ALS

2012 TRIPS

TRINIDAD/TOBAGO BAY - APRIL 12-21, 2012
Leaders: Bob Quinn & Tim Dillingham
        Trinidad and Tobago are justifiably famous as natural history destinations, especially for the first time visitor to the tropics. Almost all of the wonderful tropical creatures and plants are there- toucans, parrots, motmots, antbirds, spectacular butterflies, leaf-cutter ants, palm trees, fruit trees, gorgeous flowers, gentle breezes…and that"s just the beginning. April is the nesting time for sea turtles, and we will make a special effort to witness this magical event. On day trips we visit such fascinating sites as the Caribbean coast, the savannahs of the lowlands, and the incredible flight of the Scarlet Ibis as they come in to roost at the Caroni Swamp.
   Tobago is quite close by, but a very different island indeed. Our lodging there is on a private, palm-fringed beach with warm trade winds gracing your balcony. The beaches and birds of Tobago are different enough to entertain us for several days and we will have scuba and snorkeling options as well as a glass bottom boat ride on our way to Little Tobago Island and it"s nesting seabirds.
Cost: $4,015 Members -- $4,065 Non-Members -- $795 Single Supplement
The price includes all ground transportation, inter-island flights, meals, lodging, all field trips and boat rides, and most gratuities. The trip originates in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad -- airfare not included. This trip requires a minimum of eight participants and usually fills quickly. Send a $350 deposit per person to the Highlands office by January 20, 2012.

May 4-6, 2012
Pine Barrens Weekend
Leaders: Stevie Thorsen, Frank Steimle and Jeff Dement
   Last year our stay at Bass River State Forest was a great success. This year we will meet in Chatsworth, NJ on Friday morning for a canoe trip down the charming Wading River - please bring your own lunch for the canoe trip. Spend Friday and Saturday night in a NJ State Forest where you will be surrounded by beauty and nature that only the Pine Barrens can offer.
Stay in Bass River State Forest in rustic cabins that are fully equipped with bathrooms, kitchens, great room with fireplace, bunk beds, and a screened in porch overlooking serene Lake Absegami. After a long day of canoeing and exploring, relax around the campfire while your trip leaders prepare dinner for you. Once night falls, we will take a night time walk in search of the rare and endangered PB tree frog. The rest of the weekend will be spent bird watching, finding orchids and carnivorous plants, exploring cedar bogs and the pygmy pine forest. Climb the fire tower on the top of Apple Pie Hill to get a view from the highest point in the Pine Barrens. And for a special treat, Saturday night we will enjoy some of the Pine Barren’s greatest blue grass musicians at Albert Music Hall (admission included).
Cost: $195 Members -- $245 Non-Members
Includes canoe trip, two nights in cabin (double occupancy - bring bedding and pillow) with shared showers and five meals, admission to Albert Hall. We will car caravan to sites outside the park. Send $30 deposit per person by March 15 to the Highlands.

May 2012
Possible --Spring Assateague Weekend
   Check our website and email notices about doing a trip in the spring -- .more on the dates and price will follow.

June 1-3, 2012
Montauk Spring Weekend
Leaders: Mickey Cohen & Don Riepe
    Start your trip with an orientation and slide show on Friday night. This is peak orchid and heather blossom time. Activities include: hiking, birding, tide pools, butterflies, rocky cliffs, a visit to Montauk Light and an optional whale watch.
Cost $385 (double occupancy) - add $130 for Single Supplement
Includes 5 meals, 2 evening programs, a star watch and 2 nights at Montauk Manor. Send deposit of $100 per person by April 14 to Don Riepe, ALS, 28 W. 9th Rd, Broad Channel, NY 11693 by April 30.

June 1-3, 2012
Rhode Island/Block Island Striped Bass Tagging Weekend
Leader: Jeff Dement
   Enjoy a weekend of striped bass fishing and tagging along the rocky coast of Rhode Island and the rips of Block Island. The trip is limited to 6 anglers, with an all-day trip on 2 days. All bait, tackle, and tags will be provided. Bring your surf fishing gear along, as there will be opportunities to experience some of RI’s great shoreline fishing as well.
Cost: $250 Members -- $300 Non-Members
Price includes all costs for 2 fishing trips and tags, anglers are responsible for meals. Send $50 deposit per person by April 1 to the Highlands office.

August 17-19, 2012
Cape Anne Whale Watch
Leaders: Don Riepe and Mickey Cohen
   This time of year is great for whale watching and boating. This is a place to relax, and enjoy the scenery. Go home with some good memories of a great weekend adventure. There will be a 1/2-day whale watch, a sunset cruise on the Essex River, easy canoeing on the Ipswich River, a shoreline hike at Halibut Point State Park, birding at Parker River Wildlife Refuge plus a lobster dinner at the Gloucester House.
Cost: $395 Members -- $445 Non Members -- $180 Single Supplement
3 nights’ lodging, lobster dinner, guides, park and 2 boat tours. Send $50 deposit per person to Highlands by June 15.

September 28-30, 2012
Cape May Hawk Watch
Leader: Don Riepe
   Join us for a special weekend at the southern tip of New Jersey during the peak fall hawk, songbird and monarch migration.
Cost: $210 -- $95 Single Supplement
Includes 2 nights lodging, 2 visits to the hawk banding station, a boat tour of the harbor, 4 guided hikes plus a visit to Stone Harbor ( shorebirds) and Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge on way home. Leader: Don Riepe. To reserve, send deposit of $100 by July 1st to ALSHQ. For more info call (718) 318-9344; e-mail: donriepe@gmail.com

DELAWARE WATER GAP CAMPING TRIP - OCTOBER 6-7, 2012
Leaders: Stevie Thorsen and Jeff Dement
    Explore the Delaware Water Gap with your Littoral Society guides for the perfect weekend getaway. We will meet in Dingmans Ferry, PA on Saturday morning for a peaceful paddle down the Delaware River. There will be a stop for lunch on one of the Delaware’s many islands. After a fun day of paddling, we will return to our river-front campsites and setup for the evening. Relax around the fire while your trip leaders prepare dinner. On Sunday, we will pack up and experience the Delaware Water Gap by foot. Explore the cool climate of the ravine where you will see huge eastern hemlocks and rhododendron growing along the streams and waterfalls leading to the Delaware.
Cost: $135 Members -- $185 Non-Members
Includes canoe trip, one night at river-front campground (bring your own camping gear), and three meals (pack lunch for Saturday). We will carpool to sites outside of the campground. Send $20 deposit per person to Highlands by September 10.

October 2012
51st ANNUAL MEETING
To Be Announced

LOUISIANA and NEW ORLEANS - rice fields, birds, and Bourbon Street! - NOVEMBER 28 - DECEMBER 6, 2012
Leader: Bob Quinn
   Louisiana is a fascinating one-of-a-kind part of our country (it is a lot like being in a foreign nation!). It offers an intriguing variety of items to tempt the traveler from food to birds to the French Quarter and beyond. It is a great
destination as the winter starts to close in on us in the north. And millions of birds agree. We will visit some of the truly spectacular National Wildlife Refuges along the Gulf Coast as well as sample some of the culture and cuisine of the Pelican State and even take a tour of the Big Easy.

   The number of birds that spend the winter in southern Louisiana is staggering. Literally millions of waterfowl (especially Snow and Greater White-fronted Geese) provide a daily spectacle as they move from roost sites to feeding areas. Ibis, cranes, egrets, and shore birds add to the display of large and easy to see birds. But if your desire is to beat the bushes for the small and the obscure more species of sparrows winter here than in any other comparable area, including Bachman"s and LeConte"s. And last but certainly not least (nor guaranteed!) this is one of the best places to see the elusive Yellow Rail. So c"mon y"all and join us for a little bit of Southern comfort and a whole lot of fun!
Cost: $2,150 Members -- $2,200 Non-Members -- $350 Single Supplement
Most meals are included. Airfare is NOT included. Send deposit of $200 per person, directly to Highlands by April 15, 2012.

Policies
To sign up for a NATIONAL trip mail a check with the deposit amount to:
American Littoral Society,
18 Hartshorne Dr., Ste. 1,
Highlands, NJ 07732

For 2011 NATIONAL TRIPS (except Montauk and Purple Martin Festival) we will be accepting payment by credit card.
We would appreciate an email address and a daytime phone number to contact you. For questions contact Pat at (732) 291-0055 or pat@littoralsociety.org.
Prices for overnight trips are based on double occupancy. If you would like a private room, we offer a single supplement price at an additional cost on most trips.
Please be aware that we make arrangements far in advance and vendors have specific expiration dates for holding spaces. Pay special attention to deadlines and cancellations on individual trips. Consider taking out trip insurance if you are not sure. Pat at the Society can help you with that.
Cancellation & Refund: Cancellation must be in writing and is effective upon receipt at American Littoral Society by letter or email. If you cancel 60 days prior there is a $250 processing fee. 30 days or less before a trip there is no guarantee of any refund unless we are able to fill your spot. If during the 30-day time period we are able to fill your spot there is still a charge of $25 per person for all cancellations.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Special Note: If you have special medical conditions, dietary needs, and such, please let us know about them early on in the registration process; we will try to adjust where possible. If you have any questions please feel free to call us at (732) 291-0055.
Membership: To join -- $35 (individual/family) or $25 (senior - 65 or older) -- send a check with your name, address, day time phone number and email to American Littoral Society, 18 Hartshorne Dr, Ste 1, Highlands, NJ 07732, or charge it on our website or call Pat for help.
Car Pooling: If you need a ride, or wish to share the driving with someone, please call or email us with the particulars. We would need permission at the time to pass along your phone number to the other tripper. And remember, we cannot guarantee finding you a ride.
Cell Phones: Reminder -- others do not wish to listen to two conversations at the same time. Please turn off the cell phone when leaders are lecturing or explaining something. We realize you may wish to bring it with you, but common courtesy says: “Leave it in the hotel room.”
Insurance: We strongly urge you to take out trip travel insurance, especially for any trip costing over $500. This is for your protection. You can purchase through us or with an insurance group of your choice. Call Pat at 732-291-0055 for details.
Reservations and Deposits: Early reservations are encouraged. We cannot hold a spot for anyone who has not sent in their deposit. Final payment is required 60 days before departure. We reserve the right to decline your application. You will receive a packet in the mail or by email to confirm your spot on the trip, along with an assumption of risk waiver and a trip information sheet. Do not make flight arrangements until we contact you that the trip is a go. Than fill out the flight or car arrival information and send it in. The other form plus the signed waiver should be sent in as soon as possible. There is a space for passport details if the trip is international.
Rates: All rates are based on double occupancy. If you wish, we will do our best to find you a roommate, but cannot guarantee it. If we cannot find a share, you will be required to pay the single supplement. All rates are accurate at time of publication, but are subject to change at any time prior to departure. It is our policy to pass on only the actual amount of any increases in lodging, park fees or other costs. Also American Littoral Society members receive a discounted rate.