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Pacific NW Adventure September 20-30, 2023 |
This fall, we will be traveling to the beautiful State of Washington, from the Cascade Mountains to its exquisite coast, verdant rainforests, and the San Juan Island Archipelago. We will tour the city of Seattle and take a nature walk in a wildflower meadow at the foot of Mount Rainier. In Olympic National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we will explore the lush Hoh Rainforest; stunning Rialto Beach, and Hurricane Ridge which offers spectacular panoramic views of the Olympic Mountain Range. We will tour a picturesque lighthouse and look for Orcas from Limekiln Point State Park. On San Juan Island we will learn about the Pig War of 1859 where a Captain George E. Pickett (yes, that George Pickett!) played a vital role in avoiding war with Canada over a dead pig. We hope you can join us this September! ITINERARY Wednesday, September 20 Individual arrivals. Check into our hotel for three nights.
Gather with staff and fellow travelers for our welcome dinner. Overnight Marriott Courtyard in Federal Way (or similar), south of Seattle Airport
(Note: we’ve elected not to stay in downtown Seattle, but rather south of the city to shorten our driving time to and from Mount Rainier and to Port Angeles.)
Thursday, September 21 Seattle City On today’s excursion, we will drive to the foot of Mount Rainier to see pristine alpine meadows, wander through old growth forests, and to gaze at roaring waterfalls. The snow-capped, 14,000’ peak is endearingly referred to locally as “The Mountain” and is a must-do Seattle day trip.
We’ll start at Longmire, a National Historic District, and the site of the first park headquarters. Here we’ll learn about the history of America’s fifth National Park. We’ll stop at the gorgeous wildflower meadows at Paradise and walk in the Grove of the Patriarchs amongst towering Douglas-firs, hemlocks, and cedars, some nearly 40 feet in diameter and more than 300 feet tall. Overnight Marriott Courtyard in Federal Way (or similar), south of Seattle Airport
Friday, September 22 Mount Rainier National Park A tour of the city of Seattle will include Pike Place Market, the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum, Chinatown, and the Ballard Locks that connect Puget Sound with the Ship Canal that sits about 20 feet above sea level. We will take an underground tour of 19th-century streets, sidewalks, and storefronts that lie beneath Pioneer Square, Seattle’s oldest neighborhood. Overnight Marriott Courtyard in Federal Way (or similar), south of Seattle Airport
Saturday, September 23 Suquamish - Port Gamble This morning we depart Seattle for Suquamish, WA. Here we will tour the Suquamish Museum which displays artifacts related to the home of Chief Seattle and to the Suquamish Tribe who lived on Puget Sound for thousands of years. We’ll continue to picturesque Port Gamble for lunch and to learn of its rich history. This National Historic Landmark was founded in 1853 by New England Sea captain and lumber merchant William Talbot from East Machias, Maine. The design and architecture of the community reflects the owners' New England roots.
One of the nation's best remaining examples of a company town, it was the longest continually operating mill in the United States. In the 1800s, lumber from Port Gamble was shipped as far as the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii), Japan, Australia, and Peru. Continue to Port Angeles and check into our hotel for a 3-night stay. Overnight Olympic Lodge in Port Angeles
Sunday, September 24 Olympic National Park – Hoh Rainforest – Rialto Beach The ancient forests, mountains, and rugged beaches of the Olympic National Park provide some of the most spectacular scenery in the state of Washington. A local naturalist will guide us to two of the most stunning natural spots of this UNESCO World Heritage Site—the Hoh Rainforest and Rialto Beach. The Hoh Rainforest is one of the largest and best examples of a temperate rainforest in the U.S. You will marvel at verdant green mosses and ferns that carpet the forest floor and massive 300-foot-tall, old growth Sitka Spruce trees. At Rialto Beach, we will walk by towering sea stacks, massive driftwood logs, and watch the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean. Overnight Olympic Lodge in Port Angeles
Monday, September 25 Olympic National Park – Hurricane Ridge – Lake Crescent Enjoy sweeping views of Olympic National Park from Hurricane Ridge. In clear weather, this park offers the best vistas of the surrounding mountains, pristine alpine meadows, and wildlife-spotting opportunities. Our guide will lead us on a nature walk to introduce us to the ecology and geology of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We’ll have lunch at Lake Crescent Lodge. The second-deepest lake in Washington is set within the stunning evergreen foothills of the Olympics. The lake waters are crystal clear and radiate magnificent blue and turquoise colors. Time permitting, we’ll also walk to a nearby waterfall. Overnight Olympic Lodge in Port Angeles
Tuesday, September 26 Friday Harbor Today we depart Port Angeles for the San Juan Islands. We will drive to Port Townsend to take the 35-minute ferry to Coupeville. From there we will drive to Anacortes to catch an afternoon ferry to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. Upon arrival, we will have a guided tour of the Whale Museum located blocks from our hotel. Check into our hotel for a 3-night-stay. Overnight at the Earthbox Inn & Spa, Friday Harbor, San Juan Island
Wednesday, September 27 San Juan Island & The Pig War We will begin our exploration of San Juan Island, the site of the Pig War of 1859, with a visit to American Camp National Historical Park. In 1859, Great Britain and the United States agreed to a joint occupation of San Juan Island until the water boundary between Vancouver Island and Washington Territory could be settled. Captain George E. Pickett (yes, that George Pickett!) was initially dispatched to the island to set up the U.S. Army post on the southern end of the island. The British set up their camp at the north end. A park ranger will give us a tour of the camp site and tell us about the Pig War of 1859 that instigated this action.
We will continue to Limekiln Point State Park which is considered one of the best whale-watching spots on earth. If we’re lucky we may see orcas, grey, humpback and/or minke whales, who pass through this area May through September. We’ll stop at the interpretive center and walk to the lighthouse.
Our final stop of the day is English Camp National Historical Park where a ranger-led walk will take us to see the parade grounds, blockhouse, and formal garden. Overnight at the Earthbox Inn & Spa, Friday Harbor, San Juan Island
Thursday, September 28 Orcas Island We will take a full-day excursion by ferry to nearby Orcas Island. We will drive to the top of Mount Constitution, the highest point in the San Juan Islands. If the weather is clear, we will enjoy stunning, panoramic views of the San Juans and the Cascade Mountain range.
Following a sumptuous brunch at historic Rosario’s Resort, we will have some free time on our own to explore the shops and galleries in the waterfront village of Eastsound. Return to our hotel in Friday Harbor by ferry. We will toast our Northwest Adventure at tonight’s farewell dinner. Overnight at the Earthbox Inn & Spa, Friday Harbor, San Juan Island
Friday, September 29 Friday Harbor After checking out of our hotel, we will have some free time in town before departing Friday Harbor on the noon ferry for Anacortes. En route to our hotel near the SEA-TAC International Airport, if their factory tours have been reinstated by this date, we will stop for a tour of the Boeing Factory. If not, we will make a stop elsewhere. Overnight at a hotel near SEA-TAC International Airport (TBD)
Saturday, September 30 Individual departures.
PROGRAM INCLUDES: COST: 11 DAYS/10 NIGHTS Single Occupancy: $4995 (NOTE: Prices are based on 20 participants. The tour cost is higher than the 2022's Oregon tour due to fact we will be touring Washington State during high season. The total hotel costs in Washington are substantially higher than the May 2022 (shoulder season) Oregon hotel rates.)
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