Attuning to Ebb and Flow: An Earth Pilgrimage in the Pacific Northwest

The Olympic Peninsula in Washington state offers a rare and unique experience of rugged terrain, plentiful life, and ecosystems so rich and diverse that they abundantly sustain body, mind and spirit. Anchored in the Olympic Mountains, this liminal space is bordered by the Pacific Ocean, Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

On this pilgrimage, we’ll walk the Earth, exploring and honoring land, sea and sky. We will learn from First Nation peoples as we tune in to the spectacular beauty and wisdom of the landscape we’ll call home for the week. As we slow our pace, our awareness of the ebb and flow of all of nature heightens, and we become increasingly present to the beckoning of our own interior rhythm. We invite you to dedicate a week and join with others on a similar path as we reclaim and reaffirm our place within the ancient, sacred wisdom of Creation.

Margaret Benefiel, Shalem’s executive director, is an experienced pilgrimage and retreat leader. She grew up in the Pacific Northwest at the foot of the Olympic Peninsula and spent many happy hours at the sites this pilgrimage will visit. Margaret has served in various leadership roles in Spiritual Directors International and as co-chair of the Christian Spirituality Group of the American Academy of Religion. She is the author of Soul at Work and The Soul of a Leader and co-editor of The Soul of Supervision.

Leah Ramy is an experienced retreat, seminar and pilgrimage leader and Shalem’s former executive director. She is passionate about contemplative ecology and sharing her love for Earth and is thrilled to be leading this pilgrimage again. Leah and her husband live on eight acres in the Shenandoah Valley where they use restorative agriculture and permaculture principles to create their gardens and expand the habitat for pollinators and animals.

$2,550 per person, double occupancy

Cost includes coach travel to and from SeaTac Airport and Juan de Fuca Cottages; seven nights accommodation, double occupancy, at Juan de Fuca Cottages; seven breakfasts, three lunches, seven dinners; entrance to Olympic National Park; coach travel and entrance to all specified pilgrimage sites. * Cost does not include airfare.

Payment Schedule
$500 per person (non-refundable deposit) due to Shalem to reserve your space. Reserving your space is contingent upon receipt of your deposit.
$1,025 per person (interim payment) due July 14, 2017
$1,025 per person (final payment) due August 14, 2017
(Single supplement of $800, if applicable, will be due with final payment.)

Apply Now

Pay deposit online and you will fill out this form during checkout, or download and mail the PDF form here.

If you must cancel your reservation, refunds will be made as follows:
Cancellations received on or before July 21, 2017: 50% of monies received minus $500 nonrefundable deposit; no refunds will be made for cancellations received after July 21, 2017. Shalem reserves the right to cancel the pilgrimage for any reason, in which case you will receive a full refund of all monies paid.