Lake Merritt Camino Walk + Optional Brunch

Saturday, April 2, 10:30 am

This is an informal gathering that takes place on the first Saturday of the month, rain or shine. The group meets at the Lake Merritt Pergola on the east side of Oakland’s Lake Merritt at 10:30 and starts walking at 10:45 in a clockwise direction around the lake.
Optional no-host brunch. We will gather for a post-walk brunch to celebrate the Pilgrims leaving in April.   Details on the Facebook event and NorCal APOC Chapter page.

Update 3/4: Thirteen thirsty peregrinos gathered at Barlago Italian Kitchen and had a great time talking Camino. Don’t miss the May 7th walk and brunch.

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Point Reyes Hike + Optional Hostel Stay

Saturday, April 9, 10:30 am

Join us for a hike in Point Reyes as we walk among spring wildflowers to the beach along the Drakes Estero trail, and later to Chimney Rock. Distance is about 10 miles. Pace will be moderate. Bring lunch, a liter or two of water, and a wind jacket and hat. Plan on a late return. After the hike, we will adjourn for beer and/or dinner in Pt. Reyes Station. Allow about 90 minutes to drive from San Francisco or Berkeley to the Drakes Estero Parking Lot. To navigate with GPS,  click here or used coordinates 38.0815, -122.9141

RVSP on the Facebook event to get updates and coordinate carpools.
Hike is cancelled by rain. This is an out-and-back hike, not a loop, so if you’re late, you can catch up with the group.

Optional: Overnight stay at the Pt. Reyes Hostel, Camino style! $29 per night for a shared dorm room. Reserve at: www.norcalhostels.org/reyes

Details and RSVP on the Facebook event and NorCal APOC Chapter page

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Free National Park Week
April 16 – 24
U.S. National Parks

Take a hike! During Free National Park Week, entry will be waived at all of your favorite hiking and historical destinations, including Muir Woods National Monument and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. National Park Week, April 16 to 24, 2016, is America’s largest celebration of national heritage. It’s about making great connections, exploring amazing places, discovering open spaces, enjoying affordable vacations and enhancing America’s best idea—the national parks! It’s all happening in your national parks. Watch 1 minute video with historic footage.

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TRAILHEAD Screening

Sunday, April 17th at 1 pm
Roxie Theater in San Francisco

The documentary is an official selection at the San Francisco Green Film Festival, and will be featured in a group of short films.

What people are saying about TRAILHEAD:

“It’s spectacular.”
Chip Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle

Scott “Shroomer” Williams writes, “It’s a great little film.  I lived on Dimond, 1/2 a block from the park for several years back when I was in college and used to hike up that canyon all the time.  I couldn’t believe I was still in Oakland it’s so wild and beautiful.  Great to see it get its due. ”

NorCal members of APOC can reserve this DVD from our CaminoFlix library. Contact me for details.

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Full Moon Hike

Wednesday, April 20, 6:30 – 9:45 pm
Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley: Inspiration Point

There’s nothing like hiking under a full moon! Join a trained REI Outdoor School Instructor for a special moonlit adventure at a nearby park. We’ll also teach you a few tips for hiking at any time of day. See location details for more information on the venue.  Member: $25 Non Member: $45 Sign up

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Save the Dates:

A WALK AROUND THE UC BERKELEY CAMPUS

Sunday, May 1, 10:30 am

UC Berkeley is one of the great universities of the world, and one of our many Bay Area urban treasures.  If you are not familiar with the campus, this NorCal chapter event promises to be great educational opportunity, and also an easy and relaxed walk.

This enjoyable 5-mile walk through the park-like campus will familiarize you with the schools, departments and other significant features that have made UC Berkeley the #1 public university in the nation.  If you are a Cal Alum, don’t miss this opportunity to join the group and share your stories about this special and beautiful place.

We will start our walk in Berkeley’s Elmwood neighborhood and approach the university from the South through the Clark Kerr campus.  Bring a lunch and we will eat around noon near the Campanile.  To get us back to our starting point in the Elmwood, we will take a short bus ride, so bring exact change (adult $2.10, senior (65+) and youth $1.05).

Date and time:  Sunday May 1, 2016.  Meet at 10:30 am.  We will start walking at 11:00 am.
Meeting place:  2957 Hillegass Avenue, Berkeley, CA.  Look for the yellow arrows.
Parking:  Because this is a Sunday, there is on-street, unrestricted neighborhood parking.
Walk leader:  Emilio Escudero
BART and AC Transit access:  If you would rather not drive, consider taking transit.  From the BART Rockridge Station, take the AC Transit 51B bus for a short hop over to the corner of College and Ashby.  The meeting place is only two blocks away on Hillegass Avenue.

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Third Annual Pilgrim Get Together in Lake Tahoe
July 22-24, 2016

David Jennings  is hosting the 3^rd Annual Pilgrim Renewal on July 22, 23, 24  at North Lake Tahoe, Mt. Rose Campground (above Incline Village, NV.)  Veteran Pilgrims and those planning to do a Camino are welcome.

Campsites have been reserved at the Mt. Rose Federal campground for tent campers, and all meals and activities are centered at the campground.  Home stays can be provided for those who do not tent camp.
Friday, 22^nd Happy Hour Social at 5:30 PM at Campground followed by a community dinner.
Saturday, 23^rd (Feast day of St. James) Breakfast at Campground followed by a hike (moderate 7+/- miles), but depending on turnout there may be options.  Evening Mass, with social time and dinner to follow at campground.
Sunday, 24^th Breakfast followed by a hike (5-6 miles) returning to cars for return home about 2:30PM.  The weekend with the exception of minimal camping fee is donativo.
Early reservations are much appreciated to assure space for everyone. Contact Walt Scheer for Campground reservations or Dave Jennings for home stays.

More details on our Facebook Group and  NorCal Chapter page coming soon.

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The new Camino Provides patch

My Camino is coming up in May and I am getting very excited!  I designed a patch for my own backpack and ordered extra to sell on Etsy. They are different than any other Camino patch because there’s no cross, sword or arrow. Just a simple shell design with “The Camino Provides”, a phrase often heard as pilgrims hit a challenge of some sort on the Camino, then a solution magically appears. The shell points the way along the Camino and reminds us to keep moving forward in life. Ultreia!  Click for more details

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If you know of any Camino related events for the SF Bay Area that should be included in the monthly roundup, please use the comment form below, or email me.

For those that live elsewhere, there are Camino hotspots nationwide and the American Pilgrims on the Camino (APOC) website has a listing of local chapters where you can find pilgrim events. There are also many active Facebook groups to learn about events in your region.

See you on the trail!
Laurie