See You In A Few Days...

Hi. Nice To Know You

I learned a powerful lesson about people in my mid-twenties.  I was supposed to meet my sweetie for happy hour at a hip bar downtown, but he was running late so I sat on the terrace and waited.  The gal sitting next to me was waiting for someone too, and I glanced her way out of habit.  In seconds I had her sized up:  Huge diamond earrings.  Lots of makeup.  Expensive shoes.  

She didn't look like the kind of gal I would hang out with.  

Moments later Eric showed up!  He kissed me on the cheek and then motioned to the girl next to me and happily declared, "Oh good!  You two have already met!"  Turns out she was a friend of Eric's, and he had arranged for her to join us for happy hour believing that we would hit it off.  What a genius my man is, because we DID, in fact, hit it off.  Afterwards I confessed to Eric my guilt on the drive home:  I had judged her.  Her appearance had intimidated me.  Closed me off.  Eric scoffed at the idea: "Why would you be insecure around her?  You're gorgeous too.  And you two have so much in common!"  

And while it's unfortunate it is often true:  we ladies LOVE to judge our fellow ladies based on appearance.  So much so that often times, we allow those material things that cling to a girl's body to actually help us distance ourselves from women who could potentially be wonderful friends.  

I suppose this is why I like skinny dipping so much:  without diamonds and fancy shoes and makeup, we only have our eyes and our smiles to offer a friend.  Stripped down- literally- we must rely upon our hearts to tell people who we are.   There is no distraction that gets in the way of establishing the fact that here stands a girl.  Just like me.  Worthy of friendship and kindness.  No matter who she is.  

By removing the wardrobe, the accessories, the things we add to our body, we are removing the pretenses.  We are just who we are.  

Thoughts on the Dip: By Kelsie

As I sit in my heated house looking out my big picture window, watching the snow fall with heavy flakes, it's hard to imagine plunging into a river.  But my mind wanders to the warm meadow and follows the winding trail, with daisies pointing the way, to the river in which my naked body will sink into.  The Yaak really is a magical place.  Set deep within enveloping mountains, tucked safely into the forest sit's Essie's family's cabin. A place which, in June, will be full of warm laughter, tried and true friends, wine, beer, spirits, hearty food, card games and stories told deep into the night.  Babies will be passed to and from safe arms; bodies will bend into contorted positions during yoga; fingers will encourage yarn into blankets or baby hats; and the Yaak's male population will come out of hibernation as 20 beautiful women hit the local bar in a flurry of swishing skirts, stompin' boots and pitchers being shared, for these girls know how to drink.  As we sober up on our way back to the cabin, we'll shed our clothes and jump in to the river under the brightest stars.  

Looking forward to sharing this experience with all of you in June!

First Annual Lose Your Lace Retreat

Oh man, aren't you just sorry that you missed out.  Like, crying in your beer sorry!

Because it just so happens that our first annual skinny dipping weekend in the mountains of Montana was magical. brilliant. renewing.  

What happens, you ask, when you gather a baker's dozen of women- most of whom have never met- and ask them to get naked just moments after shaking hands and getting acquainted? 

 What happened is that we all sheepishly removed our clothing, self conscious and anxious, then looked around to see that everyone else was a little self conscious too.  

As it turned out, not a single solitary body was the same.  There were stretch marks.  There was cellulite.  There were bruises, scars, scrapes and bug bites.  There were short legs.  Long torsos.  Heaving bosoms and sagging bottoms.  And every single body was stunning. 

Once the ice was broken, we made our way back to the cabin.  With a burgeoning refrigerator and 4 darling babies taking center stage, we quickly found ourselves snacking and chatting and laughing.  

Baby Hutton                                                                                       Baby Adele

The only male for miles:  baby Oscar

                                 Alice Juel                                                                    cousin Adele, catching on to the concept

It became quickly apparent that our backgrounds were as diverse as our bodies.  

Republicans.  Democrats.  Jews. Christians.  Atheists.  Career women.  Stay-at-home moms.  Students

 We quickly settled into a rhythm of relaxation.  We ate like royalty.  We gathered around a bonfire and told stories.  Laughed.  Sang.  Performed.   

Gals sat and knitted on the couch as they told the details of their lives.  

We sprawled out on the floor playing endless games of spite and malice- jokingly trash talking as we slammed down cards.   

We even partook in a group yoga session on the lawn- dogs included.

And of course, we dipped.... five times!

            Mothers & Daughters

Someone had to hold the babies!

 My fervent hope is that these remarkable ladies will continue to return to the Yaak River Valley year after year in order to feel the refreshing water on their skin, and the restoring power of strong friendship.  I hope my daughter brings her friends.  I hope they bring their own daughters.  I hope that one day, decades from now, a diverse group of smart, beautiful and talented ladies will laugh and giggle as they tiptoe across the airstrip, dunk their bodies in the river, and toast to us founders with gratitude.  

Because the gift of friendship is a lasting and powerful thing.  

Getting Ready For The Big Weekend....