The Experience
Better than any argument is to rise at dawn and pick dew-wet red berries in a cup.
Wendell Berry
The Camping:
This is a rustic camping retreat, so the sleeping accommodations will be your tent overlooking the Pacific Ocean, with one of the most beautiful coastal vistas in the North Bay. We will be in the group campsite at Slide Ranch beyond Stinson Beach on Route 1, within the Marin Headlands. Slide Ranch is a 37-year old completely sustainable teaching farm located on the site of a historic dairy ranch.
There is no running water at the group camp. There is a pristine compost toilet and we will be erecting a sun shower and wash basin. We will haul water to the site.
The weather in early May can range from the low 50’s to mid-80’s. Of course, there is always a chance of rain. Slide Ranch is perched just above the ocean, so the fog will roll in late in the day. Come prepared for all types of weather.
I have been telling everyone at work about my amazing yoga retreat experience and each time I tell it I get to relive it a little, its fabulous. I just looked at the pictures and got to relive the experience even more! It far exceeded my expectations…
The Food:
All meals will be prepared in the geodesic dome, which is at the group campsite. Our chef will be working on propane burners and a grill. Chef Russ can accommodate meat eaters, fish-only, vegetarians, and vegans. You will receive a registration form on which you can let us know your food preferences.
All meals will be prepared with the spirit of terroir/connectedness in mind, i.e., locally sourced, organic, and seasonal. We will procure supplies along the way and to the extent possible, "Iron" Chef Russ will stay within the bounds of what the season and region have to offer. There is an abundance of fresh produce available that time of year, so there should be something for everyone.
Teas, juices, and water will be available throughout the day. Coffee will be served with breakfast and wine with dinner.
There will be two meals on Friday, three on Saturday, and two on Sunday. Saturday lunch will likely be an off-site picnic lunch.
People will be asked to pitch in once/day to help with dishwashing.
The Yoga and The Farms:
Weekend Flow*
- The retreat starts at noon on Friday and ends at 5pm on Sunday.
- We will be practicing yoga in the yurt, overlooking the bluffs and the ocean.
- The yurt is a about a 1/4 mile hike from the group campsite.
- Blankets, blocks, straps, and bolsters are provided.
We will start the weekend with helping everyone get a sense of place, i.e., settling in and becoming aware of the surroundings. We will have a yoga class to begin the retreat; getting us grounded and shaking off the urban distractions. We will have an introduction to our host ranch, Slide, returning to the yurt for another class before dinner.
Saturday will begin with an early morning yoga class, followed by breakfast. We may venture through gorgeous Olema Valley and into Point Reyes Station for the Farmers Market. From there we'll visit at least one creamery, mixed vegetable farm, and head down Tomales Bay to one of the famous oyster farms. We'll then make our way back to the yurt for another yoga class, followed by dinner.
Sunday will be a very relaxed day. We will begin with an am yoga class, followed by 
breakfast, and free time to hike, go to the beach, or whatever you want. We will visit one more farm that afternoon before meeting back for a late lunch and a closing yoga session, preparing you for re-entry into the non-retreat world.
*The actual firm schedule of events will be largely determined by which farmers we can meet and when. I will have a much better sense of that in a month of so.