CANCELLED: April Supermoon Sunset Herb Walk & After-Party

Ojai moonrise photo: Joe P. Powers (https://joepowersphotography.com)

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UPDATE (March 28): As recently as a week ago, considering that walking and hiking in nature are considered essential activities, I consulted with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and, based on their approval of my plan, I was going to offer the April 7 walk with a limit of 10 people who would be asked to maintain 6 feet of social distancing. We would not have a carpool to the trailhead and the Azu restaurant “after-party” would be left out of the equation. Since then I’ve come to realize that even though my strategy was most likely safe it’s best if I cancel the event and do my part to encourage maximum compliance with sheltering at home, maintaining social distancing, and avoiding crowds on trails.

If you were already signed up and pre-paid for this walk, please see the email that went out to you today from register@herbwalks.com.

On Tuesday evening, April 7, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., I’ll lead another Supermoon Sunset Herb Walk to a vista point above the Ojai Valley where we can watch the simultaneous sunset and moonrise.  The the sun will set at about 7:00 p.m and full moon will rise at about 7:25 p.m., giving us a perfect window of time to take it all in. Following the walk is an optional “after-party” at Azu Restaurant and Ojai Valley Brewery for delicious food and local, native herb-infused beers and non-alcoholic beverages.

When the full moon occurs during the Moon’s closest approach to Earth, when the center of the Moon is less than 360,000 kilometers (ca. 223,694 miles) from the center of Earth, it is often called a “supermoon.” This is the second of two supermoons in 2020.

We’ll meet at the Park-and-Ride lot downtown between 5:00 and 5:30 p.m. and carpool to the trailhead to minimize the crowded parking situation there. Then we’ll gradually walk about 1 mile to the vista point, stopping along the way to meet some valuable native plants including:

Coastal Sagebrush
Toyon
Wild Oats
Elderberry
Purple Sage and
Hollyleaf Cherry

After witnessing the rising of the moon and setting of the sun, we’ll walk back to the trailhead by remaining daylight, moonlight, and flashlight, returning to the Park-and-Ride lot by 8:30 p.m.

Then at 8:45 p.m. you’re invited to join me and Rondia across the street from the Park-and-Ride lot at the combined Azu Restaurant & Ojai Valley Brewery where manager Elizabeth Haffner, brewmaster Jeremy Haffner and the chef have planned a special prix fixe Beer Paired Tasting Menu (see below) featuring a flight of 4 beers paired with a seasonal menu. Those who complete payment for the walk will receive instructions for reserving the custom dinner. If they choose not to reserve, they can still order beverages, appetizers or entrees à la carte from the regular menu.

Jeremy’s brews change with the seasons and reflect the plants of Ojai. Three staples you’re likely to find on his list any time of year are Sugar Bush IPA, brewed with wild local Ojai “Sugar Bush” Sumac; White Pixie Ale, brewed with Pixie tangerine zests and orchard blossoms; and an amazing Chaparral Ale flavored and bittered with White and Black Sage and local Sagebrush instead of the usual Hops. Jeremy describes it as “built to mimic the scent on Shelf Road.” That’s where we’ll be walking! Non-alcoholic offerings also change with the seasons and may include an Elderflower-Blackberry Spritzer.

REGISTRATION INFO:

This event is full. I have started a waiting list in case someone needs to cancel. Once registered, you will receive an email when your name reaches the top of the list or it might be a text message if it’s a late cancellation. 

The cost for the walk portion of the event is $25 for adults, $20 for seniors 62-up, or $15 for students 13-17. Kids 5-12 can come along free, one per adult, by prior arrangement.

Please use the REGISTER HERE button at top or bottom of this page to sign up for the waiting list. FYI: Requests for refunds by those already pre-paid will be honored up to 72 hours before the event. After that, refunds will be issued if I am able to fill the space from the waiting list.

Paid registrants will receive a confirmation email with instructions for reserving the prix fixe dinner followed by a confirmation email with all necessary info, including weather forecast and parking directions, a few days prior to the walk. Light rain will not cancel. Heavy rain will. They also will receive a follow-up email afterwards with a list of all plants and wildlife seen. No dogs or smoking, please.

REGISTER HERE