Donation-based yoga retreat and ranch work party
Enjoy a weekend in the lovely Methow Valley on the Doran family’s Walking D ranch. Participate in an active ranch event and experience ranch living from an insider perspective. Donate your volunteer labor and collective meal preparation in exchange for a weekend of community-based camping, two yoga classes, family style meals, evening tea and meditation, hikes, and yes, pulling weeds.
To keep this yoga and work party low cost we’ll jointly supply and prepare our meals, set up dining and share in the clean-up.
There is no charge for the event but Will is accepting donations due to having to cancel regular scheduled yoga classes.
Walking D Ranch
Twisp, Washington — Methow Valley
The walking D ranch is 640 acres located on the north end of Twisp, in Washington’s Methow Valley. Your volunteer work would be to help the Doran’s clear out the invasive knapweed that is trying to take over an irrigated field. Rather than apply chemicals, the Doran family ethos is trying to use time-honored technology–human labor–to work with the land to make balance.
Sharing the beauty with the community.
Dates
June 11th – 14th. Arrival and setup will be on Thursday afternoon, the 11th. Last day is Sunday the 14 (including breakfast and lunch).
Arrive when you can and join us for a meal, or tea, depending on when you show up. The work party will be Friday and Saturday afternoons. This will give time to have a morning meal, practice yoga, and on Saturday, visit the Twisp Farmers’ Market.
Location
The Walking D ranch is located in Washington’s Methow Valley, 200 miles north east of Seattle. Give yourself 4 to 4 1/5 hours to drive there.
The event will be located around the family ranch house. We will have access to the kitchen, and limited use of the bathroom (some family still live there). Outdoor toilets and shower are available. The ranch house is an easy five-minute walk to downtown Twisp.
Accommodations
You have the option to bring a tent and set up in the orchard around the ranch house, or find accommodations in town or the vicinity. There is ample room for campers and trailers.
There is a modern trailer available for a couple to share.
Food
Providing, preparing and serving all meals will be a community affair. All participants are asked to contribute food (or a cash donation) in one of the following categories below. Will will organize who volunteers to bring what. Let him know if you have a preference.
Starting with Friday lunch each day will have breakfast, lunch, dinner and an evening tea.
— fruits and juices
— vegetables
— beverages
— sandwich makings
— snacks
— meats or seafood
— granola & yogurt
Activities
Yoga classes will be taught on Friday and Saturday morning after breakfast, approximately 9:30 am.
Twisp holds its Farmers’ Market until 12 noon on Saturdays so a trip downtown is worth it.
Work in the fields will begin after lunch.
The ranch is a beautiful place to hike and explore. We will organize a trip or two onto the range, or a drive up to The Dam.
Work Project
The work is pulling weeds out of one of our irrigated pastures. With watering the knapweed pulls up pretty easily. You will need to bring gloves, an possibly a long-sleeved work shirt.
The weather in June can be hit or miss. We could see rain or hot clear weather so come prepared for both.
