FP Escapes Visits Sonoma County
FP Escapes heads to the heart of the wine country — Sonoma County.
Off a two-lane highway and up a driveway shadowed by oak trees hides The Lotus Feed, a 108-acre working farm, and home to our three-day escape to wine country. Adjacent to a wild-blooming flower farm sits a parking lot (say field) where you will soon meet a gravel walk-path overlooking the foggy and jagged Sonoma Coast. “The Path” drops you at the farm’s entrance where, as you venture further past the herb-filled greenhouse and tree swing made for two, a mountainous clip of teepees, yurts, and canvas tents soon become evident. Off to the right sits a large deck with an 80-foot communal table that sits 60. Blanket-covered hay bales make for easy seating and grapevines give reprieve from the sun with their skeletal twists from above. The air brimming in lavender, it feels like home.
Two weekends ago, 31 guests — now friends — united in yoga, reflection and fellowship in the charming town of Occidental, CA. For our fourth FP Escapes retreat partnering with Yogascapes, participants partook in daily yoga sessions with renowned yoga instructor Katie Silcox via the warmth of an indoor yurt. Post-yoga brunch and dinners were graciously served by The Lotus Feed’s owners and operators, Jenay and Anja. “Seed to service,” they called it, as they abide by the process of growing their own food, preparing it onsite, and serving family-style dishes to their patrons.
In between activities, a hike to the nearby pond gave some chance to bask in the fresh air. There were some who preferred to read lazily in the garden, while others sought to attend a kombucha-making workshop sponsored by Health-Ade. (Check out our kombucha story tomorrow!)
But, what the weekend truly embodied was creating authentic and raw connections between the many different women who attended. Mothers and daughters embraced, friends reunited, and strangers became friends. The beauty of a retreat such as this lies in shared belly laughs and vulnerability between women (and yes, a few tears were shed). The energy manifested at The Lotus Feed that weekend was unlike any other and, though names will be forgotten and memories may fade, the shared love that the group harnessed will remain forever.
A big thank you to The Lotus Feed, Katie Silcox, Yogascapes, Health-Ade and GoMacro. Check back over the next few weeks to read more in-depth stories about Sonoma.
+ Our next FP Escapes will be held in Spain — will you be there? Click here for more information!
Photos by Tina Deleon. Follow Joanna on Instagram.