Colorado Ranch Vacation - Swim & Hike the Rockies - July 17-24, 2009

Beneath a grassy mountain valley in central Colorado, about two hours from Colorado Springs, lays one of the richest and most diverse fossil deposits in the world. Petrified redwood stumps up to 14 feet wide and thousands of detailed fossils of insects and plants reveal the story of a very different, prehistoric Colorado. This is Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument where we will spend a day of hiking. The fossils from lake deposits of the Florissant Formation date at 34.07 million years old, and it represents the latest Eocene Epoch of earth history.

Other days will include a hike to “Top of the World” and “A-Bluff” the two highest points on the ranch. A day at Fish Creek which is 6-7 miles long, where we will have a chance to see beaver ponds and golden eagles, red-tailed hawk and hopefully a herd of elk. Early morning birding trip to Lake George to see white pelicans, cormorants and other water birds will be available, along with amazing views and the headquarters of a cattle operation.

Cost is $1750 plus est. $450-$600 airfare. Cost covers cozy studio apartment lodging, six buffet style breakfasts, six sumptuous dinners, five sack lunches, Colorado ground transportation.

Feel free to look at the prospectus and itinerary.

Coast Guard Beach Weekend - Aug. 7 - 9, 2009

Another great weekend at a former U.S. Coast Guard station in Eastham, right on the Outer Beach. Adirondack Chairs line the porch. Participate in environmental program after biking and beaching. $110 covers 2 nights lodging, 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners. We bring bikes and walking shoes for this trip.

Photo taken by Rachel Neuwirth

Recommended Reading related to Cape Cod National Seashore

Self-Guiding Nature Tours

Birds at Cape Cod National Seashore

Beston, Henry, The Outermost House

Thoreau, Henry David, Cape Cod

Richarson, Wyman, The House on Nauset Marsh

Beaches of Interest

Marconi Beach - Wellfleet
Coast Guard Beach - Eastham
Nauset Light Beach - Eastham

Camping July 4th Weekend at Mohawk Trail State Forest - July 2 - 5

It's that time of year, ready for another camping trip over the 4th of July weekend! This time it's in Western Massachusetts, where we can bike the moderately hilly area, hike Mount Greylock, water tube the Dearfield River, watch the extreme kayakers or hang out at the campfire, which is indeed a sport!

I don't believe any of us will be this crazy to kayak after they let the dam out, but we may watch them. We may even water tube with the rest of the people out there, but we will definitely hike Mount Greylock and enjoy the fun at the campfire.

Off the Beaten Path, by Readers Digest Association, Susan Byrne

Hiking Southern New England, by Rhonda Ostertag

Camping Nickerson State Park - Aug 15-17

Another great camping weekend at Nickerson State Park. This is for Saturday and Sunday nights.

We can arrive at the campsite after noon on Saturday and we have until Monday to enjoy the Cape Cod activities. Saturday night we'll have the lobster dinner around the campfire. The rest of the weekend will give us time to bike to Provincetown or just lounge around at one of the nearby beaches.


Cost is $50 for the two nights for Saturday
and Sunday breakfast, Saturday night
lobster feast and Sunday campfire dinner.

Casual Biking on Nantucket - June 11 - 14

The island of Nantucket, 30 miles out to sea off the coast of Cape Cod, is a magical place to visit. Join us as we bike around the island, exploring beautiful stretches of beach, bogs and the natural beauty of its moors. Other options include visiting a whaling museum, movies, shopping or just reading at book.


Stay at the hostel, which is within walking distance of the beach. $225.00 includes 3 nights lodging, 3 breakfasts, 2 dinners, 1 happy hour. Since we won't have any cars on the island, the leaders will taxi the food from the grocery store to the hostel.

Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu & Santa Fe, New Mexico May 15-26, 2009

We have a trip in May 15-26, 2009 to New Mexico with the Appalachian Mountain Club. This is the Land of Georgia O'Keeffe! This is a hiking and site seeing trip.

Photo taken by Diane Simms

We will hike canyons and mountains in northern New Mexico, explore ancient archeological sites and museums in Santa Fe, spend a full day rafting on the Oja Chama viewing the spectacular scenery, and stay a full week at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu and Santa Fe. Yes, you will need hiking boots and fleece.

Photo taken by Diane Simms

The trip includes field trips to ancient pueblos along te Rio Chama and Rio Ojo Caliente, petroglyph areas and a pit house village highlight this week. The itineary includes a trip to the Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs where we can soak in hot springs sacred to Native Americans. A full day rafting on the Ojo Chama viewing the spectacular scenery. We will hike up to seven miles per day at an elevation of 8000' on some days. Ghost Ranch is situated 6500' above sea level. While hiking, there will be stops for discussion on various Native American histories, traditions, life styles, as well as, flora and fauna. If you like to hike at a fast pace without stops, this may not be the trip for you.

Two of Ghost Ranch's highly recommended educators are guides for the trip, so the archeological part of the trip will be fabulous! The cost of the trip is $2150 and airfare is roughly $300 - $400.

Some outdoor clothing and outdoor equipment that you will need are hiking boots, bathing suit, polypropylene socks, and waterproof jacket and pants. All this because we are never sure of the weather.

Hikes in Abiquiu we did included:
Chimney Rock, Box Canyon and Kitchen Mesa at Ghost Ranch
Red Dot Trail in the town of White Rock

Hikes in Santa Fe we did included:
Atalya Mountain
Dale Ball Trail

Hikes on the Turquoise Trail included:
Cerrillos Hills Historic Park

Feel free to look at the prospectus and itinerary.

Tuckerman Ravine and Joe Dodge - May 1-3, 2009

Photo from www.tuckerman.org

Hike Tuckerman Ravine and stay at Joe Dodge Lodge in Pinkham Notch, NH. Saturday morning, we'll start by hiking up Tuckerman Ravine, a glacial cirque sloping eastward on the southeast face of Mt. Washington in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. It is here we will watch Extreme Backcountry Skiing. Up to lunch Rocks for lunch, if time and weather permits. Second day of hiking in the area. We'll probably hike the Glen Boulder Trail which is right at Pinkham Notch. Because there is a good chance snow will still be on the higher end of that trail, we may or may not get to the top. In order to hike in the snow, we will need Stabilizers or Crampons. $139 includes 2 nights lodging at Joe Dodge Lodge, double occupancy, 2 breakfasts and 2 dinners.

Recommended Reading on Tuckerman Ravine

Thoreau, Henry David and William L. Howarth, Walking with Thoreau

Tips for Spring Skiing in Tuckerman Ravine

Annual Spring Sensation at Tuckerman

Appalachian Mountain Club, The A.M.C. White Mountain Guide





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