We’ve been working pretty hard this spring, getting what we think is good work out into the world for our clients. So April’s release of the Sh*tty Barn schedule acted as a catalyst for us to schedule a long-dreamed-about retreat to get away from our computer screens and celebrate our successes. We imagined warm sunny days paddling the Wisconsin River, magical music into the evening, and a little R&R. When the day came, sure enough, we were still super busy, but we unplugged, decompressed for a couple days, and still managed to take care of business.
Our river paddle was beautiful and character building (read: chilly!). We saw bald eagles, herons, turtles and fish, but otherwise we had the river to ourselves. Who else would want to be out paddling on a cool, overcast day? While many of us wished for hot toddies and soup instead of the G&Ts and iced tea we had on board, we maintained good attitudes, threw on our gloves and hats, and paddled onward, legs wrapped in blankets. You can always count on Wisconsin weather to keep you guessing, right?
Later, the bed & breakfast we booked for the night kindly let us use their commercial kitchen and we had a lovely collaborative meal in front of the roaring fire, complemented by test batches of beer from Tracy’s husband, Nate’s new brewpub, Rockhound Brewing Company, before heading to the barn to bask in the auditory glow of local artists Mal-O-Dua and Harmonius Wail.
The next morning, we had a nice long breakfast, did art projects on the big porch, hiked, read books, bathed in the warm sun that decided to finally join us, and lamented that we weren’t out on the water again in the warmth. But we fully enjoyed the calm away from work.
It’s been a busy month since then, but we are already looking forward to our next getaway. We are so grateful for our clients, who worked with our schedule to let us get out of dodge at a busy time for everyone.
