Yoga Retreat 2024

Attempting to make this a quick one. (Except it isn’t now that I’m finished. Because I get to rambling.) .

Another yoga retreat. I first went back in 2022 with two friends. We had been looking for some kind of weekend away together, and one of my friends found a yoga retreat. We all quickly registered and the weekend was put on our calendars. It was a great weekend; we all enjoyed the time away, our time together, and all things yoga. We ended the weekend knowing we’d go again in 2023. (And I went with the same studio to their Crete retreat last summer.)

Turns out I didn’t go in 2023. I did register and had every intention of going. Until Brian’s mom came to visit the week before and gave us all Covid. Lovely. I had to skip, sadly. When it was time to register for 2024, I immediately signed up. And so did one of my friends. The other went and got herself pregnant, haha. It’s all good, she wanted a third kiddo! She was due in late August and with the retreat in October, timing wouldn’t work out having a newborn. It was only two of us at the yoga retreat in 2024—what this post is about.

Back in 2022 when we first went, I was due for an annoying pedicure. I’ve been getting pedicures every 2-3 weeks since I was 14. I despise having to get them but I’ve never learned (or cared) to do my toes on my own. I suck it up and go. Although, I’ve started getting shellac, which prolongs each pedicure. I only have to go every six weeks or so. But back in 2022, I made my two friends go with me before we drove to Leavenworth. A yoga retreat, of all places, is where the dogs are out and need to be presentable. Which I stand by, having had to look at other toes in yoga positions. No judgement on people not getting their toes done, whatever works. I’d just rather not look and nasty feet if I have a choice. I digress. I say this with my current black toes (and fingernails) because that’s my current mood.

Long story short, we got pedicures again before heading to Leavenworth. Pedicures, check. It was time to make the nearly two-hour drive to Sleeping Lady. (I really enjoyed the Sleeping Lady the first time we went, and took the family back in August so they could experience it also.) We arrived around 3:30pm, with the yoga retreat starting at 4pm. The cats in the lobby are so adorable! I miss having a cat, to the point I’ve been dreaming about getting a kitten lately. But we won’t. Brian’s allergies and all. Plus, I enjoy not having a litter box and being able to leave the back door open. The greeters didn’t do much greeting, they were napping in their respective chairs.

The Sleeping Lady.

Keys in hand, we had time to drop our things off in our room before heading to the opening circle. The room was weird. When it was the three of us, there were two queen beds and a loft with a third queen bed. This time, since it was only two of us, it was a one queen room with a twin bed in an alcove. I took the twin bed because I like being, hmm, more hidden I suppose?! It was fine, just a bit of a jump up to the bed. They could use a step stool in the room, and I’m not considered short.

Adorable, lazy greeters!

Opening circle was nice. There were intros and a rundown of the weekend plans, and of course, yoga. There were about 25 people, maybe 30? Some faces I recognized from 2022 and a few faces my friend said were there in 2023, and a few new ones. After the circle ended, it was time for dinner. We all went over to the building where dinner was held, which was different from the first time I went. It was fine, the food was decent, and everyone was nice. I remember when we first went, one of my friends said it felt like a dinner on a cruise ship. Not that she (or I) have ever bene on a cruise but I totally got what she meant. It felt the same way this time. (I’ll confirm in May, when we get back from an Alaskan cruise.) Everyone is super nice but as I get older, I’m less interested in nonsense chatter. You know, all the what do you do, where do you live, how many kids do you have, blah, blah, blah. I feel like I have limited time and mental space to store things, I don’t really want to spend either on superficial conversations. Hello, mid-forties.

Dinner ended. There was another yoga session but I learned the hard way my first time, the evening session is less yoga and more meditation. That first time I went, the entire time I stared at the ceiling, counting lights, beams, whatever I could to pass the time. I am not a meditator. It sounds cool and all, it’s just not for me. I skipped the evening one this go around. My friend went, and I enjoyed some rare, quiet alone time in our room. I didn’t do anything exciting, mostly watched TikTok but it was so nice to be away from kid questions and be alone. Two rarities during the phase of like I’m in right now.

After the mediation session ended, my friend and I chatted a bit before calling it a night. I like sleep and I was ready to get a good night’s rest. I’m not a breakfast person and had already decided I’d skip Saturday breakfast.

Saturday started with breakfast, a morning yoga session, lunch, and then necklace making (I think it was). Then there’s some free time before yoga at 4pm and then dinner at 6pm. And Saturday night, it’s the night people gather at the Grotto for drinks. I did skip breakfast; my friend went. I decided I was going to skip the morning yoga also. I was not feeling it this time. Plus, the plan was to do yoga outside which isn’t my thing. It was cold and wet, and I was really not into anything this time. My friend was going to go but decided to skip also, under no pressure from me.

Instead of morning yoga, we went into downtown Leavenworth. At like 8:30am. Parking was a breeze. We got some coffee (for her) and a hot chocolate for me, and we set off on the trails from downtown along the river. It was such a quiet, peaceful morning. Much better than outdoor yoga in my opinion. Morning are the best, I love the calm before all the chaos. Especially in Leavenworth, a total tourist destination. We beat all the crowds. Except the deer crowd. They were out and about.

Around Downtown Leavenworth trails.

After strolling on the trails, we loaded back in the car and drove toward Wenatchee. No plan to actually go to Wenatchee, just to see if there was anything else that caught our attention,. There was. A touristy fruit stand. We stopped and perused the store, which is much larger than a fruit stand. It had all sorts of local fruits, jams, popcorn flavors, candy, trinkets, and so forth. And since it was October, they had some pumpkin patch activities. We wanted to ride the cow train but they weren’t operating it for another half-hour, and we needed to get back for massages. Next time!

We had massages at noon, which we booked months before the retreat. Which means we were skipping lunch. The Sleeping Lady is a great resort. They have it all. Including a spa. We each booked an hour massage and they were great. It was the whole spa experience—change into robes, tea beforehand in a quiet room, and then massages. Not a bad way to spend a skipped lunch. But now we were hungry.

Back into Leavenworth we went. With the plan to be back by 4pm for the next yoga session. Parking was easy again, thankfully. We nosed around all the shops and grabbed a late lunch. It was busier now but not as crazy as it can get during summer and the holidays.

Back at the Sleeping Lady, my friend was getting ready for the 4pm yoga. My instinct was the group didn’t do outdoor yoga that morning because it was cold and wet, and I guessed they’d do outdoor yoga at 4pm. I was right. I didn’t know this when I decided to skip on that instinct. My friend went and confirmed it was outdoors and that it was probably best I didn’t go.

Saturday dinner rolled around. I decided I’d make an appearance. It was truthful that I had a headache earlier, but I rolled with that as to why I skipped everything. I get headaches almost daily, migraines often. It’s not fun. But I’ve learned to manage them. Dinner was fine. I said hello but avoided the superficial chatter. But then you’re the person who barely talks. Eh, whatever.

After dinner, we grabbed drinks on our own. We beat the crowd and had the Grotto to ourselves. We had just finished when the first group walked inside to start their evening drinks. The retreat group is full or wonderful, nice people. It’s me, I was just not feeling it this go around. We smiled and said goodnight as we left for our room. We were ready to call it a night. But not before chatting a while.

Sunday started with breakfast again, which I skipped. Then the final yoga practice and closing circle. I went to this. I wanted to end feeling good about being there. The yoga felt good and I was ready to leave. We packed up and said our goodbyes. It was time to head home. Not before stopping in downtown Leavenworth one last time.

Around the Sleeping Lady resort. How have I missed these fish the other times I’ve been?!

Laine wanted this fancy goblet she found back in August. It was $125 and she didn’t want to spend her own money. I decided I’d get it for her because the day before, Saturday, she tried out with 75 girls for a spot on the local club volleyball team. Only 24 gals would get spots, and Laine was one of them. (Go, Laine!) I figured a congratulatory face goblet was in order.

Fancy goblet.

Goblet in hand, we said goodbye to Leavenworth. The plan driving home was to stop at a local joint on the 2 in Gold Bar, the Espresso Chalet. It’s a cheesy stop and one worth making. We lucked out and scored the chairs in the gazebo since it was raining. With beautiful views of the mountains, it was hard to give up those chairs when we finished. I could have sat there all day.

Espresso Chalet.

Back home, it was time to get back into the swing of things. Immediately. Baby had a soccer game and Brian had hockey, and I was back on mom duty. No complaints. It’s always nice to get away. And it’s always nice to get back home.

We decided we’ll skip the 2025 yoga retreat. Registration opened and all the spots filled up immediately. I’m happy for the yoga studio this is so popular and that they fill spots so quickly. They truly run a great retreat. I’m happy I went in 2022 and loved it, and that I went in 2024 and realized it’s no longer for me. Maybe I’ll change my mind in a few years. But for 2025, we’ve decided to do our own retreat away. To be determined. Goat yoga has been discussed. We’re lunching this coming Wednesday, maybe we’ll come up with a plan. We have plenty of time.