| If you would like to keep an eye on what the weather is like, please visit this National Weather Service Website! (Click on the map a little to the right of Porterville) Sunday, the day after the wedding and reception, will be a clean-up day at the ranch. If you can stay and help out we would appreciate it! About River Ridge River Ridge Ranch is a unique combination of working cattle ranch, recreation and education guest ranch in oak savannah foothills of the western Sierra Nevada. The environmentally-conscious 722-acre ranch borders the Tule River and the 323,000 acre Giant Sequoia National Monument. There are miles of interpretive nature trails across gentle, rolling oak woodlands or you may ascend from 1200' on the Tule River to 3,000' on Lumreau Mountain - all on the same property! Gary Adest and Barbara Brydolf, the owners of River Ridge, both live in Springville, CA (population 1000). Both are trained in biology - he in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology - she in Molecular Genetics. They bought River Ridge (formerly the Negus Ranch) in 2000 when it looked as if the land would end up as a major housing development on the Tule River. Barbara and Gary thought they had a better idea… By working with their local land trust, the Sequoia Riverlands Trust, and a number of partners and donors, they were able to place a conservation easement on the ranch and market the development rights. River Ridge is now fully protected in perpetuity and will remain a haven for people seeking personal restoration and recreation and for the flora and fauna which abound on the property. The natural diversity of the ranch is exceptional as you ascend from riparian zone through oak woodland to chaparral. River Ridge is home to valley oak, blue oak and live oak woodlands, interwoven with buckeye and redbud. The riparian corridor hosts sycamore, cottonwood, alder, ash and willow forests along with numerous shrub species. The hills and ridges are covered with oaks, manzanita, mountain mahoghany and yucca and topped by a chamise and California lilac chaparral. The spring flowers are inspirational: fiddleneck, popcorn flower, monkey flower, poppies and blue dicks, to name a few. This land was home to the Yokuts Indians and the remaining evidence of their lives here on River Ridge is protected. The ranch is also bestowed with abundant wildlife: California Quail, Wild Turkey, Wood Duck, Golden Eagle, Western and Mountain bluebirds, Lawrence's Goldfinch, Lewis' Woodpecker and exceptional neotropical migrants such as Black-throated Gray and Hermit warblers, Cassin's Vireo, and Hammond's Flycatcher. Springville is consistently in the top 10% of the Audubon Christmas Bird Count of all inland United States locations. Mammals include mountain lion, bobcat, mule deer, ringtail, black bear, raccoon and cottontail bunnies. Adjacent Forest Service lands are home to rare species such as Pacific fisher and marten, wolverine, Goshawk, Great Gray owl and Spotted owl. California Condor once again soar over River Ridge! Travel Arrangements Directions: River Ridge Ranch is located at 37794 Balch Park Road in Springville. From Highway 65 in Bakersfield, go north to Porterville, then take Highway 190 east to Springville. From Hwy 99 in Fresno, go south to Tipton, then take Highway 190 east to Springville. At the far end of Springville, turn left on Balch Park Road (you'll see a Big White Barn that says Springville Ranch.) Go 1.6 miles and the ranch entrance is on your right hand side. You'll see a wooden sign for "River Ridge Ranch" and we'll put some balloons and ribbon out there to catch your eye. There is an upper parking area right when you pull in and shortly downhill from that a lower parking area. Park wherever you'd like. After the lower area walk north on the gravel road and pass through the gate that has a stop sign that doesn't say stop (it says, "Whoa" lol!) Cross the bridge across the small creek then hang a left and you'll see the big pavilion. It's not a long ways to walk, but it is a little bit distant (I'd say at the most 1/6 of a mile), so make sure you wear shoes appropriate for a gravel road! For those that have trouble walking we will have a golf cart available to help transport you. Airports: The nearest airports to Springville are Bakersfield (1 hr), Fresno (1.5 hr), Burbank (2.5 hr), or LAX (3 hr, but traffic often makes it further away... Burbank is the better choice in the LA area if you can manage it.) Accommodations: River Ridge has areas where you can tent camp or bring your RV. Please let me know if that's something you'd be interested in! You would have access to the toilets and shower house. There are also a few rustic cabins (they are approximately 12x12 and have a double bed and that is pretty much it, you will be just a few steps away from the toilets and shower house. They rent for $25/night). Two of these cabins are still available, let me know if you'd like to stay in one! Update 2/1: Looks like all the cabins are spoken for! But please let us know if you'd like to camp. The historic Springville Inn provides lovely rooms only about a 5 minute drive away from River Ridge. They are a little on the expensive side but very nice. Please visit www.springvilleinn.com for more information! The Best Western Porterville Inn is an easy 20 minute drive from the ranch. Their website is www.bestwestern.com They are also building a Holiday Inn next door to it and when it becomes available I'll let y'all know! Update 3/12: It doesn't look like they're going to have the Holiday Inn open until July, so scratch that idea! In Lindsay, approximately 1/2 hour northwest of Springville, there is a Super 8 Motel. This may be a good option for anybody coming from northern California or flying in and out of Fresno, because if you stay there Saturday night then it will be on the way home or to the airport. Visit www.super8.com for more information. |
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| This is the pavillion... if the weather's warm like it should be, the "reed wrapping" if you will, will come off and it will be open-sided |
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| This is Todd standing near the nice campfire ring and outdoor seating area |
| This is the Ranch Kitchen. It will soon have cement poured around it... |
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| The pathway leading to the river and a potential ceremony site underneath a gracefully arching sycamore tree. Please note that this was taken in January when the grass is still brown for the most part and the trees are bare. In May everything will be much greener! |
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| This is the Ranch Beach, lol The river is quiet this time of year but will be running higher in May and if the weather is warm then after the wedding we can go swimming! Or perhaps take a nap in that hammock hanging between those trees ;) |
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| Recommended Restaurants: Springville: El Nuevo, Hwy 190, left hand side as you come into town. Cheap and good Mexican Food! Porterville: Black Bear Diner, Hwy 65 and Olive. Big portions of yummy food. El Nuevo, Henderson Ave Exit off of Hwy 65, go west then turn left on Prospect. It'll be on your left hand side. Cheap and good Mexican Food! Gift Registry We are registered at Target and REI We've also created a Honeymoon Registry at Sendusoff.com Check it out and learn about where we're planning to honeymoon :) Guestbook Please sign our wedding guestbook! Name: Craig and Sandy Relationship: Mother and Stepfather of groom Location: Weldon, CA Website or email address: peterson14@earthlink.net Comments: Welcome to the family Carol. Love you both. ~ Mom and Dad Name: Cynthia & Tony Relationship: Quasi-Aunt and Uncle to Todd Location: Ridgecrest, CA Website or email address: sunnyd@iwvisp.com Comments: I've known Todd since he was a 'little' kid...Now that he's all 'grown up' I'm so delighted that he found a special person in Carol. Tony and I are so looking forward to their union and wish them nothing but happiness in each other!! Name: Rev. Mindi Relationship: Carol's roommate in college, best friend, and now officiant! Carol was also my maid of honor Location: Framingham, MA Website or email address: u2 mindi at yahoo dot com Comments: Congratulations! I am looking forward to meeting Todd and to officiating at your wedding! May is a good month for weddings. :) Name: Brian and Patty Relationship: Best Man ~ Good friends Location: Lake Isabella, CA Website or email address: plampy@verizon.net Comments: Congrats!! May God fill your lives will His love and peace. Name: The Arnold/Kruger Family: Rodney, Tina, Crystal, Brandon, and Cassie Relationship: Sister and Brother-in-law, nieces and nephew to groom: members of the wedding party Location: california city, ca Website or email address: jcmyhlp@msn:com Comments: Todd and Carol are wonderful together. We are so very happy that they found each other. We are very blessed and honored to be part of the ceremony. Name: Mikel Pernisco Relationship: I guess you could call me the grooms nephew? Location: Bodfish, Ca Website or email address: ianxedious@yahoo.com http://www.myspace.com/pernisco Comments: Congratualations Todd and Carol. You have my many wishes for a long and successful relationship. May you two be happy for forever and then some. ~mikel Name: Brandon Relationship: Todd's Nephew Location: Cal city Website or email address: brk256@yahoo.com Comments: this web site is awsome and i am glad u 2 found each other. Carol i think u will be and amazing wife for my favorite Uncle Todd Name: 4wheelbob Relationship: Camping Partner - in - Arms Location: Livermore, CA Website or email address: coomberr@wellsfargo.com Comments: Y'know, it's just about time you two did this thing right! Gina and I knew this was heading the right direction the first time we met you both. We'll see you on May 12th! Name: Kristine Zeigler & Joe McCrossen, Jr. Relationship: Sister and brother-in-law of the Bride Location: San Francisco, CA Website or email address: kzeiglermass@yahoo.com Comments: Welcome to the family Todd. I've always wanted a brother, now I'm getting one! Wishing you both many years of happiness and small satisfactions. Love, Kristine & Joe Name: Phil/Wanda Zeigler Relationship: Mom & Dad Location: Escondido California Website or email address: wziggie@yahoo.com Comments: Carol and Todd, Words are hard to find. Happiness is both of your daughters finding their knights in shining armour. We wish you love. ~ Mom and Dad Name: Yvonne Miller Relationship: Carol's Aunt on Her Mothers' side Location: Lindale, Texas Website or email address: ylindale@yahoo.com Comments: May you both have all you desire in your life together. Congrats to both of you. Number of Visitors to this site Visit Carol's Website www.tarol.com |
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| Cabin #1 |
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| Cabin #2 |
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| The bathhouse has two showers inside |
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| Only City Folk say "Stop" lol |
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| The Springville Inn is easy to spot, just look for the stagecoach on top! |
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