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Sleuthing and CSI In the Southwest Plus Nature’s Mysteries

Program Number: 16823RJ
Start and End Dates:
2/24/2013 - 3/1/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Price starting at: $825.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Science & Nature
Meals: 12; 5 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 4 Dinners    

Calling all mystery lovers and amateur crime solvers! Join a cold case detective to learn the methods used to solve a murder. Study how handwriting, fiber and blood analysis are used in criminology. Learn what animals, plants and insects can tell investigators about a crime scene. Examine famous cases of murder and intrigue in the context of forensics investigation. Survey crime classics from the page to the big screen and study a mystery of another sort as you learn about the special adaptations that allow native birds, plants and wildlife to thrive in the Sonoran Desert. With all this sleuthing, it would be a crime to miss out!




Highlights

• Learn from a literature teacher and a film historian about the history of mystery in books and movies.
• Digest clues while you dine at a fun mystery dinner theater production.
• Taste foods prepared with Sonoran Desert plants — ocotillo, prickly pear, saguaro and mesquite — and spend an afternoon with a naturalist in the esteemed Desert Botanical Gardens.



Activity Particulars

Minimal walking and standing on this program.



Coordinated by Lifetime Learners.




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 with pool and whirlpool.
Meals and Lodgings
   Embassy Suites
  Phoenix 5 nights
 Embassy Suites
Type: Hotel
  Description: Services include complimentary parking, weekday USA Today, on-site National/Alamo car rental desk, gift shop, room service and guest valet/laundry services. Also complimentary 24-hour BusinessLink business center with wireless high-speed internet access computer, printing and copying services. Including complimentary manager reception and make to order breakfast.
  Contact info: 2577 West Greenway Road
Phoenix, AZ 85023 USA
phone: 602-375-1777
web: www.phoenixnorth.embassysuites.com
  Room amenities: Enjoy the convenience of two flat screen television, two telephone lines, refigerator, coffeemaker, microwave, iron with ironing board, hair dryer, and well-lit work area. Complimentary High-speed Wi-Fi access available including PrinterOn, allowing you to print from your laptop.
  Facility amenities: Kick back under the cloudless desert sky before taking a refreshing swim in the outdoor pool or relax in the hot tub. Work-out in the fully-equipped fitness center or just soothe tired muscles in the whirlpool while sipping a drink from the Cabana pool bar. Savor delicious Cajun specialties at LaFitte’s restaurant, the perfect place to catch up with friends and colleagues.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: AAA/AARP rate Be sure to request the AAA/AARP rate for additional nights.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: AAA/AARP rate Be sure to request the AAA/AARP rate for additional nights.
  Check out time: 12:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Registration at hotel at 4:30 PM You will be staying at Embassy Suites that night.
  End of Program:
After Wrap-Up (by 12:00pm) You will be staying at Embassy Suites the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
Free.
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
 

Sky Harbor

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Super Shuttle
phone: 602-244-9000

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Call for Quote
Prices are subject to change.
 

Sky Harbor

 

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
AAA/Yellow Cab
phone: 480-888-8888

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Call for quote
Prices are subject to change.
 
Driving Directions
  Anywhere www.google.com/maps
  From Sky Harbor International Airport to Embassy Suites Phoenix - North I-10 West to I-17 North. Exit # 211 Greenway Road. The Hotel is on the southeast corner of Greenway Road.
  From the North to Embassy Suites I-17 South. Exit #211 Greenway Road. The Hotel is on the southeast corner of Greenway Road.
  From the South to Embassy Suites I-10 West to I-17 North. Exit # 211 Greenway Road. The Hotel is on the southeast corner of Greenway Road.
  From the West to Embassy Suites I-10 East to I-17 North. Exit # 211 Greenway Road. The Hotel is on the southeast corner of Greenway Road.
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 24)
   
 Afternoon: Please arrive at the hotel to register at 4:30pm. 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. Please note, this schedule is tentative and artists, performances, programs, and schedules are subject to change. More specific itinerary information will be sent out in the Welcome Letter Packet.
 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: Embassy Suites
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Desert Detectives
(Monday, February 25)
   
 Breakfast: All breakfasts are deluxe continental. Come down by the time indicated on the intinerary, 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 at the hotel.
 Afternoon: Taste food prepared with Sonoran Desert plants - Ocotillo, Prickly Pear, Saguaro and Mesquite.
 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.
   
Accommodations: Embassy Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Forensics/Mystery Dinner Theatre
(Tuesday, February 26)
   
 Breakfast: All breakfasts are deluxe continental. Come down by the time indicated on the intinerary, just be sure to allow enough time to arrive promptly for the morning activity!
 Morning: Piece the clues at the scene of a crime with science and cutting-edge technology. Learn how the pieces all fit together to provide evidence to catch a criminal! Investigate cases with a detective and learn how "street smarts" and science are applied.
 Lunch: Lunch on your own at the Desert Botanical Gardens
 Afternoon: Uncover the history of mystery in an overview of crime classics from page to the big screen. Learn from a literature teacher and with a film historian about the genre of mystery.
 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: Dinner at the hotel.
 Evening: Mystery Video
   
Accommodations: Embassy Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Detective Time/Stage to Page
(Wednesday, February 27)
   
 Breakfast: All breakfasts are deluxe continental. Come down by the time indicated on the intinerary, just be sure to allow enough time to arrive promptly for the morning activity!
 Morning: Breakdown the process detectives use to crack cases with an actual detective. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of differend methods, and talk about real-life crimes.
 Lunch: Lunch at the hotel.
 Afternoon: Learn about Arthur Conan Doyle - The author of Sherlock Holmes and the solving of mysteries.
 Dinner: Enjoy dinner at the hotel and embrace yourself for a murder mystery production.
   
Accommodations: Embassy Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Mystery Media/Film Historian/Literature Teacher
(Thursday, February 28)
   
 Breakfast: All breakfasts are deluxe continental. Come down by the time indicated on the intinerary, just be sure to allow enough time to arrive promptly for the morning activity!
 Morning: Uncover the history of mystery in an overview of crime classics from page to the big screen. Learn from a literature teacher and with a film historian about the genre of mystery.
 Lunch: Lunch at the hotel.
 Dinner: Downtown tour and enjoy dinner on your own at the Arizona Cultural Center.
 Evening: Mystery Evening Excursion - Dress to Impress. Enjoy an exciting evening out! But shhh...the destination is a secret!
   
Accommodations: Embassy Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6: Wrap-Up/Check Out
(Friday, March 1)
   
 Breakfast: All breakfasts are deluxe continental. Come down by the time indicated on the intinerary, just be sure to allow enough time to arrive promptly for the morning activity!
 Morning: Check out of the hotel by 11:00 am.
   
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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