“Joys come from simple and natural things: mists over meadows, sunlight on leaves, the path of the moon over water.”

— Sigurd Olson

Most of the time, it’s the simple pleasures that really give me the reset I need each August at Birchwood Wilderness Camp. A roof over my head, yoga in fresh air, meals planned and made for me, a canoe + paddle to venture into the BWCA, a campfire shared among friends. The little things are actually big things.

And on top that, it’s the big things that really floor me. A BIG water slide that spreads so much joy, a BIG custom built yoga deck in the middle of nowhere, a BIG beautiful rock with a campfire spot that has the most amazing view of the Seagull River, a BIG spread of deliciously healthy food that is so well-prepared, a family with BIG hearts that choose to share their life and cherished camp with us.

And then there are the grand, rare things; like the aurora borealis, Northern Lights. An A+ show while we were at the northern most part of the state.

Session 2 was greeted on their first night at Birchwood Wilderness Camp with the most stunning aurora borealis most of us had ever seen. The kind that streaked, danced, pulsated, and appeared to completely swallow the sky and everything around in whole. It lasted for hours.

Several of our retreaters gathered down at the dock, and laid on Barracuda the barge. They absorbed and marveled at the show. Many of the women came to this retreat solo and recalled with fondness how special it was to share in something rare with folks that they had just met, and couldn’t even see/recognize each other because it was A.) 11:00pm and dark, and B.) because they didn’t really know each other….yet. Lol! Witnessing natural phenomena with kind strangers = super cool.

With session 2, the arrival of the retreaters also included the arrival/change out of one of our yoga teachers and one of our wilderness canoe guides, both conveniently named JESSICA. The fun distinction + camp nicknames they came up with were: Yoga Jessica and Canoe Jessica. Genius!

*Left to right: Bryana, Alison, Yoga Jessica, Elizabeth, Canoe Jessica, Nora*

Bryana, Nora, Elizabeth, and Alison stayed on for session 2. We said our sad goodbyes to Stacy and Shannon after session 1.

Those new to Adventure Awaits at Birchwood Wilderness Camp settled in with an orientation, while Nora taught returning alum a yoga session with fun firefly facts.

They of course couldn’t help but laugh and have fun during a Nora firefly yoga class.

Everyone enjoyed a delightful meal prepared by Nova & Scooby. Wowza, yummmmm!!!

After dinner, it was either yoga for the first year campers or time to unpack. Before bed, we gathered the group for info sessions on Boundary Waters day trips. During this session we do a BWCAW 101, inform on Leave No Trace principles, portage demo, assign groups for trips, orient them with a map, and help them to plan, prepare, pack, and get PUMPED for the greatness ahead in the morning!

The overnighters on this retreat prepared for their journey into the BWCAW with Nora and Bryana. Nemo was helpful in packing up gear, meals, and recommendations on his favorite campsites. The forecast called for sunny weather with mild to light winds. Whoa… very rare perfection for a relaxing paddle day on the big lake of Saganaga…such conditions literally never happen on this giant lake! We WERE SO EXCITED!!!

In the morning, we all enjoyed early yoga on the deck - the sunrise peeking through the boreal forest. Followed by hot breakfast, and then… canoe trips and/or rock climbing!

Jessica Wiens brought a group to Seagull Lake in the BWCAW. Elizabeth Sorensen and Alison Olson Cox led a group to Romance Lake in the BWCAW. Penny & Nemo boated a group to rock climb in a scenic area of the Seagull River. The overnighters left the docks of Birchwood to explore and find their desired campsite for the night.

The weather was top notch to boot. WHAT A GOSH DARN SPLENDID SUMMER DAY!

Those on day trips enjoyed a return to water toys (White Lightning the giant water slide, the river swing, water trampoline, and log roll!). Followed by evening yoga with Jessica. A beautiful meal was shared, followed by Yoga Nidra + Sound Bowls on the deck with both Elizabeth and Jessica.

Our overnighters applied new skills in setting up camp, filtering water, hanging a bear bag, starting & maintaining fires, hammocking without injury (wink…lol), wilderness latrine & woods toileting, and most importantly…. Boundary Waters camping shenanigans and fun 101 with Nora and Bry. We swam, we jumped off rocks, we CELEBRATED TAIA’S BIRTHDAY!, we joked, we laughed so hard, we relaxed, we cooked, we talked, we listened, we enjoyed the stars.

We relished the opportunity to have yoga sessions right on the gorgeous campsite rock. Has there ever been a more scenic location for yoga than the Boundary Waters?

Camper’s Island on Saganaga has some great stories to tell.

The next morning, everyone woke up to a calm sunny day. Day trips were off to Romance Lake with Jessica Wiens and rock climbing on the Seagull River with Nemo & Penny. The overnighters enjoyed the camping life.

We all reconvened from our paddling and rock climbing adventures back at Birchwood. White Lightning was rippin’, the river swing was swingin’, and the water trampoline was hoppin’. Moose yoga with Jessica in the afternoon was a welcomed wind down to the day.

After our final dinner together, we gathered on the yoga deck for a journaling reflection & gratitude session with Bryana. Then we hiked to the Eagle’s Nest for our traditional campfire. Boreal Bliss + Birchwood have combined some awesome traditions over the years.

We celebrated 5 year awards - WOW! Myself, Nora, Elizabeth, Laurie, Kathy, Penny, and Stryde were all recognized. (Uncle Dan don’t you worry… I have something in store for you too.) We were all there at the very first Adventure Awaits Yoga Retreat. It was August 2020 - the only retreat we were able to actually run in 2020 due to covid. The ways in which we have all evolved and grown since then is sincerely incredible. I’m so grateful to have the vivid memories that I have with this crew over the last 5 years. Each one of you is so unique and special. I can’t even tell ya. I don’t have the words! Hopefully all my heartfelt tears said it all.

We also recognized campers with the “Quintessential Camper, Shine your Light, Perseverance, and Leadership Awards”. This was very fun to recognize retreaters for their inspiring journeys, kindness, and more. Honestly, every single person at this retreat has something special to offer and share. An award for everyone would most certainly be sincere and deserved.

*Channeling our "big moose energy", according to Yoga Jessica.*

Watching each individual go through their own unique and personal journey while in the wilderness is special. Thank you for letting me walk alongside you, even if our time together was brief. Your impact on me is more than I could ever possibly attempt to describe.

Here’s to another year that has come and gone at Birchwood Wilderness Camp. Every year it gets 110% harder to leave. Birchwood crew - you are the real ones. Thank you for your friendship.

(I can’t say anything else… I’m gonna cry again!)