I don’t know why lizards do push ups. But, I’ve never seen an out of shape lizard so there you go. So I was sitting on a moss covered boulder this morning in the shade of giant oaks at the lower end of Oak Glen. It’s a cool peaceful spot and yes, I was watching a lizard do push ups on another boulder just above me that was in the sun. I lost count of how many reps he did, because I began to reflect on the tours I was about to lead from LA to Windermere (and back). I immediately experienced a soft warm spot in my heart. Nine beautiful Souls on Monday and eight more on Tuesday. I’m serious. Beautiful Souls. Honest.

Sunday night Jen and Ted and I unloaded the van at Prana West after Conference. Then Nick helped me put seats in the van at Prana. Thank you guys! After trying to eat enough food at the Sheraton $21 buffet to get my money’s worth on Monday morning, I picked up the first group at the lobby and away we went up Highway 101 in our big gray church van. We didn’t sing any hymns, but we were a happy bunch excited to see the ranch. After a couple hours of intellectual conversation amongst ourselves, (at least most of us), we stopped in Santa Barbara to get picnic fixins.

Then someone spotted a Starbucks nearby and suddenly our three selves were in alignment. It was a very content ride up Highway 154 to the gates of Windermere. We stopped and prayed to receive peace and also to give peace and just like that, we were parked in front of the Bunkhouse. I explained that on a clear day you can see like forever, but today you can see well, fog. I had to break the news that there were no refunds.

We had an amazing lunch in the Bunkhouse, around the Bunkhouse and in front of the Bunkhouse. While people were chewing and sipping, Robert Zack and I loaded 50 lb. bags (deluxe seating) into the back of the four wheel drive truck and went to collect our victims. We ended up with three people in the cab and six in the bed. I stood on the tail gate and proceeded to pretend that I knew all about the ranch. “On your left, is a tree.” We headed to the barn first. We did a head count to make sure no one had rolled out between the Deck House and Ted’s. All accounted for, we visited our beloved Star Sabrina (clear intention) and the ever vigilant llama, Valentino. (yes, vigilance). Star got lots of gentle hugs and Val got lots of kisses. One lady, after kissing Val, wanted his phone number. I had to explain that’s not allowed on the ranch.

There are nine horses at Horse Flats and they all really liked our group. They all wanted hugs and such, and Robert and I did a great job of monitoring the group and teaching them about being with the horses (ears go flat, run like heck). It was incredibly sweet. We all got quiet and everyone got to connect with a lot of the herd. The fog still shrouded the surrounding hills which helped give the experience a definite mystical, loving quality. We were joined at Horse Flats by two more amazing Souls that came walking out of the mist like visitors from the upper Astral. It was hard to leave, but Quelein Rocks were calling. Every rock on the ranch has healing qualities, but there’s a formation of beautiful boulders on the East edge of the property that is particularly inviting to those seeking the deep peaceful healing that emanates from deep beneath the ranch. We followed the short trail from the road to the main formation and once there, we called in the Light and chanted a bit. Very nice. It felt great to be a small part of assisting cool people like this to the ranch so they could bless and be blessed.

Then we made our way to the lower property. We all jostled and bounced and laughed and pretended we were on a stagecoach ride in the 1800’s. I thought it would have been cool to get George and Ted to ride out of the hills and rob us, but it didn’t work out. It took a bit, but we found the famous goats of Windermere coming up the crossroad right toward us. Casper, (awareness) was right behind doing the best llama job this side of Goleta. It was still a bit foggy, so seeing the goats come up the hill (I think we have nearly forty now) helped us all clear some nomad karma (my opinion). We sat basically in the midst of the herd while they ate everything that contained or once contained chlorophyll. A few of them stood up on their hind legs and tugged at oak branches on a nearby tree that was almost completely shrouded in fog. Very cool silhouette. Then we had to leave, knowing in our hearts that our love for the goats was truly one way, since we were indeed inedible and therefore pretty much useless.

Once we got to Island Pond, back on the upper property, we were ready to take in some tranquil (the cat’s name at the barn – don’t know quality) energy and just walk about enjoying the several ponds. The Island Pond does have an island with a weeping willow on it and then there are a series of several ponds that seem to cascade down the hill to the East. George has created a system of water features that magnify the sense of reverence I have for the land. To me, Windermere evokes a sense of innocence much like a small child or baby. You just want to pick it up and squeeze and smooch and smell it (most of the time).

There’s a small boulder near the ponds that has a hole in it the size of a large head (like mine). I call it Portrait Rock. If you crawl into the opening at the back of the rock, you can almost stick your head out of the hole in front. Doesn’t sound like fun to me either, but it sure is for the folks watching you do it. It reminds me of the paintings on the wall of Hogwarts in Harry Potter.

On the way back to the barn we stopped at the tree swing. It’s pretty mellow unless you have someone as strong as Robert pushing you. He sent a couple people soaring into the high branches, squealing with delight. I didn’t let him push me, since I didn’t have a designated driver for the return trip.

We collected our stuff back at the Bunkhouse and left the ranch the better for it. We gave one last goodbye to Uri (I am) and headed back to
L.A. via La Salsa Mexican Food, and oh yeh, Starbucks. I apologized to people that I couldn’t show them around the Sheraton but then, after Windermere, what’s to see.

Are you still reading? Because I got to take another amazing group of people to the ranch on Tuesday.

We left from Prana instead of the Sheraton, so everyone was already drenched in the residue of Prana love. That group had people from Sweden, Switzerland, England, Colombia and El Paso. It was great. We all had our very own accents. One person was an anti-aging doctor so none of us were any older when the day was done. I’m cool with that.

It was even cooler and yeah, foggier on Tuesday, but when we got to the ranch (yes, after Starbucks) the hills and trees were whispering secrets to those of us lucky enough to listen.

We started at the barn since the Bunkhouse was busy with beautiful Souls volunteering to work on the garden. We were here to eat and pray, or play or… Star and Val were their usual loving selves. No one asked for Val’s number so I was relieved. Again, we went to Horse Flats and yes, this group won over the herd too. What a church full of cool people we have! Prince (giving) was really showing his loving stuff to this group. I’ve never seen him mingle so well. It was like he was attending a cocktail party given in his honor.

This group graced Quelein as well. Most of us took off our shoes and socks and soaked up the loving energy and of course we called in the Light and sat in wondrous silence for a while. I had to break the silence with a stupid joke or we’d still be sitting there. It was so foggy even the goats went into hiding. We spent more time at the ponds and the extra treat was to climb up to the peace pole. At one point I looked up from beneath the summit and there stood people from all around the planet gathered around our peace pole. Take that, United Nations! I don’t know why, but I took these guys by Portrait Rock too. It was a bit muddier too. Anything for the tours!

We collected our stuff back at the barn and then, my daughter, Katy, came by in the Kubota. The Kubota is a little four wheel vehicle used to get around the rough terrain on the ranch. I gave some people a ride down to the gate to the lower property and lo and behold, the fog had cleared enough you could see the ocean! I decided to double the price of the tour and gave rides to everyone so they could see for themselves what I’d been telling people for two days, the view from the ranch is amazing!

Another stop at La Salsa and Starbucks and oh yeah, the gas station, and we were back at Prana.

I think the ranch worked its magic on everyone. I know, for me, it was magical and an incredible privilege to spend so much time with seventeen of our finest on this planet.

Thank you all for assisting me (yes, you too, Deb Roth – you’re the best).

I got up this morning and went to the barn. Star and Val were there. Along with what they’d eaten yesterday. I cleaned up after them, missing the people that had been there with me just a few days ago.