“ Hello, Paul here. I’ve added this new Roadrunner Rut/Home page to my photography website, sharing info and imagery of life along Roadrunner Rut Rd (RRR) and our newly completed home -1653 RRR in Pipes Canyon, California. The imagery is a mix of the home and hiking it’s 10 acres..

If you want to live in the boulders off-grid, in peace and quiet - surrounded by exotic plants and animals, this is your place… we are looking to find a neighbor.

The home is on our highest-elevation parcel near 4,400 feet, offering stunning unobstructed 360 degree views including the volcanic Black Lava Butte, the Sawtooth Mountains of Pioneertown and its backdrop - snowcapped San Jacinto mountain.

Living along RRR for many years, we have found it to be the most peaceful and rewarding place we have ever lived. There is this quiet, dreamlike energy that surrounds. Just stepping outside instantly clears my mind, reminding me of what’s important in my life - having this cleansing environment anytime at my disposal helps me create and live a more healthy and meaningful life. I feel like I’m a better person when I’m here. I am just in awe.”

Paul Hadley

“This location is culturally and ecologically very special.

The Serrano people and others have occupied this area for the past 2,500 years. Serrano elders have described this area as sacred to their people, especially our adjacent butte named Black Lava Butte, calling this area “Ate ‘ivyat,” which means “Rocky Place.” We live in a rare desert-mountain transition zone with altitudes of 4,000 - 5,000 feet. The abundant water supply and rich plant and animal resources have always made this area a great place to live. You can still find evidence of the people who lived here throughout the area in rock art and ritual activity sites on top of and between the buttes.

The volcanic buttes in this area were granted a special Area of Critical Concern (ACEC) protection, by the B.L.M., and then later in 2015 became part of the newly designated Sand to Snow National Monument. 1653 RRR, borders this National Monument - a true sanctuary to help preserve and protect.

In my 28 years walking, hiking, biking, interacting with this land, I’m still surprised every day by something new. I see why the Serrano people chose to live here, and why they called it “Rocky Place.”

Paul Hadley

For scale: Barn Owl house sits atop a 20’ post

“Being in this transition-zone also creates an interesting combination of animal life. To name a few: coyotes, bobcats, kit foxes, badgers, spotted skunks, deer, mountain lions, black bears, ring-tailed cats, desert tortoises, chuckwallas, and many different varieties of lizards and snakes. The birdlife is equally spectacular, including quail, scrub jays, owls, ravens, falcons, hawks, golden eagles and chukar partridges.

Winters occasionally bring snow… wake up to a foot of snow, now that’s something. After a big snow event the dry-bed streams will run for days with beautiful clear cold water. Special. Each Spring this area becomes carpeted with wildflowers, always in awe - every year witnessing what transforms.”

Paul Hadley

One early morning, a local badger tunneled up and found itself in the middle of Roadrunner Rut. I shoveled back in the dirt and it moved on.

There’s nothing quite like feeling the warm breath of a little cottontail bunny on a cold morning.

“ Our land is comprised of four 10-acre parcels. Twenty years ago, we decided to build a high-quality custom home on each parcel - designed for privacy, security and low-impact integration with the land. We took our time, always trying to steward the land in the best directions. We completed the first home in 2013, and now the second one ten years later.

Each home is fully off-grid with high producing water wells and powerful solar systems. The well at 1653 RRR is 700’ feet deep and we’ve been told it’s one of the best in the area. The 120 square foot well-house protects the well head and water filter system and fire sprinkler pump, and houses the solar system inverters and batteries. Living off-grid gives an incredible feeling of independence and confidence in this world.

We also built a separate 720 square foot climate-controlled structure - that could be used as a “flex-room”, an office/studio, as well as parking cars. There are windows with beautiful views.

Due to the classic western landscapes of boulders and buttes, we wanted the exterior architecture to mimic the spirit of Bodie California, a populous mining town in the late1800’s. You’ll see this in the steep rooflines, covered with corrugated steel and hand-stained cedar siding.

In order to achieve the architecture “look of Bodie”, we hired Robin Abrahams Architect & Philip DeCancio, a killer design team, that executed an edgy Bodie meets Sundance feel — that blends superbly in the environment. Window placement for particular views were a big focus of Robins.

Interiors were influenced by one of my favorite places, Robert Redford’s ski resort in Sundance, Utah - where I would ski in my early years.

We wanted this home to feel like some time-travel has happened as you approach the front porch and walk on it’s heavy salvaged glue-lam beams. Then, as you enter through the 8’ western walnut door, you’re swept again into another place surrounded by Italian plaster walls, aged pine ceiling and an ultra-modern Floritelli kitchen, that co-exists with the feel of an old-renovated lodge/cabin.

We chose to mix in modern luxuries - with the simplicity of an earlier time. I feel they truly complement one another.”

Paul Hadley