Last year, Bookshop launched a new series of outdoor book-related events—Bookshop Santa Cruz Outdoors— combining our love of nature with our love of reading! This series of excursions is centered on themes such as writing, birding, photography, and poetry, and the hikes are led by authors of books relating to each event’s focus. We are happy to announce a wonderful line-up of events for our 2010 season, below.
Check out photos and art from one of our past events
2010 Season
HIKE & POETRY with Ellen Bass
Saturday, April 24th at 2 p.m.
at Wilder Ranch State Park
We are launching a new season of our popular event series, Bookshop Santa Cruz Outdoors, with a Hike & Poetry excursion led by Ellen Bass. Be inspired by nature while discovering your poetic voice. Join local poet Ellen Bass as she leads a moderate hike through beautiful Wilder Ranch State Park and guides you through writing exercises inspired by the natural world. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. Purchase tickets in the store or by phone (831-423-0900).
HIKE & MYSTERY with Laurie King
Saturday, June 19th at 2:00
Henry Cowell State Park
Murder Among the Redwoods
Crime fiction delights in contrast: violence in a quiet library; a bloodthirsty little old lady. With that in mind, a peaceful walk through the quiet woods with a crime writer becomes an entirely new experience, with threat lurking in the most bucolic and unlikely setting. Join bestselling author Laurie R. King for a guided walk through the redwoods at Henry Cowell State Park, as her twisted mind comes up with ever more ingenious ways to commit mayhem on the innocent, and more seriously, to explore the ways in which setting is used to define and add dimension to a fictional thrill.
HIKE & PHOTOGRAPHY with Ken Alley
Saturday, August 7th at 10:00 am
Henry Cowell State Park
Beginning and experienced photographers alike will enjoy this event led by popular Cabrillo College photography instructor Ken Alley. All that is required of participants is a camera (anything from a point-and-shoot to a SLR), a general interest in photography, and a desire to observe. The gorgeous redwoods of Henry Cowell will allow the group to shoot in an easy to traverse area that has good light and some real challenges. Learn to take what you see and make sense of it photographically, with the guidance of a great teacher.
This event is sold out. If you are interested, please call us to have your name put on the waiting list in case of cancelations.
HIKE & SKETCH with Tom Killion
October 2010
Bay Area artist Tom Killion returns this fall to lead a Hike & Sketch event in the beauty of the Pogonip. Killion's Bookshop Outdoors event sold out quickly last year, so be sure to sign up to receive Bookshop email (or check this website regularly for details as they become available) to get first crack at tickets this season.
- TICKETS GO ON SALE SUNDAY, AUGUST 8TH! -
click here for more information
2009 Season
Hike & Write with Dan White
Saturday, April 18th
in the Pogonip
The series kicked off on April 18th with an event with Dan White, author of The Cactus Eaters: How I Lost My Mind—and Almost Found Myself—on the Pacific Crest Trail. Dan led this hike and series of impromptu writing exercises through the treasured Santa Cruz Pogonip. The scenic 640-acre expanse was the perfect setting for participants to practice writing themselves into nature. We had a wonderful time and left very excited about future events.
Hike & Poetry with Patrice Vecchione
Saturday, May 30th
in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Our second Bookshop Outdoors event was a Hike & Poetry afternoon with Patrice Vecchione, author of Writing and the Spiritual Life. Guided by Ms. Vecchione's writing exercises and inspired by the beauty of the surrounding redwoods, participants immersed themselves in poetry and explored the strength and resonance of their inner voices.
Family Hike & Explore
Saturday, June 27th at 10 a.m.
at Natural Bridges State Park
Host Martha Nitzberg, the lead interpretive naturalist of Natural Bridges State Park, led a two hour event filled with activity and discovery. Centered around the tidepools at Natural Bridges, it brought the event’s companion book,
One Small Square: Seashore to life!
Hike & Birding with Todd Newberry
Saturday, September 19th & Sunday, September 20th at 7:30 am at Natural Bridges State Park
Local birding expert Todd Newberry, author of The Ardent Birder: On the Craft of Birdwatching, led two Hike & Birding events at Natural Bridges. Mr. Newberry’s passion for the “lovely madness” of bird-watching, combined with his field expertise, made for delightful and insightful excursions. Participants received a copy of The Ardent Birder in addition to Todd's guidance, insight, and enthusiasm.
Hike & Sketch with Tom Killion
Saturday, October 17th in the Pogonip
Outstanding Bay Area artist Tom Killion led our Hike & Sketch event last fall. Known for his gorgeous woodcut prints of the local landscape, Killion begins each of his printing projects with extensive on-site sketching (he never works from photos). We were excited to team up with him to provide participants with an unforgettable afternoon of beauty and inspiration.
Photo by Joy McCauley
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