Further Information

Meals - Simple vegetarian (or vegan) meals will be provided at an agreed-upon schedule each day (generally 8:30am breakfast, 12pm lunch, and 6pm dinner). These can be shared meals in the communal kitchen or delivered to your doorstep and announced with a bell depending on the level of engagement you are wishing for during your retreat. Tea is also provided and you are welcome to help yourself at any time. If you bring your own tea, please make sure it is loose-leaf since bagged tea creates unnecessary waste and generally contain micro-plastics. There is a fridge and storage space provided in the communal kitchen where you can keep personal food items. All food items should be organic/no-spray since scraps will end up in the compost. There is a food co-op nearby with lots of local, organic produce and tea on offer. There are also organic farm stands nearby. You will be asked to keep stored food out of your personal retreat space to dissuade creatures from joining you, but enjoying meals in your retreat space is most welcome as long as dishes are removed from the space after each meal. The steward has lots of experience cooking for food sensitivities and allergies, so please don’t hesitate to make note of your food accommodation needs - gf, df, etc - when you make your reservation.

Sleeping - The space is furnished with a canvas cot, which is intended to be folded during the day to open up room for other activities. You are welcome to bring a sleeping setup of your choosing. A sleeping bag, pad, blanket, and pillow can be provided upon request.

Creatures - There are many creatures who you will be sharing the land with. Daytime activity tends to be filled with squirrels, amphibians, dragonflies, and birds of all kinds. Nighttime activity tends to be of the owl, bat, peeper, deer, firefly, porcupine, bobcat, and coyote variety.

Lighting - A lamp and solar lights will be provided.

Heat & Electricity - The space is fully insulated and sits in direct sunlight throughout the day, which creates a warm inside environement in the cold season (due to the lack of foliage) and a cooler environment in the warm season (due to the abundant foliage). The space is currently unheated and there is no electricity, though access to electricity and a heater can be provided upon request. Warm layers, cozy slippers, a hot water bottle, mindful movements, and tea tend to do the trick for those who would enjoy exploring being without a heat source and electricity in the cold season.

Cell Service & WIFI - There is usually one bar of service available on the land but there is a strong signal in town, which is a short drive from the retreat space. High speed WIFI is available between the hours of 7am-9:30pm.

Bathroom - There is an outhouse a short walk from the retreat space. You are welcome to pee where you wish; though please do so off of the walking paths to deter ticks - they follow pee - and allow for barefoot walking.

Chemicals / Smoking / Etc - In order to be in respectful relationship with the earth and our bodies, this is a synthetic fragrance-free, chemical-free, smoke-free, pesticide-free, and herbicide-free space. Consider this when packing bathing and cleaning products, sunscreen, bug spray, food, etc. If you use products with any of these ingredients while visiting Lichen, you will invite yourself out of retreat and off the land.

Soundscape - The land is nestled within a circle of pines and next to wetlands, a road, and working farms. Noble Silence is practiced from 9:30pm until after breakfast.

Insects - There is a diversity of insects throughout the warm season. The retreat space is protected by screens, but you will encounter insects as you walk outside. If you feel the need to use bug spray, do not use ones made with chemicals or pesticides. DEET and forever chemicals are forbidden here. Natural sprays, oils, and chemical-free incense are welcome as long as they are not used inside the retreat space. In the warm season there is a large lemon balm plant by the front porch that can be used as a natural deterrent (rub on your skin and clothes and tuck sprigs in your clothing). The right clothing and a hat can do the trick too. Please consider that if you find it difficult to de-center your own comfort when it comes to honoring other living beings, then this may not be the best retreat space for you.

Accessibility - There is a long, dirt driveway with some pot holes on your way in. The walk from the parking area to the retreat space takes about 2-3 minutes and goes over a grassy meadow and elevated root systems. There is one step up into the personal retreat space. There are three steps up into the communal kitchen and indoor shower. The outhouse has a ramp and is quite roomy.

Getting Here - There is no public transportation in this area. A car makes this space most accessible, but there is also an option to be picked up at the bus or plane terminal in Bangor, Belfast, or Mount Desert Island upon request.

Consider Bringing - Headlamp, reusable water bottle, wide brimmed hat, rain jacket, swimsuit (the ocean and lake are a short drive away), bug baffler during black fly season, hot water bottle for cooler weather, and something to offer the land in gratitude.

Respectful Boundaries - This retreat space is for those who are genuinely interested in learning from the land and its wisdom, and who come with a heart of respect for Indigenous traditions and cultures. Any form of appropriation, disrespect, or exploitation of sacred practices will not be tolerated.