On the property:
Pray
We encourage you to spend quiet time on this retreat. Escape to a secluded corner of the woods and pray, finding rest in the Lord. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Hike the trails
The path to the top of the hill begins with a sharp left at the top of the steps, and the ranch road begins at the trough of the driveway. “Nothing brings home the beauty and power of the world that we live in like walking. Moving into our bodies, we embody the truth that as artists we are out to make a ‘body of work,’ which means we must encompass more than each day’s march. A Weekly Walk helps us to acquire such an overview. It allows us to find both perspective and comfort. As we stretch our legs, we stretch our minds and our souls. St. Augustine, himself a great walker, remarked, ‘Solvitur ambulando’ — ‘it is solved by walking.’ ” -Julia Cameron
Trail work
We have plans for trails throughout the property. Trails require maintenance and improvement. So if you want to work up a sweat, talk to Erik.
“The cure for this ill is not to sit still,
Or frowst with a book by the fire;
But to take a large hoe and a shovel also,
And dig till you gently perspire.”
-Rudyard Kipling, excerpt from “The Camel’s Hump”
Play with Abby
Sometimes it can be helpful to talk to someone who won’t respond, but will sit with you. The soft fur of a dog under your hand is often very calming.
Read
Snuggling up on the couch and reading is a pastime we are much prone to and highly recommend. Coffee or tea are great additions to this as well. “You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” -C.S. Lewis
Write
Putting pen to paper and crafting something new may be, for you, daily, or weekly, or perhaps it’s been five years. Rest can be found in both the ferocious scrawl and the careful poem. “Poets have been mysteriously silent on the subject of cheese.” -Chesterton
Walk to “Trolls”
These large rocks made of small rocks and covered in moss are a gorgeous place to sit. They are up the stairs and straight on, beyond the steps to Heather’s study and then follow the (short) winding trail.
“For just at that moment the light came over the hill, and there was a mighty twitter in the branches. William never spoke for he stood turned to stone as he stooped; and Bert and Tom were stuck like rocks as they looked at him. And there they stand to this day, all alone, unless the birds perch on them; for trolls, as you probably know, must be underground before dawn, or they go back to the stuff of the mountains they are made of, and never move again. That is what had happened to Bert and Tom and William.”
-J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit
Woodworking
We have a laser engraver, miter saw, band saw, and lots of other tools, as well as scrap wood.
Crafting
Harp Lessons
Nature Journaling
Identifying Findings
Nearby:
Downtown SLO – 12 minutes
There is a still-active Spanish Mission, an awesome used bookstore (Phoenix Books), cute shops, and great restaurants.
Shell Beach – 18 minutes
Shell beach has beautiful cliffs and stairs down to small beaches in coves with great rock formations.
Santa Margarita Lake – 21 minutes
This is a lake that you could fish in, kayak on, walk around, and gaze at.
Avila Beach – 21 minutes
This is a cute little beach town, and supposedly it has less fog than Pismo or Morro. Bob Jones city-to-sea bike trail is also in Avila beach.
Morro Bay – 25 minutes
The bay is a great place to kayak and the beach is a delightful walk. In between, there is a very large and famous rock–Morro Rock. In town there are cute shops and restaurants.
Pismo Beach – 25-30 minutes
Pismo beach is a happening beach town. Large sandy beach, great pier, lots of restaurants, and maybe even some clams.
Montaña de Oro – 34 minutes
Hearst Castle – 51 minutes
Elephant Seal Vista Point – 57 minutes
This beach has many, many, many elephant seals. They are adorable.
Carrizo Plain – 1 hour 17 minutes
Santa Margarita is the gateway to the Carrizo Plain. Carrizo Plain is known for being one of the best places to see the San Andreas fault and it has lots of wildflowers in the spring.
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