Artist, Tom Bucci’s Watercolor of Kayser Ridge
Washington DC based Artist and Architect, Tom Bucci has exhibited widely in the Washington DC area and his work is found in collections around the world, from embassies to corporate and private collections. He and his wife Erica, who is also a talented artist, are good friends who have spent time at Kayser Ridge.
Several years ago, Tom presented me with a gift of his work, which I have proudly displayed in the WORLD HEADQUARTERS of XPERIENCE, LLC. While perusing Tom’s website recently, I came across his wonderful depiction of Kayser Ridge and am posting the link below, in case anyone is interested in purchasing it (or any of Tom’s other awesome work)
http://thomasbucci.com/694/walk-woods-berkeley-springs/
R.I.P. Vegas — a Best Friend of and to, Kayser Ridge
Kayser Ridge lost a beloved Staff member, Vegas.
Dawn had to make the difficult decision to put her friend of 17 years to sleep yesterday and shared some pictures of Vegas at Kayser Ridge, commenting, “she loved Kayser Ridge and could really and truly be a dog when there…”
Vegas used to accompany Kayser Ridgers for tai chi, yoga, and was always dutiful about helping with clean-up of scraps from the most difficult to reach areas under tables and chairs. I’m smiling as I recall her chasing rabbits in stage 4 REM dream sleep, in in the perfect center of the kitchen, as meals were being prepared for guests.
I’ll miss you, as I know so many people will, Vegas.
Eagle Lands…In form of “Bridge to the Ridge”!
To improve safety for “Kayser Ridgers” and make the back ridge more accessible to everyone, Holly and his team constructed a “Bridge to the Ridge” — a 60 foot catwalk leading to a new-improved upper deck that is almost 3x as big as the previous deck. This required heavy equipment to actually carve the ridge down a full two feet. We also designed the deck to conform to the existing terrain (as we have with all of the deck surrounding Kayser Ridge). I will soon reconstruct the firepit, situating it on the opposite side of the deck from where it was previously — located behind the ridge. This will significantly improve fire safety by blocking the wind from hitting the firepit, blowing sparks, etc.
I’ve mentioned Holly Thompson before — my Kayser Ridge construction partner in crime. He’s like a brother to me, and I never cease to be in awe of the depth / breadth of his skills as a builder/contractor. There’s so much “Holly” wrapped-up in Kayser Ridge, that I often find myself uttering his name under my breath as I admire progress and shake my head in admiration of the beauty he and his awesome cast of characters has assembled over the years. I am so grateful our paths crossed! Thank you, Universe!!
Typically, our conversations go–
Cliff: “Hey Holly, I have an idea…”
Holly: “Oh NO, not another one of those things! Remember the last idea you had ….”
Cliff: “I know, I know…So, do you think it’s possible to ….”
Holly: “Well what you need to do is ….(laughs) We can do it … (laughs) You sure you want to do that? (laughs) .. We can git er done …(laughs)…Holy #$%$@)*! …(laughs)...”
Cliff: “let’s go for it…”
[PROJECT BEGINS]
Holly: “This is one hell of a project you got me into!”
[PROJECT IS COMPLETED]
Cliff: “You ‘got er done’ again, didn’t you!”
Holly: “It was one a hell of a project!”
Thanks to Holly and his crew, Kayser Ridge guests have a safer and more accessible way to enjoy the inherent beauty and experience of Kayser Ridge.
More pictures will follow, but I wanted you to see the last picture he sent from his cell phone, as of 12/1. Ladies and Gentleman, please welcome the newly completed, Bridge to the Ridge! Holly & Co. — THANK YOU, AGAIN! 
Labyrinth @ Kayser Ridge
On Thanksgiving Day a cool Labyrinth was designed and built, together with my friend Paul. Tom Bucci added some design, supervisory and musical talent to the mix — so we can’t take FULL credit. It’s not complete yet, but it’s definitely walkable.
Next time you’re out there look for it behind and to the right (Southeast) of the cabin. Add a few rocks to it if you feel so inclined! (I can barely grip a pencil right now from digging up/carrying rocks!)
Bridge to the Ridge Under Construction!
So happy/thankful to have a talented partner, Holly Thompson, who can turn vision into reality. Last week, we broke ground on the “Bridge to the Ridge” — a catwalk/ramp that leads to a NEW IMPROVED 600 foot deck. This replaces the old deck on the ridge behind the cabin — the one next to the firepit.
My friend, Tom Bucci, rendered his artistic talents to give you a sense of what the final product will look like. Thanks Tom!
We’ll get some pictures of the final product up in the next week or two, once completed!
Cliff
Bucci_Bridge to the Ridge
Temenos, June 2012 at Kayser Ridge
An amazing experience for me. And, and amazing group of people.
http://www.flickr.com//photos/xperienceit/sets/72157630223882594/show/
Double Rainbow at Kayser Ridge!
You won’t get this attempt at a spoof on the “Double Rainbow” if you’ve never seen the very interesting viral video that’s has had about 3 billion viewers…So intense…;) However, if you have seen that video, you’ll “full-on” absolutely love this! We sure did.
Enjoy.
It may load faster from youtube — here’s the link — please “like” it:
A Bear of an Easter @ Kayser Ridge!
Late last night — technically early Easter morning — I was finishing up a watching a TED video (“Natalie Merchant sings old poems to life” — an amazing video if you can take the time to watch it all the way to the end when she does an encore…talk about talent — brought tears to my eyes), when I heard banging and crashing noises.
I grabbed a flashlight and leapt into action with incredible bravery, courage, and without hesitation or concern for my own health and well-being — straight to the source of the raucous.
My mission resulted in discovery of a bear in the middle of tearing down the new bird feeder installed by Kayser Ridge’s wonderful assistant, Cindy. Red with rage at the failure of this bear to consider the hard work that went into that wonderful creation and all the poor little birdies that would miss out on Easter brunch and go hungry — again, I unhesitatingly sprung into action — pointed my light directly into that bear’s eyes and called out, “Hey!”…He retreated into the darkness as I puffed out my chest and yelled behind him, “You better run...” At that, he stopped briefly and looked back at me. Certainly he was feeling lucky and relieved to have gotten away so easily this time.
Here’s a picture of the remnants of the beloved, 1st generation bird feeder at Kayser Ridge…Back to the drawing board.
Loving Turns
I decided to work from Kayser Ridge for a few days this week and on the way out here stopped to see a friend, Siraj (http://blog.siraju.com/) who gifted me with a wonderful book of poems. Siraj encourages readers to share reactions on the blank pages he puts between each page of his book as a way to create a shared experience — brilliant…
Here’s what I wrote on the blank page 8:
Loving Turns
I already love this day!
With its turnings of my teacup in its saucer
And me in this sanctuary
Where January has become February
I turn in the direction
Of the softest breeze that ever caressed a face
And back to a collection
Of songbirds that play and sing
As a rising sun over this mountain
Blinds the winter for a breath of spring
I turn the softest pages that fingers ever turned
Past the Introduction
To hear the songs cradled in a silk nest
With a poet I turn one.
Cliff
Thank you, Siraj
