Rusty's Retreat
Basic information about Rustys Retreat
Bench and table gazebo
There are three gazebos on the property,
an open observation deck, covered porch, two fish ponds and two out buildings. We have a detached meditation building, large tool shed for property maintaince, aviary and outdoor kitchen. We have plans for a spa with installation underway. It will accommodate a sundeck and outdoor massage table.
This is a large sunny, light-filled home
with spectacular mountain views and gardens. All rooms in the house enjoy south-facing glass allowing sunlight to fill each room. This is a solar passive designed home, making it more energy efficient.
Home is equipped with modern technology
This home has a Wi-Fi hub with a strong, high-speed signal that extends to the observation deck and outside gazebos. Home also has Comcast cable television, and all rooms are wired with a phone line so you can activate a private line in your own room. You also have the option of enjoying good cell phone reception at this location.
Availability varies, some rooms have private entry doors.
I can usually make space available for the most motivated applicant who would really love to live here and who meets the qualifications. Availability will vary, therefore it is recommended that you pre-qualify by filling out an application and contact me well in advance of your desired move in date. Accommodations vary in price, most everyone maintains their own private room. Occasionally people choose to share a room however please understand that to share a room is not to live here two for the price of one.
Rusty enjoying the spring bloom in March 2008.
Adults only, please
Minimum age is 18 years old. This is a smooth running, responsible adult environment where mature occupants have a low impact on one another. This is a quiet meditative environment. Share with others who respect privacy and enjoy a cooperative, well kept clean household. Standards are high. We look for those who share these standards. We also maintain respect and friendly relationships with those who live here on the premises. There is a minimal essential involvement requirement to maintain a healthy environment.
Internship/Work exchange
Sometimes it is possible to offset rent by engaging in a work contribution at the Retreat. However one must have the interest and ability to provide the needed help. A rent reduction is sometimes possible for your assistance around the house and grounds; in any event, all applicants must place down the move-in costs including security deposit and provide references just as any other tenants who is paying full rent to live here.
A spacious area to gather
or just to enjoy a good book.
The retreat was founded by Rusty in 1987
Some personal information about Rusty
He is both owner/ builder and currently manages the property. The retreat has existed as a shared adult environment since 1987. We have had over 20 years of successful progress yet Rusty has visions of completing many more projects on the property but he recognizes that he must surround himself with the right people to get the job done. Keep in mind that this is a secluded location. Please ask yourself if this is actually the lifestyle that you want.
Ownership/partnetship options are being explored
Where people can join into a partnership management team so that the retreat can carry on smoothly as it has for the last 20 years without Rustys direct supervision. Rusty wants it to continue to be maintained as a viable shared living facility after his passing. He is still considering different ways to bring this about. And consulting with different people who would be qualified to assume these roles so that the retreat will be maintained. He is open to different ideas that people might present and also those who are able to come in with investment money.
Elliott, one of our long time bigger
contributors, holding Mi'shu, our
hypo-allergenic smallest contributor.
But she is a big heart throb and a
joy to be with
Location
The home is located about 5 minutes outside of Felton and about a total of a 17 minute drive from Santa Cruz which is a spirutial Mecca for health, spirutial practices, yoga and active people. Or approximately a 45 minutes drive to San Jose and then the Silicon Valley area. Roads to this property are paved and property has easy year-round access. There is no snowfall in this area. As this home is located out in the country, you might want to ask yourself if this is your preferred type of location? Living out of town is not for everyone!
The unique benefits of this area
is that the property is located about 3 miles from Loch Lomond Reservoir recreation area which is a popular place for fishing canoeing, kayaking and paddle boat touring. In addition it is about 10 miles from the city of Santa Cruz and the Monterey Bay Marine sanctuary, The marine sanctuary is a protected area for seals, dolphins, sea otters and coral reefs which draws many many tourists, oceanography lovers and scuba divers. Monterey Bay is home to the world famous Monterey Bay Aquarium which has on display stingrays, jellyfish, Great White sharks, sea otters, and an array of other marine life.
Upper sitting shelter above
the house in a peaceful place.
Santa Cruz is a great place to enjoy some of the most majestic beaches in the world, spanning from here to the Big Sur area. Santa Cruz is home to a historic Boardwalk amusement park. There is good year round weather here and the landscape is mine to enjoy for the rest of my life now, and it's available to you for a few hundred dollars a month.
Mature students welcome
While college students will be considered, this home does not accommodate those looking for a typical college culture. This is an excellent place to study, however not accommodating to the rowdy party person. If you are more comfortable living out of town in the mountains I want to be able to accommodate you. I enjoy permculture and horticulture majors.
Two wild turkeys stopping to peep into our window.
Restrictions:
No dogs, no cats or other furry creatures. (No exception request please.) Please understand that domestic pets prey upon the wildlife. Additionally I do not wish to exclude those who are allergic to pets in their home. This is a place to celebrate nature and all the creatures who live here and need our protection.
Drugs and other mind altering substances
There is a social, spiritual and physical aspect to life. I have had the pleasurable, mind expanding experience of recognizing all three of the above mentioned as mind altering experiences. And of course I have also experimented with other substances designed to produce an altered state. However here at the retreat, we rely exclusively on producing an altered experience through social, spiritual and physical activities gaining a higher, naturally positively produced experience. There is no use of substances here.
Spacious Kitchen is 30' long and has
two side by side refrigerators
Although I encourage people to stay high on the first three mentioned as I consider this to be the authentic and natural way to live. This decision does not come out of any organizational involvement or any religious belief system. This is a drug and tabacco free zone that we share. I do not ask anyone to give up any substance that they are relying upon or that they are desiring to use. I look for people who have already made a decision to live life staying high by producing a positive state of mind through their own thinking and endorphins thus being able to stay high on their own juices. This is the reliable, authentic experience we share with one another here.
We host a large variety of different colored
hummingbird population. Rusty has created a
micro-climate atmosphere where these flowers
bloom all year around for the hummingbirds to
collect their nectar.
What we do have:
Fish and fountains we do have, both indoors and outdoors. We also have deer and their fawns--and newts and salamanders basking in the sun and wild turkeys and their chicks and lots of humming birds and blue jays etc.
This is a very special space, yet inexpensive
place that I am holding for those special people who believe this is the ideal living situation for themselves. Rents are intentionally low to accommodate those who truly wish to live here. I keep the rents low in hopes that you will look at the pictures and find it strikes that "magical" chord in you. We're in the heart of nature and I want to reserve the space for those who have a love of nature. However I have an expectation that you devote energy and care to the smooth running and upkeep of the premises so that I can maintain low rents. However I offer the option that you may be able to stay here with less involvement by offering to pay a higher rent.
Our meditation cove
The edible landscape, a permaculture project
I am in the process of evolving a permaculture landscape employing organic gardening techniques. I have planted many fruit, nut, citrus and ornamental trees and additionally herbs, grapes and berries. Gardens flourish in this climate year round. And I welcome those who love gardening. This is a quiet, serene environment. I have four acres of land that surrounds the house. And then there are 100 more acres of undeveloped timber preserve behind my property.
Click here for information about how to apply for residency
Rusty.