The Ultimate Mulholland Estate UTV Adventure

Grandparents’ UTV adventure on our sustainable agave farm for agave spirit(tequila and Mezcal) in Hollywood Hill was an experience for all. See for yourself in the YouTube link. There’s no better way to explore our vast and rugged terrain than with a trusty UTV (Utility Task Vehicle). This vehicle can handle almost anything—or so we thought. But that’s a story for another time. Let me tell you about the grandparents, Nani and Nana, and their adventurous first UTV ride on our property. This ride was not just for fun but also to show them the awe-inspiring beauty of our estate and the challenges of sustainable farming. They were genuinely excited to do it; no convincing was needed. What started as nerve-racking quickly turned chaotic. Nani couldn’t stop screaming (we should have brought earplugs), and Nana had moments of hesitation but also threw in the occasional “wow.” 

Nana’s Apprehension and Nani’s Screaming

As we embarked on our UTV adventure, it was evident that Nani and Nana had starkly different responses to the experience. Nani, our firecracker Indian grandma with a heart of gold and a thick accent, was visibly nervous from the get-go despite her earlier excitement. “I’m scared right now.” We haven’t even started yet. “Just go slow,” she pleads. On the other hand, Nana was quiet and calm, or was that his way of dealing with terror? The contrast in their reactions was quite amusing.

Despite Nani’s initial hesitation, we assured her that we would take it slow and make sure she felt comfortable throughout the journey. And as the UTV started to move, Nani’s fears quickly went to the next level. So much so that our son, Julian, asked if she was acting. She wasn’t.

Navigating the Rugged Terrain

We navigate the winding paths and climb those heart-stopping inclines. Nani and Nana’s reactions were a study in contrast. Nani, initially petrified, found pockets of awe amidst the screams. The breathtaking panorama stretched out before us, a tapestry of rolling hills dotted with towering plants, all basking under the majestic gaze of the Hollywood sign. “Wah, so much land!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with a childlike wonder. We all have those moments – the mountains genuinely have a way of stealing your breath away. This moment for Nani was short-lived as we went off-roading down the mountain, not able to see the other side. At this point, she insists on getting off and walk back up. Unlikely. 

On the other hand, Nana seemed mesmerized; maybe it was terror. But he was thoroughly enjoying the thrill of the ride for the most part, occasionally letting out a “Wow” or a chuckle as we tackled the more challenging sections of the terrain. “This is not bad,” he said, his confidence growing.

As we neared the end of our ride, Nani’s initial fears began to melt away, replaced by exhilaration and accomplishment. “It looks so bad from there,” she said, referring to the daunting appearance of the terrain from a distance. “But it’s not bad.” Then, we heard one last scream as we drove up to the approaching house.

Overcoming Fears and Building Trust

As we navigated the challenges together, we could feel the trust. Who am I kidding? Nani would have jumped off if she weren’t stuck between us. We would have had to airlift her back, an expensive outcome. Nana’s trust in our driving skills and the capabilities of the UTV grew. Just when we thought Nana was calm and trusted us, he let out a story about a friend who was thrown out of a UTV and died on the spot. “And that ride wasn’t as bad as this one.” Maybe we aren’t building trust. LOL. But the shared experience brought us closer as a family.

Exploring the Awesome Mulholland Estate

Beyond the thrill of the UTV ride, Nani and Nana’s adventure also allowed them to discover the estate’s breathtaking beauty and rich history. They were amazed by the towering plants, the rolling hills, and the stunning vistas that stretched before them right under the Hollywood Sign.

Nani, in particular, was fascinated by the ongoing efforts to clear the land and prepare it for planting. “There are rows and rows of agave plants,” she said, her eyes scanning the landscape. “And now you’re starting to clear all this mountain here because you have to plant all the small ones?” we discussed how we would harvest and rotate areas for planting to maintain soil nutrients. The estate uses organic methods, including neem oil for pest and fungus control and manual weed removal. They were fascinated by how many gopher holes dot the mountain. It’s a constant battle against those pesky gophers (thankfully, our resident owls seem to be holding their own in that war!). This may need to be addressed in the future, but they haven’t harmed any plants…yet. 

The experience gave Nani and Nana a deeper appreciation for the hard work and dedication required to maintain and develop the Mulholland Estate. They learned about the efforts to line rocks and boulders to redirect rainwater flow, preventing plant damage. We already lost some during the spring rains, which caused a mudslide smack down the middle of our mountain. We placed coconut mats all along the top of the mountain as this disperses rain flow and prevents erosion. They witnessed firsthand the challenges and the rewards of this endeavor, and it left a lasting impression on them. But mostly, they were happy to make it back unharmed.

Embracing the Farming Lifestyle

More than just a UTV adventure, this was our chance to describe our plans of harvesting Agave plants to craft agave spirit. They were particularly fascinated by the unique blend of tradition and modernity that characterizes life on the estate. But their simple joy of discovering a single mango plant with a pomegranate and lime plant next to it was one of the highlights of their visit, even after seeing a mountain of rows and rows of agave plants. We love that they enjoy simple things like this, but they were saddened by the death of the single fig tree. Some things never change. 

Nani and Nana also had the chance to connect with the extended family who were staying with us. Indian food, stories, and laughter under the pergola. They were able to immerse themselves in the unique blend of tradition and modernity that defines this one-of-a-kind destination. These moments of family bonding, sharing stories, and laughter were as much a part of their adventure as the UTV ride.

Cheers!

Priti