From "Thee Castle" to Las Vegas

This was by far the most exciting thing Tierra did this summer.

Remember the Castle that used to be visible from Hwy 89? I always looked for it when I was little coming home from visiting my grandma in West Jordan. My mom and I actually drove up there after it had been framed and walked through it once.

(Here it is today.)

Well it turns out after all these years, Tierra has been related to the owners. The original owner of the castle went bankrupt and the castle sat empty for 2 years. That is when the new owners bought it 17 yrs. ago. He was into real estate and bought it to fix up and sell. But he fell in love with it. He was a vacuum salesman when he first got married, but now he also owns a home in Vegas worth 8 million. (which Tierra was hoping to visit while in Vegas with her dad, but they were here at the castle because it was too dang hot down there). One of two pools. This one is on the side of the house.

Tierra's dad Phillip invited her to come visit him in Las Vegas. Phillip's distant cousin who also lives in Vegas also was here and would drive her down in Phillips truck. This cousin, Bernie, was visiting his parents home (the Castle)...so Tierra got to spend the night there (like Weekend at Bernie's ha ha) before heading to Vegas with him and his family. He offered to give us a tour when we brought Tierra. So I took my mom who was very excited and curious and Tierra invited Shae. Bernie was very informative about the history of the castle and the woodwork etc. Tierra asked if she could take pictures but her camra is retarded so some pictures are very blurry. Here is the entrance hall to the master bedroom. If you can see the lions heads on each side, they are time capsules that the builders put in. Bernie's dad did a lot of remodeling in it. Terrible picture but this is the ceiling in the master bedroom. The original owner dated an Opera singer and this ceiling was built for the acoustic quality so she could rehearse here.

A view of the front entrance way from the second level.

The castle had a few secret doors and hidden passages. One cubby had a ladder in it that led to a small room that had a view of the city and Great Salt Lake. The study had a wall of books that was a secret door that led to the master bedroom...just like the movies! Inside the master bedroom. The stairs led to a lounging room with a stove in it??

There were several spiral staircases and most of the railings were from one piece of wood! They have awesome carvings in them too. Some of the ceilings had ornate paintings on them like you'd see in Italy. There was also a piano that could play CD's. The dining table looking into the kitchen. Cookie, Bernie's mom in the background.

Pool and theater room

Bernie and Tierra.

They use this golf cart to drive up to the backyard and pool house..it is so steep. winding pathway that led from the house up the mountain side. Bernie laid most of the stones himself.

Decorative pond with goldfish

Looking down on the castle and tennis courts. The road you see ahead is Antelope Dr.

Shae and Tierra at the beach house pool

Beach house where their ground keepers lived for the last 17 yrs. They were a poor couple from Mexico who spoke only Spanish and could not have children. They saved enough money over the years to retire and buy a nice ranch and just moved back to Mexico recently.

Tierra had a fun night hanging out with Bernie, his girlfriend and their kids (2 girls around T's age and a few boys too). Then had a long drive to Vegas.

They had lunch in the Stratosphere restraunt overlooking the Strip

View from the restraunt

T and Phillip (that tuft of hair on his chinny chin chin is not normally there) ha ha

M&M factory

Phillips street

Phillips house, she was excited that she had her very own room and bathroom, no surprise for a bachelor pad.

They swam at Mandalay Bay and watched the World Hip Hop Dance Competition at one of the casinos.

Swimming at Bernie's house with family and friends