Friendship Village Retreat and Conference Center - Peaceful Oasis

I have attended quite a few retreat and conference centers over the years, in Paris, London, Milan, New York, Sedona, Atlanta, Los Vegas, Bahamas, just to name a few, and have seen the sun rise over the Grand Canyon, the moon set over the Himalayas, climbed the Mayan Temples and lain on the tall stones of Stonehenge. So, when a friend says to me, that the beauty of a retreat center in Ohio overwhelmed him, I had quite a resource to draw upon regarding just how outstanding that may be - and discounted his statement to lack of experience. That is, until I had the opportunity to visit this extraordinary 82 acres of rolling Appalachian foothills in the Ohio Valley.

"The Beauty Overwhelmed Me"

In driving to Friendship Village, I pulled up Car and Driver to get some directions and recommendations regarding the area and was surprised to see Route 78, the route in Noble county Ohio that takes you to Friendship Village Retreat and Conference Center. They have designated Route 78, as one of the most scenic highways nationwide. When I googled over to Ohio Travel their author Thomas Froats wrote "There are at least a few thousand ways to cross Ohio on two wheels, but unless they include Ohio State Route 78 in them, they fall short of being the most amazing drive possible when getting through the Buckeye State." At this point, I began to think that maybe my friend might have had more basis for his sentiment regarding the retreat center Ohio had birthed than I had originally thought.

In the Center of 3 States

I was curious has to how close to any city it might be, wondering if it was totally lost in the backwoods away from any form of civilization, and was again surprised. Friendship Village Retreat and Conference Center is located in the center of the major cities of 3 states: 1.5 hours from Parkersburg and Wheeling West Virginia, 2 hours from Columbus, Ohio and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and 3 hours from Cleveland, Ohio. I realized that the location made this retreat center Ohio's natural choice for family gatherings, spiritual retreats, weddings, corporate planning and training, bicycle and motorbike tours, or just a peaceful get away.

Peaceful Oasis

As I arrived at Friendship Village Retreat and Conference Center, 3 deer greeted me and leapt across the road. I found myself on one of the highest points in the entire Ohio Valley, commanding an eagle's view in all directions. My friend was right. The majesty of the mist wreathed hills, the lush forests, and the unending horizons overwhelmed me with the power of nature and an all pervading peace, like arriving home among family. I found out later that entire herds of deer gather because it is a safe haven from hunters. Golden eagles even nest here. It occurred to me that nature had provided an oasis for all life in this natural retreat center Ohio grown. The "overwhelming" quality was something I could feel - wholeness, peace, abundance - and it was all around me. I felt that at Friendship Village Retreat and Conference Center Man can embrace the whole of nature as our family and draw upon its qualities to empower our own lives.

Mary Smith is a member of the Board of Directors for the Learning Center for Human Development, runs her own SEO Content Writing Business, and is the Sales Director for Friendship Village Retreat and Conference Center [http://www.friendshipvillage.cc]. An artist and musician, she travels in between Arizona and Friendship Village Retreat and Conference Center [http://www.friendshipvillage.cc/seasonal-gallery.html], promoting health, wealth, and happi