Skywalker Ranch

Among the many things that are interesting about Skywalker Ranch are the polarized reactions from people when you say its name. The words are met either with a mildly polite, curious stare or else by eyes suddenly wide open at the mention of a magical, perhaps mythical place of their dreams. And now that I've had more than enough time to fully absorb the experience of spending a day there, it seemed May 4th , unofficially Star Wars Day (May the 4th be with you!) is a good day to write about it.

We had a trip to San Francisco planned when an artist who works on the Clone Wars series invited me to come with my family to visit Skywalker Ranch. Of course, I was thrilled at the idea and I couldn't wait to see what my son's reaction was going to be. I walked into the living room and smiled at my husband.

"Thomas is going to be so excited!"

"Why? What's up?"

"We've been invited to go to Skywalker Ranch for the day."

My husband initially just stared at me, trying to comprehend what he'd just heard. I hadn't realized until that moment how much Star Wars can mean to adult men of a certain age.

"Wait, we get to go to Skywalker Ranch?"

"Yes."

"Are you kidding me? Because that's not even funny if you're joking."

"No, it's true. We just need to set up the day."

"What? Go do it! Now!"

Let's just say it was a very highly-anticipated adventure from that moment on.

I love that Skywalker Ranch is off the grid, that it's far enough away from everything else that, in every direction, all you see is gorgeous countryside. From the outside, the main house looks like a traditional, albeit huge, early 20th century residence. But, inside, it's full of incredible art and artifacts that are so plentiful that after a while, you feel like you're in the treasure trove room in National Treasure. It has a library that, frankly, is where I'd like to live. Other buildings are a kind of fusion between the Arts and Crafts Movement and Asian elements, breaking the barriers between building and nature.

Walking around the property, up and down pebbled trails, past ponds, vineyards, and glowingly green hills, your imagination can run wild. I suspect that's entirely intentional. The artists at Skywalker Ranch work long hours and are never without deadlines. To step away from their computers and walk out into a vibrant, varied landscape has to have an incomparable effect. In quiet peace, fantastical ideas can emerge. At Skywalker Ranch, extraordinary creativity is unleashed.

I never, ever would have been at Skywalker Ranch if it hadn't been for the generous offer by my friend, Jahkeeli, to break from his schedule to serve as host. I tried to imagine what it would be like for a talented visual artist like himself to be surrounded by remarkably beautiful art inside, breathtaking scenery outside. To have that one's daily "work environment". Even though I honestly couldn't quite envision what it would be like, his genuine enthusiasm made it clear that he appreciates and embraces it entirely.

Every now and then, one has the opportunity to visit a place unlike any other place. To experience something that, later, doesn't quite seem like it really happened. And, in this case, I'm so grateful to have had the chance to explore a certain, special spot from which emanates unsurpassed creativity.