CROws with Quills: a Writing and hiking trek
This trip celebrates the glorious confluence of humans, Nature, and words
DAY ONE (October 22): Meet in Milwaukee and drive together to Parfey’s Glen, a beautiful gorge hidden in a friendly forest. Explore there, and then “slackpack” (the term for hiking without your backpacking gear) the seven miles of the Ice Age Trail (IAT) to Devil’s Lake State Park. I will have driven our gear to Devil’s Lake and will hike toward you and meet you in the forest.
Among our murder will be New York Times bestselling writer Tia Levings. She has a unique perspective of the long journey to finding her creative voice and doing the hard work of writing her story. She will be along as a fellow writer but also as a big sister to your own literary perseverance.
NIGHT ONE: Camp together at Devil’s Lake.
DAY TWO (October 23): Enjoy all day at Devil’s Lake State Park, one of the most resplendent and interesting state parks in Wisconsin. Soak in the beauty of the high bluffs, the deciduous forests, the rivers, streams, and many hiking trails. Immerse your mind in the beauty and peace of Nature. Write as you please.
NIGHT TWO: Meet at camp for a meal (prepared by me) and a chance to read your favorite poems or passages from established writers. Around the campfire, we’ll share our writing from the day. Feedback can be received on request, but this is not a critique session, just a joyous place to breathe life into your words.
Tia will speak about how solitude, solo travel, and Nature have Led her to Herself, and are intrinsic parts of her journey in Life, Writing, and her Spirituality.
DAY THREE (October 24): Pack up camp and drive together to Gibraltar Rock, an incredible land mass overlooking a luscious expanse of Wisconsin farmland. Explore here, write here, read here. After several hours (true time TBD) we’ll meet on the bluffs and read our writing.
Drive back to Milwaukee. We will see bold writing in action at “Switzerland” at the award-winning Renaissance Theaterworks . If there are people who need to fly out early the next day, you are welcome to split from the group after the play .
Those remaining will camp the final night in the Kettle Moraine State Forest, about a half an hour outside of Milwaukee
NIGHT THREE: Camp in Kettle Moraine State Forest.
DAY FOUR (October 25): Drive back to Milwaukee.
MURDER NUMBER: 8-10 crows
Total Miles Hiked: 10 (whatever you choose to hike on your own at Devil’s Lake is not included in this total)
Total Cost: $577
(included in this value is car rental, gas, camping permits, camp reservations, the meal on Night Two, and RTW tickets for all. If you can’t attend the play, let me know and your total will be adapted to accomodate.)
As mentioned, New York Times bestseller Tia Levings will be in our murder to write, to breathe, to hike. Get to know her work by clicking the box below.
This trip is more of a writing/hiking trip than a backpacking trip. If you have camping gear already, or have access to borrow it, bring it! If you need camping gear, I have a limited number of tents, sleeping bags, blow-up mattresses, and packs, available to rent.
Each piece of gear is $50.00 to rent. If you need just one piece of gear, add $50. If you need all four, add $150 (one item thrown in for free). We will be in touch about your needs, and I’ll send you a Paypal invoice for the gear rental you need.