Other Events

Esprit has developed a rich tradition of smaller events. Some are official events that vary from year to year, others are inspired by local attractions and by the attendees themselves. Check the schedule for details on exactly which events are available. The whole week is filled with fun activities!

Koffee Klatch

Come enjoy some wake-up coffee, pair up with your Big or Little Sister, enjoy some great company, get your questions answered, and get the scoop on the day's events at the daily morning Koffee Klatch.

Coffee Tastings

Princess Valiant Coffee is a local Port Angeles coffee roaster specializing in organic and socially responsible coffees. They will host a coffee tasting in the Registration Area on Tuesday at 12PM. Everyone is invited and you can bring home some of the coffees they will have on sale for a gift or souvenir.

Little Sisters Wine and Cheese Socials

Twice during the week, Esprit hosts wine and cheese socials for little sisters. This is a wonderful opportunity for newcomers to meet and socialize in a safe setting with others who are new to Esprit.

Bellhops

Want to be a volunteer bellhop and greet all our guests and help them with their luggage when they arrive? There's a dress code, of course, but it shouldn't be hard to find some heels, a short skirt, and a white blouse. Contact our lead bellhop Suzanne Adams if you would like to participate.

Dance Nights

Dancing is available nearly every night of the week. Some dance nights are connected directly with the evening's activities and theme. Other nights are less structured and provide you a place to talk, have a drink, and listen and dance to different types of music.

Winery Tours

Washington state is famous for its award-winning wines. Many small vintners are located in the Port Angeles area. If you are a wine connoisseur, winery tours will take you to local wineries where you can sample some of these fine wines. All attendees are welcome (Big/Little sisters, SO's, general attendees) and we will break into separate groups if the attendance is large.

Shopping Trips

If shopping is your weakness, the shopping tour will take you to stores in Port Angeles and/or Port Townsend where you can indulge in a wide range of clothing, jewelry, and accessory stores with a local, vintage, and artistic flair.

Victoria BC Trip/High Tea at the Empress Hotel

If you want a full-blown Victorian high tea experience in the closest thing we have to London on this side of the pond, then the Victoria BC tour is for you. Primp your hair, don your finest white hat, pull on the gloves, and enjoy a scenic ride across the water on the Victoria Ferry. For over 95 years, the majestic lobby of the landmark Empress hotel has played host to England's most beloved ritual - the taking of Afternoon Tea.

The typical menu includes Empress blend tea, fresh seasonal fruit topped with Chantilly cream, tea sandwiches filled with smoked BC salmon & cream cheese, carrot & ginger, cucumber and egg salad, traditional English raisin scones served with Devon-style double Jersey cream and strawberry preserves, and delicate pastries.

In 2004 when the Esprit ladies returned to The Empress after a one year absence, the group was approached at the front door by a sturdy man in a blue blazer and an earphone hanging out of his ear. He inquired "Are you from Emerald City?" and uncertain of his intent, the trip organizer Debra Darling simply answered "yes". He then proceeded to explain how The Empress lamented the ladies' absence the previous year and he escorted the ladies in for a fine afternoon of tea.

Schedule for Tuesday May 16th:

7:30 AM Meet in the lobby by room 148
Remember this is a dress up event. The Empress Hotel has a dress code. Other patrons often compliment us on how wonderful it is to be with a group that is so well dressed. Hats are in and the thing to wear for tea. I brought walking shoes in my bag along with my camera.
8:00 AM We board the Coho Ferry (8:20AM DEPARTURE)
Information can be found at http://www.cohoferry.com. Passenger Fare is $9.50 Important!! Bring Proof of Citizenship!! This can be a Passport or a Birth Certificate and a Picture ID (driver License).
9:45 AM Land Ho! We land in Victoria's inner harbor
10:30 AM We walk a short distance to Victoria Carriage Tours
This is a 30 to 45 minute tour and really fun. It gives us the lay of the town so can we plan our later shopping trip route. Cost is approximately $30.00 Canadian.
12:15 PM Empress Hotel and High Tea!
Arrive a little early to wander around the Beautiful hotel and tea room. This is the highlight of our trip so dress up! We will indulge in Victoria's grandest tradition, High Tea, at the Fairmont Empress Hotel. Chef D'Yen Christie will work his magic and present you with a fabulous meal. Cost is $49.00 for individuals or if 15 or more come it's $43.00/person as a group.
1:30 PM Tour Time or Shopping (your choice)
The British Royal Museum is also a fabulous option. The museum is very close to the Empress. Cost is $12.50 Canadian. This is free time so do anything your heart desires...may we suggest SHOPPING? There are many shops within easy walking distance of the Empress.
3:30 PM Meet at the Coho dock Cost for the return trip
$9.50 US. FERRY LEAVES AT 4:00PM SO DON'T BE LATE. Proof of Citizenship required (birth certificate or passport and photo ID).
5:35 PM Arrive back in beautiful Port Angeles

High Tea at The Landing's Restaurant

Missed the High Tea in Victoria BC or didn't get enough if you did go? Well, don't despair because here's another chance for 2-3 hours of food, conversation and of course, tea. Slip into your most ladylike dress, show off your frilliest hat, put on those nice dainty gloves and join us for The Landing's Restaurant's version of the age old tradition of High Tea. It's only a short walk from the Red Lion Hotel to the restaurant on a neighboring pier where we will have a grand old time.

The restaurant management and staff are very pleased indeed that we will brighten their establishment with our presence again this year. The white linen covered tables will be set with fine china and crystal where formally attired wait staff will serve us tea sandwiches, savories, gourmet desserts and unlimited tea. There will be enough served for each guest to have four of every item so we shouldn't leave hungry.

The cost per person is $20, the conversation and company - priceless. Sign up in the Esprit registration area and do it early because we are limited to 40 guests. The deadline for sign up will be 12:00 PM on Thursday of the tea. We will meet in the registration area no later than 1:15 PM and walk from there.

Peninsula Community College Outreach Panel

This influential and successful discussion panel has been requested by the community college every year that Esprit returns to Port Angeles. Volunteers have already been assembled by the panel coordinator and chosen to represent the diversity of the TG community. The panel will participate in a number of Q&A discussion sessions with groups that may range from beginning psychology classes to the highly regarded Stadium Generale lecture and performance series open to the public.

Guided Tour of Hurricane Ridge

Renee Rux, the Red Lion Hotel Sales Director, will take you on a guided tour of Hurricane Ridge. This gem in the heart of the Olympic Mountain range overlooks stunning mountains, meadows, and a variety of flora ranging from cedar forests to expanses of meadow wildflowers. You must not forget your camera!

T-Girl Car Wash Hospice Fundraiser

Esprit has a long history of supporting Hospice of Clallam County through a variety of fundraisers. This year we are carrying out our own version of the great American tradition: the Car Wash. The event will be held in the Red Lion parking lot. We're looking for volunteers so if you want to have some fun for a good cause, come and join us.

The Slumber Party

The Saturday night slumber is a raucous Esprit tradition. The Hospitality Suite begins to fill with ladies in nighties as the Saturday night graduation dinner and party draws to a close. Some snacks and pizza are usually available (as are a lot of leftover beverages that come crawling out of people's rooms). The room is usually filled to capacity and the evening is filled with lively conversation, backrubs and footrubs, eye-opening truth-or-dare games, and more. A few diehards haul blankets, pillows, and teddy bears to the room and stay there until dawn.

You're welcome to wear anything in good taste and reason to the party. Some ladies simply pop in after the Saturday night party in their party outfits, chat for a few minutes, and disappear. Some choose to attend the slumber party in makeup; others choose to be comfortable and get cleaned up and dispense with the bra, wig, and other accessories they normally use when dressed. You may wish to lean somewhat to the more practical side if you plan on staying a while. Most of the seating consists of simple upright chairs, the floor, a counter, pillows/blankets, and perhaps a few seats on a sofa. You may be standing up and sitting down and shifting position frequently depending on how crowded the room gets and the activities that are going on. In addition, you may want to wear or bring something (such as a robe) that allows you to comfortably walk the length of the hotel to get back to your room for supplies or blankets.

Wilderness Campout

New this year is a special trip hosted by Renee Rux, the Red Lion Sales Director and long time friend of Esprit. She will take those interested on an overnight camping trip from Sunday May 21 through Monday May 22. This would be a wonderful way to wind down and reminisce around the campfire about your week.

The overnight campout will be at Whiskey Bend, a 20 minute drive from Port Angeles. There is a $5 camping permit per person. You will need to supply your own tent, sleeping bag, backpack, personal food, utensils, and all other true wilderness camping necessities. This is real camping! (Remember the "10 essentials"). Bear containers will be supplied for your food. All waste must be removed. Email Tori Phillips if you have any questions.