It is Tuesday and time to write a 'Slice of Life."
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This past weekend, a group of ‘empty-nesters’ gathered at our church’s retreat center, in rural West Virginia. Let me share a few words and photos.
The retreat center is small, with one central house for meals and fellowship, and three adorable cabins. It accommodates less than two dozen folks overnight. This was my husband’s first time visiting the retreat center since it went through an extensive remodeling. I have had the joy of being here twice for women’s retreats.
The weekend had no agenda and no schedule, other than meals. It was a time to share stories and relax together, to connect more deeply than those quick conversations before and after church services. The retreat center is in a very remote area, with no cell service. Just before you arrive, you have to drive through a creek. We literally “Forded” the stream, in our Fusion sedan – and both of us agree that it may well be time to get a bigger vehicle.
We all took turns with the cooking. Tony and I were on the Sunday breakfast team – my task was vegetable frittata. The kitchen is large and welcoming, making for a wonderful community cooking experience. People were in and out of the kitchen, getting their morning coffee and tea, and making conversation while cooks prepared the meal. (Sorry, no photos of food to share. Trust me, it was a yummy breakfast.)
We went on an arduous walk, through the woods and up this challenging hill. This is one of those hills where I breathed a sigh of relief at getting to the top, and boasted “oh, that wasn’t so bad!,” only to find there was another enormous ascent, just around the bend. This second one took my breath away. That dang hill was new to me – not something we had attempted at my women’s retreat. I was glad I did it – the panoramic views of the surrounding countryside were well worth the unexpected exertion.
One friend found this enormous feather along the dirt road…it is some 20 inches long. She let me bring it home! (I love feathers.)
It was a weekend of conversation and connection, to ‘catch up’ on one another’s lives. Such a gift, to be immersed in nature, together.
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Maureen,
I have never been on a women’s or couples’ retreat, other than snowmobiling excursions in Yellowstone and Island Park w/ Ken’s snowmobile club. Does that even count? I’d probably enjoy the women’s version but am more tentative about trekking off together w/ a bunch of other couples. Anyway, that hill looks tame enough, but I know those rolling hills can deceive and often challenge hikers. I always feel a sense of accomplishment when summiting one. Love the photos, too, especially the tall, golden grass.
I think your couples’ excursions in Yellowstone & snowmobiling would definitely count as ‘retreats’ like mine – except for our closing, where we sat quietly in the outdoor chapel and named gratitudes (if we desired), there was no religious programming or any real expectations at all, except to have fun and chat. Also, it wasn’t all couples – we had a couple single folk empty nesters, too! A very nice time.
What a wonderful slice of your retreat. It sounds like a splendid plan for a retreat, and the setting looks fabulous. I remember another post of the night sounds you heard during a retreat night at a women’s retreat (here maybe?) I love the photos that allow us to come along. The fording through the river could be dangerous in a sedan, I believe. Maybe it is time for a bigger car! I bet Bird and Frog will enjoy the 20 inch feather, and I’m sure some research will happen!
I’m excited to show this feather to the girls, Denise, you are right. And you are right that I wrote about my women’s retreat earlier (last fall). It is always a great weekend, at this retreat center.
What a lovely stress free weekend of relaxing! Thanks for sharing, your pictures were beautiful. :)d
Thank you so much!
I enjoyed your honest moment when you declared “that wasn’t so bad” and looked round to another hill! This is a lovely reflection on a beautiful weekend. I am especially pondering how that early spring bareness can still be so fulfilling.
I was really feeling a little smug, wasn’t I, thinking the hard part was over. Ha! Yes, there really is a bareness to early spring – and so soothing, all the same. The light is so different, letting you know, wintering has ended.
Sounds like a wonderful weekend. Not sure I would have been able to do the hike though. 😆 I would love to try a woman’s retreat. My husband is not a retreat kind of guy.
Not everyone did the hike – quite a few kicked back at the retreat center, reading, chatting. There were no expectations on any of us, which made the weekend in nature all the better, I think.
Maureen, what a fantastic retreat. I am so jealous! I want to be walking in that same place. The photos are breathtaking. Agghhhhh, can you hear me panting now! I also love feathers. The one your friend found is amazing! I’m honestly glad you had this opportunity to enjoy!
Thanks, Barb! I think you need this weekend getaway very much right now. It was really soothing!