
This is the meditation room at Spirit Mountain Retreat in Idyllwild, a breathtakingly beautiful glass room overlooking the forest. The entire facility and its beautiful grounds are conducive to going within, dozing in the hammock, hiking, eating--and doing art. They even have an art room!
For some unusual reasons I'm not even sure of, I haven't taken vacation yet this summer, but tomorrow I leave for a week to Spirit Mountain in Idyllwild. For those of you unfamiliar with California, Idyllwild is a small town in the San Bernardino Mountains--a place I have loved since we first camped there in the '60s with our children. Last summer I spent 10 days at Spirit Mountain, which was called Colombiere Center at that time. It is about 110 miles from Redondo Beach, so I went to the library today to get books on tape to accompany me on my journey and on the side trips I'll undoubtedly take while I'm there.
On Saturday I am taking a one day Soul Collage workshop with facilitator Ann Keys--and will take the facilitator training myself in September with Seena Frost in Santa Cruz. But mostly the week will be about not cleaning the house, not working for my private client, not obsessing about tasks I haven't gotten done during this precious two months I've had off from my regular job. I'm leaving Villa Redondo and my precious Cookie in the care of my son-in-law Lorenzo and grandson Anthony. I'm in good hands with Allstate! By the time I get back, work will have begun on the deck replacement at the top of my townhouse.
Spirit Mountain is directed by a wonderful woman named Esther Kennedy and I am there for quiet time but I guarantee I will enjoy her incredible meals. Accommodations are $60 per day and that includes two pick-up meals and a full-on dinner every night prepared by Esther. Esther is living the dream I have had for some time--opening my home as a spiritual get-away. When my grandkids moved in, that plan was delayed, but you know what? It's a good thing. I wouldn't have traded my time with the kids for anything, hectic as it gets sometimes--and I really wasn't clear yet what I wanted my own Sanctuary Center to be. As the months pass, clarity is taking shape for Frannie's Place.
At Spirit Mountain I will stay in the main house for two nights and the rest of the week I'll be in the private Hill House. It's also the time when the students at the Idyllwild Arts Academy are putting on all their concerts, art shows, plays, etc., so I know I'll have lots of cultural things to do, too.
When I was there last year, there wasn't an Internet Cafe in town, but maybe there is this year. If so, you may be hearing from me--if not, I'll see you in a week. I will start a prayer box when I get to Spirit Mountain--and you, my readers, whoever and wherever you are, will be included in my prayers. I may also drink to you when Esther serves cocktails before dinner. You can probably tell that this isn't your average retreat center. I strongly recommend Spirit Mountain to any of you who want to have a quiet week of reflection. And the hiking is great, too, by the way.
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