Hi Everyone,
Since some of you are new to this blog, let me introduce myself. I'm Spike and I live, write, and worship dogs in Austin, TX. I'm also lucky enough to be part of Lisa's retreat Knitting and Yoga Adventure team. My jobs on retreat: 1. blog about our daily adventures 2. dress in a manner that makes everyone feel better about their own fashion choices 3. provide fodder for evening fireside chuckle sessions.
When we're not on retreat, I post updates over here just to remind you why you really should come away with us to Monhegan Island in September, and Vermont in November. I can list a million reasons all by myself, but this week I want to share with you someone else's thoughts. Because Lisa and I both really enjoyed an article in last Sunday's New York Times called The Joy of Quiet. The author, Pico Iyer, explores the wonders of unplugging, stepping away from all the screens that seem to rule our lives, and just... well, being quiet for awhile. He points out that some people will pay truly unbelievable sums to be ushered to places where they can escape not only the busyness of other people, but the busyness of electronic devices.
It's a great story and guess what? While we truly appreciate Iyer writing it, really this wasn't news to us. Because one of the great things about Knitting and Yoga Adventures is that you can be as absolutely unplugged as you'd like. Sure, sure-- if you insist you can use the Monhegan House wireless. And if you're willing to hike to the cemetery and stand atop the highest tombstone at a particular hour of the day you might even get a phone signal (not to worry-- Monhegan House has a good old-fashioned landline just in case).
But if you want a chance to know what it feels like to not drive, to just sit, or-- if you prefer-- to hike out into the woods and then breathe deeply on a massive rock cliff overlooking the sun's diamond light skittering across the Atlantic Ocean below... well guess what? We have got a retreat for you!
Something I love about arriving on the island and showing up for the first night's briefing: Lisa will remind us all that we don't have to follow rules. You don't have to clean your room or make your bed. You can attend as many knitting sessions and yoga classes as you want. You can go on as many hikes as you like. But also, if you want to just chill, wander off alone for a spell, sleep in late, have some meditative solo moments? These are all options, too.
So check out the article. And imagine this-- imagine an adventure that is the best of both worlds. You'll get community, hilarity, and late night laughter if you please. You'll also get quiet sunrises and peaceful sunsets. I'm getting so simultaneously calm and excited thinking about it all that I might just have to show up a week early an stay a week after the fact. I mean, trust me-- Monhegan is Magnificent. And soon, I'll tell you more about Vermont.
For more information and to reserve your spot on one or both of our Knitting and Yoga Adventures, please visit our website.
See you on the island!
Spike
