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Hillerman's Mystery Novels, Astronomy, and Arizona Sonoran Desert: Birds, Wildlife, Cacti & Geology

Program Number: 4535RJ
Start and End Dates:
2/10/2013 - 2/15/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Price starting at: $829.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Multi-Topic; Literature; History & Culture
Meals: 11; 5 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 5 Dinners    

Enjoy Native American Flute Playing during a special presentation.



Coordinated by Lifetime Learners.



Tony Hillerman's Mystery Novels On Navajo

Experience a close-up look at Native American lifestyles with emphasis on the Navajo and Hopi cultures as told through Hillerman’s fiction using “Sacred Clowns” and “Thief of Time” as basis for discussion. Enjoy a field trip to the renowned Native American Heard Museum.



Star Struck: Hands-On Astronomy In Arizona's Night Sky

Learn how Native American astronomers used the night skies for planting and rituals. Explore the solar system with telescopes and binoculars to find planets, stars and galaxies at a “star party” at an Observatory (weather permitting). Bring binoculars if you wish.



Sonoran Desert: Birds, Wildlife, Cacti & Geology

Study native plants, birds and animal life of the Sonoran Desert, one of the richest and most diverse deserts. Lectures and guided hikes with a naturalist examine the flora, fauna and geology of the desert. Enjoy a field trip to Desert Botanical Gardens.




Phoenix

Phoenix is a thriving metropolis surrounded by majestic mountains. Along with the visual beauty of the land, the city has a rich heritage of Native American and Hispanic cultures. Native American and western expansion influences are seen in the art and architecture of Phoenix, and an abundance of museums and art galleries showcase the culture.
Accommodations
Full-service hotel lodging with pool and whirlpool. Free parking.
Meals and Lodgings
   Hilton Garden Phoenix Airport North
  Phoenix 5 nights
 Hilton Garden Phoenix Airport North
Type: Four-Star Hotel
  Description: Discover contemporary conveniences for Phoenix and beyond at Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix Airport North hotel. Set minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) Airport, this Phoenix hotel is convenient to freeways and the Phoenix light rail system, making an ideal base for downtown Phoenix, and surrounding attractions. Complimentary 24-hour Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) Airport shuttle Heated outdoor Pool and Spa Modern cardio and weight equipment Free Business center computers Full size refrigerator in every room Complimentary WiFi access Accessible rooms feature roll-in showers Self Parking/FREE Parking
  Contact info: 3838 E. Van Buren St.
Phoenix, AZ 85008 USA
phone: 602-306-2323
web: www.PhoenixAirportNorth.hgi.com
  Room amenities: Make yourself at home in a Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix Airport North guest room. A microwave, full-size refrigerator and complimentary cable on the HDTV provide the comforts of home, while a Herman Miller ergonomic chair furnishes a touch of elegance. Stay connected at the oversized desk, or from the comfort of a Garden Sleep System® adjustable bed, with complimentary WiFi access. Spacious suites have pullout sofa-sleepers in the parlor to make great family rooms. Accessible rooms feature roll-in showers for ease of movement.
  Facility amenities: Complimentary 24-hour Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) Airport shuttle 24-hour Business Center and complimentary WiFi access throughout the hotel Cooked-to-order breakfast at The Great American Grill®, open 6am – 10pm Fitness center and outdoor swimming pool
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: 169.00 + Tax Request AAA or AARP Rate Let front desk know program number and week enrolled.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: 169.00 + Tax Request AAA or AARP Rate Let front desk know program number and week enrolled.
  Check out time: 12:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Road Scholar Registration in the Main lobby at 4:30pm. Dinner begins at 6:00pm followed by orientation. Hotel check-in anytime after 3:00pm. You will be staying at Hilton Garden Phoenix Airport North that night.
  End of Program:
After Wrap-Up (by 11:00am). You will be staying at Hilton Garden Phoenix Airport North the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
Free parking at hotel.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Phoenix
  Nearest city or town:  Phoenix
  Nearest highway: I-17 and I-10
  Nearest airport:  Sky Harbor Airport
  From End of Program
  Location: Phoenix
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Hilton Garden Phoenix Airport North

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Hotel Shuttle
Hilton Garden Phoenix Airport North Shuttle
phone: 602-306-2323
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$0.00
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

12 Minutes 
 

Distance:

 

5.0 Miles
   

Call for Hilton Garden Phoenix North FREE Shuttle (602) 306-2323 Free shuttle from and to the Airport
 
Driving Directions
  Anywhere www.google.com/maps
  California to Hilton Garden Airport North Entering Arizona head east on I-10 E, 152 mi. Take exit 147A to merge onto AZ-202 Loop E, 2.6 mi. Take exit 2 for 40th St toward 44th St, 0.3 mi. Turn right onto N 40th St, 0.5 mi. Take the 3rd right onto E Van Buren St.
  From Sky Harbor Airport to Hilton Garden Inn Take the West exit from the airport to I-10 West in the direction of Phoenix. Take the I-51 Northbound. Exit Indian School Road, make a left. Continue on Indian School Road, make a left on 3rd Avenue (not 3rd Street), left on Clarendon Road. Hotel will be on your left hand side.
  Sedona to Hilton Garden Airport North Head south on Arizona 89A S toward Forest Rd, 0.3 mi. At the traffic circle, take the 3rd exit onto AZ-179 S, 0.4. Pass through nine traffic circles, continue straight to stay on AZ-179 S. Turn right to merge onto I-17 S toward Phoenix, 97.6 mi. Take exit 200A for I-10 W/Interstate 10 E toward Los Angeles/Tucson, 0.2 mi. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for I-10 E/Tucson and merge onto I-10 E, 3.9 mi. Take exit 147A to merge onto AZ-202 Loop E, 2.6 mi. Take exit 2 for 40th St toward 44th St, 0.3 mi. Turn right onto N 40th St, 0.5 mi. Take the 3rd right onto E Van Buren St.
  Tuscon to Hilton Garden Airport North Head west on E Broadway Blvd toward S Country Club Rd, 2.3 miles. Continue straight onto S Toole Ave, 0.5 mi. Continue onto W Franklin St, 0.1 mi. Continue onto N Church Ave, 0.1 mi. Continue onto W 6th St, 0.2 mi. Continue onto W St Marys Rd, 0.3 mi. Turn right onto N Freeway St, 0.5 mi. Take the ramp on the left onto I-10 W, 96.1 mi. Continue onto Interstate 10 W, 0.5 mi. Continue onto I-10 W, 7.1 mi. Take exit 153A to merge onto AZ-143 N toward Sky Harbor, 2.7 mi. Take the Washington St exit, 0.3 mi. Slight right at E Washington St (signs for Washington Street), 92 ft. Take the 1st left onto E Washington St, 0.3 mi. Take the 2nd right onto N 44th St, 0.2 mi. Turn left at the 3rd cross street onto E Van Buren St.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Check-In and Program Registration/Orientation
(Sunday, February 10)
   
 Afternoon: Please arrive at the hotel to register at 5:00pm. Check into your room at the front desk and then register with Road Scholar staff in the Main lobby. You will then have until 6:00 PM to settle into your room.
 Dinner: Meals unless otherwise indicated may be at the hotel or a local restaurant. Please arrive at the time indicated on your itinerary.
 Evening: After dinner we will have orientation. This will provide you with information about the hotel, program itinerary, instructors, venues and on site staff. This is also a good opportunity to ask questions!
   
Accommodations: Hilton Garden Phoenix Airport North
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Tony Hillerman / Heard Museum / Astronomy Class
(Monday, February 11)
   
 Breakfast: All breakfasts are deluxe continental with a different options daily. Come down by the time indicated on the itinerary, just be sure to allow enough time to arrive promptly for the morning activity!
 Morning: A close-up look at Native American lifestyles with emphasis on the Navajo and Hopi cultures as told through Hillerman's fiction using "Sacred Clowns" and "Thief of Time" as basis for discussion.
 Lunch: Explore the rustic, savory cusine of Arizona with this meal on your own.
 Afternoon: Field trip to renowned Native American Heard Museum.
 Dinner: Meals unless otherwise indicated may be at the hotel or a local restaurant.
 Evening: Astronomy Class
   
Accommodations: Hilton Garden Phoenix Airport North
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3: The Sonoran Desert with a Naturalist and the Desert Botanical Museum
(Tuesday, February 12)
   
 Breakfast: All breakfasts are deluxe continental with a different options daily. Come down by the time indicated on the itinerary, just be sure to allow enough time to arrive promptly for the morning activity!
 Morning: Study the lush Sonoran Desert and the plants and wildlife it supports with a naturalist. Learn when, where and how to gather and process common desert plants. Taste foods prepared with plants such as ocotillo, prickly pear, saguaro, mesquite and other native vegetation. Discover the special adaptations of native birds, plants and wildlife in the desert.
 Lunch: Lunch on your own at the Desert Botanical Gardens
 Afternoon: Explore the ruin of an 800 year-old platform mound possibly used by the Hohokam for ceremonies or as an administrative center. An excavated ballcourt and two full-scale reproductions of prehistoric Hohokam homes can be viewed along the ruin trail. The site also includes some of the last remaining intact Hohokam irrigation canals. The museum offers expert-led talks of the platform mound and museum exhibits, as well as other places of archaeological interest in the Salt River Valley and the state.
 Afternoon: One of only 44 botanical gardens accredited by the American Association of Museums, this one-of-a-kind museum showcases 50 acres of beautiful outdoor exhibits. Home to 139 rare, threatened and endangered plant species from around the world, the Garden offers interesting and inspiring experiences to more than 250,000 visitors each year.
 Dinner: Meals unless otherwise indicated may be at the hotel or a local restaurant. Please arrive at the time indicated on your itinerary.
 Evening: Tony Hillerman Class
   
Accommodations: Hilton Garden Phoenix Airport North
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: South Mountain nature walk and Downtown tour of Phoenix
(Wednesday, February 13)
   
 Breakfast: All breakfasts are deluxe continental with a different options daily. Come down by the time indicated on the itinerary, just be sure to allow enough time to arrive promptly for the morning activity!
 Morning: The Sonoran Desert and Nature Walk - birds, wildlife, cacti and geology at South Mountain.
 Lunch: Meals unless otherwise indicated. They may be at the hotel or out at a local restaurant. Please arrive at the time indicated on your itinerary.
 Afternoon: Downtown tour of Phoenix.
 Afternoon: Native American class
 Dinner: Meals unless otherwise indicated may be at the hotel or a local restaurant.
 Evening: Video - Beyond Tradition
   
Accommodations: Hilton Garden Phoenix Airport North
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Native American flute playing and Star Party with an astronomer
(Thursday, February 14)
   
 Breakfast: All breakfasts are deluxe continental with a different options daily. Come down by the time indicated on the itinerary, just be sure to allow enough time to arrive promptly for the morning activity!
 Morning: Spend some time studying and engaging in discussion with a talented Native American Flute player. From the history of instruments to the vast array of musical styles, you're guaranteed to learn something new.
 Lunch: Lunch on your own
 Dinner: Meals unless otherwise indicated may be at the hotel or a local restaurant.
 Evening: Using a telescope, step your way across the western night sky and the solar system to discover planets, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies and much more. Enjoy classes and a field trip to "star party" with an astronomer.
   
Accommodations: Hilton Garden Phoenix Airport North
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6: Wrap-up and Check out
(Friday, February 15)
   
 Breakfast: All breakfasts are deluxe continental with a different options daily. Come down by the time indicated on the itinerary, just be sure to allow enough time to arrive promptly for the morning activity!
 Morning: Class and Wrap Up
   
Meals Included: Breakfast
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


The Dark Wind


Author: Tony Hillerman


Description: The corpse had been scalped, its palms and soles removed after death. Sergeant Jim Chee of the Navajo Tribal Police knows immediately he will have his hands full with this case, a certainty that is supported by the disturbing occurrences to follow. A mysterious nighttime plane crash, a vanishing shipment of cocaine, and a bizarre attack on a windmill only intensify Chees fears. A dark and very ill wind is blowing through the Southwestern desert, a gale driven by Navajo sorcery and white mans greed. And it will sweep away everything unless Chee can somehow change the weather.





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