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.

COUNTDOWN

 

The 2013 Retreat is upon us and weather reports for this Friday, Saturday and Sunday are in the 70s.  There is a new moon on Friday so if we get clear nights the stars should be spectacular.  There will be an exceptionally high tide on Saturday - not great for sandcastle building but perfect for counting harbor seals in the water and on the rocks. 

The retreat has been a company tradition since 1978 and has taken place every year except 2001.  This will be the 34th year. While the list of attendees is still not quite complete, there will be about 35 guests at the peak event of the weekend, Saturday's dinner.  We will be joined by special guests the Mahle-Wongs, the Chins senior and junior, and the Patterson-Esteys.  Other confirmed guests include our newest employees Andrea Nadell and David Kelley, and first-timers Chris Naughton and Neelanjana Sen with their respective others/offspring.


GETTING THERE.  Lone Rock Ranch is, in good traffic, about a 3.5 hour drive from the Bay Area. Construction projects along 101 slow the road this year, so keep calm and carry on should leaving Friday afternoon present a traffic jam or two.  We are happy to issue various maps and suggestions, but find that Google does a fine job and recognizes the property address, which is:
 
30801 South Highway 1
Gualala, CA 95445
Telephone:  (707) 884-3889

(There's no cell coverage in the area yet.  Remember to turn off your devices or the roaming function will run down the battery.)

Watch the culvert markers as you leave the town of Gualala.  At the property gate the marker reads 1 Men 9.04 which means nine and four-tenths miles north of the Mendocino border.  There is a north-bound turnout immediately before the rustic wood gate to the property.  Keep an eye out for the Ratcliff sign.  There may be sufficient parking on the property itself but there is also a large turnout area on the south-bound side of Highway 1 just opposite the gate.

ACCOMMODATIONS.  Anyone not staying at the ranch should have made their reservations by now.  If anyone needs a list of lodging in the area, see Liz.  Intrepid guests staying on the property will be self sufficient with their own tent, tarps, etc.  Minimum requirement is a sleeping bag for those opting to stay in the bunk house or the dormitory style wooden tent structure.

ARRIVING.  Check in at the main ranch house when you arrive where helpers will be happy to orient you to the various structures on the property and possible camping spots.  Campers will want to select a spot, either in a spacious meadow "tent village" or along the fire road circumnavigating the property.  Camping is prohibited across the highway.  If you have a lot to unload you can drive up to this meadow but the meadow is not available for extended parking.  The rule of thumb is first come, first served for all campsites, bunks, cots, etc. on the property. 


WEATHER. Be prepared for coastal weather.  It is generally warm in the day and cool with fog and dew at night, so make sure and bring a tarp if camping out of doors. 


FIRE AND WATER. Water is spring fed and collected in water tanks on the property.  It is delicious and safe to drink as it is purified with an ultra violet system devised by Kit.  But this is a very dry year and we are conscientious about our water use.  A chemical toilet helps minimize the use of the restroom facilities.  Smoking is limited to one designated area plainly marked and everyone is asked to be extremely careful about fire danger as the meadow/forest environment is vulnerable.


MEALS. Friday night dinner will be self serve anticipating a range of arrival times and will wrap up around 9.  Saturday breakfast will be available from 8:30 to 10:30 and be continental style, with oatmeal, toast, boiled eggs, etc.  Lunch at noon will feature sandwich fixings and can be packed up for a picnic or eaten at the ranch house.  Saturday evening, anticipating robust appetites after a busy day, will feature appetizers around 5 o'clock and a big dinner at 6.  Sunday we fix a substantial brunch to linger over until it's time to clean up and depart.  Meals are a community effort and everyone is expected to help out.


ACTIVITIES. At dusk Friday evening Kit will lead a small walk around the property and to the ocean bluffs.  Meanwhile the ranch house is ground zero for fireside conversations that may go on into the night. Anyone up for a game of poker can find playing cards and poker chips ready to go. 

Saturday morning offers pursuits for every interest:  exploring the beach and picking huckleberries, to playing tennis, horseshoes, ping pong and more.  Mid morning the crafts corner will get busy making friendship bracelets, and loungers will poke their noses into books and bask in the sun.  After lunch is the big hike, exploring meadow, forest and ocean ecologies and including a stop at Kit's uncle Walt's home in what was the original structure on the property.  Sharp eyed hikers will want to be on the lookout for something found in nature that might serve as a musical instrument for the after dinner show. No sooner than returning from the hike it will be time for mandatory volleyball, a game where keeping score is pretty much a state of mind. 

After dinner and a few announcements we will venture into a tin pan alley orchestral singalong led by Brian Feagans.  Sunday mornings usually get off to a slow start as everyone straggles awake to coffee and brunch.  As time winds down and final visits to the beach or games of ping pong wrap up, everyone chips in to clean up and head for home.  Gualala is a perfect place to visit Sunday afternoon as the shops and art galleries have something for everyone.


A few precautions. As can be expected, Lone Rock Ranch is home to plenty of critters, not all of them welcome by our species.  Ticks:  An estimated 1% of ticks in Mendocino County may carry Lyme disease. Check yourselves, kids and dogs, wear light colored clothing, stay out of tall glasses, use tick spray.  If you do get bitten by a tick, report to a member of the safety committee for extraction and bagging for testing.  Bees/Wasps/Mosquitos: "Bee" on the lookout.  Those allergic to bees should be prepared with any required medication.  The first aid kit will contain Benadryl.  Mice:  Untold generations of mice have called the ranch their home and to our knowledge none of them has ever carried the Hanta Virus that was such a concern around Yosemite last year.  We will hope to have everything scrubbed down and ready for occupancy, but will also have cleaning supplies on hand for anyone needing to shape up Mother Nature.

HAVE A SAFE DRIVE EVERYONE, AND ENJOY THE RETREAT
The Committee:  Bill, Brian, Janet, Jorge, Kit, Liz & Ron