Liz and Roy are thrilled to offer this amazing Olympic National Park adventure for the second time. Our first trip in 2018 was amazing! So much beauty. Trip includes hiking, meditations (walking and sitting), forest bathing (soak up prana from the rainforest), beach yoga, yoga in a studio (in Pt Angeles), camping, swimming and community. We will visit some of the biggest trees on Earth, and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
What is Forest Bathing?
This is the healing way of soaking up the rainforest prana, chi or life force energy. In Japan it is called Shinrin-yoku Forest Therapy, the medicine of simply being in the forest. Shinrin-yoku is a term that means “taking in the forest atmosphere” or “forest bathing.” It was developed in Japan during the 1980s and has become a cornerstone of preventive health care in Japanese medicine. But of course, it is not limited to Japan, as we have some of the most amazing ancient old growth rainforests in the world.
Why Olympic National Park?
Quite honestly, the Olympic National Park is my (Roy) favorite place on Earth. I am not exaggerating. I have had a passion for the Olympics since the first time I visited. I have travelled and backpacked all over the world, but there is something about the Olympics, with its old growth rainforests, stunning beaches, alpine meadows, river valleys and amazing wildlife that stirs my soul. So, we decided to combine the inner with the outer, the hiking with the meditation, the forest bathing and the yoga, the community with the solitude, and it will be awesome.
Schedule: Aug. 9th – 15th, 2020
Cost & What is Included
$950 ($895 early bird) for the 6 night, 7 day trip. Includes five nights camping, one night at the beautiful Quinault River Inn, 12 healthy, love cooked meals (to your dietary needs), camp cooks and fuel, guided yoga and meditation, Sol Duc hot springs entry, and all park passes and permits. Extra costs: optional 3 or 4 meals out. Gas and ferry costs (shared).
Note: For the 5 day March Retreat only, take off an additional $150 per person
Is there any other Theme or Focus?
We will also weave a theme of Healing Ourselves. Many of us work admirably to heal or even save the world, but we forget that peace begins within. As Gandhi said, “Be the change”. Based on Roy’s book, we will explore the beautiful process of healing and awakening what already lives in our heart: peace, joy and love. Everyone receives a free copy of Roy’s book, “Healing Self, Healing Earth: Awakening Peace, Presence and Passion.” Let nature help guide us back to our own nature.
What else is there to know about this trip?
Liz and Roy have visited the Olympics for the last twenty years, and know some of the best places to visit, many which are well known, some lesser known. See below for the itinerary. We will include car camping, back country (forest and beach) camping, yoga (in studio and beach), meditation walks, some meals (camp cooking). We will soak in the Sol Duc natural healing pools, and visit the Sol Duc waterfall. We will drive up to the amazing Hurricane Ridge for a stunning view of the Olympics and Mt. Olympus. We will visit one of the world’s biggest Cedar and Spruce trees. We will also eat out at some classic places: Lake Quinault Lodge, Kalaloch Inn and the Crescent Lodge.
Side-note on Alcohol, Car pooling, Gear sharing:
To maintain a sacred and safe space, we ask that we only consume alcohol when we dine out (there will be 3 meals eaten out). This way we keep the camp space clear for meditation and deeper connection. We have found that this balance works for maintaining a yogic environment and the holding of intention for healing, awakening and breaking habitual patterns, while also offering space for moderate consumption of alcohol when dining out. As far as car pooling, we will work this out. We ask that no one drive solo, as this complicates things for everyone, with parking, etc. We will also see if we can share some gear to save us from carrying too much weight. We are also happy to discuss details on gear, how to pack your pack, etc.
What to Bring:
We will discuss this in detail later, but some things to keep in mind: Two nights will be short backpack trips. Although relatively short and easy–about two-three miles one way each–one should have access to the proper gear (we can guide you what to bring, buy or borrow). You will need a backpack, sleeping bag, tent (you can share with someone), sleeping foam or blow up pad, hiking boots or shoes or even good sandals. You will not need to bring a stove, fuel, water filter, or first aid kit.
Itinerary:
- Day One: Sunday: Drive to Pt. Angeles area of the Olympic Peninsula. Arrive around mid-day, and Camp at Heart of the Hills, near Hurricane Ridge. Afternoon hike in old growth forest. Dinner at camp. Drive to Hurricane Ridge for sunset, views, and wildlife seeing and photogrpahy.
Meals included: dinner (participants bring own lunch)
- Day Two: Camp Breakfast. Silent Meditation Walk. Yoga at beautiful local yoga studio in Pt Angeles. Drive west to Lake Crescent Lodge for lunch, possible swim (amazing high vibration, clear lake water!). Short old growth hike to Marymere Falls. Continue west to Sol Duc campsite. Hot soak at natural mineral springs of Sol Duc. Dinner at camp.
Meals included: breakfast, dinner (participants bring lunch or eat out at Crescent Lodge) - Day Three: Short hike to beautiful Sol Duc Falls,Camp lunch. Continue west to incredible beaches of Olympic National Park. Lunch picnic. We will then hike 2 miles to a stunningly beautiful Beach. This will be a day of meandering, exploring. Beach yoga. Amazing sunset. Dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner - Day Four: Morning beach yoga. Check out tidepools. Breakfast. From beach, we head back inland, then drive back into Olympic National Park’s Hoh River area, one of most beautiful old growth rainforests in the world. We will visit the Hoh visitor center, then backpack in three miles and camp along the Hoh River. We often see elk here (last year we saw a friendly, beautiful black bear!). Evening meditation walk in the river valley. Camp dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner - Day Five: Camp Breakfast. Gentle riverside yoga. This is a relaxing, rejuvenating Forest Bathing day! We will take a travel break and hang out in the rainforest, with optional hikes (without heavy packs!) deeper into the rainforest to soak up the great energy, perhaps see wildlife. Maybe take a splash or swim in the Hoh river. Seated riverside meditations. Restful sleep under the ancient rainforest trees.
Meals included: B-fast, lunch and dinner
Day Six: Camp Breakfast. Gentle riverside yoga. We hike out of the Hoh, drive west back towards the coast, then south, and stop to visit one of the most beautiful, ancient red cedar trees in the world. Then Kalaloch Lodge for a delicious lunch, with an ocean view! We continue south to the Quinault area. We will go for a bit of comfort and stay at Trip Adviser highly rated Quinault River Inn. http://quinaultriverinn.com/ River view, bathtubs, hot water, ahhhhh. After cleaning up, we take an old growth forest nature walk, do a short Earth Healing ceremony, take a short walk to see the biggest Sitka Spruce in the world, and visit the historic Quinault Lodge, perhaps take a swim rom their beautiful lake beach. Eat out at Salmon House.
Meals included: Breakfast - Day Six: Gentle, standing yoga / Earthing outside our hotel by the river, and this completes our trip. Option to eat out at historic Quinault Lodge, or right next store at local face, then head home.
About the Teachers:
Roy Holman: I am a 500 hour Certified Yoga teacher, in the Viniyoga tradition. I teach a safe, gentle, body-friendly, grounded, breath-connected, meditative, flowing traditional hatha yoga – a meditation in motion really. I like to move slow, give time to breathe deeply and savor the poses. I also teach breath-work (pranayama) and meditation, and also try to incorporate the many aspects of emotional healing and balancing I have learned. The meditation is a mindfulness style, with focus on breath awareness, heart opening, body senses, emotional clearing, and connection on all levels (body, breath, emotions, Earth, Spirit).
Liz Gross: “I believe all healing involves alignment of the soul with the body.” Liz is a gifted sound and vibration healer, and teaches with Roy on retreats. Liz teaches yoga, meditation, Oneness and often does some of the cooking on our retreats. “When you’re consciously in touch with the life energy within yourself, you have awareness & communication with the flow of energy that connects you to spirit. I feel very passionate about Vibrational Medicine and love working with others in this way & helping others to connect with their purpose and passion in life. Vibrational Energy Medicine brings the physical, emotional, mental, & spiritual bodies back into balance, which opens the way for rebuilding the healing systems of the body.”