ALILA MOMENT
Nature's Muse: A Poetic Journey in Big Sur
Price
$160
Duration
60 minutes
Recommended Dress
Closed toed shoes, sun protection, water bottle, comfortable clothing and layers
Additional Details
Poet Information: Rachelle Escamilla is the Poet Laureate of Monterey County and has been writing, publishing, and teaching poetry for more than two decades. She is available pending her availability.
Experience
In Big Sur, nature speaks in rhythms—wind through redwoods, waves against stone, light filtering through coastal fog. Nature’s Muse is an invitation to step into that rhythm and experience the landscape poetically.
Crafted in creative partnership with Yrsa Daley-Ward and led by Rachelle Escamilla, the Poet Laureate of Monterey County, this progressive 60-minute journey unfolds across three locations on Ventana’s 160-acre grounds. Along the way, guests engage in poetic reflection and expressive writing—guided by sensory prompts, movement, and moments of shared creativity. From childhood memory to external observation, each stop offers a new lens through which to see, feel, and respond.
This experience isn’t about writing the perfect poem. It’s about giving voice to what rises up when we pause, look closer, and listen with our whole selves.
Itinerary
Circle of Life: Roots and Reverence
Begin beneath the towering redwoods at the Circle of Life grove. Here, guests are invited to slow down and listen—to the forest, to their breath, and to the space between thoughts. Guided by Rachelle Escamilla, Poet Laureate of Monterey County, this opening moment blends grounding techniques, curated poems, and nature-inspired prompts that reawaken the senses.
The Garden: Memory in Bloom
Surrounded by the textures and scents of the organic garden, guests explore early memory through guided writing. A question as simple as “Where did you play as a child?” becomes the seed for deeper reflection, supported by tactile elements from the earth and thoughtful pauses between words.
Sur Vista: Expansion and Expression
The experience culminates at Sur Vista, where the vast Pacific stretches beyond the cliffs. Here, guests are invited to turn outward and explore the self in relation to the wider world. With prompts designed to inspire creative risk, this final chapter invites quiet revelation, shared readings, and a moment of stillness to carry forward.
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