Listening to the Land: a Pilgrimage for the Wild Wide Open Heart

Sometimes you know you just need to open up to something larger. Walking in and listening to the wide open landscape of northern New Mexico is a wonderful exploration for body and spirit. Pilgrimage is a chance to both rest and be renewed; it is the practice of walking, noticing, and being present to what is in each moment. Pilgrimage is bringing your feet to another place, so that your heart can be touched, nourished, encouraged.   - Come enjoy the deep gold of cottonwood leaves about to let go, and the scent of ancient twisting junipers. - Let your hands play with shimmering micacious clay dug locally in New Mexico. - Walk the same paths within ancient pueblo sites as the First Nations peoples. - Enjoy deep silence, where you can listen to the wing-flap of a Raven. - Experience meaningful community, in wild wide open spaces.   Pilgrimage leaders Marjory Bankson and Tiffany Montavon team up to offer their collective wisdom on listening to the land.   *photo by Kris Herbst, used with permission Dates: Wednesday October 17 - Sunday October 21, 2018 Pilgrims arrive at the Albuquerque Sunport (ABQ) before noon on October 17th, and leave ABQ after 1pm on Sunday October 21st.   What does coming to wild wide open spaces involve? Nestled in the layered sandstone mesas of Northern New Mexico, there are no cities, few cars, and you really can hear the wing-flap of a raven, and smell the deep sweet vanilla of the towering Ponderosa Pine. This is a chance to step away from the regularities of life, whether that is busy or spacious, and step into a pilgrimage way of walking. All activities are optional, as it can be enough to simply be in this wide open landscape of clear air, huge skies, and brightly colored earth. We will also have hikes, labyrinth walks, hands-on creative activities, and reflective opportunities for you to enjoy.     Pilgrimage Cost includes: Airport shuttle from ABQ (must arrive before noon Oct 17th, and leave ABQ after 1pm on Sunday Oct 21) Inspired food prepared daily just for us Beautiful lodging at Cliff River Springs, where all 1200 acres of the private land is ours to enjoy Transportation to and from three different inspirational regional sites art materials, guided hikes and soul invitations from Marjory and Tiffany   When was the last time you saw the Milky Way... all the way across the night sky? Can you image splashing in a crisp clean pond after a gentle quiet hike through ancient lands? Come let yourself enjoy the sounds of a babbling river... the wind whooshing through tall evergreens... and the voices of migrating cranes calling to each other on their long journey. You'll experience the challenges and joys of walking daily and practicing seeing anew!   Location: Fly into Albuquerque Sunport, and we provide transportation up to Cliff River Springs. This is our phenomenal home base, and we have all 1200 acres of mesas, the Ojo Caliente River, cool shady elm forest, lovely swimable pond, fields, covered outdoor meeting area for creative work, and evening bonfires all to ourselves. All rooms are private accommodations including full bath and kichenette in beautifully appointed Casitas. Most rooms have either king or queen beds.   During the Pilgrimage we'll also go to a few other unique sites (transportation provided) to hike, walk, and labyrinth.   Campers are welcome! Campers need to supply all their own equipment for high desert camping at Cliff River Springs. Indoor shower and bathroom is available a short distance away. Speak with Tiffany for more details if interested. Cost: $1000 for a single room, $1800 double occupancy ($900 each) $600 for campers and commuters   Not included in cost: optional soaking or eating a meal at nearby Ojo Caliente, driver tips, travel insurance.   Payment in full reserves your spot; Refunds less $200 are available through July 31st, 2018. No refunds after August 1st, 2018. Limit to 20 participants   Preparation and some Details: Traveling: New Mexico in October is spectacular. If desired, Pilgrims can come early and enjoy the joyous ABQ Balloon Fiesta, rent a car and see Sante Fe or the small artistic towns in the area, or visit the Pueblos along the Rio Grande river, or even more of the fascinating geological formations. Staying before or after a pilgrimage is common, please feel free to do so if that calls. For the Pilgrimage itself, we will pick up all pilgrims from the Albuquerque Sunport at noon on Wednesday October 17th, and we'll take you back to Sunport by 1pm on October 21st. Please check with us before purchasing your airline tickets to ensure your trip is confirmed with the minimum number of participants required to operate. Travel insurance - To protect your travel investment, we recommend purchasing travel insurance. Activity level: Come ready to exercise both mind and body as you enjoy new spaces and places. All hikes, walks and activities are of course optional, and Pilgrims need to be comfortable walking 2 miles over varied terrain, being outside, and at various heights (optional to climb onto rocks or ladders on some of the hikes on Ancestoral lands). Using a walking stick or hiking poles is encouraged, as pilgrims have done through the centuries... they really help! Itinerary: We'll do our best to adhere to the schedule, and the itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.   The pilgrimage will be a combination of walking ancient Pueblo sites, taking in the wide open beauty of northern New Mexico, hiking the 1000 acres in forest, along running streams, and in the sandstone cliffs of Cliff River Springs where we are staying, walking the labyrinth at Ojo Caliente, and integrative experiential activities with clay and fibers. We will tell story, invite reflection, be inspired, and rest deeply in earth and communal wisdom.   Welcome to the Wild Wide Open!