Paint, Paddle & Play Includes:

• Lodging with your choice of four (4) oceanfront king bedrooms, two (2) island-view queen and two (2) island-view twin rooms. See below for lodging options.
• Welcome care package
• Breakfast and lunch daily (Wednesday – Sunday)
  • The refrigerators and pantry will be stocked with food for you to prepare on-your-own breakfasts, lunches. (Simple breakfast items will be available, plus ingredients for smoothies, salads and sandwiches.)
  • PLEASE NOTE: Dinner is NOT included with the retreat, but options include local restaurants, and groceries can be purchased to prepare dinner at home (fresh seafood or whatever you prefer).
• Coffee, teas and water, plus snacks
• Floor easels, with prior advance notice
• Drop cloths for each participant to use
• Basic toiletries (a suggested list of what to bring will be provided)
• Beach service with chairs and umbrellas
• Free Wi-fi
• Ample off-street parking

Activities Included:

• Creative introductions circle on Tuesday at 4:30 pm
• Daily morning meditation and reflections (totally optional—sleep until noon if you want!)
• A sunrise dolphin experience*
• A paddleboard excursion Wednesday with a local guide (safe enough for beginners with all equipment provided)*
• Yoga on the beach with a local instructor on Thursday*
• Optional show and tell sessions daily, featuring one tool and one trick
• Saturday afternoon shopping trip and gallery crawl in Apalachicola, featuring an amazing chocolate shop! https://www.chococoffeeco.com)

*Any activity canceled due to weather will be re-scheduled if at all possible. These events are not guaranteed, but they are being scheduled early in the trip to allow flexibility for weather-related delays.

**All group activities are optional. This is YOUR vacation. Participate at the level you choose.

WRITING

Finding the Gift encourages readers to press pause daily to gain life-changing insights found in the most unlikely places.

Location Details

Paint, Paddle & Play will be held at a private home on St. George Island, in the Florida panhandle. Our oceanfront retreat space is classic Old Florida with fresh updates. The two-story home faces the Gulf of Mexico and boasts breathtaking views. The peach sands of this Forgotten Coast barrier island are just beyond the door. Inside, the open layout offers versatility for a range of activities with plenty of space for guests to gather or find solitude. Well-appointed rooms with fresh paint, comfortable beds, and welcoming décor invite relaxation.

PLEASE NOTE: This retreat includes stairs into the house, a spiral staircase between levels, and stairs down to the beach. If you are not able to navigate stairs, regrettably, this is not the ideal retreat for you.

By car, our retreat destination is about an 8.5 hour drive from Nashville. (You can note on your application if you want to carpool from Nashville.) Or for flying, you may choose between two airports. Tallahassee International Airport (THL) is a 1.5 hour drive. Panama City Beach Airport (ECP) is a 2 hour drive. Transportation from the airport can be arranged for an additional cost (about $80-100 round trip with ride share). Angela will help coordinate arrival times for guests who are flying, to facilitate ride share when possible.

The drive from Nashville is easy, and if flying, you’ll experience beautiful scenery coming from the local airports.  You’ll be tempted to stop for photo opps, especially as you go through Apalachicola and cross the bridge into St. George. We usually vacation in the Destin/30A area of Florida, but people told me that St. George is worth the extra drive. They were right! It’s like stepping into a different, non-commercialized world. It’s an untouched beach heaven! Once you make the drive, you’ll understand why I am so excited to take you back with me. Read more about St. George below.

Lodging Options

(3) King Bedroom with Ocean Front View, Single Occupancy                $1695
(2) Queen Bedroom with Island View, Single Occupancy                        $1495

(2) Double Twin Bedroom with Island View, Double Occupancy          $1295, per person*

*Book with a roommate for the twin bedrooms, or share a room with a new friend.

Room preferences are offered on a first-come first served basis, at time of booking.

After completing your registration application and having a short phone call with Angela to confirm that the retreat will serve you well, your non-refundable deposit of $295 will hold your reservation. Payment plans are available, with final payment due Friday, August 25, 2023.

Your curated Paint, Paddle & Play artist vacation includes so much more than a hotel or vacation rental stay! You’ll participate in fun and soul-nourishing activities, create art as much as you want with inspiring company and views, make new friends and enjoy complimentary breakfast and lunch daily, plus all the amenities of a very large, beautiful home on the beach.

Cancellation Policy:

Cancel by May 30:  full refund, less deposit
Cancel by July 10:   50% refund, less deposit (OR 100% refund, less deposit, if spot is filled)
Cancel after July 10:  no refund (OR 100% refund, less deposit, if spot is filled)

Rain Date

In the event of severe weather rendering travel to the island unadvisable, a rain date will be offered.

Optional travel insurance is suggested through Travel Guard https://www.travelguard.com/ or a provider of your choice.

Application

We’re going to be sharing a house together and I’m committed to providing a safe, fun experience so you can attend with confidence. I’ll be asking you to share a little about you, your art and your hopes for the retreat. Ready to apply? Click the button below to get started and I’ll see you on the beach!

More About St. George Island

Located just off North Florida’s Gulf Coast, the 28-mile St. George Island is one of the last inhabited yet unspoiled barrier islands in Florida – a serene and pet-friendly vacation paradise. 
*Unfortunately, however, no pets allowed at our retreat. Sorry, house rules!

St. George Island consistently rates as one of the top beaches in the U.S., with miles of uncrowded expanses for sunning and shelling, clear Gulf waters for swimming and fishing, and pristine marshes for wildlife viewing.

St. George Island is protected by low-density zoning and strict building codes. This makes St. George Island a tranquil beach community with no high rises or chain stores.