Mel’s Botanical Retreat “Blue Mahoe” Cottage

I grew up in these mountains, and nature has always been my greatest teacher. From the age of 2, I was right there beside my mom, watching her do what she loved—welcoming guests from all walks of life, sharing stories, laughter, and healing. Over time, that love for hosting became a part of me. So when I had to take over, it didn’t feel like a choice. It felt like destiny.

Since then, I’ve done everything I can to protect what she built and to grow it into something even more meaningful. And in 2023, I was honored to be featured in The New York Times Magazine for the work I’ve poured into the retreat—a recognition that meant so much, not just for me, but for my mother’s memory.

Nestled 8 kilometers into the serene expanse of Kentucky Mountain in Westmoreland Parish, at an altitude of 2,500 feet, lies Mel’s Botanical Retreat. More than just a getaway, it is a sanctuary of memories, resilience, and passion—crafted by the hands and heart of a young woman carrying forward the dream of someone she loved more than anything.

Running this retreat isn’t just business—it’s deeply personal. In 2021, when I was just 14 years old, life changed forever. COVID-19 took my mother, Mel—the founder of this retreat—and my unborn baby brother. Losing them shattered me. But through the grief, I found my purpose. This place became more than a legacy. It became my reason to keep going.

Nestled 8 kilometers into the serene expanse of Kentucky Mountain in Westmoreland Parish, at an altitude of 2,500 feet, lies Mel’s Botanical Retreat. More than just a getaway, it is a sanctuary of memories, resilience, and passion—crafted by the hands and heart of a young woman carrying forward the dream of someone she loved more than anything.

Running this retreat isn’t just business—it’s deeply personal. In 2021, when I was just 14 years old, life changed forever. COVID-19 took my mother, Mel—the founder of this retreat—and my unborn baby brother. Losing them shattered me. But through the grief, I found my purpose. This place became more than a legacy. It became my reason to keep going.

I grew up in these mountains, and nature has always been my greatest teacher. From the age of 2, I was right there beside my mom, watching her do what she loved—welcoming guests from all walks of life, sharing stories, laughter, and healing. Over time, that love for hosting became a part of me. So when I had to take over, it didn’t feel like a choice. It felt like destiny.

Since then, I’ve done everything I can to protect what she built and to grow it into something even more meaningful. And in 2023, I was honored to be featured in The New York Times Magazine for the work I’ve poured into the retreat—a recognition that meant so much, not just for me, but for my mother’s memory.

But honestly, the real beauty of this place isn’t in the headlines. It’s in the peace people find here. In the quiet moments on the mountain. In the deep breaths, the gentle winds, the shared meals, the stories around the fire. It’s in the connections. That’s what Mel’s Botanical Retreat is truly about—a space where people come to reconnect with nature, with each other, and with themselves.