Mountain Creeks and Golden Light ✨ Time to Accept the Gift at Huffman Creek Retreat

Sep 14

3 min read

The Season of the Golden Light

Every year I sit to write this message, and every year for the last ten I wonder if we should just hold onto this moment for ourselves. It's the time of year that's in between. The warm Summer days, perfect for splashing in the creek, have started the annual cooling. The light in the trees is a bit more golden. The morning fog a bit more moody. The air feels lighter. If you find yourself residing mostly indoors, you may miss it. This in-between is sweet but subtle. It's a time of transformation that goes undercelebrated, but for those of us who choose to walk the gravel paths, listen for the birds, and wake with the light, it's a last gift of the season of giggles on the creek and long days of families making memories in the mountains.

I mention this season because ten years ago it was when Hunter and I said, "I do." September 17, 2016 our family and friends gathered around in the yard of the Chestnut Lodge as we made a forever promise to one another. We had looked at the calendar for the whole year and knew we wanted the season of the Golden Light. It's not a time most mark on their calendar (September 10th through October 10th), but for us it's transformative and dear. And, for those in the know, it's one of the most stunning, quiet times of year in our mountains. Since then, we have welcomed thousands of guests, many have chosen that same spot for their "I do" moments, family reunions, and gatherings with friends, and nights gazing up at the stars.

Since then, we too have returned to Chestnut Lodge's yard for special moments. We've hosted our own big family reunion, gone there to mourn the loss of family members who have passed, and even played in the grass with the newest member of the family - our little girl. She's officially ten months old as we celebrate ten years of marriage. She's the 4th generation of family to make memories along this creek.

What a blessing.

So, why share this now? Well, because I want to share this gift with you and yours. I recently read Robin Wall Kimmerer's The Serviceberry. It's a short read that I highly recommend. The lesson is in abundance and reciprocity in the natural world. As the pages unfolded, I realized the best moments at Huffman are meant to be shared. The abundance of joy ripe for the picking should not be hoarded but gifted with gratitude. So, I hope you'll join us in this season of Golden Light on the creek. Our favorite season, and I hope it becomes yours.

With love and hopes of

joyful adventure along this special mountain creek,

Chelsea and the Whole Turner Family

What is Huffman Creek Retreat?

Huffman Creek Retreat is a private escape in a national-park-like setting on 700+ private acres in the mountains of Robbinsville, North Carolina. We're just minutes to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, the Tail of the Dragon, Cherohala Skyway, and Lake Santeetlah. Our family invites you to enjoy our creekside cabins, private waterfalls, trout streams, hiking trails, and forest views in every direction.