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“We each do our own thing,” said Kristin, Said Kelley Daly, the youngest daugh- My heart brimmed with love and pride
who enjoys hiking out front, alone, savor- ter: “Last night, when we snuck over as I watched Kim interact with other
ing the serenity of the early morning. to the hot tub with our wine, it was so ranch guests. So vibrant, smart, happy
much fun. We talked and talked – the – and always empathetic, understanding,
But during the day, it was easy to spot longest talks we’ve had in years. It’s been eager to nurture. Finally Kim had time to
mother and daughter Sorenson together like that every night – the slumber party nurture herself.
– laughing at themselves in a strip effect kicks in.”
tease dance class, sunbathing at the wom- “Being here brings back so many warm
en’s health center, sitting memories of childhood –
together on a weathered when it was just the two of
wooden swing, deep in us: no husbands, no kids,
conversation no work deadlines, no jug-
gling responsibilities – just
“In my mind’s eye during the two of us off playing
the year, I’ll revisit these together,” my daughter
things,” Kristin said. “I’ll said. “It’s been 30 years
feel the serenity of the since we’ve had that.”
morning hikes – and the
laughter we shared in All week long, we delight-
some of our classes: pilates, ed in having the time and
dance, circuit training. I’ll space to play – and loved
be able to call up the mem- that the only thing we had
ories we’re making now.” to do was be good to our-
selves, pamper our bodies
Some mother/daughter with healthy food, lots of
pairs admit they began exercise, massages and
their Rancho La Puerta aromatherapy wraps. At
week with a bit of trepida- sundown, we loved sitting
tion. Of course, it’s not just about talking. It’s on our patio, listening to the last breath
about listening, too. It’s about seeing of day as it rustled through the branches
“For the past six weeks, Julia’s been shak- each other in a different light, about of eucalyptus and sycamores. We loved
ing in her boots, worrying about spend- shedding roles to really appreciate the that we had time to talk – really talk.
ing a week with her mother,” said Jill extraordinary individual who just hap-
Weinberg, 57. pens to be your mother – or your daugh- “If I could change one thing about this
ter. place,” Kim said. “I’d make it so there are
Julia Weinberg Kramer, 26, shrugged, 30 hours in a day, 10 days in the week. ”
then read a copy of an email she’d sent to My daughter, Kim DaRosa, lives in San
her Chicago-area siblings: “First, let me Francisco. It’s an easy commute and we We cherished the time we had in
assuage your fears – everything is going visit often – but for whatever reason, our our “stress-free cocoon,” as Kim called
great…” visits are often harried. There are always it – and in the end, both loved that we
things to do, places to go, people to see. could confirm something we’d probably
Julia added: “We’re having a wonderful known all along, but hadn’t taken much
time; our whole family is shocked. “ Not long ago we spent our first week time to think about: that each of us is
together at the Ranch. It was different the kind of woman we’d have chosen for
Dorie Smith, from Lafayette, Calif., ac- there; we had time to breathe, to fill our a best friend, even if we weren’t mother
knowledged she had to do some slick ne- lungs with the scents of sage, rosemary and daughter.
gotiating to get her daughters to join her and lavender that hugged the curving
at the Ranch. The sisters said finding time brick path that led to our hacienda. Nei- IF YOU GO
in their hectic schedules for the getaway ther of us wanted the week to end.
was monumental – but added they were Getting there: Because The Ranch is in
leery of pushing the bonding envelope We started most of our days before dawn, Mexico, just across the border, you’ll need
too far. Instead of the usual weeklong stay, joining sunrise hikes – but were giddy a passport to visit. Roundtrip bus trans-
they agreed to join mom for four days. and guilt-free on the morning we slept in portation is provided from San Diego’s
and had breakfast delivered to our villa. Lindbergh Field.
“I thought we’d be bored,” confessed Sierra We sweat a lot – and rewarded ourselves
Higgens, Dorie’s oldest daughter. “I stand with transcendent treatments at the spa. Staying there: Weekly rates range from
corrected. It’s been great. I wish we were We took a cooking class at the ranch’s La $3,150 to $4,800 per person, depending
going to be here for the week.” Cocina que Canta, where we learned to on season, room type and number of oc-
make guacamole with peas – and made a cupants in the room. Get 20 percent off by
Added middle daughter, Tracey Millham: chocolate cake, so that we could lick the booking 9-12 months in advance, 15 per-
“Would I do this again? In a heartbeat – if bowl. cent off by booking 6-8 months in advance.
mom will take us.” Learn more: www.rancholapuerta.com.
Wine Dine & Travel Summer 2014 73

