High above the clouds, deep in the North Georgia mountains, the Elohee Retreat Center rests as the perfect weekend escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Those who wish for personal discoveries, stress reduction, meditation, and fellowship, seek solace at the sanctuary to reconnect to their bodies, minds, and hearts. Though a mere 50 miles from Atlanta, Elohee seems, a world away.
Elohee’s humble beginnings rose from one woman’s feverish search for healing and serenity during her tumultuous battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The find was 220 acres of Landsong, 30 acres of which Elohee is nestled. Eve Cook remains cancer free, and has dedicated her life, in sharing the transformative power of nature, with those desiring respite from the vortex of life’s trials and tribulations.
The beautiful Elohee Retreat Center offers a comprehensive menu of programs for self- discovery and regeneration. Workshops are centered around personal development, yoga, meditation, art, and music. The belief is that guests can tap into powerful sources of energy through rest and balance. Delicious, nutritious dishes are harvested from organic and locally grown ingredients. A favorite is the toasted pumpkin seed cilantro pesto sprinkled over a peppery arugula salad. A yoga retreat at Elohee may be the perfect means to return home feeling renewed and grounded to handle the daily stresses of life.
A sanctuary enveloped in nature, Elohee provides the ideal environment for drawing upon nature’s visual and covert elements to heal the human body, mind, and spirit. Guests are encouraged to connect with the full force of their surroundings. The retreat’s Bald Mountain Center sits at the summit of Bald Mountain and offers panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Thanksgiving House is located close to a 100 foot waterfall, and the Tea House is available 24 hours, for journaling, reading, and tea sipping.
Three trails spanning two miles, traverse ecosystems that include fern and beech forests, a natural spring, and a Grand Hemlock. Barely visible among the foliage and cocooned in the background, a stone bench provides a center for reflection. The waterfall at Elohee cascades down the mountain side into a pool encircled by large rocks. A red bridge stands over the fall and acts as a special spot for bridging ceremonies.
The Fire Ring sits at the highest and center point of Bald Mountain, as the origin of Elohee’s creation, in thoughts and words. The ring reigns as a tribute to the family’s transformation from crisis and fear, to strength and joy, during Eve Cook’s journey with cancer. Burning bright with flames in the evenings, the Fire Ring hails as a powerful center for community gatherings, be it storytelling, celebrating, or just reflecting.
Elohee Retreat Center rests in the North Georgia mountains in the foothills of the Blue Ridge near the village of Sautee Nacoochee. To learn about the retreat and its offerings, contact Eve Cook, Elohee’s Executive Director at info@elohee.org. 770-316-9195.