Relax and learn at Wildacres Retreat and Conference Center

Wildacres is a temporary home for groups of all sorts; it hosts potters, writers, storytellers, stargazers, mushroom hunters, musicians, religious groups, and artists. Any nonprofit group with an educational, cultural, or religious program is welcome.

All of my visits have been as a writer, either attending a workshop or doing a retreat. Wildacres has two "artist" retreats each year (one in April and one in October) that allow anyone with a creative project to reside on-site and work on their craft. At my last retreat, I met potters, painters, jewelers, quilters, photographers, and writers, among others. Wildacres has both a pottery studio and a lapidary workshop on the grounds; I've toured the former, and while I'm no expert on pottery, I thought it looked pretty impressive. And the retreat is very inexpensive, considering that it includes lodging and all meals.

The Wildacres website lists the groups and programs scheduled for the year. Programs run April through October, and lots of workshops are open to anyone who wants to sign up.

While learning and sharing knowledge and experience are the primary focus at Wildacres, that doesn't mean there isn't lots of fun to be had! Many groups fill the time outside of "class" with social opportunities and other events: singers and musicians will hold concerts; writing groups read from their work, and storytellers practice their craft. (One year, I had the privilege of hearing the New Century Saxophone Quartet, pictured here, perform twice -- a treat I still remember vividly.) There are usually impromptu gatherings as well; any time someone pulls out a musical instrument in a public area, people seem to flock to it. And there's always opportunities for relaxed conversations or just enjoying the scenery.

One of the best things about Wildacres conference center is the scenery -- it's utterly gorgeous. The property is thickly forested and you get an amazing view of the mountains. If you can manage to get there in October when the leaves are turning, you're in for a special treat. I was there one year when the leaves had just started to turn and saw a wonderful mix of red, gold, and green leaves.

The roads on the property are surrounded by trees for the most part. There's very little traffic during the day, so the road provides a scenic place to walk and collect your thoughts. There are hiking trails if you're after a bit more adventure; I avoided them since I'm a bug magnet, but I know other people who enjoyed the opportunity to immerse themselves in the forest.

The patio, porches, and amphitheater all offer great views of the mountains. Some of the rooms have a good view also -- it just depends on whether your room is on the mountain side of the building or facing the road that runs through the property.

When you're at Wildacres, you're there for a reason: to learn something new, improve an existing skill, explore a new hobby or revive an old one. And that's the only thing you need to focus on while you're there. The cost of your meals and room (double occupancy, with a bath) are included with your program, so unless you want something extra like a snack or a postcard, you won't need your wallet during your stay. Meals are provided in the dining hall, which is a short walk from the main buildings. Usually there are a few take-away snacks available there too, like fruit or cookies, and they have to-go cups for coffee, tea, and water. Something about the higher altitude must stir up the appetite, because I find I'm hungrier than usual at Wildacres, and I've heard others say the same thing. Luckily you can burn off the extra calories by having a brisk walk around the grounds after meals.

NOTE: There is NO SMOKING allowed in any of the buildings. There are designated outdoor smoking areas.

Everyone likes to be prepared, right? So here's a few packing tips based on my experience.

If you're going in the summer, pack for warm weather! It can get pretty hot out there, and the buildings rely on natural A/C (translation: the breeze from outdoors) and ceiling fans. If heat makes you particularly uncomfortable, consider bringing a portable fan.

You also want to be aware of the bug situation, which can put a damper on summer evenings. You're rubbing shoulders with the great outdoors, and there are plenty of gnats and mosquitoes that like to sample the attendees. It's mainly an issue if you're sitting outside after dark, but I'd advise you to be prepared and bring along some insect repellent and something to treat bites.

If you like hiking, bring a good pair of sneakers or some hiking boots so you can take advantage of the trails. Just see my caveat about bugs in the previous paragraph -- I've been told the ones in the woods are extra-hungry. :-)

If you can't live without coffee, consider bringing along a small coffeemaker. There is brewed coffee available at mealtimes, but some people like to have a steady supply.

And bring a camera, since you're going to want to capture the lovely view!

There's a great map with directions on the Wildacres website, but maps don't tell you everything, so I thought I'd add a few tips.

First, don't go up the mountain with less than a quarter tank of gas. There aren't a lot of stations as you get further from the main arteries and you don't want to get stuck. (As the Car Talk guys once said, the gas indicator is reliable when it says full or empty, and any other reading is suspect.)

Second, the Parkway route is scenic, but it takes longer, so be advised if that's important to you.

And finally, the drive up to Wildacres can be a little intimidating if you aren't used to driving in the mountains, but just take it easy on the curves and you'll do fine. A lot of people worry that they're going to pass it up. That's natural; in fact, I have the same feeling every single time. I've never missed it yet. The sign is big; trust me, you'll see it.