

** a huge country island kitchen - with a Sub-Zero refrigerator, a Thermador cook top, built-in microwave and convection ovens, a chef's hanging pot rack, and generous pantry and cabinetry.

** four eating areas - The kitchen is flanked on one side by a bright and cheery formal dining room and service pantry with a separate entrance to the veranda; on the other side, there's a gracious breakfast room, which opens to the veranda's dining and BBQ area. In the patio by the pool, there's yet another eating area.

** a reading room/parlor with fireplace; and

** a mudroom with half-bath servicing the pool, garage and main house.

Moving down the hall to the living quarters in the back of the house, you find:

** an oak-crown-molded office/study/computer room,

** a lovely full guest bath,

** 2 gracious bedrooms - each with bay windows, window seats and large walk-in closets - that share a roomy, Jack-and-Jill-style full bathroom with double sinks, spa tub and glass shower,

** farther down the hall is a custom, hardwood linen/storage center; conveniently located next to

** a huge, windowed laundry/utility work room; and finally,

** The master suite - a luxurious 500 sq.ft. with a corner fireplace, French doors going out to the pool and stone patio area; and a pocket-door revealing a private office and library, which exits to the far end of the veranda. The master bath is stunning... a huge clear glass shower, elegant step-up spa tub, double sinks with dressing table, and large linen closet. The walk-in wardrobe closet is very spacious with loads of storage and shelves.

Attached to the side of the house is a 1,200 sq. ft. fully-finished, 3-car garage with oversized automatic doors, a large work area, and a service room for the 75-gal. hot water heater and built-in vacuum system. Above the garage there is room for constructing a good-sized caretaker quarters or mother-in-law suite. As a bonus, there's room for growth in the 3,000 sq. ft. as-yet-unfinished attic with cathedral-ceilings.

At about 2,300 feet in elevation, the property experiences all four seasons. Summers are cooler than are found in the valley. In winter, you are above the dreariness of the valley fog yet below the snow line. Rainfall averages about 30 inches and you will experience an occasional snow... enough to enjoy but not so much as to be a burden. Wildlife abounds with deer, quail, wild turkey, boar, bobcats, fox, raccoons, raptors, and more. The 4-stall barn has a traditional design and is complete with office and tack room areas.

This truly is an exceptional property, a perfect place to escape and decompress. The pictures just don't do justice to what you will find. Obviously, this isn't a property for everyone, but if you are looking for a "signature property", here is a country jewel to soothe the soul and make you proud.

Showings are strictly by appointment only. Proof of financial capacity will be required prior to any showing. Because this is a very rural environment, we recommend long pants and appropriate footwear, i.e. boots. Be prepared to be impressed.