Mountain Inspirations...Finding Courage and Purpose in Life’s Challenges.
Participants will have a short (under 15 min) phone call with the host PRIOR to signing up for this retreat. This is an opportunity to share information about program focus, outdoor setting and any other questions or concerns to ensure there is a good fit for this unique experience.
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Friday, September 27, 2024 through Sunday, September 29, 2024.
Check in Friday 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM.
Program starts 4:30 PM Friday.
Program ends 10:00 AM Sunday.
Contact host if travel plans necessitate an earlier check in. There is some flexibility of time.
Although activities before or after this retreat are not included, the hosts highly recommend participants check out the beautiful area, if their schedules allow.
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Set within the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains/Pisgah National Forest, our retreat is 10 miles southwest of Asheville, North Carolina and 20 miles from the Asheville Regional Airport.
The Pisgah National Forest is full of mile high peaks, cascading waterfalls, and over 500,000 acres of hardwood forest. It is home to the first school of forestry in the United States and the first land purchased to create the National Forests in Eastern U.S. It is one of the few “old-growth” forests in country. At 1.2 billion years old, the Blue Ridge Mountains are among the oldest mountians in the world.
Nearby Asheville (for those who choose to extend their trip) is rated as one of America’s best towns to visit or reside in. You will find an abundance of music, theaters, shopping, hiking trails, waterfalls, rafting, breweries, gardens, vineyards and entrance to the 470 mile long Blue Ridge Parkway.
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Glamping = Glamorous Camping.
Welcome to our serene retreat site nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Immerse yourself in nature as you stay in one of our 5 rented Yurts just steps away from a tranquil stream.
Our retreat Yurts (in our own private space) include : fire pits, picnic tables, Adirondack chairs, grills for cooking, and plenty of space for reflective time and walks.
Each Yurt is equipped with modern amenities including comfortable beds, wooden floors, fresh linens, windows and climate control to ensure a comfortable stay for all. (Imagine something between a nice hotel and a peaceful camp ground surrounded by nature.)
Each shared bathroom (1 per Yurt) has a shower, sink and toilet.
This retreat offers a transformative (and fun) experience centered around personal growth and connection. Participants will focus on the gifts found in a life challenge they are facing, or have faced, within a light and healing environment.
A place in nature with like-minded women who want to transform life challenges into new meaning and purpose through group activities, sharing and solo time with nature.
Whether we are gathering around the campfire, journaling near the stream, walking with a new friend or sharing in structured activities, we will explore the life lessons (gifts) inherent in our challenges. The goal is to leave this weekend with a new way of looking at areas of our lives where we feel “stuck” and to re-energize and re-define them. Some tears, perhpas. But fun and laughter will fill the weekend as well.
Participants will be invited to try something new. Whether it is glamping for the first time, building a fire, sharing a story or talent, roasting a marshmallow, or helping to plant our tree.
Courage, Purpose & Meaning are the themes for the weekend
We will have a perfect mix of group activities and free time to journal, walk, read and rest.
There are no TVs and phone time will be limited. There will be an avenue for loved ones to reach out in the event of emergencies (so that we are not glued to our devices).
Meals are camping style and there will be plenty of healthy choices throughout our days. You will have input into our shopping list, including breakfast and snack preferences. Wine will be available in the evenings. Plenty of non-alcoholic beverages, bottted water, tea and coffee will be available. Your host will accommodate dietary restrictions. (Prior to the retreat, you will have a phone call with the host, who is also an RN, to discuss dietary preferences and restrictions)
Your short pre-retreat call with host will prepare you for your weekend of connection and growth among fellow courageous women.
Friday evening sets the tone for connecting with others. We will share a meal, stories, laughter (perhaps some tears). The beauty of nature and the stars will be the perfect backdrop to our fire.
Saturday is a day for focusing on Courage and Purpose in our lives. A day to embrace your “inner warrior” as we prepare and share meals together, take walks, particpate in several group activities, and gather around the fire for a warm beverage, glass of wine and “adult” S’Mores.
On Sunday we will have an early breakfast, reflect on our days, and come together to Plant a Tree near our Yurts, symbolizing our growth, courage and the gifts we discovered over the weekend. The ashes from our bonfires will enrich the soil nurturing our tree for years to come.
Diane and Jewels are inspired by others who choose to live their best life by living with courage, intention and purpose. They are grateful to all who choose to participate in this retreat.
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3 days and 2 nights in shared Yurts. (The host is anticipating 2 to 4 guests per Yurt.)
If traveling with a friend, you can request a shared Yurt and host will try to accomodate.
All meals from Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast.
Snacks available throughout.
Coffee, tea, bottle water and other non-alcoholic beverages. Wine will be served with dinner and/or during our evening gatherings around the fire. You will have input in the planning of meals prior to retreat, due to the unique outdoor preparation of meals.
A 15 minunte call with host prior to registering to ask questions and confirm that the retreat is a good fit.
2 hosts with extensive experience in glamping/camping & expertise in outdoor skills and the material/content covered in structured activities.
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Total for the 3 day/2 night rereat is between $625-$775 depending on choice of bed/yurt. (Queen/Full/Twin/# per Yurt)
A $100 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve a spot. This amount will be refunded only if the host cancels the event.
*** Host is open to a paymet plan with participants. This will be covered in initail 15 min call, prior to confirmation.
This retreat will be capped at 14 participants. (The site aIlows for 30, but a smaller group is more conducive for the setting and activities).
If the minimum is not met, or the host needs to cancel for any other reason, there will be a full refund by August 15, 2024.
Host is anticipating 2-4 guests per Yurt. Bed preferences will be covered in pre-registration call.
Host will try to accomodate those who are traveling together and would like to share a Yurt.
Meals, snacks, beverages, programming, and pre-registration call with host are included. (See “What’s Included” section.)
Transportation to and from the retreat site is NOT included. The site is 20 minutes from Asheville Airpot and driving distance to Tennessee, Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina, Kentucky and North Carolina. Airport transportation options will be provided.
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A non-refundable deposit of $100 is required to register. This amount will be refunded only if the Host cancels the retreat.
A pre-registration call with the Host is required to ensure that the participants’ expectations meet the programming and setting.
Participants are required to share any concerns they may have around food allergies, medical conditions and/or specific needs that may affect their ability to participate in programming or utilize accomodations in a Yurt and outdoor setting.
The weather in North Carolina is beautiful in the fall, with temperatures typically in the 60s-70s. The Host will cancel with full refund if weather alerts cause the retreat site to close.
Payment arrangements will be made between host and participant. With the potential for multiple payments.
Meet Your Hosts
Diane
Diane Miller currently resides in the Appalachian Mountains of Western North Carolina. After a rewarding career in health care, sports and finance (and her favorite years of raising two amazing daughters), she left the big city life, donated 85 % of her belongings and bought a tiny house in the mountains. It is a place she chose to live simply with her books, nature and quality time with family, friends and travel. She has been an RN since the age of 22, mostly in leadership roles within the areas of trauma, crisis intervention, disaster mental health services and psychiatric inpatient/outpatient services. She has spent many years helping patients and clients as they face life transitions, including NFL players, coaches and entertainers. Diane understands the potential of the human spirit, the importance of gratitude and the healing power of nature.
Jewels
Julie Remp (Jewels) lives in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado where she enjoys life as a conservation biologist, scuba instructor, mindset coach, world explorer and adventure seeker. In 2007, she read an article by a hospice worker who revealed that the greatest regrets of dying were in not taking more risks. With an open heart and a determination to flex her courage muscles, she traveled for over seven years. Through experience based learning, she knows what it takes to face fears and reap the rewards of a courageous life.