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.