This summer of 2024 we have had many more visitors than ever before. While we enjoy having visitors, trying to accommodate all the requests has sometimes stretched our small staff to the limit. I am taking the opportunity to re-state the procedure for visiting Ridgely. Please read and follow:
Please plan your visit in advance. You need to schedule a visit with us either by phone or by email. Phone is better. (845) 687-4574 . Read on for instructions:
Overnight Vistors: All overnight visitors need to schedule at least 5 days in advance. We do not allow children under the age of 17 to stay overnight at the retreat. This is for insurance reasons and also because of our local health dept. classification. If you have children you can book a local hotel room and visit us as a day visitor.
Day Visitors: You need to schedule a visit at least 1 day in advance if you want a tour. We do not allow people to wander around our houses unguided as we also live in these houses. Ridgely is not like a museum where self-guided tours are possible. Our tour guides also have many other responsibilities here. If we tell you that a certain day or a certain time is not possible, instead of pleading or arguing, please try to find a mutually convenient time. Please do not get into your car and then call us, saying “We are coming”. WE WILL NOT GIVE TOURS TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT MADE A RESERVATION ONE DAY OR MORE IN ADVANCE. WE WILL NOT GIVE TOURS TO PEOPLE WHO JUST SHOW UP W/O NOTICE.
Meditators and Walkers: If you are coming only to sit in our shrine room or to walk on our property, you do not need to let us know. The shrine is open from 6am to 7pm except Sunday, when it closes at 4pm. If you have not come to sit in our shrine before, please give us a call so we can give you a very brief orientation when you arrive. After that you don’t need to tell us when you come and go, If you are walking on our property, please do so only during daylight hours. Please observe the Private signs that mark our neighbor’s property. Be aware that we are located in an area where ticks are known to carry Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses and dress appropriately.
Thank you for your cooperation,
Pravrajika Gitaprana