We are so glad that you will be joining us for our retreat! Here is some information about your upcoming stay at Luz de Blanco, the retreat center where our retreat will be held. We are looking forward to seeing you soon!
Where to Go...
Retreat Center & Accommodations
Luz de Blanco Retreat Center
122 Red Rock Road
Blanco, Texas
Luz de Blanco ("Light of Blanco") is located about one hour southwest of Austin and 7 miles south of Blanco, Texas. Luz de Blanco is a large, warm, homey house owned by an Austin couple who own an architectural company specializing in sustainable, environmental design and who both happen to be yoga teachers. They have put their talent to work at Luz de Blanco. The house offers a “Great Room” with comfortable couches, TV/DVD/VCR, fireplace, and beautiful views of the Texas hill country; an open, nice-sized dining room which opens onto the kitchen, perfectly suited for community dining; three separate bedrooms; a large wrap-around screened-in porch with cots for those who like to sleep in the fresh country air; a brand new 800 square foot yoga/movement room; and seven acres of private property.
- All beds are twin-sized bunk beds.
- Please bring all of the linens that you will need for the weekend: twin sized sheets, bath towels, wash cloths, hand towels, blanket or comforter, pillow, and anything else that will help you feel at home.
- Accommodations are heated and air conditioned (central H&A)).
- Laundry facilities are available and free to you. Please bring your own laundry soap.
- Please, no smoking in the house or screened-in porch. Please, no recreational drugs.
- You are free to come and go during the retreat. However, we feel that you will get maximum benefit from the retreat if you settle in at Luz de Blanco for the weekend (versus going into town to shop, etc…). One of the primary reasons we have our retreat at a remote location is to immerse ourselves in the quiet environment. As the retreat progresses, you will feel yourself slowing down, relaxing more and more deeply.
- There are no land phones, radios, or computers to remind you of the outside world. The retreat center does not have wireless access for computers.
- Filtered water is available throughout the house. Please bring a water bottle to keep with you during the day.
What To Bring...
Your wonderful self, however you are feeling: happy, low energy, cranky, elated, overworked. Come as you are! You’ll start to decompress on the drive out to Blanco, and will be met with a warm welcome.
- All beds are twin sized bunk beds. Bring all of your own linen: twin sized sheets, your own pillow and pillow cover, blankets or comforter, bath towels, wash cloths, hand towel.
- Toiletries.
- Hair dryer.
- Yoga props if you own them: sticky mat, blankets (as many as you have), belt, block. If you do not own these, we will have a few to share.
- Flashlight (for night walks or moving about the house at night).
- Clothes – see below.
- Shoes – hiking boots or tennis shoes, house shoes if you wish, sandals. You can be barefoot in the house and movement room if you wish.
- Sun hat, sunscreen, insect repellant.
- Camera – we hope you will share your pictures with us after the retreat!
- Swim suit
- Water bottle with lid.
- A book to read in your free time, if you’d like.
- Journal for personal writing (optional).
- Notepad and pen or pencil for taking notes during workshops.
- Cell phone (please turn off cell phones during class times).
- Check or cash if you would like to have a massage or shop in Blanco.
- Medicines, allergy medicine, vitamins.
- Personal items from home that you love and would like to share or have in your room to make you comfy.
- Picture of family/pets to share.
- If you have food allergies or foods that you are “attached” to, please bring whatever you want to be satisfied and comfortable. We have a small refrigerator where you can put a few things.
- Alarm clock
- Ear plugs if you are a light sleeper.
Clothing
Bring comfortable clothing for a casual, relaxed weekend. Basically, think of what you would wear to lounge around your house on a lazy-wonderful-Sunday afternoon, and you will get the picture. For yoga, bring comfortable, loose fitting clothes such as stretchy pants or shorts, a t-shirt or t-top, or leotard. If you want to hike, bring walking or hiking shoes. There is a little creek for swimming, and the river is a few miles away if you want to drive over there for a bigger swim.
What To Expect...
Meals
Your retreat fee covers dinner Friday, three meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) on Saturday, and breakfast on Sunday. Snacks (fruit, something salty, something sweet), tea and coffee are available throughout the day. Meals have a strong vegetarian influence, but dairy will be available. The meals will have a nice, tasty variety. If you need anything "special" (soy milk, etc..) in your diet, you might bring that food to supplement your meals so you will feel at home. We will have a refrigerator for you to keep a few things. Please bring zip lock bags for opened food in so we will not have a problem with insects. Unfortunately we cannot accommodate special dietary needs.
Weather
Please go to a weather website such as http://www.weather.com/ to check for weather conditions in Blanco, Texas. Texas weather is unpredictable. One day, it might be 80 degrees with clear skies, and the next, it might drop to 35 degrees with a cold, brisk wind. Be sure to bring layers of clothes, a sweater, hat, sunscreen, etc… so you will be comfortable in any temperature.
Travel Arrangements
The retreat begins at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, and ends Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Feel free to arrive as early as 12:00 p.m. on Friday. Arrangements can be made for you to stay at the retreat center a day early or a day after the retreat. Please call or E-mail us for details.
If traveling by plane, please allow a minimum of two hours to get to/from the Austin Bergstrom Airport to/from Blanco. Our airport code is “AUS,” and here is a website about the airport http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/austinairport/. We like the slogan on their site, “Relax, you’re in Austin…” Please provide us with your date and time of arrival, and airline name and flight number. If you need a ride to the retreat center, let us know; we will try to arrange for ride-share with other participants. If you prefer to take a cab or shuttle, here are some numbers for you.
Telephone numbers for cabs and shuttles
- Yellow Cab: (512) 452-9999, www.yellowcabaustin.com
- Austin Cab: (512) 478-2222
- Super Shuttle: (512) 258-3826, 1-800-258-3826. The Super Shuttle desk is located in the Baggage Claim #1 area. Go there to make your reservation.
Driving Directions:
From Austin:
• Take Hwy 290 West through Dripping Springs to Henley. (Approx. 7 miles west of Dripping Springs)
• Left on RR 165 to Blanco (approx. 16 miles)
• Turn right at the T intersection coming into Blanco. Cross the river into the Square.
• At the light at Hwy 281, turn left (South). Go approx. ½ mile and turn right just before the Blanco River as if going to Blanco State Park.
* Stay right and do not enter the park, passing St. Ferdinand’s Catholic Church. The road curves to the right and becomes Fulcher Street and parallels the river
• At the stop sign, go left onto 102 (Kendalia Road)
• Proceed approx. 5.8 miles, passing Anchor Oaks Vineyard on the right and The Lavender Farm also on the right. The road will make a sharp left and you’ll see a line of mailboxes on the left and white fences on the right.
• Turn onto First Mile Road (may show as Kendalia Ranches Rd. on Mapquest) the road is not paved. Ignore the “No Trespassing” sign.
• Go one mile on First Mile Road, crossing the low water crossing at the bottom of the hill. Red Rock Road is the first left. 122 Red Rock Road is the second gate on the right. Look for the big rain barn and the star on the gate.
From San Antonio:
• Take Hwy 281 North to Blanco. Turn left at entrance to Blanco State Park (just north of the Blanco River, and follow the directions from the * above.
From Marble Falls:
• Take Hwy 281 South to Blanco to a right at the entrance to Blanco State Park and follow the directions from the * above.
From Houston:
• Take I-10 to Loop 410 North in San Antonio. Exit Hwy 281 North and follow the “From San Antonio” directions.
Final Payment
Please make arrangements to pay all final retreat fees no later than seven (7) days prior to the start of the retreat. You can pay by check payable to Sojourn Retreats (preferred, if at all possible), money order or credit card (Master Card, Visa, and Discover). Please call or E-mail Ellen at ebsmith@austin.rr.com to make arrangements for your final payment or simply mail it in.
Other Questions
Please consult the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page on our website for answers to other questions you may have. http://www.sojournretreats.com/FAQ.html
Emergency Contact Information
- Sherry, home ~ (512) 292-3630, cell ~ (512) 922-1882
- Ellen, home ~ (512) 419-1339, cell ~ (512) 297-7949
Note: During the retreat weekend, all emergencies should be directed to our cell phone numbers.
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