Hi wanderers!
In August, our community will be joining friends from St. Stephen’s Hollywood & Saint Be Eagle Rock for a contemplative hike at Ernest Debs Regional Park on Sunday, August 27, 2023 at 11:00am
Trailhead Address: 4235 Monterey Road, Los Angeles, CA 90032
We will meet in the lot of Debs Park and hike up to the small lake. We will have time for a little walk and quiet reflection, as well as our typical dialogue. Debs is described as a “ lovely green space near the Arroyo Seco. Birds are abundant here, and the air will probably be filled with birdsong as you hike its mostly easily-graded trails and fire roads.”
More details on the park are available at: Ernest E. Debs Regional Park in the Arroyo Seco | Modern Hiker
This trail is in Montecito Heights, CA and is part of traditional, sacred, and unceded land of the Chumash, Tongva-Gabrieleño, and other Indigenous peoples. We must be mindful of the fact that this is native land. Consider what that means to you and to us as we hike. How can we best honor the land and those from whom it is stolen?
We encourage all those who live and move on indigenous lands to learn about the history of this land and to be active in responding to the deep wounds caused by colonization. We also ask all who wander with us to support the Tongva Land Conservancy and the indigenous communities who, at great cost, care and have cared for the lands on which we live and walk.
We know that the land we walk together is scarred by layered histories of abuse - culturally and ecologically. Our hikes take place on traditional, sacred, unceded land of many indigenous tribes. We are working to be part of a movement for renewed relationship & restitution.
Regardless of who you are, who you love, your beliefs or understandings, we hope you will feel welcomed, affirmed, embraced, and heard if you wander with us.
We recognize that the very nature of our wanderings requires a level of ability that is not a reality for all. We support one another while hiking our hike. We also recognize that the outdoors is not always a safe and welcoming space for all. We do our very best to create an environment of hospitality that honors the complex realities each person brings with them to the trail.
Please send an RSVP to payton.hoegh@spiritualityinnature.org so we know who to expect!
Recommended gear: Comfortable shoes, Sun hat, Layers, Sun block, Water and Snacks
Here's what we've been digging into these past few weeks:
Essay - Every Moment Shouts ‘I am here’ - Center for Action & Contemplation
Poem - Montañas - José Manuel Arango
Audio - Soul Bloom - Rainn Wilson
Hope to see you soon.
// paz