A Sense of Place: Art and Hiking Retreat with Andie Thrams and Arin Trook

Weekend camping retreat. Awaken your senses by painting, drawing, and writing in your field journal in Yosemite along the Merced River and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias with celebrated artist Andie Thrams. Find additional inspiration during gentle dayhikes and optional morning yoga.

Itinerary

Friday –June 10th
We will gather at Wawona campground on our first day at 2:00 pm. Our first day will be full of activity and excitement, including introductions and an orientation to the course. The afternoon will be spent getting acquainted with each other and our surroundings as we begin our first investigations in the journey of making art outdoors. Our initial explorations of the Merced River and the forests of Wawona will be complemented by expert instruction from Andie Thrams. The evening is set aside for a fresh, shared meal and stories, music, and taking in the stars of the high mountains.

Saturday – June 11th
Our first morning begins with an optional outdoor yoga class along the wild waters of the Merced Rivers. After a refreshing breakfast, we continue our artistic explorations under the expert guidance of Andie. Packing a picnic lunch, we will head off to the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias, the most massive trees in the world. Gentle, guided hikes complement our continued artistic journey among these ancient trees. In the afternoon, we return to our campground home, with time to enjoy the sunset colors and another fresh, whole-food meal. The evening may include fireside stories, music or gazing at the Milky Way from the cozy comfort of your sleeping bag.

Sunday – June 12th
The next day follows a similar schedule as we adapt to the natural rhythms of the wild, and flow with the specific needs and desires of the group. Optional yoga is offered in the morning, followed by breakfast and then we head out for our final hiking and art session in Yosemite National Park.

After putting closure on our journey together, we will conclude by 2 p.m.

 Note on Itinerary:

This schedule is an outline. It is subject to change depending on the needs of the group and allowing for spontaneous inspiration. This program operates rain or shine.

Price Includes:

Professional instruction and guiding, campground and permit fees, first-aid supplies, and group gear for camping. Balanced Rock provides delicious and high-quality meals, cooking gear, and water purification supplies.

Not Included:

Transportation to and from your hometown to Yosemite, park entrance fees, and personal items.

Travel:

The driving time to Yosemite from the Bay Area is 3.5-4 hours and varies depending on traffic and road conditions. For California highway conditions visit http://www.dot.ca.gov/ or call 1-800-427-7623. For the latest road conditions and advisories in the park, call 1-209-372-0200 then press 1. You are required to carry and be prepared to use tire chains.

Important Information about Air Travel:

Prior to purchasing your airline tickets contact Balanced Rock to confirm the trip has the minimum number of participants required. info@balancedrock.org or 209-379-9453.

Closest Airports:

Fresno, CA: 103 miles; Oakland, CA: 159 miles; Sacramento, CA: 170 miles

Public Transportation and Carpooling:

There is excellent train and bus transportation to Yosemite Valley. For information on public transportation options please visit: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/publictransportation.htm. Once you are enrolled we will send you detailed pre-trip information including options for carpooling.

Accommodations:

We will be sleeping in tents or under the stars.

Qualifications:

This trip is a ppropriate for all levels of art and outdoor experience.

Weather:

Daytime temperatures can range between 50°-90° F. Mountain weather can change quickly. It is common to have clear sunny mornings with building clouds and afternoon showers followed by clear starry skies at night. Please check the forecast frequently before your course and plan accordingly. Visit the Yosemite National Park "Plan Your Visit" site for detailed information and weather-related links. http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hours.htm

General Information:

Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. Detailed pre-trip information, including directions to the meeting place, will be sent when you enroll.

We look forward to creating a special experience that you'll never forget!