Nettles Farm, Lummi Island
Get back in touch with the still center that makes you want to write. Join us at a gorgeous location, enjoy food that honors its traditions, and co-create an unforgettable experience with fellow writers who want to re-awaken to life’s beauty. Leave more alive. Visit the “A Very Important Writing Retreat” web page.
Paulette Perhach
Award-winning Writer and Writing Coach
Riley Starks
Farmer, Fisherman, Slow Food Enthusiast
Stella the Truffle Hunter
Lagotto Romagnolo
Time & Location
Friday to Monday
July 26, 3:00 PM to July 29, 11:00 AM
Nettles Farm, Lummi Island
Itinerary
Friday:
You’ll take the ferry and arrive around 3 p.m., giving you ample time to settle into the cozy embrace of the farm. Take a moment to explore, befriend the chickens, and breathe in the fresh island air. We’ll enjoy a signature drink outside while Riley cooks his signature Poulet bleu chicken over the fire dome. Then we’ll gather around the table for a communal dinner. The evening culminates with conversation around the fire pit.
You’ll take the ferry and arrive around 3 p.m., giving you ample time to settle into the cozy embrace of the farm. Take a moment to explore, befriend the chickens, and breathe in the fresh island air. We’ll enjoy a signature drink outside while Riley cooks his signature Poulet bleu chicken over the fire dome. Then we’ll gather around the table for a communal dinner. The evening culminates with conversation around the fire pit.
Saturday:
Enjoy coffee roasted by Riley and a quiet morning writing session, grabbing a bowl of steel-cut oats and toppings from the bar whenever you please. The day offers a balance of solitude and exploration—meditate in the woods at 10 a.m. with a session led by Paulette to connect with the natural world, then join us for a boat trip on Riley’s fishing skiff to Clark Island for lunch on the beach and more time to edit the piece you’ll read to the group. You’ll have afternoon writing hours, then a salmon dinner, with the evening closing around the fire pit, where we’ll have readings by the first group of writers.
Enjoy coffee roasted by Riley and a quiet morning writing session, grabbing a bowl of steel-cut oats and toppings from the bar whenever you please. The day offers a balance of solitude and exploration—meditate in the woods at 10 a.m. with a session led by Paulette to connect with the natural world, then join us for a boat trip on Riley’s fishing skiff to Clark Island for lunch on the beach and more time to edit the piece you’ll read to the group. You’ll have afternoon writing hours, then a salmon dinner, with the evening closing around the fire pit, where we’ll have readings by the first group of writers.
Sunday:
Begin another day of creativity with the morning dedicated to your writing endeavors. After a farmhouse breakfast of Nettles Farm-raised eggs, venture into the woods for meditation or keep working. In the afternoon, challenge yourself with a hike to Lummi Peak for breathtaking views or delve deeper into your writing. Even those who go on the hike will have more time to write in the afternoon, then we’ll all come together for a Dungeness crab and oyster, feast on the beach, paired with a rosé prosecco. As dusk falls, gather around the fire pit once more to hear readings by our second group of writers.
Begin another day of creativity with the morning dedicated to your writing endeavors. After a farmhouse breakfast of Nettles Farm-raised eggs, venture into the woods for meditation or keep working. In the afternoon, challenge yourself with a hike to Lummi Peak for breathtaking views or delve deeper into your writing. Even those who go on the hike will have more time to write in the afternoon, then we’ll all come together for a Dungeness crab and oyster, feast on the beach, paired with a rosé prosecco. As dusk falls, gather around the fire pit once more to hear readings by our second group of writers.
Monday:
Your final morning starts with writing time, a chance to add finishing touches on the work you’ve made progress on this weekend or just reflect on the weekend. Enjoy a special breakfast of poached eggs with salmon caviar, savoring the last tastes of the retreat. It’s time to pack up by 11 a.m., but as you depart, you’ll take a piece of this magical place with you, as Paulette did the first time she visited, carrying forward the creativity, stories, and memories forged over these unforgettable days.
Your final morning starts with writing time, a chance to add finishing touches on the work you’ve made progress on this weekend or just reflect on the weekend. Enjoy a special breakfast of poached eggs with salmon caviar, savoring the last tastes of the retreat. It’s time to pack up by 11 a.m., but as you depart, you’ll take a piece of this magical place with you, as Paulette did the first time she visited, carrying forward the creativity, stories, and memories forged over these unforgettable days.
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“A Very Important Writing Retreat was truly one of the best retreat experiences I have ever had. It was a small group with lots of opportunity to share our writing and get to know and support each other in our writer’s journey. I loved the time set aside for our own writing. The meditations in the beautiful setting provided the perfect springboard to our writing time. Paulette was an amazing host and the food was so great. Make this happen if possible, because the benefits to writing, self and soul are wonderful.”
— Amy Pleasant, 2023 attendee
What’s Included in Your Retreat Experience:
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Gourmet Dining: Enjoy chef-prepared meals that highlight the best of local produce, ensuring you’re well-nourished with breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout your stay.
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Complimentary Evening Libations: Each dinner is accompanied by a selection of drinks, including a signature mixed drink on the welcome night, wines, and inspired non-alcoholic options, carefully chosen to complement your dining experience.
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Charming Accommodations: Rest and rejuvenate with three nights’ stay at Nettles Farm, where comfort meets rustic character. Choose from our range of thoughtfully appointed rooms, each offering a unique view of the island’s natural beauty.
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Exclusive Boat Ride: Embark on an unforgettable journey to Clark Island. This private boat ride on Riley’s authentic fishing skiff is your gateway to an afternoon of exploration or serene writing time on this picturesque island, a perfect muse for your creative work.
What’s Not Included:
While we aim to make your retreat as inclusive as possible, there are a few things not covered in the package:
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Journey to Lummi Island: Please arrange your transportation to Nettles Farm. Whether you’re driving to the ferry or planning a direct route, we’re here to assist with directions and tips for a smooth journey.