|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Would you
love to be active outside surrounded by the smell of salt
air and the beauty of the coast
of Maine?
Do you like the idea of flannel sheets and a cozy bed in
a warm cabin? Would you like to learn how to use Yogic stretching
and breathing to enhance your workout and everyday life? Do
you need a short rejuvenating break from your daily routine? A "yes" to a couple of these questions
means that a getaway to Raven Retreat could be just what
you need. Here's basically how the Retreat goes:
You and only as many as three other guests
arrive at the Retreat on a Saturday afternoon, get
settled in your cabins, and take
a look around the facilities. Then the fun begins.
We
ride our bikes down the road to the hill for a short
hike before sunset to view the coastal islands and mountains
which
will be our playground for the next full two days. Bike back
to the Retreat for dinner and talk about what we'll be doing
in the morning and beyond. Then we have an introduction to
yogic breathing techniques that will help you unwind from your
travels and get a good, first nights' rest. With in the next two days we can: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top |
|
 (late
May - Sept./Oct.) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We'll shove
off a little before high-tide right from the shoreline of
the Retreat land, but not before getting detailed instruction
about paddling, safety and an introduction to your vessel.
We'll skirt the shoreline before heading out the bay toward
near-by islands where we most always see eagles (they nest
on the islands), seals, and sea ducks. Sitting low in the
water, we skim over beautiful seaweeds that sway in the current
below, and have a view of the coast and sea and mountains
that is like no other. It's quiet out there except for squawking
gulls, the rhythm of sea dancing with shore, and of course,
the occasional lobster boat humming along. We laze around
for lunch on a beach, take a short walk if possible, always
take breaks from paddling whenever needed and return to land
as the tide allows, always before dark. Average sea kayaking
distance in a day is 6 miles or less. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Click on images
to enlarge |
|
|
|
|
|
Top |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There are many
special places along the coast where paved and unpaved roads
are lightly traveled
by cars where we bike. A beckoning mountain range lies close
by to the west offering many miles of trails to peaks with
exquisite views of the coast. We load bikes on the jeep in
the early morning heading either up the coast or inland to
coastal mountains, never driving more than an hour. Then we
ride bikes through coastal villages on paved roads or through
mountain valley on public access dirt roads to get to a trail
head for hiking. The hikes entail no technical climbing but
there are options for bouldering both on the coastal beach
walks and the mountain hikes. We always have a relaxing lunch
on the trail, snacks anytime, and rest stops for yoga throughout
the day. Average biking distance for a day is 8 - 12 miles,
hiking 5 miles (one of the hiking days may not include biking). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Click
on images to enlarge
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top |
|
 (May
/ early June) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We pack both bikes and
boats for this day's outing, driving through Maine's wild blueberry
barrens
to reach the "put-in" of one of four small rivers
which meander toward the coast. All are famous for canoe tripping,
but we
use one-person kayaks, which are excellent for beginners and
downright fun for any level paddler. Because these boats are
designed differently than white-water kayaks: they are very
user friendly and most forgiving in small whitewater conditions,
class 1 & 2 whitewater. We portage (walk around) any whitewater
you do not feel ready to tackle, but these rivers are a leisurely
float offering many opportunities for instruction. At the end
of the 3 to 6 miles pf narrow, winding beauty we will be at
our "take-out" point where we will have earlier left
our bikes and a stash of dry clothing. For those who are up
for it, we
take a nice bike back to the jeep at the "put-in." Otherwise
you can hang out at the river's edge until the car returns
for pack-up. Average river trip 3 - 6 miles with optional biking
3 - 6 miles. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Click
on images to enlarge
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This is a complementary
activity to all we do at Raven Retreat. Each morning is begun
with yogic
stretching and breathing as a gentle wake-up. Throughout the
day we take time to balance out our activities using standing
yoga postures and posture flows, learning to move one posture
into another. And at the end of the day we use techniques taken
from different yogic traditions for their regenerating and
restorative powers. No experience necessary! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Click
on images to enlarge
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rose Wingo is a licensed, Registered
Maine Recreational Guide, loves the outdoors and is committed
to your safety, comfort, and your having a rich, fun experience
in Maine. She is also a Neuromuscular Massage Therapist licensed
in Maine with an active private practice. She brings the fullness
of past and present adventure with varied life experiences
into the retreat, which includes having been a yoga instructor,
alternative health institute staff member, post-and-beam carpenter,
and wooden boat builder.
"What we do at Raven Retreat are many of my
favorite activities. Being surrounded by awe-inspiring
nature is rejuvenating soul
food. And the ways we move through these places - by sea
kayak, hiking, river kayak, bicycle - are so great for our
bodies. The feelings and memories you'll take home with you
from experiencing Maine this way will be unforgettable!"
Rose and her husband, Ray Carbone, have carved into
the coastal woodlands a small, waterfront paradise including
vegetable, perennial, and sculpture gardens, Rose's retreat
studio, bath house, and cabins, and Ray's studio and gallery.
(He's a sculptor and fine furniture maker.) They have raised
2 children here. Rose is a member of a number of professional
organizations including the American Massage Therapy Association
and the Professional Maine Guide Association and for personal
enhancement is an active member of an International Women's
Circle.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Click
on images to enlarge |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Any woman who is accustomed to some
type of regular workout, be it in the gym, at home, or outside,
who is in generally good health, has an open mind toward Raven
Retreat activities, and has a desire to be active outside all
day can have the time of her life here.
If you have been less than active it may not take too much
of a training effort to get into shape for this mildly challenging
getaway. Women have used Raven Retreat as a boost or jumpstart
to their less than committed workout schedules.
Some women come with the concern that they'll be
sore or stiff after just one day's activity. But we're
finding that
the combination of yoga, eating really well, staying well
hydrated (which your guide insists upon), and using a top-of-the-line
natural supplement (provided by the Retreat) seems to eliminate
the fatigue associated with sustained activity. Professional
instruction for activities, provided by your guide, also assures
that you are "working well," which is important for
anything mechanical, be it body or bicycle.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
