Classroom LocationTravel
All workshops will be based on Guemes Island, a ten minute car ferry from Anacortes, Washington. Roundtrip ferry fares to Guemes are $7.00 for car and driver and $2.00 per passenger. Click here for info.

For those flying into Sea-Tac airport, Anacortes is about a two hour drive. Bellingham airport is about a one hour drive. Renting a car at the airport will be most convenient, though having a car on the island is not crucial -- there is always plenty of space in carpools. There is an airport shuttle with regular stops in Anacortes (call 800-423-4219 or see www.airporter.com). Cost is $33 one way and $61 roundtrip. Schedule return flights out of Sea-Tac for mid-day or later the day following the last workshop day.

Logistics and lodging information, with links to ferry and airporter schedules, will be sent to you via e-mail

Lodging
We have reserved lodging on the island at the Guemes Island Resort
(www.guemesislandresort.com), a comfortably rustic, older resort with cabins on a beautiful beachfront site, with mountain, water, and island views. All lodging inquiries and reservations must go to Ian Woofenden (ian@solarenergy.org * 360-293-5863) -- do NOT call the resort for information, since we have a private booking with them for the whole resort. These lodgings are first come, first served at $15 for floor space for your sleeping bag, $25 for co-ed dorm bed, $35 for semi-private bed, $45 for private room in shared cabin, and $95 and up for full private cabins. Free rustic camping is available elsewhere on the island -- ask me.

Prices are per night, and available in blocks covering each complete
multi-day workshop (the night before each workshop through the morning of the day after each workshop; limited lodging is available through me for the Intro to RE workshop). Full payment is required in advance, and our cancellation policy mirrors SEI's tuition cancellation policy. Call or e-mail Ian to reserve lodging. Prepayment (by check payable to Ian Woofenden) is required to hold lodging. The resort management will not be dealing with reservations or questions. Reserve lodging early for best selection! The early birds get the best beds!

You will get the most out of the educational and social experience by staying at the resort. We will be having informal sessions in the evenings there with our guest speakers, as well as social gatherings. It's an excellent opportunity to connect with other students, staff, and guest speakers. The resort is in a beautiful location, and all accommodations have full kitchen facilities and linens.

The last ferry run to and from Guemes Island during the week is at 6 PM. If you stay in one of the many motels in Anacortes, you will miss our evening sessions, and spend a lot of time in the ferry line. For Anacortes motel information, call the Anacortes Visitor Information Center at 360-293-3832 or call me for specific recommendations.

Food
There is a small store (Anderson's; www.guemesislandstore.com)
at the ferry dock on the island that has a fair selection of groceries. They make excellent lunches to order, and have breakfast rolls and coffee, as well as full breakfasts and a limited dinner menu. If you are going to cook for yourself (all resort lodging has full kitchens), you will need to bring or purchase and prepare whatever food you want. If you want the best price and selection, stop at one of the two supermarkets in Anacortes on your way through town.

Location
All workshop classroom sessions will start at the Guemes Island Community Center, which is about a half mile up Guemes Island Road from the ferry dock on the right. All workshops begin at 9 AM, but please come about a half hour early on the first day for registration. Our sessions will end at around 5 PM each day. Directions to shop, field tour, and hands-on sites will be given during the workshops, and carpools will be arranged.

Weather & Gear
Please come prepared for weather (it can be wet here in October, but the weather might also be quite nice), and prepared for work. Our projects and tours go forward rain or shine. Many participants like to bring their own basic hand tools, and boots and raingear are a good idea.

Questions?
I look forward to meeting you and working with you during the workshops. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to call or e-mail me.

Ian Woofenden, SEI NW Coordinator
PO Box 1001, Anacortes, WA 98221
360-293-5863 (home/office) * Cell: 360-770-1520
ian@solarenergy.org