The First (but definitely not the last) ZYF Retreat

I still feel high after spending three nights and four days in Asheville, NC, with five amazing women in the ZYF community (Jeanie, Lori, Kelly, Dianne, and Gianna).

I use the term "retreat" loosely because it was much more like a girls' trip than a structured event full of classes. We did three classes in four days and filled the rest of our time with tours, adventure, food, drinks, games, and laughs.

We planned our itinerary together, figured out the menu, and got things done! Every one of us had unique gifts to contribute to the success of this trip.

We spanned nearly 25 years in age, and even though not everyone knew each other before the retreat, we couldn't have had a better time as a group. Several of us commented that we were each prepared for hiccups but that everything unfolded beautifully, including having great weather.

We are all looking forward to the next retreat. (probably Fall 2025)

If you would like to know the details of how we spent our time, keep reading.

See a sampling of our photos at the bottom.

---

Friday (70 degrees and overcast with some sprinkles)

• lunch at the Smoke Pit

• drinks and charcuterie boards and the Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar

• yoga nidra class

Saturday (70 degrees and sunny)

• electric bike tour with Flying Bikes. We cruised all over. The Grove Arcade and the Omni Grove Park Inn were two of our favorite destinations.

• lunch outside at Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar

• shopping started at Asheville Bee Charmer and progressed through lots of fun and interesting shops

• yoga class in the large sunfilled round dining room in our airbnb to a Sarah McLachlan playlist

• delicious dinner of chicken and strawberry salad with a lemon vinaigrette dressing with cheesy bread

• card game

Sunday (75 degrees and sunny)

• fitness class with bands to an 80s rock playlist

• delicious egg bake breakfast

• tour of the Biltmore House and Gardens (I think we spent 4 hours here!)

• fitness class with bands

• homemade pizzas

• drinks and dancing at the Crow & Quill Speakeasy Bar

Monday (80 degrees and sunny)

• barre class to a Prince playlist

• french toast, bacon, sausage, hardboiled eggs and fruit

• visit Black Mountain, NC

• visit Hickory NC

PHOTOS