ExpLORE: PNW Field Trips to the Storied, Liminal, & Strange

What's going on with the Mima Mounds? Come check it out - Presidents' Day, February 16th! We'll walk around, talk about formation theories and maybe have an interesting experience or two.

We'll do a bit of an introduction to the geological mystery, including theories on what the mounds are or how they were formed, and what the implications of the formation might be. We might discuss a bit of the Native explanations and the possible connection to faeries and non-human beings. If you're interested in doing a bit of research beforehand and sharing we'd love to hear what you have to say - there are several theories and it could be interesting to see what the consensus is....

There will be time for us to walk together and to branch off, observe, and see what comes up. Is one of the popular theories sounding more likely after your visit? Try some meditations or connect with the wildlife. We'll join up after a bit and if anyone would like to share we can take a moment to do so.

A few notes:
You need a Discover Pass
Please prepare for the weather

Depending on the time allowances and weather there could be a secondary stop near the ghost town of Bordeaux. Although the actual town is located on private property and we won't be trespassing there are some places in the vicinity to park and explore the woods - maybe take a walk and do a little light ghost hunting.

Join up before sunset (happens at 8:09pm) for a visit to the oldest standing church in Washington State (1858) and the historic cemetery at Claquato.

https://www.lewistalk.com/2018/07/15/ghost-town-claquato-washington/

We'll have some time to walk around before dusk and do a little light ghost hunting. Bring your spiritual protection and EMF readers!

April 21st is the peak of the Lyrids - they mostly start at midnight and get better as the night goes on but it is a Tuesday and it might not be possible to stay out that late. We'll hold out for a bit and hope we can see a few.. Look NE for the best action!

Additionally, we'll do a bit more research on where we can sit respectfully and quietly because the cemetery closes at 4pm but the nearby Pioneer Tree doesn't list hours - I don't want to be disrespectful or have locals upset about us sitting out there but I also think a public space to gather and watch a meteor shower is pretty agreeable. How could they get mad? We'd also still be in an interesting spot to keep those EVP devices going, hahaha!

Bring anything you'd like to comfortably watch the skies like blankets to spread out or chairs. We'd probably wrap up well before the peak but it could be a fun night!

How about watching the Summer Solstice Sunrise at the Maryhill Stonehenge Memorial?

The site sells tickets that day - Price has yet to be released but it includes a campsite for up to 4 people, evening + sunrise programs, and museum admission. So we'll see how it plays out! Here is their page for the event: https://www.maryhillmuseum.org/events/solstice-at-stonehenge#

What else is in the area? The Goldendale Observatory - we could visit Friday the 19th or potentially Saturday the 20th and then head out to Maryhill Stonehenge?
Goldendale Observatory: https://www.goldendaleobservatory.com/visit.html

There are many waterfalls in the area and we could visit those as a group as well

Timing is a bit flexible because it's a three-day-weekend to celebrate Juneteenth, so it could be okay to plan events for Friday.

More information to follow as we get closer to the event