Another set of family friends that we made time to visit were Lisa and Elaine. My mom used to work for them until she started her embroidery business. Now she still works with them but in a different way. Lisa and Elaine every summer host what they have called Camp Erutan (nature spelled backwards). They invite kids who have been in foster care and may have been split up from siblings. They take these kids camping along the Central Coast so they can get into nature and experience things they normally wouldn't have the opportunity for and to get to spend time with their siblings.
Monday we were invited to spend some time with Lisa and Elaine and their campers. First we got to get a tour of the Nitt Witty house. If you have ever been to Cambria, there is a chance you have seen this house and thought what in the world! I had no idea that it was structurally sound. But it is, in fact it has survived better than any other structure in Cambria during earthquakes.
Here is the story: This guy started building this house in 1928. He was an orphan with no siblings or any kind of family. He worked most of his life for the Cambria city garbage department and he would find things that people had thrown out and he would take them and use them in his house. Like all of the abalone shells he used in his stairs. Or cans as part of a wall. He made his own cement with sand and water.
He found all sorts of things to decorate his home and add to the structure. I liked this plaque and the quote on it. Look at the statue he found and the piece that he made out of hub caps.
Jack and Lisa are good friends. When Jack was born Lisa and Elaine gave my mom an apple 'Jack' tree and when my parents moved to ABQ Lisa and Elaine planted it at their office. We never made it over there so that Jack could eat an apple from his tree but maybe someday we will make it there.
This place was a photographers dream. I literally could have spent all day there. Every where I turned I saw more stuff. There were knick knacks everywhere and it was another beautiful day so the lighting was great.
Of course there was an inside to this crazy house! He had a kitchen, his room, guest rooms, a family room and more I think but I didn't get to see all of it. He did have a guest room just for female visitors. I love how he decorated.
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| The kitchen |
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| The kitchen |
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| How about some this wall paper in your house? I think that it is pictures from calendars or magazines! |
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| A bedroom |
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| Another Bedroom |
This is the gentleman who owns the Nitt Witt Ridge now. The original owner/builder passed away in 1998 (I think that is what he said, I can't remember exactly). He now gives tours of the house. No one lives in the house anymore.
I am always looking for picture frames. I had never thought to use old toilet sets!
He literally mixed in what he could find to create his walls, steps, and foundation. Here are a few more treasures that I found embedded in the cement as we were leaving.
It was certainly a treat to be able to take a tour of this house. Since I was so busy snapping pictures I missed most of the tour guides remarks. Either way this place was so fun to visit and I really enjoyed getting a chance to see it.
After the tour of the Nitt Witt Ridge, Lisa and Elaine provided us with dinner at a nearby park with the campers. A tradition that they have at Camp Erutan is while everyone eats they go around the table and each person has to say one bad thing about their day, one good thing about their and one thing that they are thankful for. One of the campers was particularly funny. Before dinner the boys were all playing football on the field with the campers. This camper took a liking to my brother in law Stephen. It was funny because he kept calling Stephen, Steve. Which no one ever does because that is what his dad goes by so it is just easier to call him Stephen. But this camper mentioned 'Steve' for his good part of the day, and thankful part of the day. And requested that Stephen sit next to him during dinner. It was funny.
Playing at the park. I think that Meghan had more fun the kids.
Another good day in California. I long to go back. In fact the other day Paige asked if we could go to the beach. I love that I have beach babies!
Here is the story: This guy started building this house in 1928. He was an orphan with no siblings or any kind of family. He worked most of his life for the Cambria city garbage department and he would find things that people had thrown out and he would take them and use them in his house. Like all of the abalone shells he used in his stairs. Or cans as part of a wall. He made his own cement with sand and water. 
