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.