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One-night gatherings at the Learning Center
Storytelling has been an important part of the cultural landscape of the North Cascades for centuries, from when the first native people searched for trading routes through the crest to the colorful parade of miners, loggers, hikers, fire lookouts, climbers, rangers and dam workers that followed. Nestled at the foot of Sourdough Mountain, our Learning Center is the latest venue for in the Upper Skagit for intimate gatherings of Northwest artists, writers, naturalists and historians to share their own stories from the region.
Each Sourdough Speaker Series engagement begins Saturday around sunset with wine and hors d'œuvres on the deck of our lakeside dining hall before moving inside for an informal gourmet dinner of local and organic foods prepared by our renowned kitchen staff. A presentation by our guest speaker will follow, with ample time for questions, discussion and getting acquainted with others. Following Sunday morning’s coffee and breakfast, we'll offer an optional activity designed to get you outdoors, exploring the Learning Center’s neighborhood.
Your ticket includes two meals, a one-of-a-kind presentation and overnight accommodations in our comfortable guest lodges, as well as access to the Wild Ginger Library, our trail system and after-hours lounges. Dress is casual, of course. Your ticket confirmation will include travel directions, check-in information and other details. Attendance is limited to 40 guests; $95 per person for each event.
Register online by clicking the links below or call 360-856-5700 ext. 209.
Upcoming Sourdough Speakers:
» REGISTER NOW |
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Border Songs:
Writing Fiction about Washington State
Jim Lynch, novelist
Oct 10–11 (Sat–Sun)
Learning Center; $95
Readers all over the Pacific Northwest fell in love with Jim Lynch's debut novel set in the south Puget Sound, The Highest Tide, which the New York Times described as "graceful and inventive . . .(with) vivid imagery that allows the science of the ocean to blend easily with its poetry." A book club favorite, The Highest Tide won the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Award, has been published in eight different languages in 20 countries and was adapted for the stage in a successful run at Seattleís Book-It Theater. Needless to say, after a debut as thrilling as this, readers the world over are eagerly anticipating his second novel, Border Songs, due out in June. The story is set along the western end of the U.S.-Canadian border and juggles a variety of themes including terrorism paranoia, marijuana smuggling, dairy farming and the wonder of birds. Jim grew up in the Seattle area, graduated from the University of Washington and worked as newspaper reporter in Washington, D.C., Spokane, Portland and Seattle before turning to fiction full-time. He lives in Olympia with his wife and daughter.
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Quotes from Past Participants:
"The setting and the campus were beautiful and the other attendees were so congenial. Sourdough Speaker gatherings offer a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere created by the staff, the delicious, healthy food and, of course, last weekend's perfect fall weather. The setting is unsurpassed, the price is reasonable and the rooms comfortable and very clean."
"What did we enjoy most? Wow...tough choice. I liked the place, the staff, the speaker and the other guests. I guess I enjoyed the totality of the experience: People interested in nature, being in nature, talking about nature. I also liked the intention of the Learning Center, its commitment to green-friendly technologies and minimal footprint in the design, the utilities and its mission."
"What did we think about the Sourdough Speaker event? Very excellent! Flawless in its execution: friendly greeting, parking off-site, time to get situated, a variety of opportunities to explore, either with staff or without, for a few minutes or a few hours, interesting walk and talk, informed speakers, cool place, great dinner, comfortable lodging, clean (and green!) facilities."
"What did I enjoy most? I really couldn't say. I liked the whole experience: learning more about the Institute, eating lovely food, the speaker's presentation, meeting interesting people, being comfortably sheltered on a blustery night and wandering in the woods on a beautiful day after. Lovely!"
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