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.