Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 100 miles, approximately 3 hours riding time. Getting in/out of 2-person sea kayaks, paddling approximately 2.5 hours, distances vary due to factors such as tides, currents, wind, etc. Getting on/off a ferry; riding about 20 miles, approximately 1.5 hours. Short shuttle ride from ferry to hotel.
Breakfast:
You'll receive a breakfast voucher. Breakfast is served in the lobby restaurant.
Morning:
Once checked out of the hotel, we’ll board the motor coach and ride north to Anacortes on Fidalgo island. Anacortes is a town steeped in maritime history and serves as the gateway to the San Juan Islands. We’ll then ride Washington Park and enjoy its expansive marine views.
Lunch:
At a picnic area in Washington Park, we’ll have sack lunches. Sack lunches will feature a sandwich, chef's choice side (whole fresh fruit, chips, or deli salad), beverage, and a chef’s choice fresh bakery treat for everyone.
Afternoon:
Next, we’ll ride to the Skyline Marine Center for a kayak safety and operation orientation. We’ll then get into two-person sea kayaks and paddle near Fidalgo and Burrows Islands for approximately 2.5 hours. Fidalgo and Burrows are known for scenic rocky shorelines where evergreen forests carpet the landscape right down to the shore. During the paddle, our naturalist kayaking instructors will provide educational commentary focused on the natural history and wildlife of the area. We’ll reboard our motorcoach and ride a short way to the Washington State Ferry Anacortes Terminal, where we’ll board the Washington State ferry bound for San Juan Island. You might like to enjoy the view of the National Scenic Byway through a tapestry of islands from the inside passenger cabins or from the outside decks as we take our 1.5 hour journey through the archipelago to Friday Harbor. Upon arrival at the dock in the late afternoon, we’ll make a quick transfer via shuttle check to the hotel and check in.
Dinner:
At the hotel, we’ll enjoy a tasty meal featuring salad, a main entrée, sides, vegetables, and dessert, plus coffee, tea, water. You may bring other beverages of your own with you.
Evening:
After dinner, the Group Leader will provide handouts for recommended morning stretching, yoga poses, and meditation that you may do on your own in preparation for tomorrow’s paddling activity.