Peak Foliage

Meet at West Rattlesnake Trailhead (Old Bridle Path)

This is a nice halfway point from the Boston area to break up our drive. While most of our retreats will include transportation, for this, our first retreat, we ask you to arrive by car. If you need a ride, Errol or Taly would be happy to pick you up on their way up — we also encourage carpooling once we're at the retreat.

Arrive at the Retreat House

Unpack, unwind, relax.

Welcome Dinner

We welcome you with a dinner rooted in Maine and shaped entirely around you, informed by the preferences you shared with us in advance. Think scallop crudo for starters, a proper Maine lobster, a table set to make your senses delighted and thoroughly spoiled.

Evening Activity: Arrive & Connect

We'll gather for a relaxed evening around the table, where a simple prompt helps turn introductions into meaningful conversations. Keeping our hands busy has a way of loosening something in us too. We'll have art supplies, kinetic sand, and a puzzle on hand, and if you gathered any leaves, pinecones, or stones on today's hike, bring them along to weave into the evening.

Relax and Unwind

Wind down however feels right, with time to connect, time to recharge, and a pampering setting to enjoy the evening.

Grounding Practice

A morning exploration of mind-body practices, offering a taste of breathwork, guided meditation, yoga, tai chi, aromatherapy, lymphatic drainage, chakra alignment, progressive muscle relaxation, and restorative techniques.

Breakfast

Nourish yourself with a generous, fresh breakfast spread, with a personal touch woven in based on the preferences you shared with us.

Depart for Day's Outing: Whitecap Mountain via Starr and Iles Trail

We'll depart Newry and make the short drive to the trailhead, then wind our way up through woods glowing with autumn color, the trail opening gradually into wide granite ledges at the summit. There, we'll enjoy a picnic lunch prepared for you, surrounded by sweeping views of the Mahoosuc Range, White Mountains, and Androscoggin Valley, before heading back down and returning to Newry.

Free Time

Take a bath, nap, journal on the porch, or simply do nothing at all. This time is yours.

Guided Activity: Made to Savor

Using colorful marzipan, look back on today's hike for inspiration. A leaf, an animal, something abstract, or something that symbolizes a feeling from the trail. Sculpt it, place it on its little doily, and decide: share it as dessert with your new friends tonight, or bring it home as a gift to someone you love?

Group Dinner

Tonight's dinner brings you back to Maine, plated and composed entirely around what you shared with us. A menu built just for you, course by course.

Relax and Unwind

Wind down however feels right, with time to connect, time to recharge, and a pampering setting to enjoy the evening.

Grounding Practice

A morning exploration of mind-body practices, offering a taste of breathwork, guided meditation, yoga, tai chi, aromatherapy, lymphatic drainage, chakra alignment, progressive muscle relaxation, and restorative techniques.

Breakfast

Nourish yourself with a generous, fresh breakfast spread, with a personal touch woven in based on the preferences you shared with us.

Depart: Fore River Sanctuary

It's not quite time to say goodbye yet — one last stop awaits: the peaceful trails of Fore River Sanctuary, past Jewell Falls and through the marshland, on our way home.

Portland, If You'd Like

We encourage you to drive over to Portland, grab lunch, and wander the streets — take your time. The retreat officially ends at Fore River Sanctuary, but we plan to stick around a while longer and would love your company. Our hope is that by now, you've made some friends you're not quite ready to say goodbye to yet.