n a quiet road back in the west foothills sits a 107-year-old house and some guest cottages . The “ Red House ” was built in 1905 after the 20 room Victorian lodge burned down in 1904 . This area on Redwood Retreat Road was a favored place for Bay Area Victorians seeking a little metaphysical rest and relaxation .

This old house has many stories to tell but at Christmas time it comes alive with a very personal family tradition . Shirley and

John Huyett are transplants , having moved here a little over two years ago . At the time they had a Wendy ’ s Restaurant in the East Bay and in Salinas . They have since sold the East Bay restaurant . They needed a home between the two . John spotted a Craigslist posting for the “ Red House ”, was the first person to see it at 8:00 one morning and immediately put a deposit down . Both Shirley and John grew up in old warm houses with lots of people and history attached to the dwellings . When they

32

G I L R O Y T O D A Y W I N T E R / H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 2