All address fields should be selected!
Full name should be provided!
The information you entered is not valid. Please try again.
The information you entered is not valid. Please try again.
No Results
Invalid email value
Invalid password value
Please enter a valid email address
Please provide a password
Your password must be at least 5 characters long
Missing password
Password short (5 chars min required)
Special Offer
Remove from Wishlist
Program No.
Ages
Length
days
New
Not yet reviewed
Starts at
Close
See More
Activity Level — Varies
Activity Level
Details
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your name-tag (sent previously).
Afternoon: Program Registration: 5:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the hotel conference room to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will review COVID protocols and will adhere to applicable requirements and guidelines throughout the program. We will also complete kayaking waivers. A copy of the waiver is included at the end of these preparatory materials but need not be completed in advance. Our knowledgeable Group Leader will also serve as our Study Leader. In addition to kayaking experts will provide educational content during paddling field trips, we will also hear from local experts for some lectures and field trips. Paddling distances during sea kayaking field trips will vary based on tides, currents, and wind conditions. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private motorcoach, public transportation, and vans/mini-buses depending on circumstances. Please note that supply-chain issues could have an impact on food services, particularly on San Juan Island. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner: In the hotel conference room.
Evening: At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
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: We will have vouchers provided for 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.
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.
Evening: A local resident expert will join us to offer an insider’s look at contemporary life in the Islands and explores issues affecting island life. After, the Group Leader will provide handouts for recommended morning stretching, yoga poses, and meditation as preparation for tomorrow’s paddling activity.
Activity note: Wellness activities to warm-up and stretch. Getting on/off vans; driving about 25 miles, less than 1 hour. Hiking up to 1.5 hours; coastal terrain, well-maintained trail. Getting in/out of 2-person sea kayaks, paddling approximately 2.5 hours, distances vary due to factors such as tides, currents, wind, etc.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: We will have time reserved for wellness activities such as stretching, yoga poses, and meditation as preparation for the day’s paddling activity. The Group Leader will also take those who are interested on a walk to get the blood flowing and enjoy the morning sea breeze. The hotel’s exercise equipment will also be available. Later in the morning, we will be joined by a wildlife rehabilitation expert who will give us an informative presentation about the wildlife that call the San Juan Islands home. We’ll learn about rehabilitation efforts and techniques as well as specific characteristics of local species. We’ll then set out on mini-bus with our Group Leader for a field trip to Limekiln Point State Park, one of the best places in the world to view whales from land. The park is also home to an Orca research outpost and lighthouse. We will explore areas of the park including around the lighthouse (entry not permitted).
Lunch: At Limekiln Lighthouse, we’ll have sack lunches.
Afternoon: For our next, field trip, we’ll ride to the San Juan Island National Historical Park’s English Camp where we’ll hike on a coastal trail along the sheltered Garrison Bay and Westcott Bay. According to the National Park Service website, “When Great Britain and the United States in 1859 agreed to a joint occupation of San Juan Island until the water boundary between the two nations could be settled, it was decided that camps would be located on opposite ends of the island.” We’ll then have time for independent exploration to explore the historic buildings, blockhouse, formal garden, and remnants of an ancient shell midden on the shoreline. We’ll also learn the story about how the location was chosen and how the camp was so solidly established. We’ll then head ride five miles north to Roche Harbor. At historic Roche Harbor Village, we’ll have another kayak safety and operation orientation. We’ll then set out with our naturalists in two-person sea kayaks from the Roche Harbor dock for a sunset paddle. We’ll explore the northwest coastlines of San Juan Island, Henry Island, Battleship Island, as well as Westcott Bay.
Dinner: At the hotel.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Wellness activities. Walking up to 1.5 miles throughout the day, standing up to an hour at a time; paved walkways, wooden docks; 25 steps with railing to upper level at Whale Museum.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: We will have time reserved for wellness activities. Later in the morning, we’ll gather in the hotel conference room for a presentation by a local expert from the San Juan Island Preservation Trust Stewardship, highlighting the island’s most precious resource: undeveloped land.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: We’ll set out on a walking field trip to the Whale Museum, the nation’s first museum dedicated to Orcas living in the wild. A docent will share research and conservation issues related to the three resident pods that call the San Juan Islands home. Later in the afternoon, we will walk to a nearby local artist’s beautiful cooperative gallery for a Road Scholar exclusive reception with wine included. As we socialize, we will also have an opportunity to view hand-crafted artwork created by more than 50 island artists.
Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Getting in/out of vans/mini-buses; driving about 25 miles with stops, approximately 1.5 hours total riding time. Getting in/out of 2-person sea kayaks, paddling approximately 3 hours, distances vary due to factors such as tides, currents, wind, etc. Hiking about 2.5 miles, approximately 1.5 hours; well-maintained dirt trails.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: We will hop into vans and ride to Jackson’s Beach where we’ll launch for our morning paddle of approximately 2.5 hours. We’ll paddle through Griffin Bay and pass by Dinner Island and Brown Island as we explore the San Juan Channel. We’ll return to the hotel after our field trip.
Lunch: At the hotel.
Afternoon: For our next field trip with our Group Leader, we’ll set out in vans/mini-buses and ride to Pelindaba Farm to learn about this niche farm and sample some of its culinary products. We’ll then continue riding south to the island’s southern area and the south end of the San Juan Island National Park site at American Camp. Upon arrival, we’ll set out on a spectacular coastal hike with epic views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountain range to the west. Our buses will pick us up at the end of the trail and we’ll return to the hotel late afternoon.
Dinner: At the hotel.
Evening: We’ll be joined by a local historian who will give us a presentation on the impact the fishing industry has played in San Juan Island history.
Activity note: Wellness activities. Getting in/out of vans/mini-buses; driving about 20 miles with stops, approximately 3/4 hour riding time. Getting in/out of 2-person sea kayaks, paddling approximately 1 hour; distances vary due to factors such as tides, currents, wind, etc. Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day, standing up to 1 hour at a time; paved walkways, dirt paths, uneven surfaces, exposed tree roots, some stairs (less than 30 steps total for all stairways).
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: We will have time reserved for wellness activities. We’ll then hop into vans/mini-buses and ride to Roche Harbor for a paddle along the island’s scenic west side, known as one of the best areas to view wildlife of all types. Our naturalists will also identify and point outintertidal life along the shoreline.
Lunch: At a scenic spot, we’ll have sack lunches.
Afternoon: Returning to the hotel mid-afternoon, the remainder of the afternoon will be free. You might like to explore in town, spend time with fellow Road Scholars, or just relax.
Dinner: At the hotel. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening: As our program comes to a close, we’ll celebrate the final evening with a brief review of our week and go over the morning departure details. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity note: Hotel check-out 7:15 a.m. Getting on/off a ferry; transfer to Anacortes about 20 miles, approximately 1.5 hours. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 100 miles, approximately 2.5 hours. Drop-offs at SeaTac International Airport followed by original starting hotel at approximately 12:30 p.m. and 1:00 p.m., respectively. Schedule outbound flights after 2:30 p.m.
Breakfast: Early at the hotel.
Morning: We will check out of the hotel, walk to the ferry landing, and board the Washington State Ferry. Upon docking in Anacortes, we’ll board a chartered motorcoach and ride to Seattle with drop-offs at SeaTac International Airport, followed by the original hotel. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!