Some of my happiest memories are of girlfriend getaways, whether it’s with the girls in my family or a group of sketching buddies. Where women gather, fun happens! It doesn’t matter where you go; it’s being together that makes it special.
The pandemic halted all my scheduled art retreats a year and a half ago, and I’ve missed those happy days of talking, eating, laughing, and painting together, so I was really excited when my friend Jane invited me to escape to Canaan Valley with her and a few friends earlier this month.
Canaan Valley is a high plateau in the Allegheny mountains of West Virginia, near the charming town of Davis. The 6000-acre Canaan Valley Resort State Park is just down the road from where we stayed, and we took advantage of its restaurants and hiking trails during our stay.
Jane’s house overlooks a small lake, and the weather was perfect the whole time we were there, so we spent plenty of time outdoors. We couldn’t believe it was warm and sunny enough to have lunch out on the deck in mid-November!
Jane and I were the first to arrive, and as soon as we unloaded the car, we grabbed our sketch kits and headed out for a walk. Sitting in the sunshine, drawing quietly, chatting occasionally, I began to relax and let go of the 500 things that compete for space in my brain each day. Just being there as a quiet observer of nature, really seeing the sky, the mountains, and the waving grasses lit by the afternoon sun, I felt the first warm stirrings of something like peace beginning to grow inside me.
Things have been pretty crazy in my life lately. The new house construction has been incredibly frustrating (and neverending!) plus we’re rehabbing a rental property to sell and trying to keep up with everything that’s involved with having a home on the market. Some days I just want to run away!
Thankfully, my sweet friend gave me a place to run to…
This getaway was planned as a painting retreat, but it was so much more than pens and paints. We took early morning walks to visit the neighbors…
and delighted in the rich colors of autumn and the play of light on branches.
We painted for hours in our sunny studio, with two-story high windows framing views of the lake and mountains. When we needed to stretch our legs, we’d head outdoors again to go for a hike and do some plein air sketching.
We cooked and ate together, shared our art supplies, played cards, laughed, talked about our lives, and inspired each other.
I enjoyed making some new friends and getting to know old friends better.
I’m so grateful to have a friend like Jane. She happily shared her home, time, and uplifting spirit with me when I really needed it. She continually inspires me with her enthusiasm, upbeat attitude, artistic courage, and zest for living. She’s a bright spot in my life.
I hope you’re lucky enough to have a friend like Jane in your life, too.
14 Comments
Beautiful and inspiring! I’m a West coaster and have never seen that part of the country. It certainly does not fit my stereotype, I’m ashamed to say. It reminds me, too, of what I’ve missed not getting together with girlfriends for the past two years. Thanks so much for the inspiration.
I hope you’ll have a chance to see West Virginia some day. It’s a beautiful state with a lot of variety in the landscape.
Ahhhhhh…….much needed rest from the ordinary……priceless!
What a beautiful setting and landscape! Your time with friends, out in nature and enjoying creativity, uplifts me!
Glad you could getaway during this time! And it’s always a treat to see what amazing journal pages you come up with!
Thanks, Julene. The “Girlfriend Getaway” spread is part of a gratitude journal that I started last winter. I forgot to mention that in the post. With each spread, I journal on the left-hand page and do a sketch on the right. It’s really fun looking back through it.
Thanks for sharing. It brought back memories of similar getaways with my sister and good friend Marie. We’re no longer able to do it and I so miss it but enjoyed your photos and memories. You’re very generous allowing us to share and it’s greatly appreciated. Sharon
We used to have girls’ weekends here at my house with my two aunts, mom, sister, niece, and daughter. We’d all work on sewing projects, eat too much, and talk till we were hoarse. We haven’t been able to do it since the pandemic, and I really miss it. So many good memories!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful art and joy! It’s overcast today in the Midwest, but I’m looking forward to painting the sun breaking through in your photo.
I’ll get to work on that tutorial tomorrow! 🙂
Oh yes, getaways with friends are the best! Our group of 7-9 “mature ladies” (a.k.a. The Painted Ladies) has been traveling together for close to 20 years now. We live in the Pacific NW – about an hour or so north of Seattle. We’ve rented houses in Hawaii twice, the Oregon coast twice, Sedona, Arizona, and the wine country of western Washington. And we continued to meet to sketch, outside and distanced, as often as the weather allowed since the covid curse started. And now that we’re all vaccinated and boostered, we can get together inside again! As you do, we paint and laugh and eat and talk about our art “stuff”.
I so enjoy getting your posts. Your art work is stunning.
Thanks so much, Melissa. Your group sounds like a LOT of fun!
I could feel just a little stress wash away as I read this, and found I took some nice deep relaxing breaths. Thanks for sharing, it did me good!
You’re welcome, Sandy. I’m glad you could feel a connection.
We’ve missed you but are glad you were able to get away and recharge a bit. Sounds as though you had a wonderful time. The paintings and photos are lovely and inspiring as usual. Blessings and happy holidays.