Jill and I were on a daughter-father getaway at Skyterra Wellness Retreat in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina - a week of yoga, meditation, good nutrition, physical activities, and the great outdoors.
This story, part of a series, recounts my last day at Skyterra—a day of mindfulness, movement, and discovery.
This story, part of a series, recounts my last day at Skyterra—a day of mindfulness, movement, and discovery.
Jeff and me at Bracken Preserve
Brevard, North Carolina (February 2, 2018) Jill and I had a wonderful week at Skyterra Wellness Retreat, which offered an all-inclusive program around nutrition and physical and mental well-being. This was our last full day, and I made sure to make the most of it!
It was chilly when we went to breakfast—mid 30s, and this was as warm as it got that day. No matter, though, as the crisp air felt great...and the sunshine made it feel warmer.
Breakfast at Skyterra was always a nourishing and delightful experience. With locally sourced ingredients and every dish prepared to order, each meal felt special. That morning, I indulged in a plate of farm-fresh scrambled eggs, three strips of perfectly crisped bacon, and two slices of lightly toasted home-made bread. It was simple fare—crafted with care—and absolutely delicious!
On a side note, there were only half a dozen guests at Skyterra during the week Jill and I were there. I couldn’t say why attendance was so low, as the retreat could easily accommodate several times that number. It was nice, though, as it created a more intimate experience regardless of the activity. My first class that day was a perfect example—just Jill, me, and one other guest.
The class was a “presence workshop,” where I practiced mindfulness—a form of meditation incorporating focused breathing and guided imagery. Our guide was Elwood, a younger instructor I’d already worked with successfully in several fitness classes. I quietly listened to his rhythmic guidance as I centered on my breathing.
“Close your eyes and take a deep breath,” I heard him say. “Imagine yourself standing at the edge of a sunlit forest, bathed in golden rays that filter through towering trees.”
The class was a “presence workshop,” where I practiced mindfulness—a form of meditation incorporating focused breathing and guided imagery. Our guide was Elwood, a younger instructor I’d already worked with successfully in several fitness classes. I quietly listened to his rhythmic guidance as I centered on my breathing.
“Close your eyes and take a deep breath,” I heard him say. “Imagine yourself standing at the edge of a sunlit forest, bathed in golden rays that filter through towering trees.”
“As you continue to breathe deeply, notice that the air is fresh, with a hint of a light, earthy fragrance from the trees,” he continued. “Now take a step forward, and then another—and with each step, listen to the crunch of leaves below your feet and the rustling leaves overhead.”
Quite quickly, I relaxed—and I was overcome with a calmness I hadn’t felt in a long while.
I heard his voice talk about the warmth of the sunlight on my skin, the birds chirping in the trees, and the distant trickle of a stream.
“Pause for a moment to let the sounds wash over you.”
When I continued my steady steps through the forest, he offered more gentle guidance to shape my experience. Then, as his voice faded into a final suggestion, he said, “When you’re ready, take a deep breath and slowly return to the present moment, carrying the calm and connection of the forest with you.”
I opened my eyes to a profound sense of peace, as if my imagined walk through the forest had unfolded around me. The experience was vivid, grounding, and wonderful!
Quite quickly, I relaxed—and I was overcome with a calmness I hadn’t felt in a long while.
I heard his voice talk about the warmth of the sunlight on my skin, the birds chirping in the trees, and the distant trickle of a stream.
“Pause for a moment to let the sounds wash over you.”
When I continued my steady steps through the forest, he offered more gentle guidance to shape my experience. Then, as his voice faded into a final suggestion, he said, “When you’re ready, take a deep breath and slowly return to the present moment, carrying the calm and connection of the forest with you.”
I opened my eyes to a profound sense of peace, as if my imagined walk through the forest had unfolded around me. The experience was vivid, grounding, and wonderful!
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Afterwards, Jill headed to a nutrition class while I went one-on-one with Elwood, who led me through a 45-minute workout to strengthen my upper body and thighs. I used free weights, a weight ball, and elastic bands as I rotated through multiple sets of compound moves. It was challenging work, but I loved it!
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You’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So…get on you way!
~ Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So…get on you way!
~ Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
Not to boast, but I was proud of myself—for what I had accomplished in my morning sessions. And I was eager to take my newfound energy and focus into the great outdoors—to Bracken Preserve, a place I’d heard much about at Skyterra.
This 395-acre preserve, which connects Brevard to Pisgah National Forest, boasted nine miles of trails—used by hikers and mountain bikers alike—that meandered through a dense woodland of mountain laurel, eastern hemlock, pines, and other species of trees and passed small waterfalls and streams. I was thrilled to explore this bridge between the urban areas and wild expanses of Pisgah.
This 395-acre preserve, which connects Brevard to Pisgah National Forest, boasted nine miles of trails—used by hikers and mountain bikers alike—that meandered through a dense woodland of mountain laurel, eastern hemlock, pines, and other species of trees and passed small waterfalls and streams. I was thrilled to explore this bridge between the urban areas and wild expanses of Pisgah.
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You met Jeff—my wilderness guide and an outdoor fitness and recreation specialist with Skyterra—in the photo at the top of my story. Friendly and good-natured, he was a knowledgeable leader and great companion on our two-man expedition. I couldn’t have asked for a better guide on the trail.
Jeff and I followed a 5-mile loop from the trailhead to the high ridge and back. This distance did not challenge me, but the elevation change did—the ascent was 1,000 feet, and a good chunk was in the first half mile. |
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The trail meandered under trees, through clearings, and over small waterfalls—runoff that spilled across rocky ledges on its way down the mountainside. Along the way, I saw mountain laurel, rhododendron, and other regional plants.
As we hiked, Jeff pointed out the Asiatic Bittersweet—a non-native, invasive species known to overtake local vegetation. He added a touch of humor to our nature lesson when he said with a grin, “Check it out—the underside of the leaf is stamped Made in China.” The scenery was breathtaking, and the fresh air filled me with a sense of exhilaration! |
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As we drove towards Skyterra, I suddenly shouted, “Stop!” when I spotted the perfect “Kodak moment.” There, along the roadside, stood a sign marking the Eastern Continental Divide, which traces the ridgeline of the Appalachian Mountains.
“Did you know that waters on the eastern side drain into the Atlantic,” Jeff asked, “while those on the western side flow into the Mississippi River?”
I had to admit I didn’t. Smiling, I added, “I love discovering something new.”
After we reached Skyterra, I had an hour or so of free time before dinner—time I spent relaxing in a chair at the edge of a nearby lake. There, as I peered across the water, I reflected on the experiences I had and what I learned this past week.
I had to admit I didn’t. Smiling, I added, “I love discovering something new.”
After we reached Skyterra, I had an hour or so of free time before dinner—time I spent relaxing in a chair at the edge of a nearby lake. There, as I peered across the water, I reflected on the experiences I had and what I learned this past week.
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I wrote down several important (to me) takeaways and would like to share this one with you:
I found inner strength to step outside my comfort zone and be open to new experiences, because when I did, I explored “places” I never thought I would venture!
This was a lesson I hoped to never forget.
I found inner strength to step outside my comfort zone and be open to new experiences, because when I did, I explored “places” I never thought I would venture!
This was a lesson I hoped to never forget.