Tuesday, August 9, 2016

ONLY A MONTH ‘TIL THE 2016 RATCLIFF RETREAT, SEPTEMBER 9, 10, 11




Welcome (back?) to RATTITUDES, blog of the Ratcliff Retreat.  Here is an update on how this year’s gathering is shaping up.  There are only two committee meetings left, August 19 and September 2, and anyone is welcome to attend.  Meanwhile there have been a number of excellent ideas put forth, and we will do our best to make them happen!

First off, getting there:  If you can, head out from home by noon on Friday to miss the inevitable traffic.  It’s about a 3 hour drive, much of it along windy Highway 1.  There are many ways to get there, but the personal favorite is:  101 to E. Washington Blvd., Petaluma, to Bodega Road, that leads to Highway 1 at Bodega Bay, then follow the coast north to the town of Gualala where you can catch your breath before the last 9.04 miles.  The county line dividing Sonoma and Mendocino occurs at the Gualala River that you pass on your way into town.  From the Mendocino County line you can the culvert markers at the side of the highway increase until you see 1 Men 9.04 and you will find yourself at the gate to the ranch.  There will be signage out as well. 

The Gate at 1 Men 9.04
Dinner is served at 5 o’clock and it is of the bottomless pot of chili mode with salad, cornbread, and chocolate cake for dessert.  There is a vegetarian option as well.  Friday evening, weather permitting, we take a walk to the bluff overlooking the ocean and try to see satellites traveling way up high in the sky.  But it is cozy and snug back in the ranch house where a wood fire is constantly banked and there are board games, card games, people to talk to and wine to drink until late in the evening. 

Saturday, a continental breakfast is available from 8 to 9 a.m.  Then there are some options for your morning:  Reaz hopes to organize a yoga class for early birds.  Dave will lead an expedition north about 20 miles to the town of Point Arena where a pretty darn good bakery dwells.  Or, some might prefer driving south to Gualala and walking along the ocean bluff before or after visiting the Saturday farmer’s market in town.  Gualala has lots of art galleries, a cool hardware store and decent coffee shops, too.

Speaking of art, Janet will set up poster paints and paper for a frieze of the ocean for everyone to dabble upon.  The resulting masterpiece will evoke the day, the year, the era in a lovely way. 
 
We’ll also bring back the big-ass bubbles which never fail to delight.  With luck there will be huckleberries to pick that can add to Saturday’s cobbler dessert, or Sunday’s brunch.  And there is always ping pong, horseshoes, tennis, swings, and maybe a handy-person project to keep the doers content.  (Seriously, who is up for rebuilding the little step that leads from the deck to the ground?)

Hoping for Huckleberries
 
After lunch on Saturday (fix your own sandwiches) it will be time for the weekend’s center of gravity, the nature hike of the ranch property with Kit.  Not to be missed, you will get at least 10,000 steps for the old fit-bit, with plenty of cardio in a rather steep ravine climb.  But don’t feel challenged, the hike seems to work for all ages and abilities and is utterly rewarding with views, breezes and photo ops. 

But no shame in cocooning at the ranch house with a good book or a nap!
The only excuse for missing mandatory volleyball on Saturday afternoon is … well, there is none.  Competition will be fierce and for those who absolutely cannot play there is always need for a peanut gallery. 

Nina is bringing oysters for our appetizer and we will be having dinner in the meadow – a little fancier than in the past as we will have actual chairs and tablecloths.  If we’re lucky, we will have a fresh fruit cobbler for dessert made from the aforementioned huckleberries and whatever nice fruit can be found at the Gualala farmer’s market.  We will need a volunteer crew to put it together.

Speaking of helping out, the retreat requires everyone present to have a job or five.  There will be a chores sign-up out soon.  Until then, sign up in the kitchen with details on your party – we do need to know who’s coming to provision appropriately.
Stay tuned for updates!

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