Travel, Lodging & Dinners

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May 2025 space reservations are now open for departures from Anacortes and returns from Friday Harbor. Book for arrival in Friday Harbor by noon on May 15th and return on Sunday the 18th. There are two sailings on the 15th that arrive before noon. The WSDOT online system is for space reservations, not tickets.

You will purchase your round trip ferry ticket at the ferry terminal toll booth, after confirming your reservation. Two weeks before the sailing (May 1st), additional spaces will be added; day-of standby space may be available. 

Reservations are strongly recommended.

Tickets are round trip - be sure to book both legs of the trip. No fee on return trip.

The Songwriters Retreat and the Arts-Craft-Folkway tracks have priority for the Earth Box Inn discount. To qualify for this 20% discount,  EMAIL US for the group code. 

Friday Harbor has a variety of other accomodation options, from budget, to historic Inn, to modern hotels. Please book your arrival for Thursday May 15 with a departure on May 18th.

Around the island there are vacation rentals and 3 reorts. Lakedale Resort is the closest to Friday Harbor and is a sister lodging site for our program. Snug Harbor on the west side, and Roche Harbor on the north end also offer accommodations.

Contact us if your intended accommodation has sold out and we will assist in finding an alternative. 

 Writers Memoir Retreat participant's home base is the wonderful Lakedale Resort situated on extensive grounds with 3 lakes. Lakedale offers elegant lodge, private family cabins, glamping tents, tent camp sites, and RV sites. 

Contact the resort directly for reservations.

Note: We have reserved two, 2-bed rooms in the lodge for retreat participants traveling togther who wish to share a room. EMAIL US if you have 2 enrolled participants attending and wish to share a lodge room. with separate beds.

Art-Craft-Folkway participants are also welcome to book at Lakedale which offers elegant lodge, private family cabins, glamping tents, tent camp sites, and RV sites. Contact the resort directly.

The Nature Poetry and Writers Track will enjoy the Saturn's Return Farm and Inn as their homebase. The Inn has 8 rooms held so register for the workshop soon and then EMAIL US for the room reservation code. (They have blocked out the rooms for us so you will need the code to reserve, after enrolling).

Saturn's Return will be the base for several of the workshops and we need to fill the 8 rooms first. (When the eight rooms fill up, we have an overflow recomendation nearby.)

Nature Poetry and Songwriters are invited to a farm picnic dinner at Saturn's Return at 6pm. Use button link below for reservation.

We have a waiting list for the Art-Crafts-Folk group to sign up as well. Email for wait list.

Memoir Writers are invited to a no host dinner across the road from Lakedale at the local foods themed Duck Soup Inn. Make your own reservation after the welcome gathering concludes at 5:30pm.

Art-Craft-Folks participants and Songwriters staying in town can also opt to select a restaurant in Friday Harbor. Suggest making your reservation early.

The Grand Finale 'SPLASH' dinner gathering at Brickworks can be ordered during your class or retreat enrollment. Or you can reserve a seat here for yourself and for friends or family members traveling with you.

Doors open at 4pm for the raku workshop, an exhibit of participant works, poetry readings, and music by Tara Craig, an island singer/songwriter.

Wine and Cider service begins at 5:30.

Dinner is at 6 (with veggie options). After dinner, step out and see how the raku firing is going, and enjoy a performance art piece of fiery excitement with Zack Leck and the Orcas Dance Collective members.