The Tenth Anniversary Roam

I started Roaming Zen in 2016, right after I had left residential practice at San Francisco Zen Center. I had been enjoying exploring the city - running, hiking and cycling - for many years, and also appreciated opportunities to meditate outside; combining the two was a natural extension to this. I had a small mailing list that I sent an invite out to, and about a dozen people showed up to support my venture.

The Lobos Creek Trail was a draw for me after its restoration, so that was the focus for the first roam, in March 2016. Some 260 roams later, we will retrace the route that we took then (though we will start a couple of blocks away from the original meeting point).

This roam will include the sand ladder up from Baker Beach, which some of the participants in the first go around found quite tough, so please be prepared for that - as well as a short stretch of the beach itself, some other dirt sections and a little more climbing.

Bringing water, snacks, and layers for all the microclimates is the way to go. Roams over the winter months are somewhat weather dependent, and this may get rescheduled depending on the forecast. I will send an email to everyone who has signed up if we have to postpone or cancel.

These roams are offered by donation. They are one way I am able to pay my rent in San Francisco.

Punctuality is always appreciated. Please send a message on the app if you are running a little late. I can usually respond to messages before we get underway, but then I won't be checking my phone. Meetup has now added a "share location" feature, so you will be able to catch up.

I know Meetup is notorious for no-shows and late changes of rsvp. I am not as strict as other organisers (we do talk to each other!), but I do track those who regularly drop off or no-show, and have disinvited several people with dismal attendance records, as it is discourteous for others who would like to attend.