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About Al Palisca

My Name is Al Palisca. My son, brothers and I developed this land and built this house. It is my home. I moved to California from Pennsylvania in 1978 to explore and enjoy Yosemite National Park. I worked for the National Park Service in Yosemite for 27 years, married and raised two children here and just love it! I currently live in Prague, Czech Republic for 6-months of the year, and am making my home available to travelers to the Yosemite area while I am away.

Al Palisca purchased this House in 2005

Why Al Palisca chose Mariposa

Mariposa is a wonderful place to live, work and play. The weather is fantastic and there are many outdoor activities close at hand. The Oak Meadows House is located in the town of Mariposa which sits in the wintertime sweet spot being above the fog and below the snow. The slower, rural nature of Mariposa County is appealing in a wholesome and fulfilling way. Come and unwind, relax and feel the peacefulness of the rural lifestyle while you explore Yosemite and the surrounding area. My brother Mike is the on-site property manager, greeter and maintenance person for the Oak Meadows House. He lives in a separate studio apartment on the land with his two friendly dogs. His presence provides exceptional security, and a knowledgeable local person to help with whatever you might need during your stay, be it driving directions, maintenance needs, or recommendations on what to see or where to dine.

What makes this House unique

This plans for this house was originally designed by David Arkin and Anni Tilt as a 4 bedroom Straw Bale house. The original house was constructed in Mill Valley, California in 2000 as a straw-bale house and was named 'Natural Habitat'. I modified the plans to allow the house to be built into the hillside here in Mariposa. The Straw Bale walls were replaced with insulated concrete walls that could withstand burial in the earth. The following description of the house is from the Healthy Home Plans website. 'Natural Habitat is featured in the book, 'The New Strawbale Home', received the Western Home Award from Sunset magazine, and was also featured in 'Real Simple Magazine'. This stunning and inspirational family home does not isolate its residents from one another or from the surrounding environment. The architects, David Arkin & Anni Tilt, a husband and wife team, conceived of and designed this home to give the residents a sense of being at home in nature. This four-bedroom home is a showcase of environmental innovations, beginning with its modest size. The smaller claim on resources of all kinds, is where building green really begins. At 1,860 square feet, it is 470 square feet smaller than the average new American house, yet it feels open and unconfined and more than big enough for a family of five. The kitchen, living and dining areas share one generous space with differing ceiling heights, from an intimate 8 feet to a lofty 16 feet, to define each area. While compact, the floor plan still includes a variety of intimate spaces - a separate entryway, a laundry room, and a window covered office alcove behind the kitchen - providing private places to retreat to.' This house is simply a joy to live in with beautiful and abundant natural light filling the living space. The surrounding land is peaceful and private, yet only 1 mile from the town of Mariposa, where you will find everything you need for your stay