Have a Solo Retreat Experience
This was delightful + somewhat challenging. And this little solo retreat experience ticked off three of my Fifty at 50 adventures. What I’ll remember most about this experience was the gnawing feeling that I would not be returning home to be with my beloved husband who died in January 2023.
I went to the Orcas Island - the largest of the San Juan Islands in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) - for two nights with the ability to enjoy one full day exploring the island. I squeezed a lot into my trip and am so glad I had this experience early in my Fifty at 50 adventure. Only after I got home did I realize that Oprah Winfrey purchased two investment properties on the island. It was stunning enough without that knowledge - truly.
I didn’t overpack for the short trip because I knew I was going to explore and spoil myself. while I was there. I took a bottle of wine and a salad I pre-ordered with me for the night I arrived. And when I got there after taking the ferry from the Anacortes Ferry Terminal, I checked in at my lovely little cottage and spent the night in. I read through all my magazines, listened to music and sipped wine, smiling + tearing up a little - both with gratitude and grief.
I checked into my AirBnB and read the house rules which were actually island rules. The best one being “use your inside voice outside - it carries over the water - so no loud talking or music”.
It was a late night watching videos on my laptop in the very cozy bed. I brought my laptop to write and create but there was no television or radio, so I used it to entertain myself for a bit of time before reading from my Kindle before falling asleep.
I slept okay, waking at 3a, 5a and 7a in on Saturday morning. I tried setting my alarm at 5:34a to see the sunrise but it was too overcast and I unable to see it. So I went back to sleep. When I did finally wake up, I stared at the view of the water only a block from my tiny cottage and then got on Yelp to figure out how to start my day. I found a great coffee spot, the local bookstore and a couple of options for lunch and dinner. Turns out the stop at the bookstore shook up my plans and gave me some terrific recommendations for my full day.
My full day on Orcas Island:
Beach (not the sandy beaches)
Roots Coffehouse - great lavender latte, not the warmest service
Darvill’s Bookstore - if you enjoy books/reading, this is a MUST
Mount Constitution - absolutely stunning; the second largest mountain on an island in the contiguous United States
Buck Bay Oyster - you better take your seafood loving self here - this is a spot!!!
Orcas Island Winery - good tasting and good conversation from the owners
Liberté Spa - even if you don’t buy anything, you’ll smile having met Liberté
Matia Kitchen - a handful of times in a lifetime, very bougie dinner
Driving around the island it didn’t feel like an island. And the weather held out for me to walk around and take my time and enjoy the beauty of the island. It felt like it had been newly discovered though it had every modern amenity we have on the mainland. I kept talking aloud about how much my hubby would have enjoyed this trip and how stunning the PNW is.
Though I brought my Bible, I didn’t dig into it until the 50 minute ferry back to the mainland on Sunday. I dug into what scripture has to say about “people pleasing” so that I can finally repent of this idol in my life. The adventure of experiencing this lovely island was wonderful and though I would need to return home solo, I’m so proud of myself for doing this.
I would recommend this trip for anyone looking to take a solo retreat.
