52 Acres of Quiet Magic

Some places drain you and some places return you to yourself.

I’ve always been sensitive to the energy of an environment and Santa Fe reminded me of that truth. The Baca Railyard where we reside, in particular left me feeling depleted - all the energy of “doing” and "transforming"pressed in on me.

It was clear I needed something different. A feminine, cradling retreat. A place where stillness could hold and recalibrate me.

Youngsville, New Mexico gave us just that.

An hour away but worlds apart, tucked near Abiquiu in the shadow of Cerro Pedernal, Georgia O’Keeffe’s mountain of inspiration.

Here, silence wasn’t empty. It was alive, filled with the calls of coyotes at night, the hum of hummingbirds during the day and soft rains that washed everything clean.

It felt like stepping into the 4 of Swords tarot card: a place where the body could lay down its armor and the soul could breathe again.

But the truth is: silence isn’t always easy.

When you’re used to constant motion and background noise, stepping into sheer quiet can feel almost unbearable at first.

My mind didn’t instantly turn off. It buzzed with options - travel and slow living books artfully arranged, puzzles waiting to be assembled, art supplies to capture the endless views, a pantry full of treats, and a myriad of trails and a labyrinth to mindfully traverse.

There was always something calling my attention inside and outside the walls of Casita Arrebol. Because the gracious hosts, Courtney and Shaun, had enriched the experience with so many thoughtful details and supported the work of local artists and crafters, it was even more of a playground.

And yet, that was part of the medicine.

To notice the urge to fill the space and then to soften into it. To remember that stillness doesn’t mean perfection, or that our thoughts must stop entirely.

It means giving ourselves the grace to arrive slowly, to let the mind unwind in its own time and to trust that rest can look like many different things.

Sometimes it’s lying under a blanket with the pups.

Sometimes it’s savoring an artful cup of ceremonial cacao amidst burning incense.

Sometimes it’s looking up at the bright constellations until you remember how small and vast you are all at once.

For four nights on 52 acres of sacred land, we got to step away from civilization’s constant buzz.

No pressure, no productivity, just presence.

The land gave us space to savor, to breathe and to remember that rest is not an indulgence.

Amidst this experience, I can say that all five senses were deeply nourished.

Natural fibers, soft robes, cozy blankets. The scent of New Mexico piñon woven into oils and products. The taste of tahini lemon cookies we baked, paired with single-origin coffee and custom loose-leaf tea blends served in ceramic mugs perfect for cradling. Meals eaten al fresco with 360° views of desert, sky and mesa, each one a reminder that beauty and nourishment belong together.

Much gratitude to Casita Arrebol and the way it selflessly offered the reminder that even imperfect stillness and quietude is still powerful.

xx Kris

**all photos lovingly captured by my wife, D Wilder @_dwilder_