Around The Bend: Central Oregon Intentional Community

Greetings ladies! This months theme for Tea & Talks will be Rhythms Of Winter: preparing for a season of rest and rejuvenation, healthy productivity (having self-grace while we still achieve from a place of lower energy), and allow enjoyment and peace during a chaotic time of year.

Please join me for a relaxing evening of sipping tea and chatting with friends. Last Moai of the year! I’ll be leading us in an open discussion about the above topic. The goal is to connect & exchange ideas with each other in a way that feels like a tight knit group of friends. You can share or just listen:) PLEASE bring a snack &/OR a beverage to share if you are able, the first 45 min we will be socializing and snacking.

PLEASE update your RSVP if you cannot make it. We have had about a 50% or less attendance rate for these events and it makes it VERY hard to plan and prepare when I don't know how many are coming, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING CONSIDERATE!

You are welcome to join this group series at anytime. We are aiming to meet once a month to build intentional community.

Here is a description of my vision for this group:

I have a beautiful vision to create an intentional community of supportive, connective women who do life together🌻

The word Moai comes from Okinawa, Japan. You may have heard this term if you watched the show “Live to 100” on Netflix. Okinawa is one of the blue zone hotspots for people who live extraordinarily long lives of higher quality. The “Moai” is the name they give to social support groups that are started in childhood and carried on through the 100s; that is to say one of the main reasons these people live so long and so happy is because they live intentionally connected to each other🦋

In our world of every (wo)man for themself, hustle culture, extreme individuality and independence, we want to create space to turn inward to each other. To slow down, connect, hear each other’s stories, encourage, teach, laugh, learn and create with you✨

Let’s get our steps in…vertically!!!

Spiciness Level: 🔥

Lace up your hiking boots and join me for a spicy hike on the Burma Road Loop — a moderately challenging hike at Smith Rock State Park featuring views of Crooked River and lots of rocks!

Trail stats (AllTrails):

• Length: 7.1 miles
• Elevation gain: 1,213 ft
• Estimated time: 3.5-4 hrs
• Trail type: loop

Meeting Point: Smith Rock Welcome Center @ 9 AM. Running late? Send me a message on Meetup.

Fee / Permits:

• Daily parking permit for $10 or 12-month parking permit for $30
  (Oregon State Parks Pass)
• $5 to encourage reliable RSVPs and reduce no-shows, while also helping me plan the outing 💛 Please Venmo $5 to Madilyn directly to secure your spot @Madilyn-Schwer and include the caption "Spicy Hike" (bring up to 2 guests for no additional fee!)
• A quick note: My hikes are normally free — this $5 is simply a system I’m trying out to help cover planning and snack costs, and because there’s a little psychology behind it: people tend to be more committed when they’ve invested even a small amount. This fee is a tool to help reduce no-shows. As a thank you, I will provide bubbly water and a small gluten-free snack at the end while we chat about the hike :)
• Need to cancel? No worries — I’m happy to reimburse your $5 if you let me know in advance.

What to bring:

• Hiking boots or walking shoes
• Layers
• Sunblock
• Plenty of water (2-2.5 L)
• Trail munchies
• Trekking poles (optional)
• Binoculars/camera (optional)

Pace & Accessibility:

• We’ll move at a moderate pace with several rest and water breaks.
• Open to anyone who enjoys exploring the outdoors.

Safety:

• I’m a Registered Nurse with CPR & First Aid certifications, and I’ll have a small medical kit.
• By joining this hike, you acknowledge the inherent risks of outdoor activities. You are responsible for your own safety and fitness. By RSVPing, you agree that the organizer is not liable for injuries or incidents that may occur.

Important: If you RSVP but cannot attend, please cancel your RSVP so others can join.
Can’t wait to hike with you and enjoy some vertical adventure! 🏔️🔥