One’s destination is never a place, but always a new way of seeing things.
— Henry Miller
Travel with like-minded, lifelong explorers and spend just a day or an entire week discovering amazing things about the world around us. Whether it is a “behind-the-scenes” visit to an artist’s studio, a hike through a southern Arizona riparian habitat in search of elusive warblers, a journey through history following the trail of Spanish missionaries or an in-depth cultural immersion in lands beyond our own, join us and engage the world, you never know what you will find!
Sandhill Snowbirds #1 | SOLD OUT | call 742-6455 x 228 to be wait listed
Thursday | January 23 | 7:30am-5pm
No one ever forgets their first sight, nor sound, of quite literally thousands of Sandhill Cranes filling the wide-open skies above Sulphur Springs Valley. These majestic birds fly with their long necks and legs fully extended, chorusing a wild-sounding guttural bugle in flight. The Cranes are winter visitors to the area, “snowbirds” if you will, and gather to feed on corn stubble and other grain waste. On this daylong birding trip with guide Lynn Hassler, we visit Whitewater Draw to meet Cranes coming back from early morning feeding forays, and to check out the local waterfowl. Sulphur Springs is also a good spot for wintering raptors. Cost of the trip includes transportation, guide services and boxed lunch.
Sandhill Snowbirds #2 | SOLD OUT | call 742-6455 x 228 to be wait listed
Thursday | January 30 | 7:30am-5pm | $99 members | $120 general public
No one ever forgets their first sight, nor sound, of quite literally thousands of Sandhill Cranes filling the wide-open skies above Sulphur Springs Valley. These majestic birds fly with their long necks and legs fully extended, chorusing a wild-sounding guttural bugle in flight. The Cranes are winter visitors to the area, “snowbirds” if you will, and gather to feed on corn stubble and other grain waste. On this daylong birding trip with guide Lynn Hassler, we visit Whitewater Draw to meet Cranes coming back from early morning feeding forays, and to check out the local waterfowl. Sulphur Springs is also a good spot for wintering raptors. Cost of the trip includes transportation, guide services and boxed lunch.
Annual Heard Guild Indian Fair and Market
Sunday | March 8 | 8am-5pm | $75 members | $85 general public
Known as the world’s preeminent museum for the presentation, interpretation and advancement of American Indian art, the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market is a world-acclaimed cultural event that draws 15,000 visitors and nearly 600 of the nation’s most outstanding and successful American Indian artists. In booths throughout the grounds of the Museum, you will have the opportunity to meet both established traditional and contemporary artists, as well as cutting-edge younger artists selling their works alongside their relatives. Curator of Exhibitions James Schaub and Director of Education Jo Falls will be along to help navigate the array of vendors, explain things like technique, design and materials and answer your questions. Cost includes transportation and Market admission. Lunch can be enjoyed on your own at any number of food booths or in the restaurants on the Museum grounds. If you have always wanted to attend but the drive to Phoenix and the parking challenge seemed just too daunting, park the car at Tohono Chul and leave the driving AND the parking to us!
Verde Valley in the Spring
April 7-9, 2020 | $785 members per person/double occupancy | $145 single supplement
It’s spring in the Verde Valley of central Arizona and our thoughts turn to the scenic beauty of lush landscapes fed by the Verde River, the flashing colors of migrating song birds, the company of the ancient Sinagua people who once lived here, and, of course, the lure of the valley’s wine trail. Join Lynn Hassler, birder extraordinaire, and Jo Falls, Director of Education and come exploring. We’ve packed a lot into this three-day trip and think we have something for everyone – from birding Tavasci Marsh for waterbirds as well as river otter and beaver, to wine tastings at some of Arizona’s finest vineyards. We will be staying at the Cliff Castle Casino Hotel and dining in up and coming farm-to-table restaurants. The highlight? A first-class afternoon on the vintage Verde Canyon Railroad, a wilderness excursion that follows the curves of the Verde River through a rock canyon of lush greenery, abundant wildlife and ancient ruins. Nesting Common Black-hawks are a specialty here. Cost includes motorcoach transportation, hotel accommodations, all meals, admission fees, tastings, train ride and guide services.