Zen and the Art of Not Falling On Your Face

There are so many beautiful places in the world and it seems like we have a disproportionate number of them in the Pacific Northwest.  I was recently lucky enough to get to go on a yoga retreat (aka hippy camp) over on Whidbey Island and the entire drive out there and the location itself were just stunningly beautiful.  Driving north out of Seattle on I-5 is a lovely jaunt; there are mountains everywhere with snow on their tops.  Eventually you head west toward the water and go through Deception Pass (unless you take the ferry, which we did on the way back).  Good God, Deception Pass is one of the most unbelievably beautiful places EVAR.  And I was there on a slightly cloudy dreary day (shocker right?) when the mountains weren't as visible as they would have been on a clear day.

FYI

Deception Pass Bridge

Amazing trees

Looking north, where the strait meets the Pacific

Where the waters meet

Looking straight down

Water meeting and mixing

People kayak through here

From Deception Pass we headed on into Whidbey Island to the yoga retreat.  It was held at the yoga lodge and was absolutely amazing.  Friday - Sunday with a bunch of awesome people and awesome instructors.  We had yoga classes and fun with sounds from crystal bowls.  The food was amazing.  And the trails through the forests were gorgeous.  I also may or may not have almost gotten lost when out on the trails alone during a 'silent morning' hike.

Old Cabin on the Yoga Lodge's property

Where the campers set up

Crystal bowls

Our yoga studio

The pond

Amazing view from our studio

Forest trail

Mossy carpet

Fraggle rock 

Looking toward the sauna

Getting ready for class.

After the yoga retreat was over we headed back to Seattle.  Instead of taking the Deception Pass route back we headed south and stopped at a wine tasting room.  We were hoping to stop at several but, alas, I had to get back in time to pick up the furry monster from the kennel.  After the wine stop we boarded the ferry and headed back into the city!  All in all it was a fantastic weekend.

On the Ferry

Mountains in the background...heading into the wind.