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Dates: 2027 Dates Coming Soon
Cost: $TBD
**Women Only
There's a particular kind of quiet that only exists out in this magical part of the world. Where the trees grow thick and tall, with moisture settling deep into the Earth and the Salish Sea surrounding you. No notifications, no noise, just the rhythm of your paddle and your own breath and possibly the breath of an orca in the distance. If you've been feeling pulled toward the slower pace but but haven't had the time or space to explore that, this trip was built for that.
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Join Katherine Homes on a 5-day sea kayaking retreat along cold and clear waters of the San Juan Islands, WA, where you will kayak, sleep under the stars and trees, and paint the days away.
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Some of you will arrive knowing no one. Most everyone leaves with a small, tightly-knit group of friends, a new visual language for noticing the world and themselves, and a genuinely calmer nervous system.
KT on the San Juan, WA Trip
Color Theory Charts
Freshly Prepared Local Food
Painting in Community
Every day blends three things we care about deeply: movement, attention, and stillness. Each day we allow for roughly four hours of sea kayaking and about three hours of art instruction, including color theory, watercolor mixing, foundational drawing, and a more intuitive and meditative approach to painting. This depends on weather, currents, and of course needing to pivot. We are in the wild after all !
The landscape does almost all of the teaching itself: moss and lichen covered cliffs, meeting crystal clear water, migrating whales if we're lucky, seabirds, and seals. It's a reminder that we are all connected, and when we give ourselves the space to reconnect with the wild and listen to its wisdom, we find we've had the answers within us all along.
You'll wake to the sound of sea gulls and otters through the mesh walls instead of an alarm. You'll fall asleep with laughter from your neighbors and possible whale blow holes in the distance. Somewhere in the middle of all the paddling, painting, and company of old and new friends, most discover they've quietly reconnected with themselves, without ever trying to force it.
We partner with Outdoor Oddessys
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Their depth of experience means our guests can fully relax into the art, meditation, and wildlife viewing, trusting that the paddling, safety, and camp logistics are in expert hands. It also means we're traveling with women guides who genuinely care about this place, us, laughter included.
Day 1 | Date TBD
Arrive in Friday Harbor
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You may choose to arrive a day early to explore all the fun San Juan Island has to offer! Take the Jolly Trolly around the island, but be sure to stop at the Lavender Farm, and Lime Kiln Point State Park. If you do arrive early, connect with others on the trip and meet with Katherine Homes for a casual dinner and to get excited for the days ahead!
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Accommodation: Not provided - but will have a list of recommendations.
Meals Included: Not included
Day 2 | Date TBD
Sea Kayak, Mindful Art Lessons, Wildlife Viewing
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Grab a quick breakfast and then we will meet downtime in Friday Harbor. We will gather into a van and head to our chosen launch beach for a safety briefing, gear intro and to meet our guides!
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From there, we'll pack our gear for the journey ahead and get on the water. We might paddle through a kelp forest, sea some porpoises or sea lions on our way out.
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We'll make our first crossing, then stop for our first art lesson and lunch. After lunch, back into the kayaks for the paddle to our first campsite.
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As evening settles in, we'll paint the pinks and purples of a Salish Sea sunset, get to know one another over hors d'oeuvres, and share a rustic meal and wine courtesy of our guides. When the laughter quiets down, we will retreat to our tents and fall asleep beside the lull of the sea.
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Accommodation: Beach Camping
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 & 4 | Date TBD
Sea Kayak, Mindful Art Lessons, Wildlife Viewing
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On these days, settle into a rhythm: spectacular sunrises, roughly four hours of paddling with plenty of floating / cookie rest stops. We will take time to paint in different locations, hike on the islands and sketch cedar trees, and paint the two dozen shades of green! There will be a few brave souls who will take a cold dip into the sea and we will find an evening to jump into our kayaks and do a bioluminescence evening paddle.
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The Salish Sea doesn't run short of subjects to paint; one day it might be whales (fingers crossed) seals, bald eagles catching fish, or paddling through bull kept forests. In the evenings, we'll eat well, sip local wine or tea, and as the sun drops gather around a fire before we snuggle into our sleeping bags.
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Accommodation: Beach Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 | Date TBD
Take-Out, Explore Loreto, Farewell Dinner
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Our last morning may start fast or slow depending on the currents and winds. But we'd never complain about a sunrise paddle. But before the day starts, we will have coffee or tea in hand and one final sunrise meditation before a last stretch of paddling along the shoreline in search of any remaining marine life to paint. We will stop for lunch and one final painting session.
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You might dash to catch the ferry or a sea plane, but if you can spare one extra night, whomever is left will check into their hotel and enjoy a well-earned hot shower before joining the group for a no-host farewell dinner at a local favorite!
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Accommodation: Hotel recommendations provided.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Contact us below!
** This is for beginner and/ or intermediate painters with an adventurous spirit. No experience necessary! Get ready for many “firsts” in a supportive environment.
6 Days of Adventure
10 guests needed to run this trip. We recommend getting travel insurance.
More Info Coming Soon.....