Sierra Retreat ~ Welcoming Day

Our Women's Journaling Sierra Retreat unfolds it's wings this 9th day of September. The starting threesome, Jean (my tandem-teacher), Izzy (our amazing gourmet chef) and I, are up early.

Jean and I have a teeny window of time to take a mornin' walk around the lake . . . and just drink in the soothing lake energy and the subtle, rustic beauty we begin to taste as we slow down.

Back at the cabin, Izzy takes her place dancing amongst the food and stove top while Jean and I vigilantly watch the second cabin, the Sequoia, to be vacated. We hope to get at least the living room space tended to by the cleaning staff first, so we can begin setting up our work stations for everyone, settle in our library and spread out shared materials. At 2pm Izzy finally corrals us into taking a break for lunch and we breathe, watching the "makings" of our retreat come together.

Shortly, retreat participants begin arriving. We skitter around touring everyone of the various bedroom possibilities and nesting spots get claimed. Unpacking pursues. With a bit of sun still shimmering on the lake several of us opt for a tour of east end of Lake Alpine. Personally, it's my favorite because of the Miwok Indian holes carved into the granite. See them there in the lake photo, lower right corner of the granite? I can just sense what it must have been to summer there, sitting cross-legged in the afternoon breeze, grinding seeds or grains in the small granite cups there. Anyway, I digress.

We beat feet back to the Ponderosa cabin, the one designated our formal dining area, ready for our first gathering. With the day's warmth still hovering on the deck, we set up the tables there for dining and immerse ourselves in fabulous food, warming wine and stimulating conversation. As the evening cool takes over our outdoor space, we migrate inward.

Our agenda is to craft a collective statement, and loving common energy and we spend giggling hours with this as our culmination. Pretty rich, eh? It will sit amongst us for all our evening gatherings, reminding us all of our individual uniqueness as well, as common bond. A dandy start to the retreat I'd say!!

Sunday at the 2011 Women's Retreat ~ September 11th

Sunday morn, we all were up early, anxious to be ready and have everything in order for the arriving participants. But the "giving nature" of our precious Chef, Izzy Leas, began to show as she requested she make us breakfast this morning (even tho her commitment to prepare food for us didn't begn until that evening). The warming sun streamed across out breakfast table ~ and so the day began!

Jean and I, your Tandem-Teachers, spent much of the day in preparation. With the moist ground we went in search of a

dry spot to do our morning yoga. In our travels around the edge of the lake we discovered the lovely outcropping where the previous day’s wedding had taken place. Scattered across the ground we saw the rose and lily petals from the celebration.

Of course, they went into my journal (this lily petal was allowed to dry overnight, painted with matte medium on both sides to preserve it and then, again with matte medium, painted down to my journal page). The afternoon was hustling to get the second cabin, the Sequoia, open, furniture removed and then set up with six working stations

(tables and lights we’d brought along) for us artists. Oh my, realizing what we’d forgotten and also,getting all the lights plugged into old cabin electrical receptacles was a challenge. But, TAH-DAH, by 3pm we were all set up for the next mornings processes (here it is in use!).

As everyone arrived to fill out our retreat places, we all introduced, chattered and, the final glue to stick us together, gathered to eat a fabulous "Welcome Dinner" of Summer bean, mushroom and squash Ragu. Think we are having a great time?

Packing Prep

The evening before I leave for my "Women's Journaling Retreat" in the lovely Sierras. I'm dreaming of the wide spances of granite and glorious blue sky. I'm imagining five creative women loving the mountain air and each others company. The new ideas and perspectives shared enlarge and enlighten each of us. Who said there were only two instructors, Jean & I? I believe there are five teachers coming to this retreat!

I've been watching the weather. At first I was getting frightened when I saw the thunderstorms icon on the weather predictions and then, when I called Lake Alpine and the manager said the weather was, "cold, with a chance of snow". But now there are sunshiny icons with highs in the 60's and nights, invigorating at low 40's.

I'm packing from long underwear all the way to swimsuit. I'm prepared. I remember reading in some astrology column that a Virgo will have every thing in their purse that you could ever need, even Alka-Seltzer and band aids. Well, yep, I DO have those in my tiny purse . . . so you can guess I'm not missing anything in this packing assignment!

Then, there's the food. Since each participant is bringing their own breakfasts and lunches I have to plan for that and also, Jean and I are preparing two meals of the retreat too. I'm blessed in that my wonderful husband, the best chef in the house, is helping me prepare the toasted walnuts, quiche and helping (not controlling) my packing.

I've already prepared the Handbooks for all the weeks agenda. Writing out and finding illustrations for most of the exercises and ideas . . . I really DO love writing these up. Some people have suggested I write a book on my journaling . . . perhaps this in somehow preparation for just that.

Anyway, can't see how I could be any more prepared. Now I just finish the last minute things before 7am tomorrow and then, I'm off. The drive from here to Lake Alpine is just about 8 hours, so I'll take a couple breaks and turn up the music as the trip reaches its end. But by then, I will be floating on air . . . just being in the mountains again.

So wish this "mountain momma" a happy reunion with her element, safe travels and a successful, fun workshop. Cheers . . . off into the wild blue wonder . . .