The flowers of late winter and early spring occupy places
in our hearts well out of proportion to their size.
-   Gertrude S. Wister

According to our calendar, the end of winter and the beginning of spring is almost upon us. Every year we are reminded that the seasons follow a cycle. However, we know that Mother Nature likes to be the director of her own show and display her incredible talents, whether she drops 12 feet of snow on the San Francisco Peaks in April or produces a stunning array of wildflowers in the desert in March. 

At NAU Elderhostel, our work is closely related to the seasons. We schedule programs according to the calendar taking into account what program will be best during what month. Sometimes Mother Nature steps in for a cameo, and her performance presents us with the inevitable logistical challenges. Our winter days have been put to use preparing for the upcoming season and we are looking forward to sharing our region with you.

It is late February and as the temperatures warm, one can sense the excitement and enthusiasm circulating through the office, amongst our field coordinators and presenters, and in the voices of the eager hostelers preparing to attend their first or their tenth Elderhostel program. We are ready to go for Spring 2007!

In this issue we feature:
- Flagstaff:  A Mountain Town Fit for an Elderhostel Program
- "Spring into Action" - This Season's Health & Fitness Programs
- Four New Programs Starting in 2007
- News, Tips & Ideas, and Recommended Reading

As always we love hearing from you! Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have a story or photo you would like to share, or think of a topic you would like us to cover. Just send 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.

Happy Travels,
The Staff at NAU Elderhostel

Referred to as "The City of Seven Wonders", a "Gateway to the Grand Canyon" and "Northern Arizona's Hub", Flagstaff is home to our office at Northern Arizona University and to a growing number of NAU Elderhostel programs. 

As a visitor to Flagstaff, one has the sense of traveling through time, stopping off at the Old West with a peek into the early days of the railroad, mining and lumber industries. However, the modern world is ever present here in Flagstaff with a population of nearly 65,000 people. It offers an exciting urban center that includes an arts and crafts scene, lively nightlife, and a wide range of restaurants and shops all combined with four distinct seasons, a dynamic cultural scene, and close proximity to many of this country's natural wonders. Located within the largest standing ponderosa pine forests in the world and at an elevation of 7000 ft., it is a short hop to the Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, Sedona, the culturally rich Navajo and Hopi Reservations and many archaeological sites in the Southwest. 

We want to share our appreciation for this area by offering more opportunities for the hosteler to experience the wonders of Flagstaff. Whether you are interested in hiking, alternative health, computers, visiting ancient ruins, , exploring geologic formations or spending an adventurous week with your grandchild, it would be our pleasure to introduce you to this wonderful mountain town.

Learn more about our Flagstaff programs

Flagstaff Convention and Visitor Bureau
 

People don't notice whether it's winter or summer when they're happy.
--Anton Chekhov

Surely, some people would argue with Chekhov. Undeniably, "winter laziness" is a universal human condition and affects people on many levels. Generally, during the cold season people tend to sleep more, eat more and move less. If this sounds like you, we have the perfect remedy. Here are several programs with space available for you to consider if you are looking to "Spring into Action".

- A Fitness Sampler: Aqua-Jogging, Tai-Chi,   Yoga, Hiking, & More
   Mar 11-16 and Apr 1-6

- Sedona: Tennis, Hiking, Yoga and More
  Mar 11-16, Mar 25-30 and Apr 29-May 4

- Lake Powell: Golfing and a River Trip on the Colorado River
   Mar 11-16, Mar 25-30 and Apr 15-20

- Sedona: Red Rock Golf and Southwest History & Culture
   Mar 11-16, Apr 8-13 and May 6-11

- San Juan River Kayaking: River Skills and Anasazi Thrills
   May 5-7

- Sedona, Flagstaff, Grand Canyon: "Hiking Arizona's High Country
   Jun 10-15

- Hiking the Slick Rocks, Slot Canyons & Red Rocks of Lake Powell
   May 6-11

Digital Photography in the Field & Adobe Photoshop Elements - Intermediate Level  (4 nights)  Fall -07
Master the computer techniques used by professionals to create visually stunning images. This course combines a photo shoot to the Sunset Crater/San Francisco Peaks volcanic field, hands-on instruction by a professional photographer, and in-class computer use in our state-of-the-art Computer Training Center. Learn more