We discovered it. The very best group (or couple) vacation spot location in America, besides it’s in my very own metropolis, they usually hosted us on our most epic group retreat but. Cascada, FTW. Oregon, FTW. EHD, FTW. LOL. Hear. There are elements of being “the boss” which can be actually arduous for me (principally as a result of I don’t really feel naturally good at them), however our group retreats are the 3-4 occasions a yr that I like being the one in cost. I joked with them this week that I will need to have been a camp director in a former life – I simply love getting folks collectively in an organized method to expertise one thing actually distinctive in a means that feels wholesome (principally) and bonding. This summer time began out already so depleting (my very own fault), the place I overscheduled an excessive amount of huge private stuff (principally unavoidable and all so enjoyable). However the LA + PDX crew hadn’t gotten collectively since February, so I used to be determined to squeeze it in, and we didn’t have every other dates that labored for all til September. However I wanted it to be enjoyable, and never come out of it feeling socially and bodily depleted. I whispered to myself, I simply must go to a wellness resort. So I reached out to Cascada Thermal Springs + Lodge, a wellness resort in Portland that simply opened up final yr, that I had been dying to go to, and requested if that they had availability for a mid-week keep for the 6 of us. Only a fast 3-night, 2-day. They provided to associate on our keep (which was so beneficiant). I advised them we’d do natural tales and embrace them in a reel, however it was such an unbelievable keep and expertise that it deserves a full devoted put up (and a lot extra). It was an absolute 15/10 in each means – the design, the meals, the thermal spring experiences, the hospitality, the vibe. In case you reside in Portland or take pleasure in ladies’ journeys (or a solo journey, which I plan on steadily), Cascada is an unbelievable vacation spot or staycation.
They kindly requested what my aim was for our group, and I stated simply, “I simply need us to attach and never really feel depleted”. What ended up taking place was probably the greatest retreats we’ve ever had (actually essentially the most bodily enjoyable). This wasn’t our annual planning retreat (that’s in February) or our This fall prep retreat (in September), so whereas we after all talked about work and I went over some well timed enterprise stuff, I actually simply wished to have enjoyable collectively and present them extra of Oregon that I like. I do know we aren’t supposed to speak about staff like they’re our children (they aren’t! I do know!), however like my youngsters, it’s additionally extraordinarily essential and rewarding for me to have them be good pals with one another, even with out me. I take a look at all the previous EHD people who work collectively and socialize on a regular basis nonetheless, years later, and I do know that it’s one in all my most essential profession tasks (I even have a incredible worker picker). So yeah, it could be pressured bonding, however it positive does work!!!
The very best crew. Prime left to proper – Gretchen, Caitlin, Marlee, Kaitlin, then Jess, me, and Mal. Please excuse my post-hike/waterfall plunge maniacal look. I feel my dopamine was OFF THE CHARTS on this shot. Okay, so here’s what we did:
The Keep – Cascada
We booked a 2-bedroom suite for bigger dangle time after which a couple of particular person rooms (and everybody obtained their very own room this time, which was unbelievable – it’s arduous to search out places that may match all 7 of us with our personal rooms). The rooms are minimal and tremendous well-appointed (that means very good design and stuffed with facilities like dishwashers, washer/dryer, small kitchen, and closet area).
They checked each single field with out being wasteful. The mattresses and bedding have been nice, the robes have been so good, and the home windows have been so thick (it was so quiet at evening). It felt very Japanese Spa (of which I’ve by no means been, ha), and all of us actually appreciated how easy and clear it felt. I like that that they had kitchenettes in case you wished to remain for days and never eat out each meal. Two big TVs for all our Love Island wants (y’all, it’s my first season watching Love Island, and I feel I can’t do it – is it all the time this horrible??).
Prime Notch Health + Wellness
Wait, what’s a “wellness resort”? It sounds pretentious, I do know (and perhaps it’s, I don’t care). I wrote about my love for them in this put up and the way they’re my most well-liked ladies’ journey now, however Cascada is my new #1. I’ve been to CIVANA twice, Canyon Ranch 3 occasions (my SIL labored there and I obtained a 90% low cost), and Two Bunch Palms. They’re all nice, TBH, and I’d return to any of them. However Cascada is by far one of the best worth and checks the entire packing containers (and far more) in a brand new and recent means, and I can’t imagine it’s in my very own metropolis. Wellness resorts are geared towards making you refreshed bodily, as a substitute of depleted. They often have plenty of health programming (exercise courses), a strong spa, and one of the best ones have sauna/chilly plunges, steam rooms, and so on. They often have actually wholesome meals and restricted alcohol (typically an possibility, however it’s not a celebration vibe in any respect). Numerous them have extra non secular programming like Astrology, Mediums, imaginative and prescient boarding workshops, and a few even have extra med-spa stuff (medical facials, injections, and so on). I actually couldn’t be extra their demographic. Certain, when you’ve got the funds, you possibly can go to Miraval and spend $2,500 per individual per day for an all-inclusive expertise (not the spa therapies), however Cascada was so moderately priced, and what you get is simply so unbelievable. I wouldn’t be stunned in the event that they raised charges, so get in on it now 🙂
Excuse the horrible iPhone pictures all through this put up. The gymnasium is big and model new. And I can’t WAIT to indicate you the thermal hydrospring Sanctuary.
We began day one with an non-compulsory heated Yoga Sculpt class, which kicked our ass in the easiest way. They’ve a handful of courses a day with actually good instructors.
This was our post-workout glow (observe the sheer pleasure on my face). The category taught by Majo was incredible.
Then they handled us to a guided distinction remedy session and delightful silk robes made by Tribal Stylish Boutique. Dustin, Casada’s director of membership + health, led us via a sauna meditation of their stunning sauna, beneath.
Admittedly, I’m extra of a chilly plunger than a sauna girl, so it’s tougher for me to sit down within the warmth for greater than 10 minutes. Dustin helped us by doing these Wim Hof-style actions and respiration strategies that made it go by a lot quicker. It was so superior.
After which straight from the sauna all of us walked via the freezing-cold rain bathe (I used to be admittedly essentially the most keen about this, and I feel I may need sang?). It felt INCREDIBLE. We set intentions. We shocked our our bodies. Our dopamine and oxytocin have been flying so excessive. I understand how unorthodox that is to do along with your staff, however I knew that everybody can be into this (they usually completely have been).
Please observe how stunning the design is – a lot “easy however particular” woods and materials. An enormous shout-out to the great Dustin – he’s an actual earth angel, and we felt so grateful that he took the time to guide us via this session.
The Informal Spa Restaurant – Forbidden Fruit
I knew that they had a spa-side restaurant, however my expectations have been regular spa meals. My God! It was not solely beautiful and vibey, however the meals was INCREDIBLE and so thoughtfully created by Chef Megan Sky.
There have been gluten-free choices, specialty smoothies, house-made cashew, almond, hemp, and pepita milk (no seed oils in something), and essentially the most superb breakfast sandwiches have been made with beet-infused biscuits. Each single factor was unbelievable (get the inexperienced smoothie, I feel referred to as the emerald). Oh, and a shout-out to Alberta Avenue Espresso within the foyer, which can be so good.
The Conservatory
This pool room was unbelievable. I had seen this in pictures on IG a lot so I knew it was actually fairly, however in individual it’s excellent. All of us even commented that having it’s indoor was superior (much less sunscreen wants, and never too sizzling or chilly as they will management the temperature). The design of it clearly helps – stuffed with a lot mild and vegetation, so that you kinda felt such as you have been outdoors. Off to the facet are a couple of little glass sunrooms that I virtually dozed off in. No meals or drink allowed in right here (outdoors of their provided ginger tea and water in silicone cups), and when you can discuss right here, because it’s principally adults trying to chill, the vibe is quiet and so enjoyable. No youngsters and no day ingesting, and it simply stays so clear and quiet.
The Sanctuary
The actual coup de grâce is their underground thermal spring swimming pools, that are simply essentially the most completely designed. A few of the others that I’ve been in are too uncovered (an excessive amount of pure mild and big home windows), however this one is so darkish with such soothing lighting that everybody felt actually snug strolling round, and nobody actually appears at anybody else. There isn’t a speaking down right here, which can be beautiful, and somebody comes round with a singing bowl every now and then to remind folks to “return to silence,” which was so good.
It has EVERYTHING you need. Scorching tub, chilly plunge, Sauna, steam room, ice tub, salt room, mineral pool, they usually simply opened pink mild remedy cubicles (actually only a few days in the past and we have been the primary to step inside).
We spent a full hour down right here each days.
There’s a photograph for you. Me, within the model new redlight remedy sales space (there are a couple of of them).
Whereas we didn’t get any spa therapies achieved (reserving for 7 is all the time a problem), we noticed everybody popping out of the therapy rooms in a contented daze. The spa is so booked up so I need to assume the therapies are incredible.
Dinner At Terra Mae
Y’all, I lived in New York for 10 years and LA for 12, so I’m skilled with fancy huge metropolis meals. This Japanese Portuguese fusion restaurant, Terra Mae, was shockingly superb. Each single dish was so so so scrumptious. The founder and government Chef, Megan Sky and Jules Boyd (two Portland girls, FYI) have created essentially the most stunning and, extra importantly, scrumptious menu that I’ve had in a very long time. Like, I’d take our pals from LA again subsequent week to indicate it off. It was simply so thoughtfully designed (and cocktails have been additionally scrumptious).
By the way in which, if that is sounding like a spot you’d prefer to e book on your subsequent trip or staycation (and even as a present for somebody in your life!) you should use code EHSTAY and obtain a complementary amenity ready for you at test in 🙂
Day Two
We have been fairly well-behaved that evening, so a few of us did an non-compulsory pilates class within the morning to begin the day. If I lived nearer (I’m about 25 minutes away), this may be my most well-liked every day exercise location, however I’m completely going to e book their health + thermal springs providing for locals for frequent events.
My Good Day In The Gorge!
The truth that Journey Oregon doesn’t pay me to advertise this effing stunning state is hilarious – I’ve obtained to succeed in out. My enthusiasm for the encircling Portland space is off the charts (the coast! wine nation! the gorge! Sisters! Hood River!). However the Gorge actually is my house planet – I simply suppose it’s essentially the most stunning place on the planet. It’s primarily the river that divides Oregon from Washington, and in the course of the melting of the final ice age, it created this huge, vast, excessive canyon, flanked by excessive mountains on the Oregon facet that permits for a whole bunch of waterfalls. So that you get water, shady nature, and views all inside your hike.
Inside an hour from Portland (and it’s a fairly drive), you possibly can drive as much as Waterfall Lane and cease at many of those – some require 2-3 mile round-trip hikes, some you possibly can view from the parking zone. Certainly one of my go-tos is Horsetail Falls as a result of it’s a brief 1/2 mile hike (rocky and principally switchbacks however secure for ages 5 +) with an amazing payoff on the high. You possibly can stroll behind it, and if you’re like me, climb right down to swim.
We often put on river sneakers to hike and hand around in, after which eat our lunch down right here. It’s completely a chilly plunge, however it feels unbelievable, and the water is so loud and misty. I’m in HEAVEN within the photograph on the proper. My tolerance for chilly plunging is extraordinarily excessive, FYI, so I do know it’s not regular (however fairly the dopamine payoff).
This hike is about an hour whole (20 minutes up, dangle for 20, 20 minutes down) And what I like about it’s that when you’ve got somebody who doesn’t wish to do the vertical hike as much as the upper Ponytail Falls there you possibly can all the time take pleasure in Horsetail falls by the wooded parking zone, to allow them to chill at a picnic desk and even swim there. So it’s an amazing one for a number of talents.
BTW, I understand how unorthodox it’s to, say, do artwork remedy collectively (Palm Springs), Wine tasting (The Carly), Horseback using (Mexico), Imaginative and prescient Boarding (Manzanita) as a group. I do know that it won’t be most leaders’ precedence to have these completely different experiences with their group (and perhaps most groups wouldn’t even need this!). However we’re so tight, and by planning these journeys, I really feel like I’m doing enterprise my means, which is definitely empowering (and an amazing reminder that there isn’t any excellent HR handbook on the right way to run your organization and handle your group – it’s very particular to your folks, your group measurement, and your trade). We couldn’t do that if we had 10+ folks (effectively, we might, however it will be a lot dearer and arduous to coordinate). So by staying actually lean, we get to do an increasing number of typically.
After all, our BFF and photographer, Kaitlin Inexperienced, joins when she will be able to (and he or she introduced her vintage-style digital camera to take the higher pictures on this put up). I’m the luckiest girl on the planet.
That is us, sans Kaitlin, who’s taking the shot, on the backside of Pony Tail Falls. Since this was an unplanned hike, none of us had the proper garments, actually, however we made all of it work.
The Vista Home View Level
Have a look at that. Because of this I like blues and greens a lot. In individual, it appears like The Land Earlier than Time, otherworldly. In case you have an additional 20 minutes, don’t take I-84 house again to Portland; as a substitute, take historic freeway 30, which winds on all of the classic bridges, and also you mechanically get routed to the Vista Home, which is a viewpoint (and small museum) on the high.
It’s only a place to cease and take an image, however completely value including 20 minutes to the drive. It’s gorgeous even on a cloudy day, however in case you get blue skies, it beats any ocean view in case you ask me.
Lunch At Sugarpine
It’s not a secret, however I positive hope I don’t make this lovely cafe even busier…Sugarpine is our post-hike lunch/beer/ice cream cease each time. It’s an lovely classic drive-through turned outside picnic table-style cafe with essentially the most scrumptious (and continuously altering) menu. Get the pork sliders, the Caesar salad, the smooth serve, and this summer time’s veggie sandwich is out of this world (has Fritos and fresh-cut beans in it!).
They began serving slushy margaritas, which have been surprisingly not too candy. And the ice cream sundaes…Whereas I favor an easier smooth serve, we had two strive two of their wild sundaes that have been so enjoyable (however a bit a lot for me and melted so quick). However honest warning, the wait time is all the time lengthy (often 30-45 minutes to order after which one other 30-45 minutes to get your meals). It’s value it in case you aren’t ravenous, however the quantity of post-hikers like us is big (particularly on weekends and Mom’s Day, lol).
Then again to Cascada to hit the thermal swimming pools (Sanctuary), and we lay across the Conservatory pool for some time, too. We had plans to go to the Monticello vintage mall round 4 pm to get yet one more dopamine hit of the day by way of buying, however we have been all so zenned out and relaxed at Cascada that we didn’t wish to change gears and rush wherever. So we chilled, labored a bit, and met up for dinner.
The lodge is within the Alberta district in NE Portland, which could be very cool however not overly crowded in any respect (like NW twenty third may be). So we went for a stroll and obtained a drink and nachos at Bar Cala, which was enjoyable.
We obtained to rejoice Mal and Caitlin’s 7-year work anniversary (which is definitely subsequent week)! We hardly ever get to rejoice in individual, so it was good to cheers them. They advised tales of their first day of labor at EHD and the way completely different it was then (in individual, in our LA workplace, a lot greater group). I used to be additionally so busy and felt like a scrambled-up lunatic. I’m positive that was doubtless nonetheless enjoyable, however difficult to be round, ha. Marlee and Gretch obtained to listen to about the way it was, and we reminisced about former EHD alum that all of us nonetheless love a lot (Bowser, Sara, Brady, Mel, Tessa, Ginny – her new line is so good!, Orlando, Velinda, Julie, Grace, Veronica, and naturally Arlyn, who, as you recognize, not too long ago moved to North Carolina together with her fam). I don’t plan on dying quickly, however I’ve fantasies concerning the 20-year anniversary of the weblog and bringing again everybody who was an actual a part of making it profitable and giving them every a speech about what they imply to me – like a reverse funeral. Completely regular:)
In order that was our summer time 2026 group retreat. An enormous due to Cascada for internet hosting us and giving us a relentless physique excessive. God, it was unbelievable. Reminder in case you e book a keep: use code EHSTAY and also you’ll obtain a complementary amenity at test in. And sure, I do know that these retreats might sound bizarre to plenty of you who’ve extra conventional or company jobs, however you must belief me that I do know my group effectively sufficient that it’s not bizarre. Bonding as a group is available in solely second to preserving the enterprise wholesome financially (or nobody has a secure job, which is dangerous for all). Sixteen years in and I’m nonetheless studying a lot, y’all, however this one side of my function as their chief, the place I get to step outdoors being simply their boss, is my absolute favourite and best profession honor. I’m simply so fortunate and grateful for them… and for you who learn and make investments your time right here in order that we will nonetheless be a profitable weblog 16 years in. What an absolute pleasure it’s been to have the ability to maintain doing this for me, for them, and for you (as she legit wipes a tear away). Thanks a lot for nonetheless being right here. xx
*Fairly (vintage-esque) Pictures by Kailtin Inexperienced
