I'M WITH YOU! I have attended ONE quilting retreat; probably never again. As a disclaimer, I live alone, and have an absolutely LOVELY Quilting Salon. Everything is at arm's length. If there was food, water, and a toilet in there, I'd never come out! But . . . I thought I'd give a quilting retreat a try. . . .
Well, you're right. I have an SUV, and the trunk looked like I was moving to Alaska! You don't realize all the different tools you use until you have to pack them up! The social aspect was okay, but I'm a focused quilter, and too much chatter about "home issues" can take you off point and slow you down tremendously. Also, you have to get up to go to ironing stations. At home, I simply swivel my chair, and I'm there! Another thing I experienced is so many asking for help. I helped, and my own work got pushed back.
I'm not bad-mouthing retreats. I think it's wholeheartedly for some; not for others.