A Look Back by the September 2000 IBR at Madeline Island

Memories of my Infinite Boundaries retreat on Madeline Island

by Evi Hungerford

Heading to Madeline Island, I was nervous and didn’t know what to expect. I knew we would be on an island in Lake Superior (I’d never been there). I didn’t know anyone who would be there. But I was looking forward to what the Infinite Boundaries retreat offered me – healing time for myself in beautiful surroundings and open discussions with other survivors.

I picked up three other retreatants who lived along the way: Ann in Madison, Donna near Baraboo and Christine near Stevens Point. The four of us got acquainted on the ride north.

The drive was beautiful, especially the Northwoods. It was September, and the air was fresh and crisp and pine scented. Approaching Bayfield, I caught glimpses of Lake Superior sparkling in the sun. From Bayfield, we took the ferry to Madeline Island. On the ferry crossing we went up top to enjoy the breeze, the lake, the gulls, the island ahead and the mainland behind.

Arriving at the island, we drove through the tiny town and into nature. It was beautiful and so peaceful. A deer stood beside the road watching us. Of course, we couldn’t just drive on, we simply had to stop and take pictures. Here we were on this beautiful island, seemingly isolated from outside influences, communing with nature in one of the most gorgeous months of the year. One night we even saw the Northern Lights dance across the sky in iridescent greens, which Christine said was “like a kiss from God”.

I was still in chemo and had a lot of questions:

• Why me?
• What’s my future?
• Am I going to get through this?

The discussion sessions were very helpful. It was good to share my concerns and hear from others who felt the same. Several of the retreatants were five to fifteen-year survivors, and they were absolutely vibrant and filled with life! I wanted to be just like them.

Through discussion sessions, creative arts and group activities, we got to know each other and I made some lifelong friends: Donna, Ann, Debbie and Ellen.

Donna and I hit it off right from the start. At retreat, she remembers learning how to bead from a local Native American (I think we called her Grandma Jenny). Donna made her first pair of bead earrings at retreat. After retreat, she went on to make amazing jewelry (see picture) and started a business called 2 Bead or Knot - I benefited several times from her beading talent. Donna and I have joined up for many cancer walks, retreats and conferences.

Ann and I kayaked together. Kayaking was huge for me. There was no way I was getting into a kayak. I would get stuck, the kayak would turn over, and I would drown. Ann recently told me she had been terrified of kayaking because she didn’t know how to swim. I had no idea! But we did it and I have photographic proof (see picture – that’s me in front and Ann in back).

Ann reminded me of the “letting go” ceremony at retreat, when we took a boat onto the bay one evening. Each of us chose a rock and decided on something we needed to “let go” of, such as fear, anger or other negative thoughts. We then threw our rocks as far into the water as we could, to mentally rid ourselves of that negative thing. Since the retreat Ann and I have gotten together for cancer walks, dragon boating and a Danskin triathlon.

I got to know Debbie better when we took a nature walk beside Lake Superior. On an impulse, the two of us climbed a huge sprawling pine and sat on a branch getting acquainted. Although she lives in Sault Ste Marie and I haven’t seen her since our retreat, Debbie and I still keep in touch.

Ellen was one of the volunteer staff at the retreat. I asked her what she remembered of this retreat, and she shared this:

I still have pictures in my mind of that Madeline Island retreat. Most of all, I remember thinking that the women who came to share the experience with us were a wonderful group.

In the years since then I have been a part of BCR retreats and worked with Evi on several occasions. Now I also treasure the fact that she is a fellow paddler on my dragon boat team!

As Ellen mentioned, a few years after retreat I joined TeamSurvivor Madison and was delighted to discover Ellen was a member. Our team travels around the state for dragon boat competitions. Members of our team – including Ellen and me - competed in Italy in 2018 and we’re going to New Zealand in 2022.

Disclaimer here - It may sound like I’m quite the athlete. No, I’m not. But this retreat opened my mind to trying new things (like kayaking). Cancer walks, dragon boating and triathlons followed. I’ve also zip lined, climbed a rock wall, walked a (very high) ropes course, and more – all things I would not have tried before.

Madeline Island and Infinite Boundaries were life-changing for me. I found a new me on that island… and I like her. I made new friends, faced down a long-time fear (kayaking), and evolved from survivor to thriver.