A few weeks ago, I went on a wonderful campout on the grounds of Powell House, in Old Chatham, NY. It's not too far from here. How cool it was to go camping with new friends and old, a really diverse bunch of women, so close to home. The campout was put on by a women's group here called Wellspring Haven -" a haven for women's creativity, spirituality, leadership and vision". You can find out more by emailing info@wellspringhaven.org .
The great thing that made this possible for me was that it was so close by. This was actually the FIRST time I have been away overnight from my family BY MYSELF since we had kids. It was great! It was great to have that whole 24 hours to myself where I could indulge in whatever was going on without worrying about anyone else! We called it Girly Camping, because it's not quite roughing it. It's a combination actually of rough and not so rough. There are all these little camping spots tucked away in the woods, a big fire circle, outhouses, a pond to swim in, etc. Then there's an open pavilion with ELECTRICITY :), so we had a small plugged in refridge as well as a shower with hot and cold running water.
I wish I had pictures to show you. I brought the camera, but didn't end up taking any pictures...having so much fun!
There is a Labyrinth at Powell House, that we walked together that first afternoon. I had never walked a labyrinth before and this was such an amazing experience. The labyrinth at Powell House was constructed using bricks to outline the shape of the paths in the grass. At first I was just really concentrating on finding the way the path went - it was a little overgrown - and worrying a little that I wouldn't find my way to the center, but just keep wandering on the same paths! But then I saw that people ahead of me had made it to the center and I knew I'd get there too. That's when I was able to let go of any anxiety and just focus on the walk. It was a really cool feeling to be walking, head down, focused on the path, and be able to hear the whisper of other people's feet all around me walking the same path. I didn't want to look up and actually see everybody - I was in my own experience - but at the same time I knew I wasn't alone...and the parallel to life was definitely not lost on me. I knew that just like in life, where I must walk my own path, I am surrounded and supported all the time by lots of caring people, some i know, some I don't. I am never alone.
Even though I love the outdoors, I wondered as I made my way down to my tent by myself that night by flashlight if I'd be a little nervous to be alone out in the woods in my tent. Not a chance! I got in my tent, with my flashlight on, zipped up, laid down, read, but not for long. The full moon rising in the back window of the tent was too enchanting. I turned off my light and soon fell fast asleep, feeling safe in my little dome.
In the morning I rose knowing I wanted to go down to the pond and take a swim. I knew if I didn't do it then, I might not get the chance, as we would be leaving at noon. I thought I might encounter people down there, walking or meditating, but there was no one. I had the whole place to myself. The sun was shining, the water was amazingly warm. I made my way in and swam with delight for nearly twenty minutes. I was in heaven!
I could go on about so much more, but I'll save it for now. The last special thing I'll share is about our closing circle. We stood together in a circle...I think there were about 17 of us...and first shared anything we wanted to about the weekend, what was special to us. Then we held hands. From one person to the next,one at a time we passed a blessing. We took our right hand,together with that of the person to our right, touched our heart and said "From my heart, to yours". And so it went, around the circle. I don't think there was a dry eye there. It felt very special.
