Global retreats and journeys that
enrich the mind, heal the body, and inspire the spirit.
Cambria Journey Notes
October 11-13 twelve of us enjoyed an enchanted getaway
to Cambria, California. Everything was magical and
Cambria may well become an annual Health Habitravels
destination. Here are impressions from an autumn weekend
that was a journey back to a more gracious era.
The
Pickford House, our B&B, instantly felt like home.
Several of the group who had never before stayed at
a B&B were charmed by the place. Innkeeper Patricia's
attention to details - long stemmed rose bouquets
in each room; her collection of stunning seashells
on display; a weighty dinosaur egg there to be held
- and for comfort, comfy robes, the best homemade
Aebleskive (Danish pancakes) going, hot d'oeuvres
at cocktail hour and late night cookies, make this
an inn you vow to return to. Visit www.thepickfordhouse.com
for a tour and consider reserving a room.
Saturday night a full moon added to the dream quality
of the living history tour of world famous Hearst
Castle. It crowns "La Cuesta Encantada" or "The Enchanted
Hill." The estate that publishing tycoon William Randolph
Hearst called "The Ranch" tops Camp Hill, which was
literally the Hearst family campsite. You learn this
and other bits of history as the coach wends up and
up to the summit with Swing era tunes playing over
the PA to put you in the mood. Casa Grande, the main
house, has 165 rooms. They house art and furniture
retrieved from European estates, cathedrals and churches.
Hearst had an unusual hobby. He collected ceilings,
and each of them is masterful. Tour docents wear 1930s
attire, and act as if they're guests at "The Ranch"
during its glory days. We climbed over 400 steps on
the two-hour tour, visiting countless rooms - gardens
and the two out-of-this-world swimming pools. Without
a guide we'd have been lost. In fact, it was very
common for Hearst's famous guests to get lost. To
remedy this in the years before cell phones and security
monitors, Hearst placed telephones everywhere. Confused
guests called Casa Grande's switchboard, gave details
about the room their surroundings and staff found
them. But I don't want to reveal too much about the
Castle. You must visit yourself and allow it to cast
its spell on you. It is a must see place that affords
a chance to experience more elegant days. I came away
calmer, contemplative, and awed that Hearst brought
his dream palace alive and left it for all of us to
enjoy. There's loads of info on the castle and all
five-tour options at www.hearstcastle.org
The
Indian summer weather, which is a rarity on the foggy
Central Coast, allowed us to practice our movement
sessions on the jade stone carpeted beach at Shamel
Park. Except for a few morning joggers the shoreline
was ours. After Patricia's fabulous home cooked brunch
at the inn, we met Bob, operator of Morro Bay's Kayak
Horizon. He led us on a 3 hour kayak excursion. We
paddled among white egrets, white pelicans and blue
herons, then picnicked on the dunes. Several of the
group who had never kayaked plan to pursue this sport.
Kayaking puts the mind-body work of regular Pilates,
yoga and gyrokinesis to ideal use. It is a sensory
banquet that brings you in touch with nature, and
allows mind, body and spirit to twine together - the
result, you feel completely alive. Contact Kayak Horizon's
at kayakhoriz@thegrid.net
That
evening, following afternoon massages, shopping and
gallery browsing, we convened at Pickford House for
a gourmet Pacific Rim dinner catered by The Ginger
Caf®. What a fabulous meal! We surprised those having
birthdays - four Libras - with a mini-celebration.
But the real surprise came after dinner when belly
dancer Franchesca arrived and beguiled us with a sensual,
yet demure, dance, accompanied by her partner Crow's
drumming. Belly dancing, another perfect mind-body
exercise, originated in Egypt, and as well as being
a performance art, was used to aid women in the childbirth
process. After the dance came yet another surprise
- Franchesa and Crow had enough drums and percussion
instruments for all - and the night culminated with
a communal drum circle. Crow played the didgeridoo
- an aboriginal throat drum. Doctors now recommend
communal drumming to their cancer and heart disease
patients. I know we were all energized by our brief
drum session. To learn more about the healing aspects
of drumming, and to find drum circle facilitators
visit www.remo.com.
As midnight loomed Franchesca did private adroit tarot
readings for a few of us. She and Crow brought yet
a bit more magic to the weekend experience.
Next
morning we stretched our well-worked kayak and drumming
muscles with an ocean front basic yoga session. After
a leisurely brunch we reluctantly said our goodbyes
to each other, to our fabulous hostess Patricia, and
to the restorative calm of Cambria - for now, knowing
we'll be back.
