Who We Are

It's been two weeks since the 2011 Retreat, one of the more distinctive ones in memory. Fewer people meant longer conversations and more time in the kitchen. We ate very well, from Kit's homemade chili, Janet's squash stew and Terrie's cornbread on Friday to Alison Blessing's English muffin/egg concoctions with their veggie counterparts at Sunday's brunch. In between was Saturday's dinner, an omnivore's delight featuring grilled pork, baked salmon, grilled vegetables, quinoa salad and risotto primavera, all prepared at the ranch by many helping hands. Menu designers included at least one vegetarian, Grace, who made sure there were plenty of fresh veggies and protein options. We ate freshly, organically, sustainably and quite locally, with a heavenly syrup (another of Alison's concoctions) made with huckleberries picked that day at the ranch, served with chocolate cake on Saturday.

Thirty adults, two teenagers, one little kid and two dogs. Neither ping pong nor volleyball; not even poker. Instead there was berry picking, Kit's big Saturday hike over the property, high tide and vigorous surf at the beach; drinking, games, drinking games, s'mores; free time to unwind. There was primal gathering around the Webers where Jorge tended the fire and minded the pork while Art, Sal, David, Grace, Terrie, Janet and others grilled bushels of vegetables. Saturday night, our emcee Brian, assisted by his lovely daughter Aanika, entertained with an indie film about getting to know your audience. More than just a rhetorical question, the answer to "Who are we?" occupied the evening. Brian discovered a freaky dimension to Jorge's tee shirt design which, when worn, interacted with the wearer's DNA to direct the scanning device beyond the office's website to the individual's alter ego. Grace rounded out the theme with a trivia quiz designed to reveal things that matter about one another, e.g. first car, unique talent and what you wanted to be when you grew up. Guess who wanted to be a clown? That would be Terrie, who now fills the "big shoes" of previous recipients of the Spirit of the Retreat Award as this year's winner.

Many thanks to everyone for making this year's retreat so memorable. Special shout out to Miyo and Jack who returned to the Retreat after several years' absence and made the delicious baked salmon with arugula pesto. We discovered a lot about one another in work and in play. Hope to see everyone there next year!

See ya there!

The scouting party heads up this afternoon, so this last post is just to say: drive carefully, relax and enjoy the weekend! THIS JUST IN: the weather report has changed since yesterday, and there will be cool breezes and fog in the mornings and evenings ... oh, those weather forecasters! SHOUT OUTS to: The committee! Jorge, Brian, Janet, Grace, Kit & Terrie have worked hard to anticipant any and all contingencies. (Why is it that there is the same size pile of stuff for a small gathering as for a large one???) Special shout out to Ron, who as we speak is counting the minutes until we are all outta here. Extra special shout out to Brian, who will put his reputation on the line headlining Saturday night's entertainment. No pressure, Brian! The buzz is we will be witnessing a fresh new talent. (Hint: see photo.) Brian will be ably assisted by the multi talented Grace, who is also our official vegetarian and will ensure that we eat healthfully. And where would we be without our fearless leader, Kit? Not only will he be fixing the plumbing, he is fixing Friday's pot o' chili. We are so very lucky to enjoy the Ratcliff family's property. It goes without saying that we will treat it respectfully.

Warm weather and full moon

Strange things occur during a full moon! While we won't be seeing the big Saturday Nite productions (shown) of recent retreats this year, we will have balmy weather and a waxing moon to inspire creative genious if not silliness. Forecast is in the 70s for Saturday and Sunday, with clear skies showcasing an almost full moon. (Perfect conditions for a nocturnal stroll on Friday night.) High tide will be around 11 am Saturday as well as Sunday, but that will leave enough beach for relaxing and exploring. Bring your PBAs (personal beverage accessories) to stay hydrated, and don't forget the sunscreen! Thanks everyone for signing up for chores. We will try and keep on schedule Saturday so we can wrap up the evening program before it gets too dark. That will mean keeping breakfast, lunch and dinner on schedule, so make sure to report for duty in time to get things ready. The chores list will be posted in the ranch house kitchen. The tee shirts are in, the tee shirts are in! We will be passing out tee shirt orders tomorrow. A key element in Saturday's entertainment requires wearing your special 2011 edition, so keep that in mind. We will need several ice chests and a renewable supply of ice considering the weather. If you have room in your car, please bring along an ice chest. And, before you head out, please check the center aisle and area near the rear exit--that pile o' stuff is going with us and whatever you can take will be appreciated!

Getting there, being there

Even if you've been to the retreat before, it's probably prudent to plan plenty of time for the drive and try to get there before dark. It is about a 3.5 hour drive from Emeryville. Rather than give out directions here (which usually ensure at least one party will get lost), you can get good directions through Google. Here is the property address:

Lone Rock Ranch, 30801 South Highway 1, Gualala, CA 95445.

The state highway culvert marker system is helpful. The ranch is exactly 9.04 miles north of the Mendocino county line, and there is a culvert marker just north of the property gate that is labeled 9.04. There will also be a Ratcliff sign at the open gate. You can also see me for a printed map.

The landline at the ranch is (707) 884-3884. Be advised that there is very limited cell or wifi access once you leave Gualala behind.

Parking zones will be indicated by sign and are just inside the gate and at the top of the driveway adjacent to the buildings. With this size group, it shouldn't be necessary to park across the highway. Parking is not allowed in the meadow, but you can drive your car up to the meadow to unload your camping gear if that applies.

Chores! Making the rounds is a blue folder with a signup for chores. We need everyone's help! Do sign up for a few meal tasks and also be available for general tasks that may come up. For instance, Kit and his brother have been hard at work updating the plumbing in the ranch house and he may need a hand finishing up.

Activities at the Retreat

Amid the frenzy of slicing, dicing, and spicing, will there be time for anything else at this year's Retreat? Glad you asked. Here is an idea of the activities planned. Mostly tried and true, there will still be room for spontaneity as well as sloth.

Friday afternoon after settling in and having a bite to eat (dinner will be available from 5:30 to 8 or so), there may be a starlight walk depending on the clarity, and eventually someone will get up a game of poker. But with our numbers this manageable, we may just want to sit by the fire and gab.

Saturday after breakfast, an expedition will head for the beach where there will be negative ions galore and the usual beach acoutrements for making sand castles or just staring back at the harbor seals. After lunch, Kit will lead us on a hike of the property's forests, meadows, and ocean bluffs. There is even a stop at Kit's Uncle Walt's home, built by Walter Ratcliff. Saturday afternoon will be time for food preparation and dinner, but there will also be hearty souls taking up the volleyball challenge.

After Saturday's feast (and lots and lots of alcohol) we will be ready for the Ratcliff Players and a parade of entertainment sure to embarrass everyone. Our impressario will be Brian "Rat Pack" Feagans and his wickedly "electrifying" act. Audience participation is inevitable.

Sunday morning - 10th anniversary of 9/11 - will offer a sunrise visit to the ocean bluffs for anyone wishing to observe the date. Then after breakfast, it will be time to clean up and head home.

Please take time to explore the region. Gualala has lots to offer including a farmer's market on Saturdays and many art galleries.

And, be sure to make time for loafing.

What's to eat at this year's Retreat?

This will be the year of the Omnivore's Delight, not dilemma. We are the chefs and the patrons, and will ask for full participation in the preparation of meals. Herewith, an idea of the meals envisioned. Please reply with your preference of what meal(s) you wish to create!

Friday dinner - the traditional homemade chili, along with butternut squash soup, cornbread, salad and acoutrements;

Saturday breakfast - hot cereals with healthy garnishes, boiled eggs and toast;

Saturday lunch - sandwich bar with an emphasis on fresh vegetarian ingredients;

Saturday dinner - baked salmon, grilled pork loin, grilled vegetables, polenta and quinoa/corn/arugula salad and chocolate pave and S'mores for dessert;

Sunday brunch - V'Egg McMuffins--traditional egg versions plus inventive vegetarian options, along with homefried potatoes.

Our highly trained somelieres Jorge and Terrie will be pairing perfect wines for our menus and there will be the usual array of snacks and beverages to enjoy!

In other news, we are sad to post that we have lost two parties of "tentatives." Patricia's family and Gary J. are no longer able to attend.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post: Activities!

Who's Who at this year's Retreat!

Including our "tentatives," we will be about 35 adults and 5 kids. In no particular order, guests will be Jorge, John, Grace, Kit & Janet, Bill & Linda, Miyo & Jack, Bill & Allison with Austin and Brenna, Bruce, Terrie & Art, Lisa and Julianna, Janet & Jeff, Larry & Doug, Liz & Norman, David & Sal, Brian & Apeksha with Ana, Patricia & Pat with Lucia and Marco, Gary, Lynn, Heidi & Nick with Oliver. Four footed guests will include Sallie Ratcliff, Claggett O'Hara and the new Blessing pup.

Yes, you read correctly: Miyo & Jack will be making a return appearance at this year's retreat! Miyo insists on helping with dinner and will be making her world famous baked salmon.

Prepare for a culinary feast that will be a community effort as we will forego a caterer this year. We will need help especially with Saturday dinner and Sunday brunch, but as usual will need helpers to set up and clean up for each meal.

Next posting: the menu!

Greetings, campers!

Welcome to Rattitudes and news of the 2011 Retreat.

I thought it would be fun to initiate a blog to convey news and views about this year's retreat. I'm calling it Rattitudes in honor of a company newsletter of long ago that carried all the news fit to print: recipes and a soap opera especially! If you received this link you have either confirmed your attendance or are on our tentative list. We're an elite group this year wo we may as well act like one!

This post is to announce a planning meeting tomorrow, August 31, at noon. The committee has been making good progress and will continue to do so but it is always nice to have a little extra input. We'll be in the main conference room. We brown-bag it.

Another important point to make is to remind you to secure your lodging if you haven't done so already and aren't staying at the ranch.

Future posts to look forward to (maybe even tomorrow)
Menus and recipes

Ranch news

Attendees