Big Sur
My husband and I just returned from a delightful 10-day trip to Northern California.
The impetus for the trip was my desire to take a workshop called Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain taught by Lynda Greenberg. I first met Lynda around 15 years ago and have been dreaming about taking this workshop ever since. Now was the perfect time since I’ve made a commitment to nurture my budding inner artist.
Lynda Greenberg commenting on our drawings
Art Barn at Esalen
It was a fascinating class, and I learned lots of great information about the functions of both the right side AND left side of the brain. The workshop took place at Esalen in Big Sur, California. Esalen has been on the forefront of human consciousness since it opened in the early 1960s. Folks like Joseph Campbell, Gabrielle Roth, Fritz Perls (father of gestalt) and Aldous Huxley, to name a few, spent time on the beautiful grounds of Esalen.
Sunset at Esalen
another lovely view at Esalen
on the path to the Art Barn
gardens at Esalen
My husband took a Kirtan class from Dave Stringer which he absolutely adored.
Performance by the Kirtan class
When our workshops came to a close, we drove up to Marin to spend my birthday weekend with dear friends. I showed my husband, Tom, where I used to live in San Francisco and Tiburon.
one of my favorite spots in Tiburon
We had a lovely day in Sonoma going to a couple of wineries for tastings. I highly recommend the Chateau St. Jean Winery and the Fig Cafe in Glen Ellen.
Chateau St. Jean
Then, we headed over to visit more friends in Piedmont. While I was in the East Bay, Tom and I had lunch with Chris Zydel. It was so much fun to meet another goddess from my expressive arts tribe!
Chris and Silky
A trip to the Bay Area wouldn’t be complete without a visit to San Francisco!
Pacific Heights neighborhood in San Francisco
Contrary to the popular song, I didn’t leave my heart in San Francisco. Instead, I took with me a renewed and refreshed soul!
Wow! That was a whirlwind trip around NoCal. Do you feel refreshed and renewed? It sounds like your trip was filled with dashes of intellectual stimulation, creative expression, adventure, and friendship…that is the best trip!
Oh, I’ve always wanted to spend time at Esalen but it was so long ago I wasn’t even sure they still existed! Hippies of my heart, lucky you!
Silky, thank you for the beautiful, vivid descriptions and pictures. It felt like you took us along! What a wonderful visit.
Makes me want to return there again soon!
Love, Lori
What a great trip!!! One of my favorite Yogis, Seane Corn, has a retreat at Esalen every year. I just thought it was a normal ol’ retreat place…I never knew it had such a legacy!! Very cool!
What a great way to start a new birthday year!!! Big hugs Silky!!
Silky,
Jimmy and I drove the PCH and loved all of it. Big Sur was fantastic. We power hiked through almost all of the state parks. Amazing sunsets along the way. Winter is a great time to visit! Didn’t go into Eslaen for some reason. Next time!
Congrats on taking all these fun classes. I’ve got that book for drawing … drawing is easy when we let go of what we think we should see. The wonders of letting go!
Giulietta