A Day To Retreat

Yesterday I joined a special group of friends as we travelled a ways through the Columbia River Gorge to spend time enjoying our friendship and relaxing in a wonderful place on the Washington side of the Columbia River.

We are all on the board of Friend To Friend, a once-a-month women’s ministry in the Portland area. This was our first board ‘retreat’ – a fun day away together to relax, renew our friendships, have lunch together and discuss the coming year (September to May). We drove east on the Oregon side of the Gorge, crossed over into Washington on the Bridge of the Gods in Cascade Locks. . .

And soon arrived at Bonneville Hot Springs Resort.

As soon as we walked inside we were amazed at the beauty of this place. (I was too busy to take photos – these are ‘borrowed’ from the website. Sorry they are so small!)

We had reservations to be pampered. We each relaxed in a private mineral bath. . .

And then an herbal linen wrap. Oh, so relaxing. And refreshing. And soothing. You can see incredible photos and read all about the resort and the spa experiences here.

Lunch together was fun. We shared about recent vacations and updates about our families and lots of girl-talk. We spent time talking about and finalizing plans for the coming months of Friend To Friend.

After lunch we had to visit the gift shop – a great place! There were so many lovely things. Soon it was time to say goodbye and head home. We had such a good time – and we want to return again sometime. It was a wonderful way to spend time together with dear friends. A refreshing break in our busy lives – a retreat that refreshed the body. And the soul!