Stewardship: The 2018 Ratcliff Retreat

Fire has never been a casual concern at Lone Rock Ranch, the coastal acreage in Mendocino County where for the past 39 years the office has gathered on a September weekend.  But as massive forest fires across the West increase in size and frequency, eliminating obvious fuel sources of dead trees and dry undergrowth is an ongoing priority. 

So it was that Kit invited amateur lumberjacks to wield chainsaws and weedwackers last weekend.  Kit’s family has already cleared defensible space around the structures, but announced there is more to be done.  All weekend, the ranch was abuzz with abatement—Tony Martinez trimming pine branches and weedwacking the meadows, Bill Blessing out with the mower on the volleyball courts, Mike and Jack Matson spitting logs were among the crew. 

Hosting the retreat is always a grand gesture by the Ratcliff family on behalf of the firm.  We tend not to focus on the year-round responsibility of maintenance and prevention.  Water, infrastructure, building safety, forestry—it’s an endless list.  We get to enjoy ourselves.  This year’s attendance was around 45 people and a smattering of dogs, and we have a definite impact on the place and the community.  We spend a small fortune at the local supermarket, then add a small mountain of garbage to the same grocery store’s dumpsters at the close of the weekend.  Kit always says how gratifying it is to see how we enjoy the land and the experience.  We seem to enjoy the opportunity to do physical work and return the favor. 

We also try and express our thanks with a gesture of our own.  Of late, that has been a simple donation for the family to apply where it seems needed.  This year we hit on an idea that was actually needed—a new picnic table.  Ron researched online and made the selection, a 10 foot table with benches, and when it arrived—in pieces—took charge of its assembly, then held a workshop with willing handypersons to show how to reassemble it once at the ranch.  Tony loaded it onto his SUV and drove it up Thursday night, then first thing Friday morning got the dang thing assembled. 

So stewardship was alive and well this year.  Not only on the literal ranch and retreat jobs, but on taking care of one another.  Victoria and Elena playing ukulele and piano; Janet E looking out for persons needing calming or aid; Janet T dotting “i”s and crossing “t”s as each meal and phase of the weekend came and went; Holly and Cisco valiantly distributing this year’s tee shirts; David and Cantrell creating a wonderful experience picking apples and processing into delicious cider using David’s restored, historic press; Alison Blessing recruiting daughter Brenna with boyfriend Wiley to conduct a thorough craft beer sampling; Gary Jereczek’s effort to organize a golf game; Sandra and Ernie caring for a tired young Cyrus. 

The list goes on.  Tony was presented the Spirit of the Retreat trophy for his indefatigable work all weekend.  In truth, everyone was a steward of this year’s retreat:  take a bow, attendees of 2018! 

Alex Lim; Andrea Wooding with Alex L.; Bill Blessing with Alison, Brenna and Wiley; Bill Wong  and Linda Mahle; David Driver with Cantrell; Derrick Barron with Federica and Cyrus; Diane Sands with Victoria and Elena; Gary Jereczek with Alice, Allie and Nicole; Holly Dunigan with Cisco; Janet Everett, Jesse Chin; Ken Sekiguchi; John Sealander; Kelley Lemon; Kit Ratcliff with Janet; Lan Ly; Liz O’Hara with John; Marcos Flores with Saba, Abraham and Ariyana; Martin Mitzner; Michelle Nip; Mike Matson with Jack; Richard Steele; and Sandra Butchart with Ernie.  

Make sure and check out this year's photos:

Y:\Ratcliff_Photo_Album\201809 Retreat

THE DREAM TEAM

Lone Rock Ranch, September 9-11, 2016
The 38^th Annual Ratcliff Retreat

Foggy weather endured most of the weekend this year but didn’t put the slightest damper on our enjoyment of Camp Ratcliff.  First arrivals were also this year’s first-timers: 

Derrick, Fredrica and Cyrus were first to stake their tent in the meadow (for their first camping adventure), followed by David and Cantrell, veteran campers who found a spot on the fire trail.
  

 

The ocean’s pull was evident from the outset as several early expeditions to the bluff took place Friday afternoon before dinner got underway.

 
Ping Pong ensued. 

Kit and Janet T. arrived with the main course:  his famous “global warmer” chili that perfectly matched the weather.  An artisanal salad by the Driver party along with cornbread and chocolate cake made for a satisfying repast.  Too foggy for a night walk, the evening passed with greeting new arrivals and fireside chats, until …

Around 9 pm Norman was passing by the ranch house and heard a troubling sound:  water gurgling from a pipe.  Further research revealed a significant leak in one of the pipes directing water from the sole source, the water tank that supplies the entire compound.  Undetected, the tank would have drained in no time.  Water was collected in pots and pans and then was shut off at the source for the rest of the night and into the next day, when the saga continued Saturday morning …

But first, an ode to the new Ranch kitchen.  Veterans of the retreat will remember fondly the metal countertop, hand-hewn cabinetry, and funky refrigerator of yore.  Brand new, the kitchen now has gleaming cabinetry, sustainable countertops and stainless steel appliances—too bland a word for the majestic refrigerator and first-ever dishwasher on the premises.  Using the new kitchen proved to be a pleasure—except that finding anything required a bit of a hunt.  This is another generosity of the Ratcliff family:  that we are allowed to raid the cupboards for serving pieces, pots and pans with the patina of time honored and happy occasions.   
Back to the water crisis: 

Breakfast had hardly gotten underway when a work crew took shape:  Brian and Young were project managers for Kit’s P-I-C; Ryan, Alex, Reaz, Jeff, Marco, and Eric all pitched in to dig out the damaged pipe – a trench that extended almost the width of the ranch house and then at a right angle towards the barn, say 50 feet worth of pipe altogether. 

 While they toiled, a few of us soldiered on into town for a farmer’s market and shopping trip.  Liz and John roughed it at a bakery where there is running water, lattes and WiFi before sojourning to the farmer’s market for a sampling of local apples, jams and flowers.  Lisa’s crew also headed to town but for the practical purpose of water and beer acquisition.  Kit was in charge of requisition of the required piping and fixatives to complete the repairs.

An artistic interlude was meanwhile underway at the ranch with Janet E.’s frieze project:  paints and a length of drawing paper for everyone to contribute sketches inspired by ocean, forest, imagination. 

By lunchtime, the Dream Team had accomplished its mission, allowing for a couple more hours for the fixatives to set before turning the water back on.  Fueled by food, it was time for the nature hike with Kit, and the magical visit to his Uncle Walt's place, the original property structures.

 

 

Meanwhile Alison, Janet T. and Liz turned the big spigot to start the water flow again.  Nice try; actually the water was off and on all weekend as various little glitches made themselves known.  But still.  Janet E. and Liz got busy preparing cobbler for Saturday’s dessert, and the Olsen party arrived with fancy beers and tiny glasses and set up for the afternoon treat:  beer flights, just the thing for returning thirsty hikers.  Soon, Nina was ably assisted by the Ko family, shucking raw oysters and serving BBQ’d versions for appetizers.  While salmon roasted in the oven, our friends at Surf Supermarket delivered hot BBQ’d tri tip and side dishes, and it was time to realize Janet E.’s vision:  dining in the meadow at a long table draped in white cloth.  David and Cantrell (who never stopped helping the whole weekend) arranged posies in jars for décor, and the buffet was laden with a delicious repast. 

 

 

It was mighty elegant.

Lisa made sure everyone chipped in to disassemble tables and chairs, and Janet’s cobblers were dreamy with ice cream for dessert.  It isn’t easy getting people up and out again for the campfire circle, but in corny, homey, amateur and delightful fashion we were treated to poetry and song, plus subjected to silly jokes and shaggy dog stories.  Don Kasamoto we expect a pretty good joke from, but Mike Matson?  Who knew – the dude can tell a tale.  Reaz valiantly led a percussion kirtan, flourishing an enchanted and bottomless bankers box filled with noise makers that everyone (kudos to Jack Matson’s drumming chops) used to make jazzy noise.  Then once again, Dane Meniketti brought the house down with original and evocative poetry. 

What, no volleyball?  This year we came dangerously close to breaking the sacred mandatory volleyball oath, but thanks to Jack Matson and Eric Ko’s valiant efforts, the freshly mowed court saw play. 

And the Spirit of the Retreat trophy goes to:  Nina Pakanant!  Oysters!  Bubbles!  Grace and Elegance! 

 

The water restored, many helpers and the aforementioned dishwasher made cleanup less Herculean, and soon enough campers called it a day, the townies returned to their hot showers and duvets, and one couple even departed—Ken and Young Jae braving a foggy drive home.

Sunday morning, Lone Rock Ranch, and the breakfast crew are under Janet E.’s capable direction as her husband Jeff pours batter for thousands of pancakes accompanied by fruit, bacon and eggs.  Reaz conducts a gentle yoga class nearby.  Then it’s time pack up and head for home. 

This report’s title “The Dream Team” is a bouquet to everyone.  This year’s group seemed to be the hardest working in memory—everyone chipped in, from Sylvie Hayashida and Cyrus Barron’s supplying laughs and happy dog encounters, to David and Cantrell for whom thank you hardly cuts it, to the chain gang pipe busters crew for saving Kit and the ranch a bundle in plumbing repair, to Janet E. and Jeff for working fingers and toes to the bone and making sure everything ran smoothly, to Lisa and her family for being the perennial spirits of the Retreat, to Brian, Eric Ko and others for brilliant piano accompaniment all weekend, to Dave and the new beer flight tradition, to Reaz and his enlightened contributions, to Norman as always for cleaning up the tennis court, to Don K. for being there and reminding us of people and years gone by.  And most of all, to Kit and Janet T. for keeping the tradition alive lo these 38 years.

Here’s this year’s roll call:  Alex Love; Bill and Alison Blessing; Bill Wong; Brian Feagans; Dave, Melanie, Lola and William Olsen; David Driver and Cantrell; Derrick, Fredrica and Cyrus Barron; Diane Sands; Don Kasamoto; Janet Everett and Jeff; John Sealander; Ken Sekiguchi and Young Jae; Kit Ratcliff and Janet T.; Lisa, Marco and Dane Meniketti; Liz O’Hara and Norman; Mike and Jack Matson; Nina Pakanant and Jeff; Reaz Haque; Ryan, Julie and Sylvie Hayashida; Tom Ratcliff; Young, Yuni, Eric and Daniel Ko; and a small and well behaved contingent of four-footed family.

Photographers:  Lisa Meniketti, Nina Pakanant, Derrick Barron

ONLY A MONTH ‘TIL THE 2016 RATCLIFF RETREAT, SEPTEMBER 9, 10, 11




Welcome (back?) to RATTITUDES, blog of the Ratcliff Retreat.  Here is an update on how this year’s gathering is shaping up.  There are only two committee meetings left, August 19 and September 2, and anyone is welcome to attend.  Meanwhile there have been a number of excellent ideas put forth, and we will do our best to make them happen!

First off, getting there:  If you can, head out from home by noon on Friday to miss the inevitable traffic.  It’s about a 3 hour drive, much of it along windy Highway 1.  There are many ways to get there, but the personal favorite is:  101 to E. Washington Blvd., Petaluma, to Bodega Road, that leads to Highway 1 at Bodega Bay, then follow the coast north to the town of Gualala where you can catch your breath before the last 9.04 miles.  The county line dividing Sonoma and Mendocino occurs at the Gualala River that you pass on your way into town.  From the Mendocino County line you can the culvert markers at the side of the highway increase until you see 1 Men 9.04 and you will find yourself at the gate to the ranch.  There will be signage out as well. 



The Gate at 1 Men 9.04

Dinner is served at 5 o’clock and it is of the bottomless pot of chili mode with salad, cornbread, and chocolate cake for dessert.  There is a vegetarian option as well.  Friday evening, weather permitting, we take a walk to the bluff overlooking the ocean and try to see satellites traveling way up high in the sky.  But it is cozy and snug back in the ranch house where a wood fire is constantly banked and there are board games, card games, people to talk to and wine to drink until late in the evening. 

Saturday, a continental breakfast is available from 8 to 9 a.m.  Then there are some options for your morning:  Reaz hopes to organize a yoga class for early birds.  Dave will lead an expedition north about 20 miles to the town of Point Arena where a pretty darn good bakery dwells.  Or, some might prefer driving south to Gualala and walking along the ocean bluff before or after visiting the Saturday farmer’s market in town.  Gualala has lots of art galleries, a cool hardware store and decent coffee shops, too.

Speaking of art, Janet will set up poster paints and paper for a frieze of the ocean for everyone to dabble upon.  The resulting masterpiece will evoke the day, the year, the era in a lovely way. 

 

We’ll also bring back the big-ass bubbles which never fail to delight.  With luck there will be huckleberries to pick that can add to Saturday’s cobbler dessert, or Sunday’s brunch.  And there is always ping pong, horseshoes, tennis, swings, and maybe a handy-person project to keep the doers content.  (Seriously, who is up for rebuilding the little step that leads from the deck to the ground?)

Hoping for Huckleberries

 

After lunch on Saturday (fix your own sandwiches) it will be time for the weekend’s center of gravity, the nature hike of the ranch property with Kit.  Not to be missed, you will get at least 10,000 steps for the old fit-bit, with plenty of cardio in a rather steep ravine climb.  But don’t feel challenged, the hike seems to work for all ages and abilities and is utterly rewarding with views, breezes and photo ops. 

But no shame in cocooning at the ranch house with a good book or a nap!

The only excuse for missing mandatory volleyball on Saturday afternoon is … well, there is none.  Competition will be fierce and for those who absolutely cannot play there is always need for a peanut gallery. 

Nina is bringing oysters for our appetizer and we will be having dinner in the meadow – a little fancier than in the past as we will have actual chairs and tablecloths.  If we’re lucky, we will have a fresh fruit cobbler for dessert made from the aforementioned huckleberries and whatever nice fruit can be found at the Gualala farmer’s market.  We will need a volunteer crew to put it together.

Speaking of helping out, the retreat requires everyone present to have a job or five.  There will be a chores sign-up out soon.  Until then, sign up in the kitchen with details on your party – we do need to know who’s coming to provision appropriately.

Stay tuned for updates!

LIGHTHOUSE AND BUBBLES AND CAMPFIRE, OH MY!

Last month we packed up the office and hauled it to Mendocino County for the 36th Ratcliff Retreat.  We left behind all the laptops, copy machines, monitors, deadlines and several principals, but threw in cases of wine, a new volleyball, poker chips and a corny trophy.  Guests brought their kids, dogs, tents, camp chairs, significant others and water bottles; Nina brought oysters on ice and Kit brought a big pot of his “global warmer” chili.  We rampaged the town of Gualala for the rest of the weekend’s provisions, and settled in for our annual experiment of context deprivation:  “who are these people I work with and why can’t I text?” 

Weather was postcard-perfect all weekend although a delicate mist filmed over Friday night’s sky otherwise chock full of stars, planets, satellites and … meteors!  There were at least two shooting-star sightings on Friday night’s walk to the ocean bluff, more than making up for the mist, said the two lucky spotters. 

Why didn’t we think of this before?  The tallest lighthouse on the California coast is the next town up from the ranch in Point Arena and we finally paid a visit.  Twenty lighthouse buffs went Saturday morning to tour the little museum with its giant antique Fresnel lens (removed from the tower long ago and replaced with a more efficient but less romantic LED arrangement).  We all made it to the top and its 360 degree view.  That’s 114 steps and 115 feet, people.  Helpfully our guide pointed out that the lighthouse sits on the sturdy Pacific plate, mere meters from the wimpy North American Plate —good news had The Big One hit while we were there.  Kit was eager to see where the San Andreas Fault veers into the ocean at the Garcia River in Point Arena so led a detour; meanwhile the rest of the group returned to the ranch just in time for bubbles. 

Huge, asteroid sized bubbles catapulted by merciless children and making non-stop assaults on the ranch house and the innocent bystanders foolish enough to stay in their relentless path.  This dastardly pastime was the doing of Nina and Michelle with off-stage assistance by Ron Day.  Weeks were spent in secret laboratories testing formulae for loft, strength and maximum splatter.

Survivors collected themselves and got comfortable for the educational component of the weekend, Dr. Marco Meniketti’s lunch and learn lecture about three mysteries of the region : a group of Hudson's Bay fur trappers and Canadian Indians who came through Fort Ross in 1830 and headed north along the coast; the Maru cult of the ghost dance that became an important ritual for local Pomo tribes 1855; and a missing shipwreck from the 1880s that sank with a kit for a steamboat aboard, never to be found…

Then came the traditional Nature Hike With Kit complete with Group Photo at Uncle Walt’s place, also known as the house Walter H. Ratcliff built in the 1920s.  Getting there requires an uphill trudge along a ravine, somewhat to the surprise of first-timers.  Yes, we huff and we puff at the Ratcliff retreat and are rewarded with views and a nice breeze.

Somewhat moribund in recent years, mandatory volleyball was back big-time.  The Mighty Matsons had earlier mowed the volleyball “court” for speed and bounce; the trio of Mike, Alex and Jack were unstoppable during the game.  Interviewed afterward, Alex “Spike” Matson said since no one kept score, neither team won (???) but that competition was fierce.  The all important bleacher section was nicely filled out by Melanie, Lola, William, Evie, Lisa, Josie and Talia.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch (so to speak), preparations for dinner were in full swing.  Nin, Janet and Andie Chin were shucking oysters for appetizers;Mike was supervising the grill where Janet’s vegetable dishes were smoking, and the Surf Supermarket caterers were delivering dinner of tri tip, ribs and chicken.   Dinner was topped off by homemade huckleberry/apple cobbler made by local chef Ana Sanchez. 

 

We gathered around the campfire (technically, the screened, three-legged brazier placed on sodden ground with hoses and water buckets close at hand) for a hybrid open mic poetry reading-slash-whodunnit mystery game.  Liz, Janet and Kit and were basically warm-up acts for the amazing poetry of Dae Meniketti who read two new poems, one written that day.  Sandra completed the readings with a ghost story written authoritatively by her granddaughter.

 The ensuing game of “Who Stole the Marshmallows” starred suspects A-Young, John, Alex Love, and Alex Matson trying to beat the rap by misleading two teams of very confused players.  Forgetting for a minute that the guessing game and rounds of charades were all about determining not only the perpetrator but the motive, we had a great time just playing.  No one got it all right, but at least the guilty party was brought to justice:  Alex Love, guilty!  Motive?  Have to ask Michelle about that.  Kudos to Nina for inventing the game and Michelle for being crazy good at coming up with the clues.

And the 2015 Spirit of the Retreat trophy goes to … Janet! Yay!

We save the best meal of the retreat until last.  Sunday brunch is a big production and Lisa has signed up for it for many a year.  Her frittata dish is nourishing and delicious and gives us the strength we need to pack up and head home. 

 

But there is still time for quiet reflection at the ocean, a last game of ping pong, and companionable sit 'n knit with Talia and Sandy.

Thanks to everyone for another great year!  Roll call for 2015:  Alex Love; Alfredo Perez; Andrea Wooding and Anthony; A-Young Moon, Kyuho and Sandy (9); Ben Levi and Talia (11), Bill, Alison, Brenna and Austin Blessing; Chellene Wood and Leland; Dan Johnson, Lisa, Josie (5) and Evie (3); Dave Olsen, Melanie and twins William and Lola (5); Janet Everett; John Sealander; Kit Ratcliff and Janet Tam; Lisa, Marco and Dae Meniketti; Liz O’Hara and Norman Hooks; Michelle Nip and Sean Lampton; Mike, Alex and Jack Matson; Nina Pakanant and Jeff; Sandra Butchart and Ernie; Soomin Park and Mason.  Also special guests Bill Wong, Peter Scott and Teresa Ferguson, and Crodd, Andie, Kyle and Yezi Chin.  Plus assorted kids in dog suits. 

GATHER ROUND THE CAMPFIRE

There is still time to reserve your spot around the campfire for the 2015 Ratcliff Retreat, September 18, 19, 20.  While no one would be turned away, it is a great help to know the guest count soon for planning purposes, so please confirm this week. Here is an idea of new and exciting activities the 2015 planning committee have in store!

Further north along our California Coast there may be water falling from the sky the week of September 14, which will be a welcome phenomenon at any time, but for the Gualala area the weekend forecast expects sunny and cool conditions.  This bodes well for a beautiful trip north on Friday, September 18 – an off Friday as you know, so a leisurely drive begun early in the day may yield light traffic replete with scenic wonders.  Stop along the way in Petaluma, Valley Ford, Bodega Bay and Sea Ranch for road-trip treats and photo ops.  Gates at the Ranch will open at noon.  Directions to the ranch can be found here.

Campers will want to choose a spot in the big meadow or along the property fire road, and there will be time in the afternoon for a trip to the beach, a game of tennis, non-stop ping pong, etc.  Or you may want to help Kit chainsaw a fallen tree on the property around 3:30.  Dinner will be ready at 5 o’clock and will be kept warm for late arrivals until 9 pm. 

Stargazing walk ~ Keep your fingers crossed for a clear evening, as we embark on a stargazing walk to the bluff Friday night.  It will be a waxing crescent moon, the better to see stars, planets and satellites.

New this year is a visit to Pt. Arena Lighthouse Saturday morning – at 115 feet it’s the tallest on the Pacific Coast.  The fog signal building dates from 1896 and the property covers 23 coastal acres.  We will have a guided tour of the lighthouse and can explore the grounds, museum and gift shop.  Carpools will leave the ranch at 9:30 am to arrive at the Lighthouse at 10 a.m.  Advance reservations are required!  Make sure and sign up at the kitchen bulletin board or let Liz know by Monday 9/14. 

Featuring Dr. Marco ~ Back to the ranch in time for lunch, we will engage our minds with a talk by Dr. Marco Meniketti.  Last year Marco described the anthropological history of the California North Coast.  Any topic he chooses for us this year will be fabulous. 

Nature Hike ~ After lunch we have the traditional Nature Hike with Kit, a 2-3 hour exploration of meadow, canyon, bluff and forest terrains comprising the ranch.  We always visit the adjoining property owned by Kit’s uncle Walt Ratcliff.  Walt and Lois live in the original home designed by Walter Ratcliff.  Remember to bring your water bottle!  We don’t stock the retreat with plastic water bottles but have a drinking fountain handy for refilling your personal water accessory.

So much to photograph!  Andrea Wooding is planning the first ever retreat photo contest to make sure we document the festivities, so make sure your camera phone battery stays charged.  Also sketch!  Dave Olsen is organizing a sketchcrawl for kids and will have sketchbooks to take along with planned stops along the hike, continuing back at the ranch, where watercolor paint sets will be available. 

Kids will also enjoy an attempt to set a Guinness World Record for largest soap bubble – Nina, Michelle and Ron have been working hard in the Ratcliff Test Kitchens to achieve the perfect formula. 

Mandatory Volleyball ~ It’s Game On in 2015!  Alex Matson returns to wear the whistle and keep the competition at a fevered pitch.   Dinner will be served at 5:30, preceded by appetizers by Nina and helpers – for the third year we will have oysters both grilled and served on the half shell.  Dinner will be catered this year and presented rather elegantly by Janet and company.  Do you have camp, foldable chair(s)?  Please bring with you for dinner and gathering around the …

Campfire!  We have a new take on the Saturday night show:  a campfire circle where everyone has a role, if only singing along to a corny camp song.  Recite a poem, play the guitar, tell a joke or a ghost story, do a magic trick – there’s a place for all kids and grownups to shine.  We will need to have enough “volunteers” beforehand to get things rolling, so watch for a call for the something special you can share.

Sunday and Etcetera ~ We eat very well at the Retreat.  Sunday brunch is a highlight and Lisa Meniketti is in charge.  There are also many, many things to do at the Retreat that are not called out here.  Did we mention there’s a beach?  Also:  tennis, ping-pong, horseshoes, beachcombing, poker, piano playing, eating, drinking, napping, reading, talking, enjoying. 

Did we mention chores?  There’s lots to do!  The chores list starts circulating to everyone on the signup list this week.  Everyone needs to have at least one job.  And did you know that Saturday September 19 is Coastal Cleanup Day?  We can each do our part to say thank you to Mother Nature and the Ratcliff family by taking care of the property and the coast.  The retreat is a Green enterprise and we do our very best to keep our footprint light and the property pristine. 

Still on the fence?  We hope this causes you to land on the side of attending the 2015 Retreat – the 36th annual!  The signup list is posted on the bulletin board, or let a committee member know.  A big shout-out to the 2015 committee:  Kit, Bill B., Ron, Janet, Lisa, Nina, Andrea, Dave O., Michelle, Liz.  Special thanks to artist Carol Aust whose painting, Campfire #9 we use with permission at the top of the blog. 

HEY HEY HEY

There comes a moment during the long weekend at Lone Rock Ranch when the realization hits that we are part of something extraordinary, that not only are we having a great time, but that the event has taken on heroic proportions – of nature, of conversation, of hard work, of exertion, of silliness.  This, Dear Reader, is what has kept the tradition going for lo these 34 years, experiencing a group alchemy that makes the weekend come alive.

Heroic is an apt description of the Ratcliff Retreat, since even setting aside time in our modern lives requires sacrifice.  Add to that rush hour traffic and a long and winding drive along the coast, maybe in the dark, maybe with tired kids, then setting up camp and the journey becomes epic.  Then there is Neelanjana’s husband, Kuntal, who actually rode his bike part of the way – to Pt. Reyes Station; and Nina knowing the ride would likely give her motion sickness, renting a car anyway and stopping along the way to get oysters for Saturday’s feast.

Adventure is part of the deal—walking through a culvert under the highway, in the dark, feeling along a narrow, overgrown path and rickety plank crossings to get to a bluff overlooking a steep cliff and vast, nighttime Pacific—and makes the canopy of stars overhead on a clear, moonless night all the more magic.  Counting five satellites busily orbiting turns adults into kids and kids into astronomers. Kit's big hike of the property entails narrow trails on steep ascents rewarded by expansive views of the private cove with its signature "Sail Rock."  No matter how many times you’ve visited the ranch, it’s always a thrill to see the washing rock used by native peoples not so many years ago, and the axe head still stuck in a tree trunk, like an artifact from Oz, from when Bob Ratcliff surrendered the battle to that sturdy foe. 

Nature is full of surprises, this year in the plumage of a young and very tame resident peacock (!) or, as Janet E has since determined, peahen (!) who earned her nickname Poop-Head and could really caterwaul. 

Every year we lay ambitious plans to pile on the activities for a busy Saturday, but somehow just getting from points A to B around the ranch, making something to eat and cleaning up after leaves time for little else.  So by choosing to spend Saturday afternoon on the Friendship Bracelet project, Alison, Andie, Andrea and assorted young adults managed to slow down time.  











Wary of inertia setting in to squelch plans for mandatory volleyball Saturday afternoon, Alex Matson rallied the teams for a pitched game in the meadow, while over at the ranch house the ceremonial lighting of the Webers got underway. 

Food – the planning, shopping, prepping and eating thereof, is the major league sport of the retreat, and Ratcliff is blessed with some very, very good chefs. 

We are indebted to Nina for the oyster treat – not only for bringing them but for concocting three elegant dipping sauces then shucking dozens of the raw variety, ably assisted by Andie and Austin.   Enough can't be said about that Renaissance Gal Janet E.  What can’t she do? Her deft hand, eye and sensibilities were evident throughout the weekend, and her Middle Eastern dishes Friday and Saturday were healthful, exotic and beautiful.

At the Weber, our Celebrity Chef Jorge supervised a smokin’ crew of John, Chris and Mike to grill to a T oysters, crostini, tri tip and a monumental salmon—all under the watchful eye of Aura, the food inspector.  In order to be properly stupefied for the evening’s entertainment, wine flowed and a massive berry cobbler was dispatched, while Wafaa and Ken tamed the dishes.

The program got underway with Bill B’s emcee duties capably performed, acknowledging first-timers at the retreat Andrea, Chris, David, Neelanjana and Wafaa, noting retirees Bill W., Linda, Tom and Crodd, and expressing thanks to Kit and Janet T for the family’s generosity allowing the firm to retreat to Lone Rock Ranch.  Past recipient of the Spirit of the Retreat trophy Tom took the floor to announce the 2013 recipient:  Brian Feagans, who was about to become the hardest working trophy recipient in history.

What can be said about the evening’s entertainment?  Everyone joined in a very ambitious singalong with musical accompaniment in the form of kazoos, clappers, snappers, boingers, clankers and spoons in a rendition of a summer hit song that started out catchy but fell on hard times.  And then we messed with it.  The result was both a joyful noise and an earsplitting cacophony.  Perhaps the peahen thought it was mating season.  Thankfully (irony indicated by italics) there is a video of the performance so those who missed it can appreciate the valor and heroism of Maestro Brian’s attempt to conduct our Peahen Caterwaulers’ Band!  HEY HEY HEY!

Sunday morning, Lone Rock Ranch, Lisa and Julianna are up early to get breakfast prepared for a surprisingly large crowd.  Neither sleet nor snow nor Highland Hospital stays Lisa from her appointed rounds.  Lisa kept dipping all the available bread into French toast batter and was about to batter the peahen, but toast and the bottomless fruit salad held out until it was time to pack up and go home. A fantastic crew made short work of packing up, and it must be said about all the work crews throughout the weekend – HEROIC!  Everyone really pitched in and, after all, working together is ultimately part of the fun.

When Kit’s dad Bob was in charge of the retreat and the ranch, after everyone had gone he would sit down with his big guest book and make a list of who had been there, not to slight anyone who wasn’t but rather to reflect on everyone’s unique contribution.   These days, Kit and Janet T see the final guests off and batten down the hatches.  The peace and quiet of this reflective time and the return drive home are magical in their own way.

In the spirit of Bob’s tradition, here’s who were there, and for those who didn’t make it, know you were missed.  2013:  Andrea; Bill B, Alison and Austin; Brian, Apeksha and Aanika; Chris and Aura; David; Janet E; John; Jorge; Ken; Kit and Janet T; Lisa and Julianna; Liz and Norman; Mike, Alex and Jack; Neelanjana, Kuntal and Aditya; Nina; Wafaa, Faisal, Faris and Giad; special guests Linda and Bill W; Tom and Sue; and Crodd, Andie, Kyle and Yezi.  Ron is always there in spirit (and promises to attend in 2015!).  Plus three very cute Yorkies, one shaggy dog, Tetsu the well-mannered Shiba Inu and the Poop-Head.

See you next year!

Photo credits:  Bill Blessing, Crodd Chin,  Kuntal Vahalia, Kyle Chin, Sue Estey.