Retreat at Menucha

All at once you're greeted by an incredible calm, the kind that only comes from solitude. Immediately you feel as if you're in the presence of something spectacular, so much that you tend to lose yourself in its acceptance. Buried deep within a sparkling forest, yet high enough to enjoy spectacular views of the Columbia Gorge, is the Menucha Retreat and Conference Center in Corbett, Oregon.

Menucha is a buried treasure tucked quietly away in a nation of trees and surrounded by gardens and trails. It's simple mission statement of "Sacred space, purposeful work" is ascertained by the natural ambience of green, quiet, and the incredible expanse of the Gorge. With this, we began the first of our two-day artist's retreat.

We stayed in one of the couples' retreat cottages known as "The Hideaway". Formerly staff housing, The Hideway is an entirely quaint little apartment abundantly rich in warmth and personality. It has an undeniable "I could stay here forever" feel, perfect for creativity or inspired contemplation. In short, it's a perfect artist's setting.

Walking the grounds and trails is as calming and uniquely inspiring as enjoying the peace from inside. They have a meditative walking area known as "the Labyrinth" where you follow a stone path with maze-like walkways. It's nice to think of nothing but your next step and have nothing else to consider but the course of the bricks.

A welcoming dinner bell sounds for breakfast, lunch and dinner served in a spectacular dining hall. This is really quite a wonderful sound, because it reminds you that someone is there, and they're saying "hey, c'mon, it's time to eat." The bell rings 10 minutes before the hour to alert the servings, then on the hour to call the guests.

Also interesting were a series of what appeared to be "totems" sticking up from the ground in the forest. They were really quite fascinating, and spread out like easter eggs on a hunt. They're so remarkable that you find yourself seeking them out from their nesting places in the green.

The views of the gorge are within a short walking distance. As for Terry and I, we stayed in most of the time creating. It was amazing that I could do some nature journaling of a forest so deep and green, without even having to step outside. The forest is literally outside your window. Sitting outside to journal, or paint is also an option with a nice-sized table on the deck.

The entire ambiance reminds me so much of "The Shire" from "Lord of the Rings". It's so much like a hobbit forest. Everywhere is green with small stone stairways, hidden ponds, flowered walkways, and trails like veins connected to a tremendously larger living thing. We will definitely return to this wonderful place.