CROws with Quills: a Writing and hiking trek
This trip celebrates the glorious confluence of humans, Nature, and words
DAY ONE: Meet in Milwaukee and drive together to Parfey’s Glen, a beautiful gorge hidden in a friendly forest. Explore there, and then “slackpack” (the term for hiking without your backpacking gear) the seven miles of the Ice Age Trail (IAT) to Devil’s Lake State Park. I will have driven our gear to Devil’s Lake and will hike toward you and meet you in the forest.
NIGHT ONE: Camp together at Devil’s Lake.
DAY TWO: Enjoy all day at Devil’s Lake State Park, one of the most resplendent and interesting state parks in Wisconsin. Soak in the beauty of the high bluffs, the deciduous forests, the rivers, streams, and many hiking trails. Immerse your mind in the beauty and peace of Nature. Write as you please.
NIGHT TWO: Meet at camp for a meal (prepared by me) and a chance to read your favorite poems or passages from established writers. Around the campfire, we’ll share our writing from the day. Feedback can be received on request, but this is not a critique session, just a joyous place to breathe life into your words.
DAY THREE: Pack up camp and drive together to Gibraltar Rock, an incredible land mass overlooking a luscious expanse of Wisconsin farmland. Explore here, write here, read here. After several hours (true time TBD) we’ll meet on the bluffs and read our writing.
A mile hike back to the car, when we’ll drive to American Players Theater (APT), a world-famous and world class outdoor theater. We’ll see one of their incredible shows apart of their 2025 season (see their schedule here! Plays | American Players Theatre ) I personally want to see a Midsummer Night’s Dream, but they don’t have their schedule for the 2025 season yet, so we will see whatever is showing on June 13!)
NIGHT THREE: Camp at Tower Hill State Park, located across the highway from APT.
DAY FOUR: Drive back to Milwaukee.
MURDER NUMBER: 4-6 crows
Total Miles Hiked: 10 (whatever you choose to hike on your own at Devil’s Lake is not included in this total)
Total Cost: $527
(included in this value is car rental, gas, camping permits, camp reservations, the meal on Night Two, and APT tickets for all.)
This trip is more of a writing/hiking trip than a backpacking trip. So, no backpacking gear is necessarily needed. If you have camping gear already, or have access to borrow it, bring it! If you need camping gear, I have tents, sleeping bags, blow-up mattresses, and packs, available to rent.
Each piece of gear is $50.00 to rent. If you need just one piece of gear, add $50. If you need all four, add $200. We will be in touch about your needs, and I’ll send you a Paypal invoice for the gear rental you need.