Will You Join me on a Quest to Find Bliss in Dreary October?
It’s late fall and you’re on the deck of the ferry from Anacortes to the San Juan Islands. Already, you feel different as the distance from the mainland (and all of your responsibilities and duties) grows. Your blood pressure has lowered and your breathing has slowed. The cool air whips around and you feel the sting and thrill of adventure. You squint and see a hazy set of islands on the horizon and take another deep breath of fresh air.
Soon, you’re rolling down the ramp onto Lopez Island. As you drive along the country roads, you notice there are no stop lights and the few people you pass give you a little wave with two fingers just above their steering wheel.
Your directions lead you into the sleepy, quiet town. It’s shoulder season and the tourists have all gone. You park at a romantic Victorian-style inn which will be your home for the next three nights. Follow the smell of homemade chocolate chip cookies wafting down the hallway to the hand carved oak podium where a special gift awaits, along with your name tag, an old-fashioned key, and a drink. Welcome to Edenwild Inn.
In a few hours, you’ll be introduced to the other participants of the art retreat, given a bag of fun goodies, and the hotel’s personal chef will announce what she has prepared for dinner. Finish the evening with wine, chocolate, and lots of laughter. A soft bed and the muffled sounds of the island awaits you in your custom designed bedroom and quaint ensuite bathroom. Each room is uniquely different, yet they all have one thing in common…nestled comfort.
Wake up the next morning to a beautiful sunrise over the bay or opt to sleep in. If you’re an early riser, take a morning walk and release any stresses or distractions that may hinder your creativity. After our farm-to-table breakfast, dive into our morning art session where you will explore different mediums, guided by your friendly, fun and renowned artist and teacher, yours truly!
Just before lunch we will gather around the fireplace where we will have an engaging discussion about art and how it relates to your life.
Our afternoons are open for exploring—hiking, kayaking, and biking or even reading or napping if that’s what your body and soul needs. Enjoy lunch at our favorite ramen place where the pork belly and shitake mushroom noodles are absolutely delightful.
Return to Edenwild Inn before sunset and grab a glass of wine before walking down to the beach, possibly making your way out to the big rock where we sit and soak in the beauty of all the colors as they bounce off the water in perfect reflection. Then enjoy a sumptuous dinner, where locally sourced ingredients are transformed into a culinary work of art. Follow this with a painting session, learning new techniques along the way. Top off another lovely evening with creme brulee, an espresso or digestivo and again….more laughs and wine in our living space around the mantle.
The final morning is another delicious breakfast and then sad farewells. You’ll be amazed at how connected you’ve become with each other in just a few days. As you drive away toward the ferry, you’ll find yourself giving the “Lopez wave” to strangers as you prepare to chug away from “the Friendly Island.”
Our Edenwild experience is a celebration of creativity, connection and personal growth. This is an unforgettable artistic journey, where your imagination knows no bounds and your spirit will soar to new heights. Will you escape with me?
