Sunsets and ice cream: Tips from an Everett trip planner

EVERETT — He plans a bunch of big group trips. His goal? Hope that at least one person gets to do something they haven’t done before — or see something new. Don’t forget the ice cream. Eric Wollan, 44, is a program coordinator at the Carl Gipson Senior Center in Everett. Among other duties, he organizes the center’s outings to restaurants, waterfronts and events. That includes “mystery trips” where people aren’t told the destination — but they razz Wollan that if he gets lost, they won’t know the difference. His audience is seniors, but much of what he’s learned applies to anyone. Here are his tips: 1. Switch up the direction you head — go somewhere south before you drive north again, or venture east if you went west last week. 2. Everyone brings their own water and snacks. (With a water cache in case someone forgets.) 3. Take a bathroom break every 60 to 90 minutes. 4. Aim for meals less than $15 each. Alert the restaurant early on that everyone gets their own bill. 5. Plan for variety in cost. Some people might be up for a two-night stay at the Mill Bay Casino, or a private charter boat around Lake Chelan. Someone else’s budget might call for free activities around the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, like the street fair in Mount Vernon. 6. Don’t be afraid of a full itinerary. He combines a meal at the Maltby Cafe with a stop at Flower World. “If I don’t get people to Flower World, they get a little upset with me,” Wollan said. 7. Get out of your comfort zone, and organize a big group. The senior center aims to bring its members out of their homes, but also to be social. People find common ground and make new friends when they have to scout for seats together on the van, or the ferry. 8. Believe in “the ideal world,” where everyone will have a good time. 9. But still — roll with the unexpected. Wollan’s own stories include missing a turn to Birch Bay and accidentally alarming border security at the Peace Arch crossing. Another time, he learned too late that the group went to the restaurant next door to the place where he’d made the reservation. 10. Hear the negative feedback but pay more attention to body language. “You can see people have a good time, and they won’t tell you about it.” 11. Know the war over the heat and the air conditioning knobs will never be settled. Bonus: Always do dessert. “The one time I don’t stop for ice cream, I hear all about it.” (Even after donuts.) Since joining the Everett center in 2012, Wollan’s added 35,000 miles to the trip van. Originally from Montana, he’s also known for his food tours — whose themes include breakfast, buffet, Italian and pan-Asian. “We go all over Puget Sound looking for the best hamburger,” he said. Among his recommendations: Nutty’s Junkyard Grill in Arlington, Red Mill in Seattle and Red Onion in Mountlake Terrace. Other proven winners: Columbia Center in Seattle (go shortly before sunset), Friday Harbor in the San Juans, Hurricane Ridge near Port Angeles, Mount Constitution on Orcas Island, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in Eatonville, the Seattle Great Wheel (where he hung back to comfort someone scared of heights), and the Old West town of Winthrop. He’s got more work ahead of him. The senior center aims to more than double its trips from 2018 to 2019, and a partnership with the parks department will cross over into outings open to the public. And somehow, Wollan’s still not convinced he needs an Instagram account. Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @rikkiking. The Carl Gipson Senior Center 13th Annual USO Dance, its largest event, is set for 1 to 5 p.m. Nov. 11. Reserve a spot for free at 425-257-8780 after Oct. 29. More info: ewollan@everettwa.gov.