Yosemite’s high country is the place to be during mid-summer as the park starts heating up in earnest. We are still putting together details for the Field Trip on July 19, but if you are interested and would like to be kept posted on the latest info, please fill out the RSVP & Interest form so that we can let you know what is going on.
The Schedule (roughly)
10am – Meet at Tenaya Lake, on the eastern side of the lake (with the big beach, parking lot and restrooms) on the side of the beach closer to the road in a spot with a bit of shade.
We will do brief introductions, and then get right to nature journaling. Those who are experienced nature journalers already are welcome to start immediately, while those newer to nature journaling or looking for more guidance/structure/information are welcome to hang out with me for a while to get started.
12 pm – Regroup for a potluck picnic lunch. Please let us know in advance if you or anyone in your group has any dietary preferences or restrictions. Not all dishes necessarily need to be appropriate for everyone, but by letting everyone know a few days ahead of time, we hope that everyone will be able to share.
Lunch will also be a great time to share our journals or things that we’ve noticed by laying our journals out for others to look at. This is entirely optional, of course, but it is often fun to see what others have noticed, or what questions they have had, during the morning session.
This concludes the strictly nature journaling part of the day.
AND ALSO….
2-3:30 pm – after lunch, Dacher Keltner, a UC Berkeley professor who studies awe, is giving a presentation for the Parsons Memorial Lodge Summer Series. His research shows that even relatively short exposure to wondrous things, like nature, can measurably change how people relate to themselves and the world around them for the better, and feels related to nature journaling to me. So, we are inviting everyone to relocate to the Soda Springs area for his presentation, and possibly a short discussion afterward if people are interested.
6:00 pm – Stick around for a folk music concert at 6 pm by the Pacific Wrens. The mother-daughter duo are both active members of the nature journaling community (and make lovely music together).
And finally, if you are able to make a weekend of it, Amy Tan is going to give a presentation about her delightful new book, The Backyard Bird Chronicles, the following day (Sunday, July 20) at 2 pm. That book springs from Amy’s backyard nature journaling practice, and is worth checking out if you haven’t yet.
What to Bring?
Nature Journaling supplies – this can be as elaborate or simple as you like. Having something to write with and on is key, but that can be a pad of paper and a pencil/pen or a bound nature journal with fountain pens and watercolors, or whatever appeals to you. That’s up to you. There are some picnic tables and benches at Tenaya Lake, but you may also want to bring a chair or blanket of your own.
Something to share for the potluck picnic. As I hear back from more people, I can provide some guidance about people’s dietary preferences, though not every dish needs to be an option for every person. Again, please let me know if you have some dietary preferences so we can all plan a dish that everyone can share.
Your personal supplies for a morning/day in nature. This would include things like, water, snacks, sun protection, and insect repellent. Tuolumne mornings tend to be pretty cold, so a wide range of clothing layers/jackets is highly recommended. The water in Tenaya Lake is refreshingly cold… so you may also want to bring swimwear and towels if you’d like to take a dip.
Camping?
A few of us managed to get camping reservations at Porcupine Flat Campground! If you’re interested in camping, (or carpooling), please fill out this form and get in touch with each other about sharing camping or transportation.