Wednesday, May 27, 2009

In a cabin in the woods; Writing in style!

If you're ever interested in going on a writing retreat, the Highlights Founders Workshops are well worth it. Even if your low on $$$$$ they do offer scholarships.

This is the main house. This is where we got pampered and had our sessions. They have unbelievable cooks that are willing to cook to order if you have special dietary needs. Before I even got to the retreat center I was already hearing "rave reviews" over the food. Let me tell you, it's not just hype. Stuffed portabella mushrooms, grilled meats, waffles, scrambled eggs, fresh fruits, fresh baked cookies, gourmet desserts . . . nom, nom, nom, nom, nom. I must stop now. I'm getting hungry.

But even w/ all the fancy food, the kitchen is homey and the fridge is stocked w/ an assortment of beverages and they make you feel at home so that you can grab whatever you need at any time.


Only a short gravel-road distance from the main house are the cabins. There are about 21 or so. . . I forget how many.
We each had our own cabin. This was mine. Sweet #17 where approx. 20 caterpillars greeted me on the prorch and I had a great view of the woods.

The inside of the cabins are clean, well furnished and each room had a mini-fridge and a cofee maker.
On our first evening we ate dinner on the screened in front porch as we sat around and got to know each other better. Our facilitator was author Rich Wallace. He was so nice, patient and down to earth and was a wealth of information. I couldn't think of anyone who could do a better job. I'll share more of what we learned fromr Rich in future posts.


So, I've shared my dreamy writing retreat space. Now you tell me. Where is your dream writing retreat? Have you been there already?

14 comments:

Edith said...

Wow! That looks amazing. I've never done a writing retreat thingie. Neat-o!

Sherrie Petersen said...

I've never gone on a writing retreat, but this one looks amazing! Your own cabin! Cooked to order meals! What a treat!

PJ Hoover said...

I'm so glad you had such a wonderful time! I've heard great things about the Highlights workshops.
I went to Big Sur last year and love it. I'm tempted to go again this December!

Kelly Polark said...

Wow! What a great retreat place! Cute cabin! I would love to go on a retreat away! My best friend and I went to her cabin to write last summer for two nights but there was a flood (I ended up staying an extra night because roads were closed) and we ended up doing more water sucking than writing. Though one thing I did write ended up in Nature Friend magazine!

Kelly H-Y said...

Oh my goodness ... I'm so glad you got to go! I've heard amazing things about their writing retreats!!! What an incredible experience!

Bish Denham said...

Oh you are so lucky/blessed! I've wanted to go on one of their retreats for so long...Now you've just made me start drooling!

Angela Ackerman said...

Wow--what a great opportunity. I always wondered what those workshop retreats were like. Thanks for sharing the photos.

Anonymous said...

Wow! And let me say it again. WOW! What a wonderful time. I will have to wait until my children are older to even contemplate such a thing! I'm so jealous!

Martha Flynn said...

that looks so lovely! especially the cooking. i would just amend that my dream writing space is by the ocean vs in the...woods? vs around grass and trees which tend to = insects which tend to = bug bites. bugs love me.
bugs : martha as
edward : bella
only without the lovey love.

Jacqui said...

I am jealous.
My ideal writing retreat, though, would have ocean, I think. And perhaps fewer caterpillars.

Stella said...

I went to a Highlights Foundation workshop the year before last with Sandy Asher and guess what? I stayed in cabin #17 too. I loved it! And you're right, the food is terrific. the only problem I had was getting there. I drove there after work in the late fall. The wind was blowing something fierce and I got a little lost. Rich Wallace seems like such a great guy. I met him once before.

Christina Farley said...

Oh now I'm terribly jealous. This looks fabulous.

My dream writing spot would either be by the ocean in Crete or Santorini, Greece.

Or in the mountains of France.

C.R. Evers said...

Edith, you should try it. It's great.

Sherrie, We all at the same stuff, but if anyone had a special request, like vegitarian, or if someone didn't like cheese, then they would make something different for them. The cooks were amazing.

Hey PJ! I've heard a little about Big Sur. I'd love to hear more. You should go for it again!

Oh noooo! Kelly. I'm glad you at least got an article out of it. But I still think you deserve another getaway to make up for the one that flooded you out of writing time! ;0)

Kelly H-Y, Thanks! :0)

Bish, If it's in your power at all to go, you should do it! They seem to be very accomodating, so if there's a reason that is holding you back, they maybe able to help you with it. If you have any quesitons, feel free to e-mail me directly.

Hi Angela! thnx for stopping by. Glad you like the pics.

Hey Tara! I understand, it's not easy to get out when the kids are little. I hope you'll get to go soon!

Martha, I love your poetic response. :0) I love the beach too. There's nothing like the sound of the ocean!


Jacqui, I love the ocean too, and It'll be my turn to be jealous when I hear about your time at the LA conference. Maybe I'll get to make it to LA next year.

Stella, Oh wow! What a small world! Did you write in their little guest comment book on the writing table. I might have read your comment. Several of the ladies who atteneded my retreat drove and they all got lost. Despite all the wonderful things they do, I think they need to invest in some better directions.

Christina, ohhhhh! those places do sound lovely. I've often envisioned a mountainside french cottage too. :0)

Bonnie J. Doerr said...

Aren't the Founders Retreats amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I felt so pampered and inspired. Everyone who can should go.