Sometimes it pays to be lucky! Earlier this year I participated
in the Kent (Washington) Rotary Club’s silent auction and won a two-night
retreat for four people at Camp Berachah at Buck Creek – the perfect getaway for my writing group. We settled on a date in late June, and I secured
reservations, along with directions to the camp and details about what our
retreat would include (which was everything except bedding).
When the weekend arrived, we all headed toward Mount Rainier National Park, down Forest Service Road 7160, across a
bridge, and through deep woods via a dirt road to the facility. What awaited us was a quiet, welcoming place to hike, eat good food, contemplate, and even
write. Lucky for us, although the camp can accommodate 200+ visitors, only a
dozen had reserved the camp during the weekend we were there. With laptops
charged and a quiet setting in which to create, we devoted ourselves to writing.
[Click on photos to enlarge.]
[Click on photos to enlarge.]
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| Buck Creek ran within strolling distance of our Creekside cabin. |
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| Walking paths wound beneath towering trees. Chirping birds and the gurgling creek provided background music. |
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| This photo of another cabin shows the overall atmosphere of Camp Berachah. |
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| We each had a separate room with one shared bathroom. Although the accommodations were austere, they were comfortable. We gathered in a common room to share ideas, discuss our writing, have a glass of wine, and just catch up with each other. |
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| When we needed alone time, we'd find solitude alongside the nearby creek. |
Sandra Nachlinger is the author of Bluebonnets for Elly (a sweet romance) and
co-author with Sandra Allen of I.O.U. Sex (a spicy Baby Boomer romance)
What a wonderful place for a retreat! A retreat is on my bucket list. I don't write but the quiet and solitude would be heavenly! A place to replenish the inner you! Enjoyed your blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by. I enjoy getting away whenever possible, and this retreat with writing friends was especially fun. We all accomplished a lot too!
DeleteGreat post. What's the old saying? I'd rather be lucky than smart? Something like that. Actually, it's pretty neat when lucky AND smart come together which sounds like you! Be sure and let us know when the book you worked on at the retreat is published.
ReplyDeleteThat book is a long way from being finished, but at least the plot moved forward during our retreat. I'll definitely announce its "birth" when the time comes!
DeleteKnowing me, I'd talk more than I'd ever write. Brainstorm, maybe. Sit outside and soak in the nature and think "'what next?" Sounds like great fun.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your comments. We did do a lot of talking, and not all of it was about writing! But since we had a couple of days to unwind away from our daily demands, we all managed to get some writing done too.
DeleteThanks so much for your comments. We did do a lot of talking, and not all of it was about writing! But since we had a couple of days to unwind away from our daily demands, we all managed to get some writing done too.
DeleteWow! Great photos and sounds like a lovely time. Were other Rhinos there?
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed the photos, Judy. This was a get-together with my writing group that meets at the Puyallup Starbucks.
DeleteThat's a beautiful place and sounds like a wonderful experience. How great that you have a group to do that with :)
ReplyDeleteThe members of this writing group have really clicked. Although each of us write different genres (murder mysteries, historical romance, fantasy, memoir), we all bring something unique to the group. It was a pleasure to get away with this group of talented women.
DeleteSandy, thanks for sharing our experience. I came away with great ideas for my novel. I can't wait for our next adventure!
ReplyDeleteKelly Marshall
I'm glad the retreat was productive for you. I'm looking forward to the continued adventures of Detectives Winston and Strom. Can't wait to see what crimes they solve and what trouble they get into!
DeleteThey are getting into so much trouble. More murder and mayhem
DeleteI agree with you, Sandy. My plotting group goes for a couple of retreats a year. The past few have been at a lakeside home that is lovely and extremely quiet and comfortable--and private. We accomplish a lot while we're there. We hope to go back in January.
ReplyDeleteA lakeside home sounds lovely for a retreat. Seems like the presence of water--the seashore, a creek, a lake--adds to the experience, doesn' it?
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