They built a beautiful straw-bale home and guest house, or casita (photo, left) in 2004-05 using local earthen plaster, reclaimed wood, and 36 photovoltaic panels.ДЄ water catchment system uses buried downspouts and underground pipes to capture rainwater from metal roofs and collect water in a 6500 storage tank as well as a beautiful set of ponds rimmed with walkways lined by a variety of wild lilacs in brilliant spla shes of purple. Mary Jane Quinn, our first tour guide, is also owner of Pringle Canyon Ranch, our first stop on the tour.Д®n route, she told us how she and her husband, a retired firefighter, realized it was вЂњlove at first sightвЂќ when they first laid eyes on the area. A a red llama born during the Harris wildfire is aptly named вЂњPyro.вЂќ We also see restoration underway of a historic schoolhouse that burned in the 2007 Harris Fire. We pass an eclectic array of homes including a llama ranch, a horse ranch, a tropical aviary, and an artistвЂ™s home with large carved buffalo in front. вЂњWe may have a wine party and Deerhorn Valley Festival for the future,вЂќ Karen Koop said.ДЄfter boarding the bus, we headed out on Mother Grundy Truck Trail into an area settled by ranching families in the 1800s and previousl y occupied by Kumeyaay Indians. This is a community that has forged bonds of friendship and strength after the Harris Fire, which touched nearly everyoneвЂ™s lives in this rural community where some residents trace their roots back to the pioneer era.Д«uoyed by the success of their first-ever home and garden tour, organizers are already looking ahead. The tour is sponsored by the Deerhorn Valley Community Association, with help from friends and neighbors. Snacks were provided at each stop, with a delicious feast at the final destination, along with wine-tasting provided by Dube Vineyards. Facebook Journalism Project covid-19 reportingДЄp(Deerhorn Valley) вЂ“ The first-annual Deerhorn Valley Home and Garden Tour on April 21 provided an intriguing glimpse into the history of this fascinating area of East County, as well as tours of a spectacular and diverse array of homes and gardens.ДЄ unique aspect of this tour, unlike others that are self-guided, was the tour bus provided along with helpful guides who gave details along the way not only of residences on the tour, but also colorful tales about the communities and rich heritage of this region.

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