Dear Friends of Wilbur,
After the most unusual ground-greening rains in May and June - which extended our wildflower season by weeks ( as you can see from the photo just below) - summer is now here. I 've just returned from one of my twice-monthly stays at Wilbur. What a pleasure it is to get out of th is season's dreary coastal fog and warm my Reynaud's Syndrome- and Bay Area-cold hands! They were still chilled when I was greeted at Wilbur with warm hugs from Richard and Ezzie.
SUMMER AT THE SPRINGS
Happy to leave the Bay Area's 59 degrees behind, I found Wilbur's weather was a very pleasant 88 degrees, which got me thinking about some guests' perception of Wilbur's summer weather.
Many people think Wilbur summers are beastly hot and fit only for mad dogs and Englishman. Most of the time this perception is far from reality - and those who love summer in general find this season at Wilbur to be their favorite.
Here's what Dennis G. , one of our most frequent guests -- from New York City and a long-time Wilburite -- has to say about summer: "For many years my son and I have spent summers at Wilbur. I love the summer heat that slows everything to a crawl. No other time is as quiet or peaceful. The warmth, the clear blue sky, the golden hills, the soothing waters strip me of my stress. Hot tubs, cool pools - to me, summer at Wilbur is peace and quiet sublime."
In the summer, Wilbur's daytime high temperatures usually range from 85 - 95 degrees. But dry temperatures of 95 degrees combined with low humidity make the weather quite comfortable. Cool nights, typically in the 50s and 60s, are great for sleeping, early evening hikes and stargazing from the bathing area.
When you come, d on't forget to bring all those books you've been planning to read all year. Summer in the shade at Wilbur is the ideal time and place to stretch out and read. And if your summer fare tends toward potboilers, thrillers or romance novels, we won't tell.
IN THE NEWS
For those of you in the Bay Area, did you see the great story on Wilbur in the San Francisco Chronicle in the Thursday Travel section on June 23? The article featured our 'Lazy Days of Summer Special,' which is good through September 1 at any time - including weekends, for the first-time ever! This new promotion offers One Night Free with every two nights paid - that is, Buy Two & Get One Free. A summer visit to Wilbur will never get better than this!
(We hope to have a link to the article and Meg's photo, right, up soon on our web site.)
ANNUAL CLOSEDOWN & CLEANUP
Another year has gone by and we are again approaching our annual two - week Closedown & Cleanup from August 8-19. During this period, volunteers trade a stay for work at Wilbur. This is a special time. Volunteers, many of whom have participated in closedown for over 10 consecutive years, do maintenance and upgrades. Nightly dinners for everyone are provided by Wilbur, and we all eat together. Some positions are still available, and carpenters and plumbers are especially welcome.
Call Ezzie or Meg to apply.
YOGA NOTES
Wilbur Yoga is provided free every weekend. I'm also proud to mention that daughter Sarana is the featured model in the July issue of the Yoga Journal for the second consecutive month.
WHAT'S COOKING?
Our next Guest Chef Weekend will be held September 23 - 24. We're delighted that Rachel Fann of Esalen fame will be back with us that weekend. We suggest you make reservations now and ensure your place at the table! In addition, Shy Leong, head chef at Trader Vic's in San Francisco, is working to create a special Wilbur menu for October's Guest Chef Weekend, planned for October 28 & 29. Watch for more details.
As I continue in my 34th year at Wilbur and my 45th year as a professional psychologist, I am deeply grateful to be involved in both endeavors. Having one occupation to be fully engaged with is good fortune, having two is a blessing.
I wish you all excellent health,
Richard
Richard Louis Miller, M.A., Ph.D.
Wilbur Caretaker since 1972