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This fall, we are hosting a creativity retreat in La Crosse, Wisconsin. It's a beautiful city set between the banks of the Mississippi and the Soaring bluffs of the Driftless region.
I grew up in the La Crosse area. I went to school through college and ultimately moved away after I obtained my degree. My family is there so I return often to see them, attend family events, and enjoy the Oktoberfest celebration with my friends. When I lived there, I never explored, never found the time to walk slowly and really look at my surroundings.
It’s easy, I think to become blind to what makes a place special when you see it every day. As an adult returning for the odd weekend here and there, I’ve had the opportunity to do the slow exploration. To poke in and out of shops, to enjoy the abundance of statuary art that I’d never even noticed before along the river.
Oh, and the river! La Crosse has so many parks and beaches and other ways you can enjoy the Mississippi. Last time I was there I went on a La Crosse Queen Riverboat Cruise and I forgot how much fun it was. T
he La Crosse Queen is an actual paddle-wheeler—though this one is fueled by diesel instead of steam. It rained nearly the whole time and I mean it RAINED. I had been painting on the upper deck when the storm cloud unleashed itself and because it was coming down so hard, I couldn’t get into the enclosed area below without getting drenched. So I planted myself in the center of the upper deck and enjoyed the sounds of water and the view of the river.
Don’t worry, I stayed mostly dry until we docked and I headed back to my hotel. After I dried off the sun came out (of course) and I was able to get some gorgeous pictures of the blue bridges that span the Mississippi River (above).
So....why La Crosse? Why not? It's a lovely place with a fun vibe. It has beautiful, inspiring scenery and plenty of places to tuck yourself for a few hours to write, draw, journal, read, paint, or sit and observe the local flavor.
Want to see for yourself? Join us this October for a week of inspiring creativity.
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