Tag: washington state poet laureate

Time to Say Thank You and Farewell

On By Elizabeth AustenLeave a comment

My notebooks are full of DIY phonetic pronunciations of Washington place-names (“pond-or-RAY”), snippets of landscape descriptions (“so many shades of green, and not one the color of money”), early drafts of what eventually became poems for Bedtime Stories, Citizenship Day and Country Doctor Community Clinics, ideas about how to improve a workshop or a prompt, new favorite restaurants (Cugini, in Walla Walla).

No two years of my life have passed more quickly — or been as rewarding on so many levels — as these. The whole experience of serving as the Washington State poet laureate was an incredible privilege, and I grew as a writer, teacher and person in ways I suspect I will be assimilating for some time.

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Hike & Write Deception Pass State Park: Aug. 10, 2014

On By Elizabeth AustenLeave a comment
Deception Pass State Park
Let’s hike at Deception Pass State Park, and see what we have to say about it.

Join me at  Deception Pass State Park for the second “Hike & Write with the Poet Laureate.”

When:  1pm on Sunday, Aug. 10

Where: Pass Lake parking lot at Deception Pass State Park

What:  After a brief introduction, we’ll take a short, meditative hike on the Pass Lake trail, then do a brief, guided writing session in response to our walk. No previous experience with hiking or writing needed. Total hike is about 3 miles; we’ll wrap up by 3p.

Why: Because it’s summer, and who wants to be cooped up at a desk?

This event is free, and you don’t need to register in advance — just make sure your vehicle has a Discover Pass. (Better yet – carpool with someone who has a pass.)

Please bring: a notebook and pen/pencil, water, a snack and extra layers of clothing, including a rain jacket.

Hike & Write With Me at Cama Beach State Park, July 20, 2014

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"Hike & Write with the Poet Laureate" begins July 20 at Cama Beach State Park.
“Hike & Write with the Poet Laureate” begins July 20 at Cama Beach State Park.

Grab your notebook, daypack* and Discover Pass and meet me at Cama Beach State Park at 1p on July 20 for “Hike & Write with the Poet Laureate.”

I’m kicking off a brand new part of my work as your Washington State Poet Laureate, combining two of my great loves: writing and hiking.

We’ll meet at 1pm on Sunday, July 20 at the Cama Beach State Park Welcome Center for a brief conversation about poetry, take a short (less than 2 miles) hike on one of the park’s trails, then stop to do some writing together. The event will wrap up by 3p. After that, of course, I hope you’ll continue hiking or writing as the landscape and your mood inspire you.

This is a free program, and there’s no need to register in advance — you just need to be sure your vehicle has a Discover Pass.

Find directions to Cama Beach here.

*Your daypack should include water, snacks and extra layers of clothing, including a rain jacket. And don’t forget that notebook and pen!

The next Hike & Write event will be  Sunday, August 10 at 1p at Deception Pass State Park on Whidbey Island.