Going on Retreat
I am going to leave on Monday on a four day retreat with some dear friends. We will be in Bamfield, a remote little community on Vancouver Island. There will be four mothers and eight children ranging in age from 1 to 11 years old. I alternate between elation at the prospect, and total and complete terror. To get there we will be taking a ferry and a water taxi and doing lots and lots of driving. There will be a logging road involved.
There will also be a wild coast, no internet or TV, and new experiences. Friendship and who knows how much sleep. A chance to read and write and dream and share in community. Not much meat for this carnivore. Yes, I admit it, I really enjoy a good (grass-fed, free range, organic) steak.
Jon is trying not to show his overt giddiness at the prospect of four nights of peace and a bed to himself. He’s not been all that successful. I’m sure he will miss us, when he’s not catching up on some long overdue reading.
Next week there will be some old posts and a few new ones. I will not be haunting my usual social media sites. And I will be recharging my batteries in a new way. Wish me luck, easy travels, and non-crying children, and I will see you all in a week! 
PS – If you have any travel tips, they would be greatly appreciated.
Oh that sounds amazing…what a fabulous thing to do WITH kids..
I think this sounds wonderful and a trip your children will always remember..maybe even the baby in glimpses. I once traveled from Florida to PA alone with a 22 month old. We did it in 2 days, mostly driving, stopping at a park or parking lot if that’s all I could find if he had a melt-down. We enjoyed every truck or heavy equipment, animals, birds, new types of trees, colored buildings. I would see something ahead and tell him to watch for it. He says he remembers some silly song we made up about an excavator … not the words, just that we did it!
Have fun!
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Good luck and have a blast. And remember no matter how you prepare for the travel the little ones will melt down right before dinner.
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That sounds amazing Amber! I am jealous. Have a great trip!!
You are going to have an amazing time! I can’t wait to hear all about it when you come back home. Have fun!
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Tips, no. Luck–LOTS<3
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Have a great time!
I love the great outdoors
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Okay, it sounds challenging and rewarding, but it’s not so much a retreat if you’re taking your daily encumbrances (aka children) with you, is it? More a journey-deeper-in, or a trial-by-fire-minus-blues-clues (oh, you already don’t have a tv, right), or a crazy group sleepover. I guess it will be kind of like having a village to take care of the kids for a while, and the kids having other kids around constantly will be great. But who will read my blog if you’re offline?
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It sounds amazing! Hope you all have a great time. Look forward to hearing all about it! Oh, and your husband definitely owes you one, so start planning.
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Are you going through Duncan and Lake Cowichan to get to Bamfield? Or are you going via Port Alberni? I have some good friends who’ve camped there twice this past summer and LOVED it, and depending on the direction you’re going, you should give me a call. I can’t imagine you’ll have time to stop by if you are with friends, but if it *is* possible and if you are going via Duncan (possible if you take the ferry to Victoria – much less so if you go the Naniamo route) then I’d love to have a visit!
Whatever you do, enjoy enjoy enjoy! I’ve actually never been to Bamfield but have heard it’s beautifully quaint and has awesome beaches.
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Enjoy!
We bring favorite music for the car, and a portable DVD player for when the kids are so hyped up that they need to be enticed to sit down quietly for a while.
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Your retreat sounds like a lot of fun. I wish you the best kind of scenario: good weather, and a 11 year old who loves little kids (bigger kids make the best babysitters in the world!).
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That sounds WONDERFUL!!
Can I come?! You have no idea how much I need something like that right now.
I hope your days are filled with renewel and fun, inspiration and laughter and friendship and everything else… well, after you’ve got the travelling bit out of the way anyway!
Hope all goes smoothly – will look forward to hearing all about when you get back. Lots of photos please!! xx
You will have such an amazing time. What a great idea. I’m sure your batteries will be recharged.
Only tip, bring lots of toys, books or whatever to keep the kids distracted during the down time. Just in case. I doubt they’ll need it with all the other kids to play with.
ok I have actually been there!!! really!! excpet we only did the day trip thing =) a beautiful spot for sure and you know I have actually done that trip several times by myself and survivied. My first tip is to avoid the little play room on the ferry!!! lol
Also not sure if you are going to drive sraight through but in cowichen bay there is a SUPER ice cream shop ( the udder guys) and restraunt ( the rock cod cafe) both are family friendly and great food( the ice creamis to DIE for!!!) and great for bribery aka motivation for wee ones!
will you see lisa? say hi if you do!
good luck!
V
Oh, I love Vancouver Island. Have a great time.
I just found your blog, it’s great.
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Hi Amber!
I am so behind in my blog reading, but am having a great time catching up with you tonight!! I hope you had a wonderful time on your retreat!!
~Michelle
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[...] home safe and sound. The kids and I got back yesterday evening from our 4-night retreat in Bamfield. We all survived, and had a marvelous time. Mostly. I will fill you all in on Tuesday. Today I am [...]
Have a fantastic holiday…it sounds wonderfully relaxing!
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