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Cape Cod and Woods Hole: Oceanography and Natural History (3 nights)

Program Number: 16765RJ
Start and End Dates:
6/9/2013 - 6/12/2013; 9/15/2013 - 9/18/2013;
Duration: 3 nights
Location: Falmouth, Massachusetts
Price starting at: $649.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Science & Nature Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 8; 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 2 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Flexed like an arm jutting out into the Atlantic from Massachusetts, Cape Cod was formed by glaciers and changed through the ages by rising and falling seas. The Cape is cherished today as a place of extraordinary natural beauty, and the home of notable scientific institutions based at Woods Hole Village including the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, Marine Biological Laboratory, and The Woods Hole Research Center. Join us to learn about Cape Cod, its natural history, and advanced scientific research.




Highlights

• Encounter scientists and their work at the Marine Biological Laboratory, the oldest independent marine laboratory in the Americas, where 54 MBL-affiliated scientists have been awarded the Nobel Prize.
• At the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, the largest independent oceanographic research institution in the U.S., see ALVIN — the deep sea sub of “Titanic” fame.
• Explore the Woods Hole Research Center, the Woods Hole Science Aquarium, and take a whale watch study cruise to the Stellwagen Bank National marine sanctuary.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to one mile daily on flat and uneven terrain outdoors, such as sandy beaches. Boarding a boat from a short ramp, stepping over a railing and down a few steps.



A longer 5 night version of this program is also available: 16052. For details, see www.roadscholar.org/16052 or call toll free at (877) 426-8056.




Date Specific Information

6-9-2013

Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



Coordinated by Road Scholar.




Falmouth (Massachusetts)

Tucked in the southwest corner of Cape Cod, Falmouth’s rocky coast and abundant ponds and marshes are characteristic of this enchanting region. The town’s rich cranberry bogs and busy harbors hearken back to its Yankee traditions, and the modern oceanographic research center in Woods Hole strengthens Falmouth’s ancient connection to the sea.
Accommodations
Comfortable hotel with indoor saltwater pool.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Bill Sargent
Bill is a consultant for the popular science show NOVA and author of a dozen books on science and the environment. He studied plankton at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and was the first director of the National Aquarium in Baltimore. He has taught science writing at Harvard University and marine biology at the Briarwood Field Station in Bourne. Bill’s research on horseshoe crabs in Pleasant Bay was used in the creation of a reserve for this strategic biomedical resource.
 
Jim Coogan
Jim Coogan is an author and retired teacher who lives in the historic seaside town of Sandwich on Cape Cod. He grew up on the Cape, graduated from Boston College and served in the U.S. Navy before teaching high school history for almost 30 years. Since his retirement in 1999, Jim has written eight books about Cape Cod, including three for children. His “Sail Away Ladies: Stories of Cape Cod Women in the Age of Sail” won the 2004 U.S. Maritime Literature Award. Jim is a popular speaker on Cape Cod history, a regular columnist for the Cape Cod Times daily newspaper and the owner and publisher of Harvest Home Books.
 
Alan Kuzirian
Alan Kuzirian is an associate scientist at the Marine Biological Laboratory. He conducts his laboratory research at the Marine Resource Center, exploring the functional morphology and ultrastructure of various organ systems in mollusks. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, and a doctorate in Zoology from the University of New Hampshire.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Holiday Inn Falmouth
  Falmouth, MA 3 nights
 Holiday Inn Falmouth
Type: Hotel
  Description: The Holiday Inn is situated one-half mile from historic downtown Falmouth, MA on the Cape Cod peninsula. Moments from beautiful seaside vistas, the Holiday Inn is less than two miles from pristine beaches and from three ferries that carry you to picturesque Martha's Vineyard. The hotel is 13 miles from Historic 6A and many incredible offshore whale watching excursions.
  Contact info: 291 Jones Road
Falmouth, MA 02540 USA
phone: 508-540-2000
web: www.capecodhi.com/
  Room amenities: The hotel has 98 nicely appointed rooms, the majority of which are with two double beds. Standard in all of the rooms are coffee makers, hair dryers, irons and ironing boards, free HBO, free local calls, and complimentary wireless internet access.
  Facility amenities: Lobby Computer Free Wireless High-Speed Internet Access 24-Hour Front Desk Heated Indoor Pool Restaurant/Cocktail Lounge - Kansas City Steakhouse Meeting and Event Facilities (up to 200 guests) Fitness Room - Treadmills, step machine and light free weights A/C Public Areas Express Check-in/Check-out Free Local Phone Calls Ice Machine On-site Guest Laundry Facilities (washer/dryer) Dry Cleaning/Laundry Safety Deposit Box Secretarial Services Vending Machine Wake-Up Calls Room Service Complimentary On-Site Parking Kids Eat Free Government Rates Priority Club Rewards
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Additional nights prior: Varies based on availability Please call the hotel directly to book additional nights before or after.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: Varies based on availability Please call the hotel directly to book additional nights before or after.
  Check out time: 12:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
3PM at Hotel You will be staying at Holiday Inn Falmouth that night.
  End of Program:
12:30-1PM at Hotel You will be staying at Holiday Inn Falmouth the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
Free parking.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Falmouth, MA
  Nearest city or town:  Mashpee, Sandwich, Bourne
  Nearest highway: I-95/Rt-128, I-495, Rt-6, Rt. 28
  Nearest airport:  Logan International Airport
  From End of Program
  Location: Falmouth, MA
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Boston

 

From Train Station

 
 

Service:

 

Train
Cape Flyer
phone: 508-775-8504

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$20
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

2.4 
   

The Cape Flyer departs South Station in Boston at 8:00 AM on Sunday. Cape Flyer tickets will be available for purchase in advance on the official MBTA mTicket App or from a train conductor onboard the Cape Flyer. NOTE: Cape Flyer only runs Friday-Sunday.
 

Boston

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
Numerous Taxi Services Available

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$150
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

1.5 Hours 
 

Distance:

 

70 Miles
 

Boston

 

From Bus Terminal

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
Numerous Taxi Services Available

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$150
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

1.5 Hours 
 

Distance:

 

70 Miles
 

Boston

 

From Train Station

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
Numerous Taxi Services Available

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$150
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

1.5 Hours 
 

Distance:

 

70 Miles
 

Boston

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Peter Pan Bus Lines
phone: 800-343-9999
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$30
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

1.5 
   

For booking information, please call the Peter Pan Bus Lines or go to www.peterpanbus.com. The bus departs from Boston's Logan Airport at Terminals A, B, C,and E on the Lower Level near Scheduled Bus Sign. Pay the driver exact fare cash only. Before departing, call Falmouth Taxi at 508-548-3100 to make arrangements for a taxi to pick you up from the Peter Pan bus station in Falmouth and take you the 1.5 miles to the Holiday Inn. The Taxi fare is approximately $5.
 

Boston

 

From Train Station

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Peter Pan Bus Lines
phone: 800-343-9999

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$27
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

1.5 
   

For booking information, call the Peter Pan Bus Lines or go to www.peterpanbus.com. The bus departs from Boston's South Station. Before departing, call Falmouth Taxi at 508-548-3100 to make arrangements for a taxi to pick you up from the Peter Pan bus station in Falmouth and take you the 1.5 miles to the Holiday Inn. The Taxi fare is approximately $5.
 
Driving Directions
  From Metro Boston Area to Holiday Inn Falmouth Take Route 93 South to Route 3 South. Travel to Sagamore Bridge and cross over, exiting on the other side at Exit 1. Turn left at light and proceed to rotary to Route 28 South. Follow 13 miles to first traffic light and turn left on Jones Road. The hotel is one half mile on right facing Jones Pond.
  From Providence and New York to Holiday Inn Falmouth Take Route 95 North to Route 195 East. Travel to the end to Route 25 South. Go straight until you reach the Bourne Bridge. Cross the Bourne Bridge to 28 South. Travel 13 miles to first traffic light and turn left Jones Road. The hotel is one half mile on right facing Jones Pond.
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: Arrival/Orientation
(Sunday, June 9)
   
 Arrive To: Registration in the hotel lobby between 3:00-5:00 PM.
 Dinner: Orientation at 5:00 PM, followed by dinner at hotel restaurant at 6:00 PM.
 Evening: "Welcome to Cape Cod" historical lecture with local expert at 7:00 PM.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Falmouth
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Sandwich Glass Museum/Cape Cod Canal/Whale Watch Study Cruise
(Monday, June 10)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel restaurant.
 Morning: Journey to Sandwich, the oldest town on Cape Cod, for a walking tour of the Glass Museum. Then, head to the Cape Cod Canal where interactive films and exhibits illustrate the history of the canal project and its impact on New England shipping.
 Lunch: Eat lunch in Sandwich, the oldest town in Cape Cod.
 Afternoon: After lunch head to Plymouth for a naturalist-led whale watch study cruise at the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.
 Dinner: Relax at a restaurant in Falmouth and enjoy and some traditional Cape Cod cooking.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Falmouth
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Marine Biology Laboratory/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution/Woods Hole Research Center
(Tuesday, June 11)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.
 Morning: Hear from a Scientist at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, followed by a tour of the Marine Resources Center for a look at the marine animals used in MBL research.
 Lunch: Eat lunch among the scientists at the Marine Biology Laboratory Cafeteria.
 Afternoon: Visit the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute's to learn about the Institution's ocean science research and the vessels and tools developed by WHOI engineers and scientists for use in that research. Afterwards, coach to the Woods Hole Research Center and hear about the Center's ongoing research projects aimed at mapping changes in the world's ecosystems. Discuss science based solutions to global evironmental challenges and take a tour of the Center's facilities
 Dinner: Dinner on own to explore local fare.
 Evening: Free Evening
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Falmouth
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Bill Sargent Lecture/Program Departures
(Wednesday, June 12)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel restaurant
 Morning: Lecture By Nova Scientist and Author Bill Sargent.
 Lunch: Boxed Lunches/Check Out and program departures
   
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
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


Just Seconds from the Ocean: Coastal Living in the wake of Katrina


Author: Bill Sargent


Cape Cod


Author: Henry David Thoreau


You can't eat GNP


Author: Eric Davidson


The Outer Lands: A Natural History Guide to Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, Block Island, and Long Island


Author: Dorothy Sterling


Sail Away Ladies: Stories of Cape Cod Women in the Age of Sail


Author: Jim Coogan


Storm Surge


Author: Bill Sargent




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