Center for Creative Renewal at Stillwater Lodge Circa 2005 - 2008

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Established in 2003 this was the website for the Center for Creative Renewal at Stillwater Lodge where one could find art workshops, spiritual retreats, and adventurous excursions in secluded Halibut Cove, Alaska.
Content is from the site's 2005- 2008 archived pages providing a brief glimpse of what guest could expect in when visiting the Stillwater Lodge.

Over the years Stillwater Lodge has evolved to become an exclusive, upscale luxury Alaskan resort. If you have inadvertantely ended up here while looking for the Center of Creative Renewal, please go to the current site for the Stillpoint Lodge: http://stillpointlodge.com/.

The Stillpoint Lodge provides the perfect balance to an adventurous vacation with a focus on health and wellness.

Nestled in a remote community, where there are no cars and the only transportation is by boat or floatplane, is a place where folks go to re-kindle their spark. The Center for Creative Renewal provides a nurturing environment steeped in the abundance of nature's beauty and invites participants to immerse themselves in their own creative wellspring. Sumptuous dining, cozy log cabins and a magnificent meeting center (complete with an indoor creek and waterfall) bring clarity of mind and stimulate guests' imagination.

Alaska Center for Creative Renewal is both a retreat and conference center. Our scheduled programs include painting, yoga, music and writing workshops. We also have scheduled a Labyrinth retreat and a Womens' spiritual retreat. Join others attending retreats or workshops led by nationally recognized leaders. Or, you may want to consider a week long intentional individual retreat in our Hermitage. Spiritual Direction is available.

Our commitment is to provide an optimal nurturing atmosphere to inspire personal discoveries. Our 11 units have a maximum capacity of 19 guests, insuring a quiet, peaceful stay. The Meeting Center is flooded with natural light from windows that frame the breathtaking beauty of tall mountains coming down to meet the sea. Feast on health-conscious meals overlooking spectacular Alaskan scenery either in our glass-walled dining room or on one of our spacious decks.

 

Are you looking for the newest architectural award-winning wilderness lodge in Alaska? Then Stillpoint in Halibut Cove is the place for you!

Imagine sitting in the morning sun on the deck of your log cabin,coffee or tea in hand, watching bald eagles soar and otters and seals playing in the jade-colored waters of Halibut Cove. 

How about kayaking in the coves and inlets of Kachemak Bay or hiking the extensive trails in Kachemak Bay State Park?  Here at Stillpoint in Halibut Cove, enjoy the luxury of a full- service lodge amidst the simplicity of a unique community in a wilderness setting.

LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION

Stillpoint in Halibut Cove is located across Kachemak Bay from Homer, Alaska.  Homer is literally at the end of road south of Anchorage on the Kenai Peninsula.  A scenic ride on the historic Danny J. Ferry will bring you to our deluxe wilderness lodge, STILLPOINT IN HALIBUT COVE.  (see directions below)

HALIBUT COVE is a small roadless community on the shores of Kachemak Bay accessible only by boat, floatplane or helicopter. Fewer than 25 hardy Alaskans live in the Cove year ‘round while as many as 80 call Halibut Cove home during the summer months.  Our mail boat delivers mail from Homer to our floating post office twice weekly.  Fishing, art, retirement, and the love for unmatched natural beauty are the things that make Halibut Cove a destination for our residents and the discerning traveler.

OUR COMMITMENT to our Stillpoint guests is to provide a quiet setting where you can bask in the beauty of nature, architecture, artistically-prepared meals and our colorful gardens.

ALASKA CENTER FOR CREATIVE RENEWAL schedules programs and events at STILLPOINT IN HALIBUT COVE

THE LODGE
Our Alaskan wilderness lodge overlooks the breathtaking beauty of the Kenai Mountains as the come down to meet the sea. The hand-crafted copper doors welcome guest as they enter the expansive space that showcases our love for natural materials. The deck of an old barge has been reclaimed and transformed into a magnificent fir floor.  An indoor creek trickles alongside the stairs and meanders under a hand-hewn bridge to a reflecting pond.  Artistic touches wait to be discovered in the lounge/classroom, exquisite dining room, elegant shower rooms and a sauna and massage room set aside for those choosing to pamper themselves during their stay.

Feast on health-conscious meals overlooking spectacular Alaskan scenery in our glass-walled dining room or dine on our spacious decks. Dinners at Stillpoint feature fresh halibut and salmon as well as locally harvested mussels and oysters.  Lush seasonal greens from our artistic edible garden, fresh baked breads and our signature deserts will long be remembered.  Relax with a complimentary wine seved with dinner.

Twelve cabins sleep 22 guests. Our meticulously-appointed cabins feature locally crafted quilts and hand-painted sinks.  Snuggle into warm flannel sheets after a day of adventure or a day of repose.

ALL IN A DAY'S WORK
A typical day might look something like this:
Stillpoint in Halibut Cove offers access to many unique activities.  A typical day might begin with a morning hike or kayak ride after a delicious breakfast.  Return to the Stillpoint lodge for a sumptuous lunch filled with fresh garden surprises.  Then, perhaps sit on one of lodge decks and listen to the tumbling water fall as you get into some serious book reading or a snooze. 

In the afternoon stroll on the privately-owned, legendary Halibut Cove boardwalk on Ishmailof Island, chat with the Cove’s residents, spend time discovering tiny sea life in the tide pools and visit the fine-art galleries replete with local artist’s original works.

Visit the Halibut Cove’s floating espresso-bar by kayak or boat.  Our resident barista uses only exceptional Illy coffee from Italy and serves gourmet hot dogs and delicious draft root beer.  Make reservations for lunch or dinner at the renowned Saltry Restaurant.

HOW TO GET HERE
From Anchorage take the 4 1/2 hour spectacular drive south to Homer or fly the one hour scenic flight on ERA airlines, (www.flyera.com).  From Homer board the Danny J Ferry at noon and arrive at the Stillpoint Lodge in time for lunch. Contact Central Charters at www.centralcharter.com 907-235-7847 for reservations on the Danny J. ($47/person, $40 for seniors round-trip)

SPECIAL REQUESTS
Of course we can arrange charter fishing, bear watching, and flight seeing for you.

We welcome board meetings, business seminars, birthday parties, anniversaries, weddings or any group looking for a getaway in a peaceful luxurious wilderness setting.

 

SPECIAL FEATURES

We provide a bridge between:

• Simplicity and elegance
• Learning and experiencing
• Stillness and movement
• Group interaction and times for individual personal reflection
• Laughter and introspection
• Outward and inward landscapes
• Spirituality and creativity

The center has a relaxed, informal atmosphere. Leave your cell phones and pagers at home to maximize the peace and solitude. Bring casual, comfortable clothes; this is no place for designer sweats or expensive jewelry.

We celebrate spirituality and creativity in every aspect of our enterprise:

• Large copper doors that welcome visitors as they enter the awe-inspiring lodge/learning center.
• A bridge in the entry, which leads guests over a running creek into the main activity room. This symbolizes movement into newness.
• Vegetable gardens in a multitude of color and texture that artfully display the promise of healthy meals. Inspiring places abound to stimulate imagination and welcome stirrings of the heart.
• Some may choose to deepen their experience by visiting our outdoor permanent Labyrinth.
• Others may prefer sitting quietly in the "Poustinia ", meaning desert, a quiet place one enters to find the peace within.

 

 

LOCAL INFORMATION

LOCATION
Halibut Cove is directly across Kachemak Bay from the small town of Homer . Our community is so small some maps may not show us!  Homer is approximately 100 air miles south of Anchorage and is serviced by a local scheduled airline.  The breathtaking scenic drive from Anchorage may take as long as five hours.

 

 

 

ABOUT HALIBUT COVE
Halibut Cove is a unique hamlet surrounded by majestic mountains and tranquil waters. Our summer population is around 80 including 15 professional artists. The number of year 'round residents seldom exceed 22. We have no roads or cars. Boats and float planes are our only source of transportation. There are no stores however there are art galleries, one gourmet restaurant, one floating espresso bar, and a floating post office open twice a week on mail-boat days.

 

 

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT
It seems we hear, "this is my favorite season" throughout much of the year. 

Summer is the time to play. June 21, has nearly 24 hours of light. Fishing, hiking, kayaking, an abundance of wildflowers and many tourists make this an exciting time to visit.

 

 

Early Fall , we feel, is one of the most beautiful times to visit. The air is crisp and clear, there's much less traffic, and the locals have more time to chat. 

Winter tends to be many of the local folks' favored time.  December 21, our shortest day, gives us nearly 18 hours of moonlight. Short daylight hours offer a unique experience and increase the chance to see the Northern Lights. It's a time for deep rest, candle light, and reading. Mountains are often heaped with snow and the twigs can be covered with glistening frost. Later in the season one can view some of the most spectacular sunsets in the world.

 

 

 

Spring is when all of nature begins to stir.  It is a time of promise. How exhilarating, after a long winter, to see buds begin to appear and green shoots peeking through the earth. Days are getting longer and the cerulean skies are filled with returning birds.

 

 

CLOTHING
Casual attire is encouraged.  This is a time for peace, quiet and comfort. Because we ask that there be no outdoor shoes in the buildings, you may want to bring footwear that is easy to slip on and off. Although we have plenty of sunshine, rains are also possible. A poncho or waterproof jacket is recommended for the warmer months and, of course, warm coats, boots, hats and gloves in the winter.

 

WHAT IS NOT AVAILABLE
The cost of peace is to eliminate as many distractions as possible. For this reason there are no:

• stores to buy film, snacks and souvenirs or medications in Halibut Cove.
• newspapers
• television
• radio
• throngs of people
• telephones (except for emergencies)

Some may be physically challenged by steep ramps, boats, and terrain.

 

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ICYMI: A lot has changed since I first visited Stillwater Lodge when I was still a kid. Last summer I attended a multi generational family reunion and the 75th wedding anniversary of my grandparents who had first brought us here. The staff were outstanding and the four days sped by with spectacular wildlife cruises, glacier tours, and even a helicopter adventure. While there I had a serious discussion with my cousin who had just started taking disulfiram for alcohol abuse I was shocked and sadden to see him at such a low point in his life. Disulfiram, also known by the brand name Antabuse, is used as an effective treatment for chronic alcoholism by discouraging the consumption of alcohol. The medication causes individuals to suffer from very unpleasant side effects when even trace amounts of alcohol have been ingested. My cousin drank no alcohol the entire time we were there. I asked him if he had heard about the medication , baclofen, that is being used in Europe and Australia to treat people who drink excessively. Baclofen doesn’t affect the taste of alcohol or the pleasure of drinking. It simply removes the addictive components that lead to overindulgence and allows a person to drink in moderation, if they so choose to. Although it has not yet received approval by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) as a safe and effective treatment for alcohol or drug use disorders, preliminary open-label studies from Italy demonstrated effectiveness of baclofen in reducing alcohol use among the alcoholics. In addition, results from a clinical study conducted by Brown University show alcohol-addicted participants receiving baclofen were able to abstain from drinking for longer periods of time than those who didn’t receive the drug. He was intrigued so I suggested he do some research and check out a site called LifeBac. I hope one day to be able to bring my kids to Stillwater Lodge so they can experience the stunning wilderness of Alaska.

 

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OUR COMMITMENT TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

• Our log cabins have been made from trees that were victims of the recent Spruce bark beetle infestation.
• Cabins have state of the art compost toilets made in Sweden by Biolet.
• The lodge decking is made with TREX which is made from recycled plastic grocery bags and hardwood chips from the furniture factories on the East Coast. TREX does not require staining or regular maintenance.
• The floor of the main lodge has been made of recycled fir taken from planks off an old ship.
• Fresh water flows from a mountain creek and passes through a sophisticated filtering system.
• We have used energy efficient windows in all buildings.
• Sound pollution has been kept to a minimum by installing radiant heat in the floors of the lodge and by using electric vehicles for food, laundry and maintenance service.
• Styrofoam is prohibited in our kitchen and dining area.
• To decrease the potential negative effects of chemical sensitivity to our guests and our septic tank, no chlorine is used in our laundry.
• Cleaning products are chosen to eliminate or lessen the use of questionable chemicals whenever possible
• Composting is used extensively both in the kitchen and garden.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

• Laundry is typically one of the highest energy and water uses in public lodging. Guests can help minimize our laundry by requesting fresh daily linens and towels only when necessary.
• The use of your complimentary coffee/tea mug created by a local artist will reduce the amount of hot water and soaps. After using these mugs throughout the event you may take it home as a token of our appreciation.
• To insure clean air both inside and outside for our guests, this is a non-smoking facility.

 

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RATES

Rates vary for each workshop.
Singles supplement: add $100/night
Boat ride from Homer add'l $35

Singles willing to share a room with another are charged the double occupancy rate.
Tuition varies

*2% Tax not included

 

DEPOSIT AND PAYMENT
A deposit of $350/person/event is required upon registration. The balance of payment is due 60 days prior to date of arrival.

METHOD OF PAYMENT
We accept U.S. checks.

CANCELLATION POLICY
If cancellation is made prior to 60 days of arrival, a full refund will be made minus a $150/person service fee.
If cancellation is made between 60 and 20 days prior to first day of the event, the deposit will be forfeited.
If cancellation is made within 19 days of first day of the workshops, full payment will be forfeited.

Because of our programming schedule, it is necessary to strictly enforce our cancellation policy.  For this reason, we strongly encourage the purchase of travel insurance.

In the unlikely event that the workshop needs to be canceled either because the instructor is unable to attend, or the enrollment is insufficient, registered students will be notified in advance and all money will be refunded with our regrets.

RATES INCLUDE:

ALSO AVAILABLE FOR ADDITIONAL RATES;

 

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SCHEDULE OF WORKSHOPS AND RETREATS FOR 2005

"There is a human need for beauty - to see, hear, and feel what is already offered by nature. The only enhancement that humans can add is art."  ~ Harriet Bullitt

	Feb 24-27	"WOMEN'S SILENT RETREAT " exploring the Truth expressed in traditions and cultures throughout the world: “We are deeply loved by God.” Sister Marguerite Buchanan and Sister Suzanne Toolan
	May 10-15	"BODY AND SPIRIT RENEWAL" Meditation, Journal writing and Qi Gong Karen Spoelman
	May 19-22	"A GOURMET RETREAT" With Chefs Jens Nannestad from Southside Bistro and Al Levinson from Kincaid Grill
	June 2-5	"BUILDING A LABYRINTH RETREAT" Building our outdoor labyrinth Jan Thurston and (TBA)
	June 15-19	"LANDSCAPE PAINTING" Oils and/or Acylics -All levels Steve Gordon
	July 7-10	"DISCOVER THE POWER OF COLOR " Mixed media Paula Dickey
	July 15-18	"YOGA IN HALIBUT COVE" Lynne Minton
	Aug 1-6	"PEN ON FIRE" Jo-Ann Mapson
	Aug 8-13	"DEVELOPING YOUR INTUITIVE WISDOM" Norm Shealy
	Aug 27-31	"I CAN’T EVEN DRAW A STRAIGHT LINE!" Beginning Watercolor Jan Thurston
Summer Special: If two attend together the second comes for 1/2 price!

 

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