From Chicago s Gold Coast to the Far Shores of Lake Superior

Transcription

1 From Chicago s Gold Coast to the Far Shores of Lake Superior Aboard the 130-Guest Yorktown June 21 30, 2014 Free Round-Trip Airfare See Inside

2

3 Dear Traveler, The importance of the Great Lakes to human history is immeasurable, but what is perhaps even more fascinating about this region is that vast stretches remain virtually the same as they were 10,000 years ago, when immense glaciers retreated and formed what is today the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth. This summer voyage will sail along the unspoiled and little-developed western shore of Lake Michigan, including the wild and untamed Upper Peninsula, and across the northern shore of Lake Superior exploring the expansive wilderness and calling at small towns that reveal the storied history of this region. As we set sail from Chicago, skyscrapers will fade into rolling farmlands, tidy fishing villages, and pristine shorelines. Aboard the Yorktown, you will glimpse virtually the same vista that a Paleo-Indian might have appreciated from his canoe; or what inspired French explorer Samuel de Champlain to christen the waters La Mer Douce, or freshwater sea in Our first port of call, Manitowoc, will be a fitting introduction to the soul of the Great Lakes: the area, once home to several Native American tribes, has given rise to prosperous fur trading, fishing, and shipbuilding industries over the centuries, and today is an innovative hub for green energy technology. As we cruise to Michigan s rarely visited Upper Peninsula, you may forget for a moment that humans ever tread these tree-blanketed, rocky limestone shores. But when we dock at charming Mackinac Island, you will be immersed in Great Lakes history once again as you explore Victorian-era architecture and visit the impressive Fort Mackinac. Lake Superior s 300-mile northern shoreline will perhaps be the most memorable highlight of this journey. Yorktown will sail past vast stretches of land seemingly untouched by man: stunning rocky peninsulas, craggy cliffs, tree-covered islands, mammoth dunes, and deserted beaches. In Pukaskwa National Park, we will spend a day exploring boreal forests and savoring unmatched views of Lake Superior. As we venture to Minnesota s North Shore, you may spot bald eagles or peregrine falcons when we pause to hike the scenic trails of the expansive Superior National Forest and kayak in the sky-tinted lake waters. To enhance our discovery of the region, we will be joined by Frederick Stonehouse, a Great Lakes maritime historian and best-selling author, Lucy Fowler Williams, Senior Keeper of the American Collections at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, and birding expert Miles Hern, Yorktown s resident naturalist. These talented speakers are eager to share their expertise through lectures and informal discussion. This unique voyage lets you discover a part of North America where nature reigns supreme and history stretches through the ages. Join us next summer, when the Lakes are at their most magnificent, for a memorable voyage into another time and place. Sincerely, Margaret M. Betchart President, Betchart Expeditions Inc. For AAAS Travels, ACS & Sigma Xi Expeditions P.S. Book by March 14 th to receive free round-trip airfare! See page 14 for details. Left: Yorktown s bow points at Chicago s iconic skyline Cover: The sky-tinted waters and lush forest of Lake Superior

4 Discover One of America s Greatest N Idyllic Voyage in Lake Michigan & Lake The dramatic cliffs of Minnesota s North Shore overlook Lake Superior A One-of-a-Kind Voyage Ottawa, Potawatomi, and Ojibwe tribes. European explorers. French-Canadian coureurs de bois. American fishermen and shipbuilders. Over millennia, humans have sought out the shores of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan to fulfill their various purposes, settling and transforming the land. But the grandeur of nature has persisted and endured alongside human development, resulting in a region that boasts magnificent scenery alongside outcrops of civilization. This voyage takes you to the heart of the western Great Lakes region, revealing both the natural and the man-made treasures of this rich land, and allowing you to explore them in depth by ship, kayak, and on foot. Summer Cruising on the Great Lakes An American Tradition In the first half of the 20 th century, the Great Lakes were the premier summer vacation spot for Americans, and for good reason. Summer is the ideal season to explore the region. In mid-june, the breeze coming off Lake Michigan and Lake Superior will be cool and refreshing. The copious lilac bushes on Mackinac Island will be in full, resplendent bloom when we dock, filling the air with the sweet fragrance of the season. And because Yorktown will embark on June 21 st, the summer solstice, each day of your voyage promises to be longer and filled with sunlight, allowing you to spend ample time at leisure in our ports of call. At night, you may see no other light but the stars the Great Lakes are so vast, it s possible to lose sight of land in every direction, and any man-made light is muffled by nature s majesty. [4] For reservations or information, please call us at

5 atural Treasures on an Superior The War of 1812 Who Owned the Great Lakes? Until the American War of Independence, the Great Lakes were wholly within the boundaries of the various British colonies of North America. The advent of the new country raised the issue of the ownership of the Lakes. Strangely, it was the Napoleonic wars in Europe that were to settle it. Yorktown passengers enjoying the view from the Promenade Deck The Small-Ship Experience For a voyage designed for relaxation, reflection, and learning, you will sail on the ideal vessel. Yorktown is a small cruise ship that accommodates no more than 130 passengers, and was designed specifically for coastal cruising. The atmosphere aboard Yorktown is welcoming and easygoing, which fosters the sense of a community seeking out new adventures together, rather than a disparate group of tourists traveling anonymously. Along your journey, you will delight in meeting and mingling with fellow travelers, sharing experiences and enjoying a like-minded camaraderie. The British had blockaded Napoleon and warned that they would seize any American vessel trading with continental Europe. By 1812, almost 400 vessels had been captured on the high seas, some within sight of the U.S. coast. America, with a population of 8 million, decided to invade the British colonies to the north, where only 300,000 people lived. President Jefferson, never in doubt of success, said the war would be a mere matter of marching. It turned out quite differently. Most events of the war were directed at Upper Canada and the soft belly of the Great Lakes. British regulars, helped by Indian tribes, were quite successful against ill-trained American volunteers. They seized Mackinac Island and Detroit, and halted invading parties at Sackett s Harbour, Kingston, and Niagara. But the outcome of the war was greatly influenced by the first and only naval battle ever fought on the Great Lakes. The year after, the Treaty of Ghent settled most outstanding issues between the British and the U.S. The Great Lakes were then declared neutral, and the present boundary between Canada and the U.S. was set roughly through the middle of the Lakes. [5]

6 Travel, Learn & Enrich Your Experience with a Team of Experts Our voyage is accompanied by an experienced team of lecturers and expert local guides who are intimately familiar with the destination. Through lectures and discussion, they will introduce you to the natural and cultural history of these shores. Frederick Stonehouse has authored over 30 books on maritime history. He has been a consultant for both the U.S. National Park Service and Parks Canada and has appeared as an expert for National Geographic, History Channel, and Fox Family. Named 2007 Historian of the Year by the Marine Historical Society of Detroit, Fred teaches Great Lakes Maritime History at Northern Michigan University and is a consultant for numerous Great Lakes projects and programs. Lucy Fowler Williams, Associate Curator and Senior Keeper of the American Collections of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, received her Ph.D. in cultural anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania in Her research interests center on Native Americans and the representation of identity in their material culture, especially textiles. Dr. Williams will be our guide to the history of the Ottawa, Potawatomi, and Ojibwe peoples in the areas we explore. Miles Hearn comes from a long tradition of involvement in the natural world. He is particularly interested in the variety of plants and birds from around the world which have become naturalized in North America. Each year he spends as much time as possible in the remote corners of northeastern Ontario, where he has run breeding bird surveys for the Canadian Wildlife Research Centre for over 30 years. This will be Miles second year as Yorktown s onboard naturalist in the Great Lakes. You may also join Betchart travelers on The Idyllic Islands & Majestic Shores of Croatia & Montenegro May 15-23, 2014 Aboard the 100-Guest Corinthian Explore the Dalmatian Coast s well-established highlights and hidden jewels on a springtime cruise from Dubrovnik to Venice. You may also join Betchart travelers on Antarctica Dec Aboard the 100-Guest Corinthian Discover Antarctica s spectacles from the comfort of one of the most luxurious small ships cruising Antarctic waters, including numerous shore landings. [6] For reservations or information, please call us at

7 Yorktown approaching charming Mackinac Island

8 Itinerary Saturday, June 21, 2014 CHICAGO, Illinois, USA EMBARK Arrive in Chicago and embark Yorktown. (D) Sunday, June 22 MANITOWOC, Wisconsin Originally home to Native American tribes of Ottawa, Potawatomi, and Ojibwe, this tranquil coastal area attracted later fur traders, who had established posts by the late 1700s. In the early 1800s, Manitowoc was also the base of an enormous and prosperous fishing industry, as well as the center for building sailing ships, earning it the name Clipper City. Explore the town, including the superb Wisconsin Maritime Museum, where rich exhibits chronicle the maritime history of the Great Lakes; the Pinecrest Historical Village, an ensemble of more than 25 historic buildings set in beautiful grounds; and the Rahr- West Art Museum, with its collections of American and international art. Around Manitowoc there are beautiful natural areas, and opportunities will be offered to explore them. (B, L, D) Monday, June 23 MANISTIQUE, Michigan Sail into Manistique, a small town on the Garden Peninsula that juts into Lake Michigan. Explore this scenic area, including the Big Spring in Palms Book State Park, its crystal-clear waters stretching 200 feet across; and Fayette, the center of a large smelting operation in the 19 th century and now one of the country s most evocative industrial ghost towns, protected as a state park site. (B, L, D) Tuesday, June 24 MACKINAC ISLAND Arrive in beautiful Mackinac Island, a Victorian-era haven where cars are forbidden and bicycles share the road with horse-drawn carriages. Explore this idyllic island and see the ancient limestone formations that were considered sacred by the Ojibwe; the impressive Fort Mackinac; and the landmark Victorian Grand Hotel. Also enjoy free time to stroll along streets lined with gingerbread-trimmed buildings and browse in the charming shops. (B, L, D) The Great Lakes are the perfect place to kayak [8] For reservations or information, please call us at

9

10 Wednesday, June 25 SAULT STE. MARIE Enter the scenic waterways of the North Channel, which lead to Sault Ste. Marie. See the Soo Locks from the viewing platform in town and visit a 1917 Great Lakes freighter, now a museum. Also drive outside Sault Ste. Marie to the Point Iroquois Lighthouse, resting on a bluff above Lake Superior. Climb the lighthouse for views of the entire coastline, see the lighthouse keeper s memorabilia, and walk on the boardwalk to the beach. After leaving Sault St. Marie, Yorktown transits the Soo Locks, often called the busiest in the world, where some 10,000 ships pass annually. (B, L, D) Thursday, June 26 MARATHON PUKASKWA NATIONAL PARK MARATHON, Ontario, Canada Explore Pukaskwa National Park, known for its boreal forests and its breathtaking views of Lake Superior. Visit the Anishinaabe Camp and learn about First Nations traditional ceremonies and medicines. Stroll the boardwalk to some of Pukaska s famous driftwood beaches, viewing scenic dunes along the way. (B, L, D) Friday, June 27 RED ROCK Sail into Nipigon Bay to the community of Red Rock. A choice of excursions exploring the nearby wilderness will include Eagle Canyon, where two suspension bridges built over the canyon allow views of majestic scenery including the spring-fed lake on the canyon s floor, or a hike along the Nipigon River Recreational Trail, an easy walk that affords the chance to view the wildlife on the river, including bald eagles, blue herons, peregrine falcons, pelicans, and a variety of waterfowl. Moose, deer, otter, and beaver may also be seen. (B, L, D) Saturday, June 28 THUNDER BAY FORT WILLIAM THUNDER BAY The land around attractive Thunder Bay was first settled by the French in the late 17 th century. Shortly after the American Revolution, the British established a settlement, Fort William, which flourished on the booming fur trade. Visit Fort William Historical Park, offering a vivid glimpse of life at a fur trading post of the North West Company. (B, L, D) Sunday, June 29 GRAND MARAIS, Minnesota, USA Along Minnesota s untamed Lake Superior coastline, known as the North Shore, are superb wilderness areas, rated to be among the finest in the country. For example, not far from the coast is Superior National Forest, comprised of an incredible 3.9 million acres. The forested coast borders the Sawtooth Mountains, where glacial lakes, rivers, falls, and wildlife abound. From the lovely small town of Grand Marais, we will have the opportunity to explore this beautiful region, offering activities that will include hiking along scenic trails, kayaking, and visiting historic sites such as the Grand Portage National Monument to explore the history of the Ojibwe people. (B, L, D) A traditional Ojibwe ceremony at Grand Portage National Monument, Minnesota Monday, June 30 DULUTH DISEMBARK Disembark in Duluth after breakfast. (B) [10] For reservations or information, please call us at

11 Lake Superior s rugged shoreline and crystal-clear blue waters

12 Yorktown Yorktown is the perfect vessel for relaxed and convivial exploration of America s great coastal waterways. Built in Florida in 1988 specifically for coastal cruising and certified by the U.S. Coast Guard, Yorktown flies the American flag and is staffed by friendly and experienced American officers and crew. With a draft of only nine feet, Yorktown is able to maneuver in secluded waterways and visit small ports that are inaccessible to larger vessels. And Yorktown s American registry makes it possible to operate domestic itineraries unavailable to foreign-flag ships. The ship s cuisine, served in a dining room large enough to accommodate all guests at once, emphasizes American regional culinary traditions. Accommodating only 130 guests in 65 exterior cabins, Yorktown, while not a luxury vessel, enjoys an atmosphere of warm and relaxed informality that endears it to repeat and new guests alike. Life aboard Yorktown Life aboard Yorktown is relaxed and informal, and dress is always casual. Guests discover soon after settling in that the ship s design fosters a sense of community and shared enterprise. The cabins are extremely comfortable for their size and well designed to maximize the square footage. Most have large picture windows, and each is furnished with comfortable beds, a writing desk, ample storage, a clock/radio/cd player, and a private bathroom. Your cabin is the perfect place for peace and quiet and for private rest and reflection. But you will want to spend most of your time in one of Yorktown s inviting common areas. The Lounge, never more than two decks away (Yorktown has no elevator), is the hub of shipboard activity the place to read, to converse with fellow travelers, to attend lectures and concerts, to enjoy a cocktail as the pianist performs on the ship s piano, or simply to take in unobstructed views of the passing scene. The Sun Deck affords similar opportunities to read and relax in the open air. Yorktown s inviting Dining Room [12] For reservations or information, please call us at

13 Most cabins feature a picture window Yorktown s spacious Lounge is surrounded by windows Sightseeing on Yorktown s bow Bathrooms are appointed with fine toiletries Details of the comfortable Lounge Relaxing on Yorktown s Sun Deck [13]

14 Free airfare Free round-trip domestic economy class airfare (up to $500 per person) will be provided based on the lowest available fares. A book-by deadline of March 14 th, 2014, and certain restrictions apply. Air taxes and booking fees are not included. Airfare is not included in the Cruise and Land Rates. For assistance with flights, you may contact Taunya DeYoung at Betchart Expeditions Inc., (800) , or Taunya@betchartexpeditions. com. If you wish to make your own travel arrangements, an air credit of up to $500 will apply and be deducted from the listed Cruise and Land Rates. PROGRAM INCLUSIONS Free Airfare as specified above Cruise aboard the 130-guest Yorktown Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions aboard ship All meals aboard ship, including house wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner Complete program of tours and excursions Enrichment program of lectures and discussions by accompanying study leaders Professional Travel Dynamics International tour staff Complete pre-departure materials Gratuities to guides and drivers NOT INCLUDED: Airfare other than specified; transfers; port taxes and charges; luggage and trip cancellation insurance; alcoholic beverages other than wine and beer with lunch and dinner; personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, faxes, and Internet service; and gratuities to shipboard personnel deck plan SUN DECK Cruise and Land Rates PER PERSON, DOUBLE OCCUPANCY category description rate E D C B A AA S L47 L45 L43 L48 L46 L44 P75 P73 P76 P74 PROMENADE DECK LOUNGE DECK MAIN DECK L41 L39 L37 L35 L33 L31 L29 L27 L42 P71 P69 P67 P65 P63 P61 P72 P70 P68 P66 P64 P62 L40 L38 L36 L34 L32 L30 DINING ROOM S79 S77 S80 S78 OBSERVATION LOUNGE Outside cabins with two lower beds, two portholes, and private bathroom. Cabins M11-M17 $5,295 Outside cabins with two lower beds, two windows, and private bathroom. Cabins L43-L48 $6,195 Outside cabins with two lower beds, two windows, and private bathroom. Cabins P49-P76 $6,995 Outside cabins with two lower beds, picture window, and private bathroom. Cabins M18-M26 $7,795 Outside cabins with two lower beds, picture window, and private bathroom. Cabins L29-L42 $8,695 Outside cabins with two lower beds that can convert to a queen bed, picture window, and private bathroom. Cabins L27, L28, P59*, P60 (*P59 s two lower beds cannot be converted.) $9,595 Superior outside cabins with walk-out balcony, full-size bed, private bathroom, and mini-refrigerator. Cabins S77-S80 $10,395 Port Taxes & Charges: $270 per person SINGLE RATES A limited number of cabins for solo travelers are available in Category C-A at a supplement of $1,295. P59 P60 L28 P57 P55 P53 P51 P49 P58 P56 P54 P52 P50 M25M23 M21M19M17M15 M11 M24M22 M20M18 M16M14 M12 M26 [14] For reservations or information, please call us at

15 Historic Fort William, Ontario, set amidst a boreal forest general information Payment Schedule: A deposit of $750 per person is required to reserve your space on the tour. For your convenience, you may charge your deposit to your American Express, Visa, Discover, or MasterCard. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Credit cards are not accepted for final payment. However, personal checks are accepted for both deposits and final payment. Cancellations & Refunds: All cancellations are subject to a $400 per person fee. In addition, cancellations received days prior to departure will be assessed a penalty equal to 50% of the total program cost per person. Cancellations received within 60 days of departure are subject to 100% cancellation penalties. Insurance: We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance, which is available for coverage of expenses in conjunction with cancellation due to illness or accident. Baggage insurance is also recommended. In the event that you must cancel your participation in a travel program, trip cancellation insurance may be the only source of reimbursement. Itinerary: The itinerary, accommodations, and arrangements are subject to change at the discretion of Travel Dynamics International Ltd. Responsibility: Please read carefully the following terms and conditions, which constitute the sole, legally enforceable agreements between the passenger and Travel Dynamics International Ltd. and the tour s sponsoring organization. The passenger is also advised to review his/her separate ticket passage contract with the vessel s owner/operator, which will constitute the sole, legally enforceable terms of carriage for this cruise and is available on request from Travel Dynamics International Ltd. Travel Dynamics International Ltd. and the tour s sponsoring organization act solely as agents for the passenger with respect to all transportation, hotel and other tour arrangements. In that capacity, we exercise all reasonable care possible to ensure the passenger s safety and satisfaction, but, we neither assume nor bear any responsibility or liability for any injury, death, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity arising in connection with the services of any ship, airplane, train, automobile, motor coach, carriage or other conveyance, or the actions of any third-party, involved in carrying the passenger or in affecting these tours. We are not responsible for damages, additional expenses, or any other losses due to cancellation, delay or other changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, civil disturbances, acts or threats of terrorism, travel warnings or bans, termination or suspension of war risks or other carrier insurance, quarantine, acts of God or other causes beyond our control. All such losses must be borne by the passenger, and tour rates provide for arrangements only for the time stated. In the event of cancellation, delay or rescheduling mandated by any of the aforesaid causes beyond our control, the passenger shall have the option of accepting in lieu of the original tour such rescheduled tour or other substituted tour(s) as may be offered by us, or else, receiving a refund of as much of such advance tour expenditures as we are able to recover on the passenger s behalf from carriers, third-party tour vendors, etc., but, we shall not have any obligation or liability to the passenger beyond the foregoing. We reserve the right to make alterations to the tour s itinerary and to substitute hotels, ships, or lecturers if this is required. We reserve the right to cancel, delay, or reschedule any tour prior to departure, and, so long as this is not due to any of the aforesaid causes beyond our control, the passenger shall be entitled to a full refund of all monies paid to that point if he/she so desires. No refund shall be made for any unused portion of any tour. By forwarding their deposit(s), the passenger certifies that he/she and/or their dependents, minors or others covered thereby do not have any mental, physical or other condition of disability that could create a hazard for them or other passengers. We reserve the right to decline to accept or to decline to retain any person as a member of any tour should such person s health, condition or actions adversely affect or threaten the welfare or safety of other passengers or impede the tour. Baggage or valuables brought on the tour shall be transported, handled or stored at the passenger s risk entirely, and, we shall bear no liability or responsibility for any damage or other loss thereto. Passenger tickets are not transferable and are not subject to alteration by the passenger. No suit shall be maintainable against the carrier, or vessel, for any losses, accidents, damages to person, property, personal injury (including death or other types of bodily injury) of the passengers, unless written notice of the claim, with full particulars, is delivered to the carrier or its agents at its office at the port of sailing or at the port of termination within six months from the day when such incident occurred. In no event shall any such suit or any claim against the carrier or vessel for any losses, accidents, damages to person, property, personal injury (including death or other types of bodily injury) of the passenger be maintainable unless such suit is commenced within one year from the day when the incident causing such losses, accidents, damages to person, property, personal injury (including death or other types of bodily injury) of the passenger occurs, notwithstanding any provision of law of any state or country to the contrary. Resolution of any disputes arising hereunder shall be brought within the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, pursuant to the applicable general maritime law, and applying the applicable general maritime law and Federal maritime statutes. Rates: Tour costs are based upon current airfares, tariffs, and currency values. While we do everything possible to maintain the listed prices, they are subject to change. Fuel Supplement: Travel Dynamics International Ltd. reserves the right to charge a fuel supplement, without prior notice, if the NYMEX oil price exceeds $85 per barrel. This supplement may be charged even if the cruise fare has been paid in full. Ship s Registry: USA CST # TDI QUESTIONS? Please contact Taunya DeYoung at (800) or via at Taunya@betchartexpeditions.com. Registration Enclosed is my check or credit card no. for $ ($750 per person) as a deposit to hold place(s) on From Chicago s Gold Coast to the Far Shores of Lake Superior. I understand that final payment is due ninety (90) days prior to departure and is payable by check only. Please make check payable to and mail with this registration form to: Betchart Expeditions Inc. Trust Account Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA o AmEx o Discover o Visa o MasterCard No. Exp. 3- or 4-Digit Security Code Please select cabin category in order of preference: S AA A B C D E o Twin Beds o Double Bed o Single Occupancy o Share (cannot be guaranteed) Membership (please circle): AAAS ACS SIGMA XI PLANETARY SOCIETY Dr./Mr./Mrs./Ms. First Last A age Dr./Mr./Mrs./Ms. First Last A age Address City/State/Zip Telephone (day) (evening) Each participant must sign below: I/We have read the General Information section and agree to its terms. SignaturE SignaturE BTEX Date Date [15]

16 PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Hackensack, NJ Permit No. 291 Free Round-Trip Airfare See Inside a cruise between Chicago s Gold Coast and the Far Shores of Lake Superior The stately porch of the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan Yorktown was proudly built in the USA, flies the American flag & is operated by an all-american crew. For reservations or information, please contact Taunya DeYoung at (800) or via at Taunya@betchartexpeditions.com BTEX14622