[Narz]

Hi.

Feel free to critique my idea (as it keeps my thread alive) but mostly I'm looking for a way to find what I'm looking for.

I start a job in mid-October and before then, I want to take advantage of a unique window of opportunity I have. I want to go off and "retreat" somewhere. Cleanse my body, mind, emotions; get my head together, etc. Ideally, I'll like to go somewhere with four walls (though a lean-to with just three would be 2nd best) but this isn't absolutely necessary. I could camp. But I want to be somewhere I can relax, therefore I don't want it to be illegal (on someone else's property, except someone here of course if they are willing). I'll probably fast the whole time. Not a real straight water fast, that will probably be too much for me right now, maybe bring some tea and light food with me. Mostly I want to just chill though, meditate, take walks in the woods, see what I really feel about my life & the future (not related to the latest information or misinformation I'm getting from outside).

This time of vacation may not be available to me for a long time so I want to do this while I can (and to get my mental clarity, emotional poise, intuition, etc. to their sharpest, for I'll need them in the future!).

Anyway, if you have any spots that spring to mind in Central or Northern California, let me know.

Thanks!

[TheTurtle]

I used to like camping and hiking in the Pinnacles National Park, a couple of hours east of Monterey. Of course, that was over 35 years ago, so I'm not sure what it's like now. It could be paved over with shopping malls. But if not, it should be nice this time of year.

Enjoy wherever you end up traveling.

[PeakingAroundtheCorner]

You had me all the way up until you specified Northern California.

I was going to suggest a backpacking trip through a beautiful valley I've been to between the Wyoming and Grey's River mountain ranges in extreme western Wyoming. The Grey's River begins from a spring and grows to a torrent as it flows north toward the Snake River. There is a road that runs the length of the 30-mile valley. It's federal free-range land. There is at one point along the road a pipe sticking right out of the side of the mountain through which water flows and it is delicious!

But, *sigh*, I digress.

[jdumars]

Narz, if you can make it up the Olympic Peninsula near Forks, Washington, you can stay at our place. It's remote and you can stay in the trailer. Send me a PM if you want to do that. The place is for sale, but no offers yet.

http://www.dumarsengraving.com/landsale

[caliginousface]

You can check out California's Lost Coast. Essentially no development along that stretch, black sand beaches, and pretty much no one out there. You'll prob want a bear-proof container though.

Out in Forks, WA, you might be able to see the former logging operations and the huge old growth stumps out in the forest there.

[bobaloo]

Jedediah Smith State Park, just south of the Oregon border, has some of the largest redwood groves and most of it is very, very wild. They say that out of the 50 largest trees in the park only about 5 are shown on maps. Beautiful river running through it, nice campgrounds. I've spent some time there and hope to get back, very beautiful place.

If you've got money to spend my favorite getaway spot is Breitenbush hot springs east of Salem Oregon. If you want to go for 2-3 weeks you could probably work out a deal with them to work part time for free room, it's a beautiful spot in the middle of the Mt. Jefferson national forest, check out their web site.

[oowolf]

Six Rivers NF; recommend Mad River.

[roccman]

You have a place here in Mesa if you get this way.

Good luck bro.

[PrairieMule]

I have always found the desert to be a great place to unplug. A couple days of bouldering, clean air, and lots of sunshine makes me a better man.

In Texas we have quite a few national and state parks out west.

[frankthetank]

Somewhere between here and up there?