Rooted in Wonder: September Retreat Recap

The autumnal equinox occurred just two days prior to the start of our September Rooted in Wonder retreat.  Fall was fully in the air.  

We all arrived in the rain, which nudged even further permission to rest and relax.  We gathered under the oversized overhang and porch on the lodge to enjoy mocktails with Jami of Just Juice Nisswa.  My favorite way to meet others, enjoy a tasty and healthy beverage, and generally let your hair down. 

Theresa Bilben of Village Square in Walker, MN fed us soooooo well all weekend long.  We were giddy every time we gathered in the lodge to hear what feast she had prepared for us.  Thank you Theresa. I’m still daydreaming about the fresh mushroom lasagna, sourdough, and salmon bowl. Ahhhhhh….

Our welcome circle and first yoga session were lit by soft candles.  We welcomed the growing darkness and nature’s call to let go and soften.  

In the morning we enjoyed a sunrise paddle in search of rafting loons.  We found them!  It felt so great to get out on the lake.  Elizabeth reminded us that we’ve gotta soak up the open lake time - soon these precious places will be frozen. 

The loons! Did you know that they “raft” in the fall?  They become less aggressive and territorial and behave more socially.  They group together on certain lakes (Kabekona Lake in Laporte, MN being an annual tradition in the fall)  to fish and prepare for their journey to the Gulf of Mexico.  They raft in groups of juveniles and adults.  They begin to change their plummage, and transition to a grey color often thought of as a juvenile loon, yet many of them are in fact adults!  Did you know that if you see a loon in the Gulf that it will not look like the black and white spotted beauty you’ve come to know and love? Fascinating, right?!

Theresa treated us to gentle morning yoga.  The perfect way to start a full day, followed by sauna sessions and wood-fired hot tubbing. 

In the afternoon, some of the group dabbled in a sourdough workshop with Theresa, while others relaxed, got a massage with Candace of Exhale Massage & Wellness, or joined me for a 4-mile hike on the North Country Trail around Waboose Lake. 

Those that weren’t on the hike got to enjoy an afternoon class with Candace out in the glorious lawn overlooking the lake. 

The hike sure was an adventure!  Starting with the drive there.  My maps app wanted me to go about 8-miles down a minimum maintenance road (no thank you, unfortunately I’ve learned my lesson the hard way with this in the past lol), and we took the long way around. We did have about 2-miles down a minimum maintenance road at the end to eventually get to the well-marked trail head. The hike was glorious!  The leaves, the mushrooms, the wildlife, was all A++.   We observed swans, many beaver lodges, listened to tree frogs, marveled at such a cool mushroom variety, and more. 

Once we arrived back at Kona Kona Resort, we got right into the sauna and wood-fired hot tub overlooking the lake.  When Theresa called us to dinner, we were so ready for a great meal!

After dinner, in the spirit of our book club read by Karen Waldron: In Defense of Dabbling, we all brought projects we were dabbling in.  We gathered at the picnic tables outside and dabbled together.  We shared our favorite parts of the book and then shared our dabble projects like a 4th grade science fair project presentation.  This was a lot of fun.  Many giggles were shared and the vibes were so, so good. 

At night I treated the group to candlelight restorative yoga. A soft and slow invitation for a great night of rest in our comfortable lakeside cabin bedrooms.  A small few made a cutie little fire out on the beautiful point firepit.  Sharing a relaxing evening, mesmerized by the gentle flicker of flames. 

The next morning we enjoyed slow wake-ups, yoga, breakfast, and preparation for a group field trip to Itasca State Park and the Mississippi Headwaters.

“Somewhere a river of happiness flows…” - Dolly Parton

That’s what I felt when we arrived at the Mississippi Headwaters trail at Itasca State Park.  We were all bundled up in our rain gear, smiling, and ready to explore the headwaters.  

Like the loons, the Mississippi River also journeys to the Gulf of Mexico.  We admired the model of the river at the visitor center, cheering on the water as it ran in the display from the headwaters to the Gulf. 

When we arrived at the Headwaters, Lisa got right into the water. Joy radiated from her and was contagious. Some walked across the slippery rocks (it was raining), and some journeyed across the log.  We all enjoyed the playful atmosphere. 

Afterward the Headwaters, some branched off for coffee at the Cafe, a visit to the Preacher’s Grove lookout, or a 4-mile hiking club loop in the rain.  

Those that didn’t join me for the hiking club hike got to join Theresa in an afternoon yoga session back at the lodge. 

Our hiking club hike was through beautifully changing leaves, and we were the only ones out there on the trail celebrating the rain, woods, and lakes.  Near the end of the hike, we found a little shelter to sit down under.  Jami said, “I’m not sure this was a good idea Bryana…” Which made me laugh because I thought she was talking about the entire hike!  I said, “well Jami we only have a mile left”.  She replied, “no, I mean sitting down!” LOL.  We all shared snacks and laughs, and then giggled when we got up to finish our hike and saw our wet butt prints on the benches.  We joyfully embraced our totally soaked selves, in rain gear, but still damp nonetheless. 

Back at the resort, we warmed up in the sauna, wood-fired hot tub, and got excited for another standing ovation dinner.  

I’m still giggling that two of our retreaters named Stephanie were in the hot tub. I was stoking the fire to warm the water up, and got the wooden paddle out to stir and distribute the heat in the water. We laughed and laughed like maniacal witches about me making “Stephanie soup”. 

Before bed - restorative yoga with the rain continuing to fall outside.  The sound track of rain drops was especially soothing. Ahhhhhhh. 

In the morning we gathered for our final yoga session and closing circle.  Many remarked on the easy and friendly connections we made with one another.  Everyone in this small group of 20 was so lovely to talk to, spend relaxed time with, and laugh with.  It’s amazing just how good it can feel to share space, and a restful weekend with a supportive group of women.  Thank you ladies so much. 

And thank you Theresa Bilben, Candace Henry, and Jami Nelson for co-creating this weekend away at Kona Kona Resort with me!  Your expertise and joyful ways of sharing what you love is so rewarding for me to be a part of alongside you.