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Monday, April 23, 2012

Summer Retreat / Vacations (You are Invited!)

Since 2006 we have been making it a priority in our life to plan a spiritual retreat/vacation once a year.  We have an amazing friend and traveler in our friend, Barry, who is always busy planning and brainstorming with Rob where to meet and when.  Every year when we get together, we talk of how we can bring others in to join with us -if they only knew how truly amazing these times can be-the wouldnt hesitate to join! 

2006
ROADTRIP!
Colorado, California, Wyoming


Meeting new friends along the way.. Rob and Barry still keep in touch with him over Facebook!

2009
Los Osos/Morro Bay, California
Time spent learning about silence and solitude with God.
Beach combing, easy hike along the coast, wine tasting, walking around Los Osos.  Quality time spent in a small group before starting the day.  Eating most of the meals at the house and dinner out a couple nights.




The group taking one last picture together before leaving to head back home. 

An awesome group "jumping" shot...you'll learn more about these too :D


2010
San Diego, California
This year we were fortunate enough to meet together for a couple days while Rob was in San Diego for a business trip.  Though this wasn't a "planned" spiritual retreat it was a time planned to reconnect as friends.


2011
Mendocino County, California

Rented a home right on the coast...spent mornings making breakfast together and spending time connecting as Christians and friends.  The midmornings and afternoons were spent exploring the surrounding areas.  Hikes in the Redwoods, Sea Glass beaches, exploring local towns and their shops and restaurants, indulging in seafood, daily hikes on the private beach connected with the home.  

Group picture before headed back home!

The view from the house

Quiet time gazing out on the ocean from the house

Amazing home we rented literally on the coast. 


For the year 2012 we are talking again and planning where to meet this year.  So far, we are have discussed the Oregon coast, Yosemite National Park, and Durango, Colorado.  We like to choose places of beauty and solitude where you can connect with God foremost and with others as well...because that is just as important.  Also important is the ability to explore and simply connect with other people, such as on a road trip.

**UPDATE as of 4/21/12 (Rob): So after a discussion with Barry, we are starting to narrow down this years trip a bit. Its starting to look at bit like a Road Trip! Tentatively, we look to pick up Barry at the Las Vegas airport on Saturday June 16, and continue to head North up the Eastern side of the Sierra Nevadas! We'll probably make a short stop at Death Valley National Park, but with the ultimate goal to arrive for 3 1/2 days in Yosemite National Park in California! Then, after these few days we'll head out, driving East to Zion National Park in Utah, spend a day there, then head further East to Colorado. That is so we can arrive in Colorado to hike Mt. Elbert with Amanda's Dad for his birthday!

These vacations are brilliant in the fact the more, the cheaper!  Rob and Barry find these amazing homes through VRBO (Vacation Rentals by Owner) that get us right in the center of the locals.  We eat most of the meals at the house but always plan to hit a couple of local lunch spots and always choose one special dinner spot that is a little more expensive than say, Chili's.  We are foodies, too!  The homes rentals range between $1,500-2,000/week depending on season and availability.  Like I said, the beauty in this is the more, the merrier & cost effective!  We also usually drive to these spots so gas split among more people is always a plus (especially with the threat of gas prices being around $5/gallon this summer).  Is this something you would love to join us over the week of June 16-24?

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