Jo and I have been communicating with Carol and Jeff at Cascade Mountain Ranch Retreat.  They have offered and we have accepted a position at their facility.  When we asked about it, we were told that it is a Christian based ministry with two large lodges at which they have family reunions, wedding and receptions, and church gatherings.  The work is all volunteer work, but in our case, it will actually save us money in the long run.

I asked a bunch of questions and found out the following:

RV site is free.

All of the utilities that are included free: water, sewer, electric, gas hook-up to tank (LPG), Direct TV, WiFi, and a Ranch cell for guests to call

Hours worked are dependent upon guest schedules, but they average around 20 hours per week per person of each couple.  They do their best to get everyone at least 2 days off a week.  They would like for any volunteer couples to commit for at least 9 months to a year.

They do cook some for the retreats, so at least one person of a couple might be expected to help on those occasions.

The work is really flexible .. feeding the animals each day, washing sheets and towels when guests depart (so the "team" can make beds and clean quickly the next day, Tuesdays are the big cleaning volunteer day during the school year) ... chopping firewood, fixing a chair ... they try to flex around ones skills in the maintenance area.

Dress code is casual ... Jeans are fine

Hosting guests/retreats is that fine line of warm and friendly ... But then invisible except when they need you!

At the moment, we are scheduled to take the one RV site that has 50 amp, and the other one for a volunteer couple would currently be 30 amp, but in a phone conversation today, it was mentioned that they would be looking into converting at least one more site to 50 amp for the retreat volunteer couple.

As I said, I asked a bunch of questions and didn't get a single answer that I didn't like.  So, if anyone has an interest in the second volunteer couple positions, don't hesitate to call or e-mail and ask your own questions.  As for Jo and I, we are excited to be going and have committed for one year.

Terry

Since we were asked to keep things posted as to our service here in SW Oregon, I have to admit that I have failed miserably in doing that.  So, now I'll try to make amends.

We enjoyed our first year, which seemed to go very fast.  When we came here, we actually planned to stay at least a year and a half because that would get the Ranch past the busy season before someone had to find replacement hosts.  At present, we have guests scheduled for every weekend up to and into October.  Since we do not have any RV site rent or utilities, those savings are going to get rid of a few more debts that we have.  The people here are very nice and dealing with the guests is mostly a pleasure.  Enough so, that with the cost savings and the desire to complete a few things that are on our "radar," we are going to probably stay another year and a half, likely leaving in the fall of 2018.

While our time usually amounts to a bit more than 20 hours per week, especially in my case, we find it pleasant to be doing something we like, and the owners keep telling us they want us to stay.  I never mentioned this before, but we are on a 50 acre property of trees and meadows, and we experience a lot of solitude and peace and quiet.  Even when guests are on the Ranch, it is still basically quiet.

The California Redwoods (80 miles away) and the Oregon coastline are all beautiful.  The owners of the Ranch also have a beach house in Waldport, OR, and we got to stay there for about 4 or 5 days in May for free.  While I have learned that I NEVER want to have a beach house, I wouldn't mind going back over for a few more days.

Terry