Basic Workshop Information

Just to get you some of the structure of the Women's Journaling Retreat, I'll elaborate on the basics.

Food, a basic necessity, especially when we are outdoors and exerting ourselves with new exposure (on several levels) is a big concern. Our location is limited to a small store at Lake Alpine Resort and another of similar volume at the Bear Valley Resort. Any personal favorites and most fresh food, I recommend you bring with you. We want everyone to have their personal needs met but also, to provide a gathering time over meals. So here is what Jean and I have cooked up (sorry for the pun) for . . .

Food:

- A "Welcome Dinner" with a two/three choice menu selection (you will be requested to pre-order) will be catered, Sunday, September 19th, the evening you arrive. I just spoke with Gigi, the owner, who said last year they had a heavenly "Squash Ravioli" to "die for."

- Participants will furnish their own breakfasts & lunch preferences. With a full kitchen in the large cabin, The Ponderosa, we can attend to our own needs and pleasures! The smaller, Studio Cabin will have a coffee maker, small refrigerator and no stove. We will all meet and work out of the larger cabin.

- Evening meals (3) will be furnished, with the exception of the Murphys' and Bear Valley evening meals. The Lake Alpine Resort Restaurant will be serving only on weekends.

and Lodging:

- Cabins have heat available. Bedding and towels are supplied. There are no TVs or phones. Cell phones probably won't work unless you have Verizon. There is a pay phone at the Lodge.

- The Lodge has internet connection on a secure system. So you'll need to connect near the Lodge. Also, the boats will still be available to us!!

- Our gathering center for the retreat will be the large two-story cabin, The Ponderosa. It has one large room, 2 seperate bedrooms (1 upstairs, 1 downstairs) and 1 large room with 4 beds. The bathroom has a tub/shower available.

- Sharing the largest cabin, The Ponderosa, there will be a sliding scale, relative to how many ladies to a room (only one private room, first come first serve) and what room is selected. With 2 different rooms (since Jean and I will be occupying one bedroom) and various sleeping arrangements available, we can accomodate nearly everyone.

- If we have an overflow or preferences, we will make available the smaller, Studio Cabin. It consists of one large room, 2 bunk beds (1 double, 1 queen) and small under counter refrigerator, coffee maker and no stove. The bathroom has a shower.

As women register, we will formalize any special food/lodging needs.

Now on to the juicy stuff ~ the things the Retreat will be made up of. Again these may change depending upon any special expeditions we invent or may be available to us (like a demo by a local Restoration Artist). These are the format for our days. We've wanted to keep travel to a minimum to allow a peaceful, settled air to permeate our days.

Itinerary information includes:

4 days:

- spent in the Lake Alpine Resort area, class instruction, hiking and ample private time for journaling, relaxation and reflection

1 day:

- drive into Murphys for "local color", sketching and dinner

- the Retreat will run from Sunday evening, with "Welcome Dinner" and end Friday afternoon. There will be an option to stay Friday evening if participants elect, and then leave Saturday.