I have been so busy lately I’ve been negleting the blog, let see if I can get caught up here….
On July 28th, I shot an event for Criswell-Radovan, they are a developer who is working on a project at Aetna Spring Resort in Pope Valley. They are going to be restoring these old buildings and it will become a brand new resort. Very nice people, interesting rustic feel to the place. The event was held so that potential investors and the public could tour the property. Here is a few photos that I found interesting from the shoot.
Here are some people touring one of the old buildings
Some of the buildings are really run down……..like this one, but I love all the textures.
The property is really pretty surrounded by vineyards, I can see the potential for it to be a really great place.
After the tour the guests gathered for a good ald fashioned BBQ.
If you are interested in photography for your event, feel free to contact me.
Photography By Sarah 
I loved looking at these. Our family vacationed at Aetna Springs for a week every summer in the 1950s and 1960s–when it was absolutely wonderful. Our grandmother even took a mineral bath. There were old horses that we rode every year, we played endless pinball, square-danced at the weekly barbeque, etc. It was heartbreaking to see it go downhill after it was sold. I’m so glad it’s being rejuvenated!
Comment by Jennifer Bunting — Wednesday, July 9, 2008 @ 8:59 am
So great to see that our vacation
spot is coming back to life.
We had wonderful summers there and
still have the memories.
I’ll be a returning customer for
sure.
Comment by Cappy Cahill Ames — Tuesday, February 24, 2009 @ 6:44 pm
Like Jennifer (above), I have fond memories of that place – actually, of Pope Valley itself. My grandfather owned 320 undeveloped acres for many years up in Butts Canyon, where we camped and hunted often. Often, we dropped into Aetna Springs for some R & R in the 1950’s. I still have the great memories of that place and shot a bunch of pictures when I was last in that valley in 2004. (http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/151443079DFPwMc?start=0)
Comment by Bob Burns — Sunday, August 19, 2012 @ 2:21 pm
I’m just finding out about this place, reading a short memoire written by my grandmother, Barbara Levy Zelinsky, born 1918. She grew up vacationing at Aetna Springs with her parents, Rachel Rutherfod (Hortop) Levy and Leopold Levy. She says they didn’t have a lot of money, but her dad never stinted on their vacations there. She says it was called the “Little Del Monte” in those days, and was absolutely beautiful. This must have been in late 1920’s & early 30’s. I’m pretty sure I have some photos of them there. We have lots of old photos and of course people take a lot when they are on vacation.
Comment by Monta Zelinsky Briant — Saturday, January 15, 2022 @ 8:52 pm