South Dakota
Jenna Erickson
Mako Sica: Photography In The Heart Of The ...

I recently road-tripped from Wisconsin to South Dakota to participate in Douglas Beasley’s annual Dramatic Portrait: Figure in the Badlands Workshop, which has been on my wishlist for the past few years.

This photography workshop experience is well known for the fantastic group of people who attend, along with the dramatic portraits that are created in this remote, and sacred land with its sculpted soil, sweeping vistas and extraordinary light.

Mako Sica: Photography In The Heart Of The Badlands
Wisconsin
Jenna Erickson
Slow Living

Recent events in the world surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and the tragic murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and many others have brought into focus where we can do better, and be better. If you read my recent newsletter, you’ll know I am actively working on an action plan to better shape my mission at Open Air Places in a more diverse and inclusive way and I look forward to publishing that soon.

I admit, it’s been a challenge to stay active on this platform with all of the uncertainty in the world, and my own worries that I’ll do or say the wrong thing promoting travel or retreats (my two main gigs) when obviously those two things are responsibly on hold right now. I feel deeply that words matter, messaging matters and I always want to be an authentic voice sharing positivity and inspiration in everything that I do here.

Slow Living
Hawaii
Jenna Erickson
Always Islands

This month I had a fun trip on my calendar - a week of Island Time in Hawaii where I intended to explore a handful of unique places to stay. This planning is in preparation for a 2021 retreat that I am producing with my friend and photographer, Douglas Beasley. The COVID-19 pandemic has paused my travel plans this month, but I remain excited to bring this trip to fruition when traveling is safe again.

Always Islands
Wisconsin
Jenna Erickson
Silver Linings in the Time of the Coronavirus

Inspired this week by Kitty O’Meara’s “In The Time Of Pandemic” poem posted on her lovely blog The Daily Round: Living From The Spirit Level I wanted to share some of the ways I am staying inspired at home during this time of social distancing.

I’d love to hear what you are doing (….or not doing) in the comments below. Please feel free to share your silver linings! We’re all in this together.

XOXO

JENNA

Silver Linings in the Time of the Coronavirus
Wisconsin
Jenna Erickson
It’s Official: The RicePod in Bayfield, WI Is ...

If you’re anything like me, your ideal weekend escape is probably filled with beautiful cabins secluded in nature, proximity to Lake Superior and plenty of time for rest and reflection.  Enter the space that rolls all of these goals into one:  The RicePod™ - the first of the Salmela Architect cabins at Wild Rice Retreat, in Bayfield, WI.

It’s Official: The RicePod in Bayfield, WI Is My New Favorite Place To Stay

Wisconsin

Trade River Retreat Cabin

THE TRADE RIVER RETREAT CABIN is a remote, tranquil, quiet and exceedingly private getaway right on the banks of a protected river, only 1.5 hours from the Twin Cities of Minnesota.

Upon arrival, enter a world of peace and calm deep in the woods. Make delicious meals in a well stocked high-end modern kitchen, play in the river, relax in the sauna or enjoy a bonfire.

This is not your typical cabin but a spiritual eco-oasis with a unique eclectic blend of modern, rustic, Native American and Japanese aesthetic.

The long winding driveway leads to secluded, heavily wooded grounds that have many Japanese garden touches but are kept in mostly a natural state.

It's an easy scenic drive from the Twin Cities and its extremely tranquil and private setting is the perfect location for personal retreats for artists, writers, yoga practitioners, people in the healing arts or anyone in need of personal, spiritual or artistic creative rejuvenation.

Request your stay today.

HELLO FRIEND!  I’m JENNA ERICKSON

Founder & Lead Travel Ambassador for OPEN AIR PLACES.  

The Trade River Retreat Center has been curated and loved for over 25 years by owner, photographer Douglas Beasley and remains one of my favorite places on earth.

Whenever I visit I find deep creative rejuvenation and peace and I love sharing this place with others.

You can follow us on Instagram at @openairplaces or if Facebook is your jam, you can follow along with me here.

xoxo

JENNA

Slow Living

Slow Living

Recent events in the world surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and the tragic murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and many others have brought into focus where we can do better, and be better. If you read my recent newsletter, you’ll know I am actively working on an action plan to better shape my mission at Open Air Places in a more diverse and inclusive way and I look forward to publishing that soon.

I admit, it’s been a challenge to stay active on this platform with all of the uncertainty in the world, and my own worries that I’ll do or say the wrong thing promoting travel or retreats (my two main gigs) when obviously those two things are responsibly on hold right now. I feel deeply that words matter, messaging matters and I always want to be an authentic voice sharing positivity and inspiration in everything that I do here.

Silver Linings in the Time of the Coronavirus

Silver Linings in the Time of the Coronavirus

Inspired this week by Kitty O’Meara’s “In The Time Of Pandemic” poem posted on her lovely blog The Daily Round: Living From The Spirit Level I wanted to share some of the ways I am staying inspired at home during this time of social distancing.

I’d love to hear what you are doing (….or not doing) in the comments below. Please feel free to share your silver linings! We’re all in this together.

XOXO

JENNA

It’s Official: The RicePod in Bayfield, WI Is My New Favorite Place To Stay

It’s Official: The RicePod in Bayfield, WI Is My New Favorite Place To Stay

If you’re anything like me, your ideal weekend escape is probably filled with beautiful cabins secluded in nature, proximity to Lake Superior and plenty of time for rest and reflection.  Enter the space that rolls all of these goals into one:  The RicePod™ - the first of the Salmela Architect cabins at Wild Rice Retreat, in Bayfield, WI.

A POUR AS PURE AS THE PLACE: Copper Crow Distillery in Bayfield, Wisconsin

A POUR AS PURE AS THE PLACE: Copper Crow Distillery in Bayfield, Wisconsin

When my Open Air Places guests ask for the best place in town to enjoy a cocktail, I send them 4 miles north of Bayfield along Hwy 13, to the COPPER CROW DISTILLERY.

Located one block past Legendary Waters Resort & Casino, the distillery is a charcoal colored building, nestled into the pines.  The architecture aptly resembles a crow, soaring overhead with wings outstretched. 

While the distillery has only been established for several years, it looks as though it’s been at home here forever.

THE HARBOR HILL HOUSE: Bayfield Wisconsin's Finest Place to Stay

THE HARBOR HILL HOUSE: Bayfield Wisconsin's Finest Place to Stay

As I write this blog from the spacious porch of the HARBOR HILL HOUSE in Bayfield, Wisconsin the morning sun is turning Lake Superior into bed of shimmering diamonds.

The Madeline Island Ferry is making it’s morning crossing over to Madeline Island, and the air around me is scented with the sweet smell of the flowers hanging heavy in their baskets.

I feel lucky to be in this place, enjoying a cup of coffee with the splendor of nature surrounding me.

Nature's Studio at Little Sand Bay

Nature's Studio at Little Sand Bay

When I close my eyes and think about summertime, I conjure up warm afternoons on sparkling Lake Superior, complete with picnics, my camera and afternoons to while away. Bonus days include the promise of catching the sunset streaking across the sky of a hidden bay somewhere.

Since 2011 the community of Bayfield, Wisconsin has been a second home for me, and I really sharing with others how special this place is. Over the years I’ve perfected my list of hidden beaches on the mainland, and the Apostle Islands where I can find agates, or add to my collection of naturally occurring driftwood telescopes. Maybe someday I’ll publish my list, but for now, I just want to share one spot that never fails to inspire me.

Gorgeous Grays and Islands in the Stream

Gorgeous Grays and Islands in the Stream

It’s - 10 degrees today where I am, and my views outside are a palette of white and various shades of gray.

I know a few artists who do grays exceptionally well. My favorite is Joseph Zbukvic, known worldwide as a Master Artist, and who is famous for his use of grays in his watercolor paintings. He’s even collaborated with Daniel Smith to create three luscious grays which are lovely for studio and plein air painting.