8 days/7 nights. Dates: May 24-31, 2008
Join us for a powerful week of transformation as we journey into the sacred landscape and spiritual heart of the American Southwest, reconnecting with our own inner wisdom by accessing the eternal wisdom inherent in nature.
“We depend on nature not only for our physical survival; we also need nature to show us the way home, the way out of the prison of our own minds…we have forgotten what rocks, plants and animals still know. We have forgotten how to ‘be’ – to be still, to be ourselves, to be where life is: Here and Now.”
—Eckhart Tolle, Stillness Speaks
This trip is designed be an intimate journey of spiritual awareness; and is limited to a maximum of 6 participants.
We’ll proceed on our journey by passing through the magnificent Vermillion Cliffs region of Northern Arizona, stopping to stretch our legs and enjoy a picnic lunch in the amazing natural beauty of the area. Continuing on to Torrey, Utah, we’ll spend the night at the highly acclaimed Sky Ridge B&B. The following day we’ll make our way to the sacred and mysterious Horseshoe Canyon, in the legendary Canyonlands National Park. Here we’ll hike down into this remote canyon to visit the Great Gallery, often referred to as the ‘Louvre of the Southwest’, and one of the most spectacular examples of prehistoric Native American rock painting in North America.
Later we’ll head to the luxurious Sorrell River Ranch near Moab, Utah, situated on the banks of the powerfully healing Colorado River. Here you can choose either a day of experiencing Moab’s profound power sites with Fran and Clay, or if you feel called instead to reintegrate mind, body and spirit through bodywork treatments such as reflexology or cranial/sacral therapy, an optional spa day at the resort is available. Our Sorrell River Ranch visit will also include a serene sunset rafting trip on the Colorado river.
We’ll experience the profound mystery of the aptly named Valley of the Gods en route to Monument Valley, where we’ll meet our Navajo guide for a horseback ride to sacred Native American sites. The following day we’ll head back to Sedona, where we’ll arrive once more at El Portal for a farewell dinner, then spend one final night at El Portal before parting company the following morning.
Your guides on this journey will be Fran Connely-Duda and Clay Miller.
Participants in the Utah/Canyonlands Tour must be in good physical condition. This journey includes one rigorous 7 mile roundtrip hike into a remote canyon that takes place in full sun, with little shade. While we’ll be following a well-maintained Forest Service trail and we’ll take a leisurely pace, each participant will be required to carry their own day pack into the canyon and the trek is moderately strenuous. Average October temperatures are 73-78 degrees during the day, and 45-48 degrees at night.