Dear
Elderhostel Traveler
Summer is here and hopefully you are taking some time off to enjoy a
favorite novel, some ice-cold lemonade, lazy time in the hammock, a few
double scoop ice-cream cones and maybe also an Elderhostel trip. As
always, exciting things are happening here at the office and it's time
we share some more news with you.
In this
issue we feature: - New resort
accommodations in Sedona. - Two new Exploring North America programs -
Four Corners Canyon Country and Great Deserts.
- Success of our "Southwest Getaway" drawing.
- Arizona Landscapes - Cathy and Bob writes about their
adventure.
- News, tips & ideas, and recommended reading.
We love hearing from you! Please don't hesitate to contact us if you
have a story you would like to share, or think of a topic you
would like us to cover. Just send us an email to: elderhostel@nau.edu
If you do not wish to receive this Newsletter in the future you will
find information on unsubscribing at the bottom of this page. Wishing
you a wonderful summer,
The Staff at NAU Elderhostel
Let's Talk About...
New Sedona resort accommodations In August we will be moving into
our new Sedona location the Radisson Poco Diablo. We are thrilled to have
found such a great location for our many Sedona programs.The Poco Diablo is one of Sedonas most
noted resorts and is located on the banks of beautiful Oak Creek. With sweeping
views
of red rock surroundings amenities include tennis courts, golf course, full
fitness room and spa, swimming pool, and large rooms with sleep
comfort mattresses. Wilderness areas adjacent to lodging offer additional
opportunities for
hiking and contemplation.
Two new programs
After almost a year of development we are pleased
to present two new Exploring America programs this fall and winter.
In Four Corners Canyon
Country(7 nights), see sacred
land of both ancient and modern Native Americans as we travel through the
Navajolands to the nexus of the Anasazi world. At Mesa Verde, visit Cliff
Palace, the largest cliff dwelling in N. America, while investigating what made
the Mesa Verde region a mecca for prehistoric culture. Explore these cultures
in-depth at the Anasazi Heritage Center in Cortez. Travel past the 4 Corners of
the U.S. to Canyon de Chelly NM, where, against a backdrop of ancient ruins and
canyon walls, Navajos farm, raise sheep and live in traditional hogans. View the
canyon's S. Rim to sacred Spider Rock. Take a 4-wheel drive trip into this
mysterious canyon, where Navajos held out against Kit Carson's assault on their
stronghold. Travel into starkly sublime and fabled Monument Valley, backdrop of
many John Ford westerns. Hear the real stories of Navajos living in this
beautiful southwestern landscape before returning to Albuquerque. Dates: Sep 24-Oct 1 & Oct 15-22 Cost: $1003/dbl
$1203/sgl
In Great Deserts(9 nights),
experience the beauty, sunshine and warmth of America's great deserts. Travel
comfortably on a journey through landscapes of uniquely adapted cacti, towering
500' sand dunes, rugged mountain ranges, and lush hidden oases. Guides share the
wonders of these lands while providing insight to the human sagas coloring their
palette. Explore the National Parks of Saguaro, Joshua Tree and Death Valley
where elevation and precipitation variations reveal 3 dramatically different
faces of the desert. Excursions include a festive Palm Springs street fair, the
AZ. Sonoran Desert Museum, and historic Scotty's Castle in Death Valley. From
Tucson to Las Vegas, from the mighty Colorado River to a magical Death Valley
sunset, experience the warmth and richness of these deserts in a journey of a
lifetime. Dates: Jan 21-30 & Feb 18-27
Cost: $1515/dbl $1890/sgl
Win a Southwest Getaway
During the last 12 months we have been accepting
entries to our online "Southwest Getaway" contest where the winning price is a
NAU Elderhostel Snapshot program worth $400! The drawing turned out to be quite
a success with a total of 218 entries!
The deadline was June 30 (postmarked) and we will
hold the drawing on Aug 1.
The lucky winner will be notified in person and announced on our
website so stay tuned.
Let's
Learn About...
Arizona Landscapes:
Phoenix/Sedona/Flagstaff/Grand Canyon This spring Cathy Fike and Bob Bowen
explored Arizona together with NAU Elderhostel and 31 fellow travelers. They had
a wonderful adventure and would like to share their program experience with you. This is their story.
"Trip to the Grand Canyon" Itinerary
The destination was the Grand Canyon, but getting there was half the fun.
The Elderhostel program started in Phoenix, with two days each in Sedona and
Flagstaff before arriving at the Grand Canyon for the last two days. We viewed
and learned about "Arizona Landscapes" --- the desert, red rock formations,
cliff dwellings of "the ancient ones", and of course the immensity of the Grand
Canyon itself.
Elderhostel Program Elderhostel is a learning and travel program for seniors, and while
the hotel accommodations were not intended to be luxurious, they were
certainly comfortable. There were 31 of us in the program, not including the
two coordinators, bus drivers, and presenters. Northern Arizona University
was the sponsor of this Elderhostel program.
We had a series of
educational classes, activities (museum tours, sightseeing, short hikes) and
free time. The classes focused on the Colorado River Plateau and the desert
environment, the wildlife and plants, the human history and politics, and
explanations of the geology of the Grand Canyon.
For the classes, we had
speakers who presented specific topics:
Jeff, who was also one
of our program coordinators, gave us an overview of the geography and
geology of the Colorado River Plateau, which covers the "Four Corners"
region of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah. The relative altitudes
of Phoenix (1,100 ft.), Sedona (4,500 ft.), Flagstaff (7,000 ft.) and the
Grand Canyon (7,000+ ft.) account for major variances in temperature,
rainfall and vegetation.
Chris, an
anthropologist/archeologist who works for the Apache tribe, discussed
Native American language, culture, history, and the preservation of
artifacts. When asked about using the word "Indian", he answered that it
is a non-issue for Arizona Indians.
Michael, a professional
storyteller, gave a dramatic presentation using various "voices" to depict
actual personalities and stories of the Verde River Valley.
Ramson kept us
enthralled for three hours telling about his growing up as a member of the
Hopi tribe, with its two core beliefs:.....
EXTEND YOUR SUMMER! We have many exciting programs to choose from this fall.
Why not enjoy a few more days of summer weather.
Arizona October temperatures average between 65 and 85 degrees.
FLAGSTAFF FEATURED IN ARIZONA HIGHWAYS
Discover Flagstaff and northern Arizona in
Arizona Highways expanded
Flagstaff Getaway Guide.
15 high-country hikes
Eight cool back-road drives
Advice on horseback riding and rodeos
Comprehensive lists of things to do
Details about a David Zickl photo exhibit
Where to see the best wildflowers
TRAVEL IN STYLE NAU Elderhostel is now the proud owner of a new 48-passenger motor coach
and two custom built
14-passanger vans.
NEW BUILDING, NEW LOCATION We are very excited to be moving into our new offices this winter.
Our future address will be in the
new College of
Business building currently under construction.
NAU has made a commitment to being a leader in the sustainable design
and green buildings. This means the building will be designed with lower
environmental impacts such as reduced energy consumption, while
enhancing health, productivity, community, and quality of life.
Photo of the summer:
Sunrise over the Grand Canyon By Walt Brickwedel,
Arizona Landscapes program, May 2005
Check out other NAU Elderhostel photos taken by our participants and located on their
individual websites. Grand
Canyon Rafting
Digital Photography and Photoshop Elements
"We may never know
definitively when and how the Colorado River formed and carved the Grand
Canyon. This is because after its formation, the river set about
removing almost all of the evidence of its early life. This well written
and easy to follow new book starts by clearly laying out the history of
theories about the origins of the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon.
Next is a discussion of the current ideas about the river and canyon and
the most recent evidence and what direction that evidence points.
Illustrations throughout the book (Some by the author and some by Bronze
Black) do an excellent job of highlighting the text. Carving the Grand
Canyon ends with an outline of our current knowledge, and concludes with
a concise summary of that outline."
TIPS & IDEAS
FROM OUR COORDINATORS: "When visiting
Canyon de Chelly on a
windy day and you're touring the canyon rim, be sure to fill your
pockets with rocks..."
Wilma and Jerry Begay
NAU Elderhostel Coordinators for 4 years
FROM OUR PARTICIPANTS: Submitted to the
Elderhostel
Discussion Board by:
Kent Shisler
Lafayette, IN
Number of programs attended: 8
Program
#6361, Navajo Culture, Trading Post Tales And Movie Lore, 3/13/05(Monument Valley) "We
found this program better than expected. It was most interesting to have
our coordinator married to a Navajo and he being part of the program.
Meeting all their 8 children was also a delight. The accommodations were
first rate and being able to select food from an extended menu was a new
experience for us with Elderhostel."
of red rock surroundings amenities include tennis courts, golf course, full
fitness room and spa, swimming pool, and large rooms with sleep
In 
In
"We may never know
definitively when and how the Colorado River formed and carved the Grand
Canyon. This is because after its formation, the river set about
removing almost all of the evidence of its early life. This well written
and easy to follow new book starts by clearly laying out the history of
theories about the origins of the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon.
Next is a discussion of the current ideas about the river and canyon and
the most recent evidence and what direction that evidence points.
Illustrations throughout the book (Some by the author and some by Bronze
Black) do an excellent job of highlighting the text. Carving the Grand
Canyon ends with an outline of our current knowledge, and concludes with
a concise summary of that outline."