A Spiritual Family Retreat!?!

Lifeway's 'Ridgecrest' located just outside of Asheville, North Carolina was the perfect setting for our family getaway retreat. Besides our two kids, which are teenagers, we took along two of our godkids and one niece. (I know, insane).

There are no TV's or other electronicy things for the kids to get into. While the accommodation were quite sufficient they were not luxurious. No plush carpeting, elevators, bell hops, vending machines, room services, swimming pools, etc ... . (I know you are really thinking C-R-A-Z-Y!).

We all had a great time. Our lodging was an apartment where we cooked most of our meals to save on money and get closer because there was nothing distracting us from each other. We are all locked in this together. We enjoyed hiking up the mountain (correction, they enjoyed hiking up the mountain -- I drove!) The view was gorgeous and to watch the sunrise on Easter morning was overwhelming. There was putt putt golf or miniature golf and a fire ring to sit around and catch your breath from the hike. There was also a row of rocking chairs to which you would sit and look out at mountain views. (correction again, rocking chairs to which "I" would sit and look out at mountain view, -kids was not having this one!)

On the hike, the kids found rocks that glimmered like gold and water running crystal clear. At the end of the evening they were not bored but peacefully sleeping because they were tired and just plum wore out! They kids played uno and talked endlessly among themselves about funny family outing or things that they thought their parents did not know about and how they thought they got away with it. We even talked about "Gabbie" (our daughter) and life since her passing.

Can you imagine reading the story of creation to kids while the sun rose over the mountains? Awesome!!

We took the kids to the Biltmore while we were there. The kids enjoyed that as well. They loved taking pictures of the grounds and the spring flowers in bloom. I would have never guessed that they would take pictures of nature. They always take pics of a bunch of people I do not know, not doing anything in specific.

We plan to do this again with just the teenagers and take advantage of some the biking trails there!!