| Elderhostel Cruise, March 1994 |
--------- | ..............................N Walker
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This report is constructed with old pics that were about to be thrown out. Decided to
post on the web site for a while in case anyone is interested in joining the Elderhostel program
featuring the cruise on "Adventuress".
The Adventuress program is still offered but may not be as robust as the trip I took a dozen
years ago. "Environmental classroom", "vegetarian food" are mentioned (a real downer if that is the current emphisis). The appeal of 1994 trip was
to experience actual sailing on a 100 ft vintage sailing vessel. The Elderhostel crew participated in
operating the vessel including sail handling and even short periods on the helm. Hiking and exploring on
the islands was also included. The program description
detailed the spartan living accomodations and physical requirements so the retirement age people that showed up
got along just fine. Hopefully something is still left of the wonderful elderhostel sailing cruise through the San
Juan Islands. If so, and if you can still climb up and down a short ladder, take advantage while you can.
I wish I had more photos of the old folks lined up on the deck hoisting sails but I was too busy hauling lines for camera work.
Not wishing to be overly "polically correct" I use the word "old" occasionally. However the paid captain and the youthfull
volunteer crew never used any word to describe our age or phyical ability. No patronizing consessions were given to
anyone, men or women, when assigning duties, even physically demanding ones. That was much appreciated.
Norm Walker, July 2006
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