Amazon Hitchhiker:
A Woman's Adventures from Canada to Brazil
by
Alycin Hayes
An Amazon #1 New Release Best Seller in Traveler & Explorer Biographies
Available as paperback or ebook worldwide wherever good books are sold
"It is almost impossible to explain how it feels to be lost in the middle of nowhere with no end in sight. Dawn began with the call of exotic wild birds as the sun peeked over our lifeline: the muddy Putumayo River. We ate a meager breakfast of leftovers from supper the night before and set out in our leaky dugout canoe, each taking turns paddling until we became too tired.
Exhausted and wondering if we were ever going to find an end to this endless river adventure, we were rewarded when loud calls from above revealed a brilliantly colored, large flock of red tailed macaw parrots flying overhead. Their joyous freedom in flight was contagious. They inspired us to continue on through this everchanging dangerous green wilderness."
Excerpt from AMAZON HITCHHIKER: A Woman’s Adventures from Canada to Brazil
Exhausted and wondering if we were ever going to find an end to this endless river adventure, we were rewarded when loud calls from above revealed a brilliantly colored, large flock of red tailed macaw parrots flying overhead. Their joyous freedom in flight was contagious. They inspired us to continue on through this everchanging dangerous green wilderness."
Excerpt from AMAZON HITCHHIKER: A Woman’s Adventures from Canada to Brazil
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amzn.to/3XEYyoNClick here to buy your paperback or ebook of
"Amazon Hitchhiker: A Woman's Adventures from Canada to Brazil." on Amazon.
"Amazon Hitchhiker" is available for sale wherever books are sold.
"Amazon Hitchhiker: A Woman's Adventures from Canada to Brazil." on Amazon.
"Amazon Hitchhiker" is available for sale wherever books are sold.
Reviews:
"I loved this book. Alycin Hayes brings back a time of free-spirited adventure we may never see again."
" Hayes is a wonderful story teller"
"This book awakened my adventurous side... I read it at once during my flight to Brazil for the holidays. I could not put it down until I was finished...What an adventurous and courageous woman! And to have done this in the 70s... Double WOW! "
"I loved this book. Alycin Hayes brings back a time of free-spirited adventure we may never see again."
" Hayes is a wonderful story teller"
"This book awakened my adventurous side... I read it at once during my flight to Brazil for the holidays. I could not put it down until I was finished...What an adventurous and courageous woman! And to have done this in the 70s... Double WOW! "

David Attenborough was kind enough to send me this lovely personal note and I am pleased to report that my adventure travel memoir AMAZON HITCHHIKER is doing extremely well in the UK..
EXCITING NEWS:
Alycin Hayes is honored and very pleased that UK's amazing World Adventurer, Alistair Humphreys include me and my book “AMAZON HITCHHIKER” in his newsletter "Shouting from the Shed". Check out his wonderful website’s: inspiring newsletters, films, books and podcasts.
Alycin Hayes is honored and very pleased that UK's amazing World Adventurer, Alistair Humphreys include me and my book “AMAZON HITCHHIKER” in his newsletter "Shouting from the Shed". Check out his wonderful website’s: inspiring newsletters, films, books and podcasts.
March 13, 2022
I am overjoyed that my memoir AMAZON HITCHHIKER about my solo travels from Canada to deep into the rainforests of Brazil is a new release best seller on Amazon and continues to get 5 star reviews. It is truly rewarding to know that readers throughout the world are enjoying my writing. It inspires me to write more.
Click here to read an Interview of Alycin Hayes for Donika's Bulgarian Book Club
I am overjoyed that my memoir AMAZON HITCHHIKER about my solo travels from Canada to deep into the rainforests of Brazil is a new release best seller on Amazon and continues to get 5 star reviews. It is truly rewarding to know that readers throughout the world are enjoying my writing. It inspires me to write more.
Click here to read an Interview of Alycin Hayes for Donika's Bulgarian Book Club

.March 1, 2022
If you saw Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope you saw an aerial view of the ancient Mayan city of Tikal. I climbed through the jungle to the top of the highest temple that you see in the film.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecJAH7e79PA
“Tikal had been a major Mayan city for over 600 years until it was finally abandoned in the ninth century. Long before the Spanish Conquistadors arrived, the Mayan people had discovered a vast world of knowledge that peaked around the sixth century AD. I studied the hieroglyphics in the ancient stone temples, many of which were stille covered with wild, clinging green vines that tried to obscure their message from my sight. Their hidden meaning gripped my heart with a mesmerizing unfathomable power. I wanted to know more but the creators were long gone. Questions flooded my mind.
Why was Tikal Abandoned? What secrets do the ancient Mayans ruins still hold? "
Excerpt from AMAZON HITCHHIKER by Alycin Hayes
Buy Book at this link: www.amazon.com/dp/0973032049
If you saw Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope you saw an aerial view of the ancient Mayan city of Tikal. I climbed through the jungle to the top of the highest temple that you see in the film.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecJAH7e79PA
“Tikal had been a major Mayan city for over 600 years until it was finally abandoned in the ninth century. Long before the Spanish Conquistadors arrived, the Mayan people had discovered a vast world of knowledge that peaked around the sixth century AD. I studied the hieroglyphics in the ancient stone temples, many of which were stille covered with wild, clinging green vines that tried to obscure their message from my sight. Their hidden meaning gripped my heart with a mesmerizing unfathomable power. I wanted to know more but the creators were long gone. Questions flooded my mind.
Why was Tikal Abandoned? What secrets do the ancient Mayans ruins still hold? "
Excerpt from AMAZON HITCHHIKER by Alycin Hayes
Buy Book at this link: www.amazon.com/dp/0973032049

“It is almost impossible to explain how it feels to be lost in the middle of nowhere with no end in sight. Dawn began with the call of exotic wild birds as the sun peeked over our lifeline: the muddy Putumayo River. We ate a meager breakfast of leftovers from supper the night before and set out in our leaky dugout canoe, each taking turns paddling until we became too tired.
Exhausted and wondering if we were ever going to find an end to this endless river adventure, we were rewarded when loud calls from above revealed a brilliantly colored, large flock of red tailed macaw parrots flying overhead. Their joyous freedom in flight was contagious. They inspired us to continue on through this ever changing dangerous green wilderness.” Excerpt from AMAZON HITCHHIKER: A Woman’s Adventures from Canada to Brazil by Alycin Hayes
"Move over Indian Jones, you have met your match.”
-The Little Black Dress author Leo Hines
“A rip-roaring adventure that is also thought provoking”
-Live Your Bucket List author Julia Goodfellow-Smith
Exhausted and wondering if we were ever going to find an end to this endless river adventure, we were rewarded when loud calls from above revealed a brilliantly colored, large flock of red tailed macaw parrots flying overhead. Their joyous freedom in flight was contagious. They inspired us to continue on through this ever changing dangerous green wilderness.” Excerpt from AMAZON HITCHHIKER: A Woman’s Adventures from Canada to Brazil by Alycin Hayes
"Move over Indian Jones, you have met your match.”
-The Little Black Dress author Leo Hines
“A rip-roaring adventure that is also thought provoking”
-Live Your Bucket List author Julia Goodfellow-Smith
February 12, 2022
On my travels into the Amazon Basin in the 1970’s I saw a woolly monkey being kept as a pet by an indiginouys woman. It was not kept in a cage. She carried the monkey in her arms as one would carry a small child. This gentle monkey enjoyed being coddled. When put down it became upset and appeared to weep until it was cheered up with a game of hide and seek and picked up again. Sadly woolly monkeys are now endangered as their natural rainforest habitat is being destroyed.
“ One woman held a woolly monkey in her arms and some of the children played with a pair of green parrots that were perched inside their house. After I sat down, several of the women from the tribe came up to me and gently touched my hair. I don't think they had ever seen blonde hair before.”
Excerpt from AMAZON HITCHHIKER by Alycin Hayes
On my travels into the Amazon Basin in the 1970’s I saw a woolly monkey being kept as a pet by an indiginouys woman. It was not kept in a cage. She carried the monkey in her arms as one would carry a small child. This gentle monkey enjoyed being coddled. When put down it became upset and appeared to weep until it was cheered up with a game of hide and seek and picked up again. Sadly woolly monkeys are now endangered as their natural rainforest habitat is being destroyed.
“ One woman held a woolly monkey in her arms and some of the children played with a pair of green parrots that were perched inside their house. After I sat down, several of the women from the tribe came up to me and gently touched my hair. I don't think they had ever seen blonde hair before.”
Excerpt from AMAZON HITCHHIKER by Alycin Hayes

Jan. 30, 2302 Read Alycin Hayes' latest interview with Donika Mishineva for her Bulgarian Book Club Blog.
"I hiked up to Machu Picchu, Peru when I travelled in South America. More than 7000 feet above sea level, tucked high up in the Andes Mountains, one of the new seven wonders of the world, Machu Picchu rests remarkably on a mountain top. With over 100 flights of stone stairs and 150 buildings all made of large perfectly carved rocks it truly is a remarkable work of man. It is believed the Incas didn’t use wheels to move any of the multitude of heavy rocks up the mountain either. They rolled and pushed them. How they accomplished this incredible feat is still up for debate." Alycin Hayes
![]() January 27, 2022
Mark your calendar for April 9th. I will be at my author's table with copies of my new adventure travel memoir "AMAZON HITCHHIKER" and my children's book "Milo and the Mustang" at the Sunshine State Book Festival in Gainesville, Florida. ( photo above of Alycin Hayes with her Mustang mare) |

Dec. 2021,
"Amazon Hitchhiker" is being read all over the world!
" Being stalked by a wild jaguar was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. I wouldn't trade it for anything" Excerpt from "Amazon Hitchhiker .
Here is the link to learn more about my adventures:
https://www.amazon.com/Amazon.../dp/0973032049/ref=sr_1_1...
#adventuretravel
December 13, 2021
Some really positive Verified Amazon reviews are coming in for my new book - AMAZON HITCHHIKER
Here a two of them:
I couldn’t put this down and kept on reading into the night. Alycin’s intrepid and compelling sense of adventure, combined with a gift of telling her story in such a way that takes us right along with her makes this book such a delight. I’m left wanting to find out more about the places she visited and the people she met. So I must read her story again, taking notes to look up places and especially some of the indigenous people she encountered. I highly recommend this book." G. Yergeau
"I absolutely LOVED this book !! Could not put it down, wanting to know what happened next in this authors extraordinary adventures. Her bravery of continuing to discover more of the Amazon and its peoples and landscape blew me away. I hope there will be stories of the India trip !!!! " Dawson
Some really positive Verified Amazon reviews are coming in for my new book - AMAZON HITCHHIKER
Here a two of them:
I couldn’t put this down and kept on reading into the night. Alycin’s intrepid and compelling sense of adventure, combined with a gift of telling her story in such a way that takes us right along with her makes this book such a delight. I’m left wanting to find out more about the places she visited and the people she met. So I must read her story again, taking notes to look up places and especially some of the indigenous people she encountered. I highly recommend this book." G. Yergeau
"I absolutely LOVED this book !! Could not put it down, wanting to know what happened next in this authors extraordinary adventures. Her bravery of continuing to discover more of the Amazon and its peoples and landscape blew me away. I hope there will be stories of the India trip !!!! " Dawson
December 7, 2021
Today "Amazon Hitchhiker" made Amazon Kindle's #1 best selling New Release in Adventure & Explorer Biographies!
Today "Amazon Hitchhiker" made Amazon Kindle's #1 best selling New Release in Adventure & Explorer Biographies!
December 6, 2021
Today Amazon made Amazon Hitchhiker their #1 New Hot Release in General Brazil Travel Guides!
Today Amazon made Amazon Hitchhiker their #1 New Hot Release in General Brazil Travel Guides!

December 4 , 2021
Breaking News!
I am excited to announce that my book "AMAZON HITCHHIKER: A Woman's Adventures from Canada to Brazil" is now available in the USA, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Japan, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and India as both a Kindle ebook and a paperback on Amazon. Here is the link to the US Amazon.com
Some Early Reviews
"A rip-roaring adventure that is also thought provoking”
-Live Your Bucket List author Julia Goodfellow-Smith
“A fascinating adventure...when backpacking was in its infancy.”
-Adventure She Magazine editor Jane Harries
"Move over Indian Jones, you have met your match.”
-The Little Black Dress author Leo Hines
"AMAZON HITCHHIKER is the true story of Alycin Hayes, a young woman who hitchhikes alone in the 1970s across the USA, Mexico, and Central America to the Amazon Basin. On the spur of the moment, she buys an old dugout canoe thinking she can paddle from Colombia to Brazil.
Without enough food or even a map she soon discovers the Amazon rainforest is not the idyllic paradise she had imagined. She forges her way through this challenging, sometimes mystical adventure, facing life-threatening obstacles, while falling in love along the way.
With candid honesty and a lifesaving sense of humor, Hayes has written an account of her travels that you won't be able to put down."
Breaking News!
I am excited to announce that my book "AMAZON HITCHHIKER: A Woman's Adventures from Canada to Brazil" is now available in the USA, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Japan, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and India as both a Kindle ebook and a paperback on Amazon. Here is the link to the US Amazon.com
Some Early Reviews
"A rip-roaring adventure that is also thought provoking”
-Live Your Bucket List author Julia Goodfellow-Smith
“A fascinating adventure...when backpacking was in its infancy.”
-Adventure She Magazine editor Jane Harries
"Move over Indian Jones, you have met your match.”
-The Little Black Dress author Leo Hines
"AMAZON HITCHHIKER is the true story of Alycin Hayes, a young woman who hitchhikes alone in the 1970s across the USA, Mexico, and Central America to the Amazon Basin. On the spur of the moment, she buys an old dugout canoe thinking she can paddle from Colombia to Brazil.
Without enough food or even a map she soon discovers the Amazon rainforest is not the idyllic paradise she had imagined. She forges her way through this challenging, sometimes mystical adventure, facing life-threatening obstacles, while falling in love along the way.
With candid honesty and a lifesaving sense of humor, Hayes has written an account of her travels that you won't be able to put down."
November, 2021
My editor Jacqui Corn-Uys lives in South Africa and my book cover designer Donika Mishineva lives in Bulgaria. With the advent of the internet our world has become a wonderfully small and intimate place. It has been a delight to work with both Jacqui and Donika on my book Amazon Hitchhiker - A Woman's Adventures from Canada to Brazil.
Throughout the journey of my book's progression we exchanged not only edits and ideas, but also learned about each other's lives in our very different respective countries.
If all goes as planned by December 2021 my true adventure story, Amazon Hitchhiker should be ready for publication and be available to be purchased throughout the world from Amazon.com and their affiliates in both paperback and Kindle ebooks.
My editor Jacqui Corn-Uys lives in South Africa and my book cover designer Donika Mishineva lives in Bulgaria. With the advent of the internet our world has become a wonderfully small and intimate place. It has been a delight to work with both Jacqui and Donika on my book Amazon Hitchhiker - A Woman's Adventures from Canada to Brazil.
Throughout the journey of my book's progression we exchanged not only edits and ideas, but also learned about each other's lives in our very different respective countries.
If all goes as planned by December 2021 my true adventure story, Amazon Hitchhiker should be ready for publication and be available to be purchased throughout the world from Amazon.com and their affiliates in both paperback and Kindle ebooks.
October, 2021
This has been a busy month of travel. I hope to dedicate the rest of this month to the very final edits of my new book AMAZON HITCHHIKER -A Woman's Adventure's from Canada to Brazil. Here is a link to one of the films made at Echo Hill by Maryam Astaneh this summer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ODEEm24LUE&t=30s
This has been a busy month of travel. I hope to dedicate the rest of this month to the very final edits of my new book AMAZON HITCHHIKER -A Woman's Adventure's from Canada to Brazil. Here is a link to one of the films made at Echo Hill by Maryam Astaneh this summer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ODEEm24LUE&t=30s
September, 2021
I started September working on a few new documentary films with filmmakers Maryam Astaneh and Bardia KarbalaEi. One film features Organic Farmer, Marc Langlois and his son. The other shows how planting trees has dramatically changed Echo Hill's landscape and potentially the world. Plant trees! The dedicated film crew camped at Echo Hill while they were shooting the films.
I started September working on a few new documentary films with filmmakers Maryam Astaneh and Bardia KarbalaEi. One film features Organic Farmer, Marc Langlois and his son. The other shows how planting trees has dramatically changed Echo Hill's landscape and potentially the world. Plant trees! The dedicated film crew camped at Echo Hill while they were shooting the films.
July & August 2021
I spent most of July and August finishing my new book Amazon Hitchhiker - which is a memoir of my travels, an adventure travel narrative that takes place in the 1970's primarily in the Amazon Rainforest paddling a dugout canoe. My book should be released this Fall, hopefully October. Release date to be announced.
I spent most of July and August finishing my new book Amazon Hitchhiker - which is a memoir of my travels, an adventure travel narrative that takes place in the 1970's primarily in the Amazon Rainforest paddling a dugout canoe. My book should be released this Fall, hopefully October. Release date to be announced.
June, 2021 "Our trip was seemingly endless when suddenly, out of nowhere, like a miracle, a pod of pink river dolphins surrounded our canoe. It had been my dream to find these rare Amazonian dolphins. They had found me! I was overjoyed" Excerpt from AMAZON HITCHHIKER by Alycin Hayes. AMAZON HITCHHIKER will be out in print later this Fall.

May, 2021
My new book Amazon Hitchhiker-A Woman's Adventures from Canada to Brazil is now in the hands of my editor. It will be ready for release in print and ebook later this year.
My new book Amazon Hitchhiker-A Woman's Adventures from Canada to Brazil is now in the hands of my editor. It will be ready for release in print and ebook later this year.
April, 2021
We are honored that the new Cinema Verde International Environmental Film Channel, that launched on Earth Day 2021 is now streaming on https://www.cinemaverde.org/, and is featuring our 2020 Award-Winning film, Best Local Film, “Wild Florida’s Vanishing Call,” directed by Alycin Hayes and Jimmy Evans.
This film is a moving, powerful inside look at what has happened to wild Florida with a compelling, emotional soundtrack that carries you through the past destruction of wild Florida to beautiful footage of rarely seen native wild animals including the most endangered cat in North America, the Florida Panther. We must protect Florida's native wildlife habitat before it is too late. https://filmfreeway.com/VanishingCall
https://soundcloud.com/violetcomberwilen/florida-panthers
We are honored that the new Cinema Verde International Environmental Film Channel, that launched on Earth Day 2021 is now streaming on https://www.cinemaverde.org/, and is featuring our 2020 Award-Winning film, Best Local Film, “Wild Florida’s Vanishing Call,” directed by Alycin Hayes and Jimmy Evans.
This film is a moving, powerful inside look at what has happened to wild Florida with a compelling, emotional soundtrack that carries you through the past destruction of wild Florida to beautiful footage of rarely seen native wild animals including the most endangered cat in North America, the Florida Panther. We must protect Florida's native wildlife habitat before it is too late. https://filmfreeway.com/VanishingCall
https://soundcloud.com/violetcomberwilen/florida-panthers

March, 2021
When I was in Costa Rica I worked at Pueblito - a Village for Abandoned children. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
AMAZON HITCHHIKER
A Woman's Adventures from Canada to Brazil
Exerpt from Chapter 4.
Orchids of Our Jungle - Costa Rica
If you have ever left North America and travelled to any Third World country you will have seen lost children in small groups or alone on the street. Some are selling cheap articles and others are begging or crouching fearfully in doorways. They are the unwanted children of the poor, the mistreated victims of human torture; children who have been abandoned in the city by families too poverty stricken to feed them and left to make it on their own by stealing, scavenging in garbage and engaging in prostitution. They are the rejects on the outskirts of a society incapable of caring for them. The children at Pueblito were amazingly strong, independent little souls. They had been on the streets alone and managed one way or another to survive... Alycin Hayes
When I was in Costa Rica I worked at Pueblito - a Village for Abandoned children. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
AMAZON HITCHHIKER
A Woman's Adventures from Canada to Brazil
Exerpt from Chapter 4.
Orchids of Our Jungle - Costa Rica
If you have ever left North America and travelled to any Third World country you will have seen lost children in small groups or alone on the street. Some are selling cheap articles and others are begging or crouching fearfully in doorways. They are the unwanted children of the poor, the mistreated victims of human torture; children who have been abandoned in the city by families too poverty stricken to feed them and left to make it on their own by stealing, scavenging in garbage and engaging in prostitution. They are the rejects on the outskirts of a society incapable of caring for them. The children at Pueblito were amazingly strong, independent little souls. They had been on the streets alone and managed one way or another to survive... Alycin Hayes
February, 2021
I just finished writing my new book.
AMAZON HITCHHIKER
A Woman's Adventures from Canada to Brazil
Excerpt from Chapter 9
Cayman and Pink Dolphins-Peru
It is almost impossible to explain how it feels to be lost in the middle of nowhere with no end in sight. Dawn began with the call of exotic wild birds as the sun peeked over our lifeline, the muddy Putumayo River. We would set out in our leaky dugout canoe,each taking turns paddling until we became too tired. Exhausted and wondering if we would ever find an end to this river adventure, loud calls from above would reveal dozens of brilliantly colored red tailed macaws flying overhead. Their joyous freedom in flight was contagious. They inspired us to continue on through this everchanging dangerous green wilderness... Alycin Hayes
I just finished writing my new book.
AMAZON HITCHHIKER
A Woman's Adventures from Canada to Brazil
Excerpt from Chapter 9
Cayman and Pink Dolphins-Peru
It is almost impossible to explain how it feels to be lost in the middle of nowhere with no end in sight. Dawn began with the call of exotic wild birds as the sun peeked over our lifeline, the muddy Putumayo River. We would set out in our leaky dugout canoe,each taking turns paddling until we became too tired. Exhausted and wondering if we would ever find an end to this river adventure, loud calls from above would reveal dozens of brilliantly colored red tailed macaws flying overhead. Their joyous freedom in flight was contagious. They inspired us to continue on through this everchanging dangerous green wilderness... Alycin Hayes

January, 2021
I spent most of my 2020 COVID quarantine writing my new book
AMAZON HITCHHIKER-
A Woman’s Adventures From Canada to Brazil
It is the true adventure travel story of my solo travels hitchhiking overland and paddling dugout canoes from Canada to Brazil in 1975/76.
My story includes hitchhiking across the USA & Mexico, finding love in Guatemala, working with orphans in Costa Rica, paddling a dugout canoe through Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, being led by pink dolphins to find a primitive Amazonian tribe, meeting an escaped Nazi in the Bolivia Rainforest, learning from San Pedro in La Paz, being penniless in Argentina during the "Dirty War", finding love again in Brazil …
My plan is to get it published in 2021.
Alycin Hayes
I spent most of my 2020 COVID quarantine writing my new book
AMAZON HITCHHIKER-
A Woman’s Adventures From Canada to Brazil
It is the true adventure travel story of my solo travels hitchhiking overland and paddling dugout canoes from Canada to Brazil in 1975/76.
My story includes hitchhiking across the USA & Mexico, finding love in Guatemala, working with orphans in Costa Rica, paddling a dugout canoe through Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, being led by pink dolphins to find a primitive Amazonian tribe, meeting an escaped Nazi in the Bolivia Rainforest, learning from San Pedro in La Paz, being penniless in Argentina during the "Dirty War", finding love again in Brazil …
My plan is to get it published in 2021.
Alycin Hayes
Alycin Hayes will be one of the Authors in Florida's Sunshine State Book Festival which will be an online Festival this year due to COVID and run from January 30th to June 30th, 2021.
Every year we offer unique creative workshops at Echo Hill Farm in Canada, however due to COVID19 it has become impossible, so instead we are offering unique wildlife viewing camping at Echo Hill. Click on this HipCamp link to see the details. The learn some of the amazing benefits of camping click on this Sport Fitness Advisor link.
Due to COVID-19 most 2020 Film Festivals were cancelled or
indefinitely postponed so we are releasing our short film
"Wild Florida's Vanishing Call" for free on vimeo.com/385975713
indefinitely postponed so we are releasing our short film
"Wild Florida's Vanishing Call" for free on vimeo.com/385975713
Wild Florida's Vanishing Call Premiered at
Cinema Verde International Environmental Film and Art Festival
in Gainesville, Florida Feb 13th, 2020 and won Best Local Film
Cinema Verde International Environmental Film and Art Festival
in Gainesville, Florida Feb 13th, 2020 and won Best Local Film
![]() " A moving, powerful inside look at Florida, what has happened to wild Florida and why we must save our wildlife and wild places. " Co-Directed by Alycin Hayes and Jimmy Evans Film festivals go to: FilmFreeway a short film dedicated to saving Vanishing Wild Florida's wildlife habitat |
Present in the Landscape Artist workshop September 2019
A Workshop For Beginners and Experienced Artists
"Present in the Landscape" a day of immersion into Plein Air painting and drawing with instruction and guidance by renowned Canadian Artist, Tom Campbell. http://tomcampbellartist.com/
Forest Guide, Alycin Hayes will help you connect your senses with nature to enhance your art using techniques
of Shin Rin Roku. www.AlycinHayes.com
A Vegetarian Lunch with Wine will be also be included.
After a day of painting we will gather for sharing ideas and music around the campfire. Bring an instrument if you like.
This creative event will take place at Echo Hill a private Nature Sanctuary/Organic Farm
located about 20 km from Stratford, 40km from London and 160 km from Toronto.
Fee for the full day is $75.00. CAD and includes all of the above.
After Registering you will be sent directions and a suggested art supply list.
Class size is limited so please register early.
Rain or shine. Landscape artists embrace all elements.
To Register for the class
Please Email: AlycinHayes@gmail.com with your full name, address and phone number
A Workshop For Beginners and Experienced Artists
"Present in the Landscape" a day of immersion into Plein Air painting and drawing with instruction and guidance by renowned Canadian Artist, Tom Campbell. http://tomcampbellartist.com/
Forest Guide, Alycin Hayes will help you connect your senses with nature to enhance your art using techniques
of Shin Rin Roku. www.AlycinHayes.com
A Vegetarian Lunch with Wine will be also be included.
After a day of painting we will gather for sharing ideas and music around the campfire. Bring an instrument if you like.
This creative event will take place at Echo Hill a private Nature Sanctuary/Organic Farm
located about 20 km from Stratford, 40km from London and 160 km from Toronto.
Fee for the full day is $75.00. CAD and includes all of the above.
After Registering you will be sent directions and a suggested art supply list.
Class size is limited so please register early.
Rain or shine. Landscape artists embrace all elements.
To Register for the class
Please Email: AlycinHayes@gmail.com with your full name, address and phone number
Canadian Artist Tom Campbell will teach a landscape painting class at Echo Hill, Tuesday & Wednesday May 7th, 2019. (This class is full, however there will be another class later this Fall. )
Tom Campbell, a Stratford-based painter, has been an instructor at the Toronto School of Art since 1989, with teaching stints at Sanford Fleming College, Sheridan College and the ROM. Since 2000, he has also travelled to the Aegean island of Ikaria every other spring to teach at the Ikarian Cultural Centre of Greece.
Tom Campbell, a Stratford-based painter, has been an instructor at the Toronto School of Art since 1989, with teaching stints at Sanford Fleming College, Sheridan College and the ROM. Since 2000, he has also travelled to the Aegean island of Ikaria every other spring to teach at the Ikarian Cultural Centre of Greece.

"The Stratford Adventure of Adrian & Tiddlywinks"
is
Now an Audio Book
Buy it on Amazon&Audible
Narrated by the wonderful actor
Michael Bawtree
Recorded by Brent Jones at
Quiet Earth Studio.
Our Wild Green Man Mask workshop held in September, 2018 was a wild success!
Like Echo Hill Productions on Facebook for future workshop dates
"Echo Hill is a beautifully forested setting where I felt tension dissolve as we walked through the forest. The workshop helped to nurture creativity I didn't even know I had! Thank you Alycin for your fun and inspiring workshop! I can't wait for your next one!"
Jan Kalmusky
Like Echo Hill Productions on Facebook for future workshop dates
"Echo Hill is a beautifully forested setting where I felt tension dissolve as we walked through the forest. The workshop helped to nurture creativity I didn't even know I had! Thank you Alycin for your fun and inspiring workshop! I can't wait for your next one!"
Jan Kalmusky

Wild GreenMan Mask Workshop
Saturday, September 1, 2018
1pm to 5pm , $30.00 per person
Location 20 km from Stratford, Ontario, Canada
To confirm your Registration Email: AlycinHayes@gmail.com
This will be a fun, casual, entertaining Mask making workshop taught by Guest Artist JUDY ANDERSON visiting from Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Judy's work in puppetry spans from working with Shari Lewis and Jim Henson to performing on the Disney Channel.
https://puppetsforpeace.org/portfolio/judy-anderson/
With
ALYCIN HAYES who will be our Forest Guide will lead us on a walk in a Private Nature Preserve to gather the plants and other beautiful natural things that strike our fancy, to use in making of your Green Man masks. https://www.echohillproductions.com/bios.html
Art supplies and mask base are included, however if you have a paints or others art supplies etc. you want to use please bring them.
Wine and a light snack will be served, followed by a drum circle to thank the ancient magical spirits of the Green Man. Bring your own drum if you have one. Drums will be provided for those who need them. An enigma spanning thousands of years, the Green Man is a symbol of mysterious origin and history. Permeating various religious faiths he is our benevolent spirit of the wild woods.
Directions will be sent after you register. Registration is limited to a very small number of participants so please register early.
For registration or questions Email: AlycinHayes@gmail.com
Click here to find out more on Facebook Event Page link.
Saturday, September 1, 2018
1pm to 5pm , $30.00 per person
Location 20 km from Stratford, Ontario, Canada
To confirm your Registration Email: AlycinHayes@gmail.com
This will be a fun, casual, entertaining Mask making workshop taught by Guest Artist JUDY ANDERSON visiting from Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Judy's work in puppetry spans from working with Shari Lewis and Jim Henson to performing on the Disney Channel.
https://puppetsforpeace.org/portfolio/judy-anderson/
With
ALYCIN HAYES who will be our Forest Guide will lead us on a walk in a Private Nature Preserve to gather the plants and other beautiful natural things that strike our fancy, to use in making of your Green Man masks. https://www.echohillproductions.com/bios.html
Art supplies and mask base are included, however if you have a paints or others art supplies etc. you want to use please bring them.
Wine and a light snack will be served, followed by a drum circle to thank the ancient magical spirits of the Green Man. Bring your own drum if you have one. Drums will be provided for those who need them. An enigma spanning thousands of years, the Green Man is a symbol of mysterious origin and history. Permeating various religious faiths he is our benevolent spirit of the wild woods.
Directions will be sent after you register. Registration is limited to a very small number of participants so please register early.
For registration or questions Email: AlycinHayes@gmail.com
Click here to find out more on Facebook Event Page link.
Saturday, April 28th,2018 at Noon,
Alycin Hayes will read her children's book "Milo and The Mustang" at Third House Books in Gainesville, Florida to celebrate Indie Bookstore Day.
Alycin Hayes will read her children's book "Milo and The Mustang" at Third House Books in Gainesville, Florida to celebrate Indie Bookstore Day.

More Summer Workshops
Coming in 2019 to be announced...
All workshops are limited to small groups. Participants must be fully vaccinated against COVID
Nature Inspired Creative Workshops :
Future Workshops for Summer 2022
Improvisational Painting Workshop - Nature inspired painting
Embracing Forest Spirits -A Guided Retreat
Rock Hunting & Painting - Finding art in Stones
Cork Art
Past Workshops at Echo Hill
Wild GreenMan Masks
"The Green Man" is an ancient symbol of nature, fertility and wildness.
We will hike to gather plants from the wild to make your own original green man mask that you may wear or hang on a wall. All art supplies, mask, paint glue and gluten free lunch included. This class will be taught by Judy Anderson an artist and puppeteer from Vancouver Island, British Columbia. To Register Email: AlycinHayes@gmail.com
Living with Beavers -Hike to a wild beaver dam and find out how to make a beaver deceiver and live happily with the beaver on your property. Led by Alycin Hayes. Summer , 2018
Forest Bathing / Shin Rin Yoku Experience as you learn the Japanese Art of Forest Bathing as we all learn from the forest. You will learn how to truly appreciate and become one with your wild inner self. This class will be taught Forest Guide Alycin Hayes, Summer, 2018
Make Apple Cider like the Pioneers -Gather wild organic apples and make cider from them in a pioneer Apple Press. All supplies and lunch included. Taught by Alycin Hayes Fall 2018
Foraging for Wild Teas -Gather wild herbs and learn how to dry them to make teas from them. High tea included. Taught by Alycin Hayes Summer, 2018
Surviving in the Woods - After a survival skills lesson you will be led to a secluded spot in the woods and left alone to camp one night completely alone with the woods and night. Summer 2018
Improv Painting Workshop
Rock Hunting & Painting
Cactus Creations
Finding Your Own Trail
Nature Painting
Singing Drums
Listen to horses in their language
Grooming your horse will love
Rock On at Echo Hill - with fossils and rocks
Adventure Travel Journaling
Surviving in the Woods
Wilderness Murder Mystery
Wine & Paint Camp-out
Return to the Wild Camp-out
Stalking Wild Teas
Finding Puppets in the Wild
Permaculture 50 years Later
Hunting wildlife with your Camera
Canoeing basics ( for beginners)
Your Inner Song
How to Grow Your Own Forest
Living with Wildlife - Learn how to coexist with the wildlife in your own backyard
Shinrin-Yoku (forest bathing walks) - Weekly during Spring and Fall
Like Echo Hill Productions on Facebook for future workshop dates
Guided Forest Walks Shinrin-Yoku
Forest bathing embraces the healing properties of trees
Literally translated "Forest bathing" or "Taking in the forest atmosphere" is the practice of taking a short, leisurely visit to a forest for health benefits. The practice originated in Japan where it is called Shinrin-Yoku (森林浴) in Japanese.
During late summer and early Fall of 2017 we are booking Guided Forest Walks - Shrinrin-Yoku in our private 100 acre hilly forested Nature Sanctuary located near Stratford, Ontario, Canada. No swimming is involved, rather you will wash away your stress on your guide walk through our therapy forest trails.
Our Forest Guide, Alycin Hayes is a certified Reiki practitioner and Equine bodyworker. She studied Yoga in India and has developed special mudras and other techniques that help you connect your senses (hearing, visual, tactile, chemical and electromagnetic) with the wild natural world.
On our guided walks you will learn to reconnect once again with your inner being by focusing on your own innate survival senses. As your brain tunes into nature you will feel at home and the healing of the forest will calm and soothe your nerves as your mind and body naturally promote healing.
The scientifically-proven BENEFITS of Shinrin-yoku include:
• Boosted immune system functioning, with an increase in the count of the body's Natural Killer (NK) cells.
• Reduced blood pressure
• Reduced stress
• Improved mood
• Increased ability to focus, even in children with ADHD
• Accelerated recovery from surgery or illness
• Increased energy level
• Improved sleep
We can accommodate individuals or small groups.
Our 3 hour walks include tea made from plants we gather as we walk.
For more information or to book a walk e-mail: AlycinHayes@gmail.com
Ask about out Equine Assisted Forest Walks.
Forest bathing embraces the healing properties of trees
Literally translated "Forest bathing" or "Taking in the forest atmosphere" is the practice of taking a short, leisurely visit to a forest for health benefits. The practice originated in Japan where it is called Shinrin-Yoku (森林浴) in Japanese.
During late summer and early Fall of 2017 we are booking Guided Forest Walks - Shrinrin-Yoku in our private 100 acre hilly forested Nature Sanctuary located near Stratford, Ontario, Canada. No swimming is involved, rather you will wash away your stress on your guide walk through our therapy forest trails.
Our Forest Guide, Alycin Hayes is a certified Reiki practitioner and Equine bodyworker. She studied Yoga in India and has developed special mudras and other techniques that help you connect your senses (hearing, visual, tactile, chemical and electromagnetic) with the wild natural world.
On our guided walks you will learn to reconnect once again with your inner being by focusing on your own innate survival senses. As your brain tunes into nature you will feel at home and the healing of the forest will calm and soothe your nerves as your mind and body naturally promote healing.
The scientifically-proven BENEFITS of Shinrin-yoku include:
• Boosted immune system functioning, with an increase in the count of the body's Natural Killer (NK) cells.
• Reduced blood pressure
• Reduced stress
• Improved mood
• Increased ability to focus, even in children with ADHD
• Accelerated recovery from surgery or illness
• Increased energy level
• Improved sleep
We can accommodate individuals or small groups.
Our 3 hour walks include tea made from plants we gather as we walk.
For more information or to book a walk e-mail: AlycinHayes@gmail.com
Ask about out Equine Assisted Forest Walks.
2017 - February 18th The International Folk Alliance Silent Auction featured Milo and the Mustang & The Stratford Adventure of Adrian & Tiddlywinks www.folkconference.org/silentauction.html
2017 - January - Third House Books was sold of out Milo & the Mustang, but has recently restocked it.
2017- Online now and 9am - 4pm February 11th on the radio.
Echo Hill Productions has donated 3 books to Gallery Stratford's I Love My Gallery online and radio gallery fundraiser. Go ahead and make a bid to get a copy of "Milo & the Mustang" or "The Stratford Adventure of Adrian & Tiddlywinks"
2017 - January - Third House Books was sold of out Milo & the Mustang, but has recently restocked it.
2017- Online now and 9am - 4pm February 11th on the radio.
Echo Hill Productions has donated 3 books to Gallery Stratford's I Love My Gallery online and radio gallery fundraiser. Go ahead and make a bid to get a copy of "Milo & the Mustang" or "The Stratford Adventure of Adrian & Tiddlywinks"
December 2016 - Gainesville, Florida's newest independent bookstore Third House Books is now selling our books. They specialize in titles from small independent presses and brew fresh delicious coffee! Drop by or check out their Facebook page for upcoming events.

Elliott Hayes' short play "Poison" has been adapted to be one of the love stories in this new feature film. "6 Love Stories" https://www.facebook.com/Elliott-Hayes-420260881389428/?fref=ts
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/6-love-stories-film-review-926234
Elliott's segment mentioned in Hollywood Reporter - "The best segment is also the most serious. It involves a man who angrily confronts his wife after discovering her in their bed with someone else. The superb performances by Matthew Lillard and Carrie Preston vividly convey the bitter aftermath of the adultery,"
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/6-love-stories-film-review-926234
Elliott's segment mentioned in Hollywood Reporter - "The best segment is also the most serious. It involves a man who angrily confronts his wife after discovering her in their bed with someone else. The superb performances by Matthew Lillard and Carrie Preston vividly convey the bitter aftermath of the adultery,"
April 2, 2016, Saturday, 11:00 a.m.
Alycin Hayes will read from her children's book Milo and the Mustang at The Bookshelf in Thomasville, Georgia. There will be signed copies for sale.
RSVP on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/events/475465622645226/
Alycin Hayes will read from her children's book Milo and the Mustang at The Bookshelf in Thomasville, Georgia. There will be signed copies for sale.
RSVP on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/events/475465622645226/
'A moving story beautifully told.'
Tuesday April 12th, 7p.m.
Alycin Hayes will be one of the authors at the Gainesville Florida Library Local Children's Author Night. Milo and the Mustang's Illustrator Beverly Marie Melton will be there to sign books too.
Milo and the Mustang is a beautifully illustrated children's book that was inspired by an autistic boy with cerebral palsy who loved horses. Caprice, a wild Mustang horse helps Milo experience a rare kind of freedom and friendship that most of us only find in dreams.
Some dreams really do come true.
For more information about this book go to our Face Book page: Milo and the Mustang
Alycin Hayes will be one of the authors at the Gainesville Florida Library Local Children's Author Night. Milo and the Mustang's Illustrator Beverly Marie Melton will be there to sign books too.
Milo and the Mustang is a beautifully illustrated children's book that was inspired by an autistic boy with cerebral palsy who loved horses. Caprice, a wild Mustang horse helps Milo experience a rare kind of freedom and friendship that most of us only find in dreams.
Some dreams really do come true.
For more information about this book go to our Face Book page: Milo and the Mustang