September 19th - 24th 2025, I'm hosting WONDER WANDER 2025 — the sixth annual gathering of a dozen people, curious and intrepid enough, to show up and co-create a surreal communal experience somewhere far out in nature.

WONDER WANDER 2025 will be hosted in these 5,000+ sqft interconnected domes way out in the Sacramento Mountains of New Mexico (near White Sands National Monument).

The aim is to bring a dozen diverse, interesting people together to share experiences, examine life, and bask in the glory of the natural world.

We'll be staying at The Domes Nature Retreat on 34 acres of private mountain land surrounded by national forest. Among this enchanted property are these super spacious, light-filled geodesic domes. The tallest is 27 feet high at center. With 6 bedrooms, 14 beds, a huge kitchen/dining area, and common areas and nooks galore, it may be the funkiest place to host WONDER WANDER yet.

What is WONDER WANDER?

As its name implies, WONDER WANDER is about wonder and wandering.

By day, we'll venture the surrounding landscapes. Some days near, some days far. Expect a good deal of time spent outside, from mountain tops to desert dunes and anywhere between.

WONDER WANDER has also grown into a collaborative retreat. Across our six days and five nights together, everyone will have the opportunity to lead an experience for the group. This could be an activity, exercise, presentation, discussion, reading, meditation, or pretty much anything you feel called to share. Each participant should aim for their experience to last anywhere from ten to ninety minutes (though exceptions can certainly be made).

A question in the application asks what you might do with this opportunity to share with the group. Please take some time to feel around within yourself and consider before answering. Sourcing the experience you want to lead based on intuitive feelings of stoke and inspiration can make for more impactful experiences than those arrived at by reason alone.

Why do I host WONDER WANDER?

WONDER WANDER is the experience I dreamed of but didn’t know how to find. This temporary communal experience centered around wonder and sharing the things that sing to us creates a collective sense of connection, awe, and resonance unlike any other group interaction I have experienced.

I’m honored and stoked to have a sixth go at this experiment in community — another kaleidoscopic spin of strangers and friends alike coming together to create a unique, one-off experience in the New Mexico this September.

Reviews from past WONDER WANDER participants:

“Wonder Wander is a self-growth extravaganza mixed with making amazing friends in a gorgeous place. We laughed, we cried, we stared into each other’s eyes. We gazed at the milky way and danced until the sun came up (almost). Vulnerability led to pretty incredible breakthroughs with basically perfect strangers. How to summarize such an event? Pure magic.”

“Holy fuck. That was AWESOME.”

“I am still buzzing with energy thinking about WW - two weeks later! I keep telling people this was one of the best weekends of my life, but then think: “Am I being hyperbolic?” No! WW was such a treat, on so many levels. The people that showed up shared the same virtues and desires I’ve been looking for in the world but haven’t known how to find in others. The conscious work in deep thought exercises was as challenging as it was rewarding, and by the end of the week, I felt more in tune with my purpose of life. WW was truly a breath of fresh air, a respite to the chaotic chatter that is regular life in society. I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to recommend WW to everyone.”

“That was the coolest, most awesome, authentic experience I’ve had in, like… uh, forever.”

Other Q&A's

Q: Who is this event for?

A: WONDER WANDER is for the curious ones. For adventurers, creators, and wannabe philosophers like me who love the outdoors and are open to examining life with others. Interested people are interesting — from artist to entrepreneur, athlete to academic, and photographer to poet, the goal is to bring together a wide cross-section of people who are really into what they do. Ideal attendees are also positive and open-minded, and as exploring White Sands National Monument will surely be a part of the gathering, capable of confidently traversing sand dunes.

Q: How much does it cost?

A: $400 per person. This covers all food, drink, and lodging for six days at The Domes.

WONDER WANDER is thrown for the experience. The financial aim is simply to break even, keeping the gathering attractive and financially viable to the widest cross-section of interested people. The cost allows us comfort and space in a remote, natural setting to focus our awareness on co-creating an experience of introspection, connection, wonder, and celebration with the potential to be a highlight of our lives.

Q: What will our excursions be like?

A: Excursions will range from Sacramento Mountain climbs to sunsets on sand dunes. There will be stargazing. Maybe we’ll give Rosewell a visit one night? Some days we’ll break into smaller groups for greater flexibility, to be more in touch with nature, and allow everyone to interact with the landscape in ways they feel most called to.

Q: Who hosts WONDER WANDER?

A: Here's my short bio.

Q: What's the food situation?

A: The Domes have a large, fully equipped kitchen and all the typical amenities. I'll make an epic grocery run and buy enough food for a dozen of us to eat for six days. The kitchen will be stocked upon your arrival with fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs, grains, milk, yogurt, beer, wine, condiments, herbs, spices, and who knows what else. I always overdo it, but just in case, grocery stores are within striking distance of excursions.

We'll be doing our cooking communally, as connection naturally forms over food. Group dinners rock and we’ll likely assign two or three people each night to cook for the group.

Q: How will the transportation situation work?

A: The Domes are near High Rolls, New Mexico, an hour drive east of White Sands National Monument. While some may road trip from home, I suspect many with fly into El Paso, Texas, rent a vehicle, and drive out (a 2 hour 15 minute drive). We’ll have a discussion board for attendees who want to team up on a car rental and go to and fro together (this approach has worked super well at every gathering thus far).

As driving is the way in, we'll inevitably have enough vehicles to get around. We're doing this informally, as friends who've simply yet to meet. From rides and cooking to wondering and wandering, we are in this together, and will figure it out as we go.

Q: What should I bring?

A: The capacity to carry two liters of water, light hiking attire to cover you from the sun, and warm clothes for cool nights under countless stars (The Domes are at 6,750ft in elevation and average highs/lows this time of year are 74°/49°). A hiking pack. Notebook and pen. Perhaps a good book. Toiletries. Sunblock (or at least a hat). An open mind and heart.

APPLICATIONS FOR WONDER WANDER 2025 CLOSE MIDNIGHT SUNDAY JULY 13TH, 2025. Applicants will be notified of tough decisions by July 23rd, 2025.

If you feel called to join, DO NOT hesitate to apply! The application is neither a resume contest nor measure of worth. The process exists to help bring together a diverse spectrum of individuals and better ensure this will be a balanced and rad experience for all in attendance.

Fill out the application (either atop or to the side of these words) and let us share a most epic, surreal, and wondrous experience among The Domes and sand dunes and mountains of New Mexico this September!

If you have any questions you can reach me here.

P.S. I’m also looking for one skilled photographer / videographer to participate in and document the experience. In exchange for a sweet set of photos and a creative video of the gathering (open to other artistic approaches here too), the cost of attendance will be waived in full.

For photo and video examples from previous gatherings, dig the What is WONDER WANDER? page. To apply for this position, simply mention it in your application and include a link to your portfolio or previous works.