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Elderhostel Notebook November 1996
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Elderhostel Notebook is the monthly e-mail publication of the
Silver Threads, an informal collection of net seniors. It is the
product of elderhostlers, and is independent of the Elderhostel
organization and not associated with it.
It is published in conjunction with the Silver Threads
Newsletter, but has a separate mailing list. Submissions are
welcome and voluntary as are comments and suggestions.
Editor is Jim Olson olsonjam@uwec.edu
There is no charge for either publication. Just contact the
editor to subscribe.
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Contents
From the Editors Notebook
News and Comments
Disney Institute Emulates Elderhostel
Elderhostel Reviews
Personals
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Editor's Notebook
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I am continuing with monthly short versions of the newsletter
until the reserve file builds to the point where two part monthly
mailings are needed. If your report wasn't included in this
letter, it will be in upcoming issues.
Timing of issues for the next several months will be a little
erratic as I work them in around holiday plans and some upcoming
elderhostels in Arizona and Texas.
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News and Comments
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Disney Institute Emulates Elderhostel
-Jean Sterling
In part due to the success of the elderhostel movement, Disney in
Orlando, Florida, has gotten into the business of offering an
educational vacation at the new Disney Institute.
I live not too far from Disney in Central Florida, and last
spring "the mouse" offered locals an opportunity to come out and
visit the new Disney Institute prior to its opening.
Disney does things first class, and Disney Institute is no
exception. The campus is beautiful - kind of a cross between a
college campus and a very nice small town. There are lovely
accommodations, a fitness center, a small theater, as well as
places where the various classes are held. The learning
opportunities are extensive, and many of them are uniquely
Disney. You can learn animation techniques with the very latest
computer equipment, learn how to edit video, do "improv" on
stage, act as a disc jockey, and learn how the local news on one
of the Orlando television stations is produced.
There are also the more usual class offerings such as culinary
arts, genealogy, landscaping, various classes in sports and
fitness, and nature classes. In the evening visiting artists and
performers lecture or perform in the theater. There are several
restaurants - I saw a few menus, and they looked fine.
Now for the bad news - everything at Disney Institute is first
class all the way - including the price. It is quite expensive.
I recently received a notice about a "special" for locals during
the Disney slow season - $129 per person not including meals and
extras (such as renting a canoe or bicycle).
Jean adds this note based on recent events:
There was an article in the Orlando paper this morning about
Disney Institute which concerned the fact that Disney Institute
has not (as they say in business reports) "lived up to
expectations". There are a few problems that would surely impact
people who go there for the educational aspects of the thing.
One problem is that the number of classes offered has been cut in
half. Another problem is that people are staying on the
institute "campus" and not going to the classes but going to
EPCOT or the Magic Kingdom instead. The article mentioned that
the institute grounds had the feel of a college campus when most
of the students are home for a vacation. Probably the most
disturbing thing mentioned in the article was that morale among
teaching staff members was very low.
___________________
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Elderhostel Reviews
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Central Arizona College, Sonoran
Desert Field Studies.
joe graves
The program we attended was #03173-1013-1 and was the week of
Oct. 13-19 of 96.
The courses were listed as:
* - Foods of The Southwest
*- Healing Plants of The Desert (including a 1 hour desert field trip)
*-Desert Farmers - The Ancient Ones
The program was held at the Kings Ranch Location. This is near
Apache Junction and the ranch is at the base of The Superstition
Mountains.
Our Coordinator for the week was David Morris. David also was our
instructor in Healing Plants of the Desert portion of the
program. I mention David specifically because he was an excellent
coordinator and very knowledgable about the plants that are found
in the desert. David is a Native American and his discussions
gave a special insight into the early lives of the desert people.
The "Foods of The Southwest" portion was also very good. Our
instructor was very informative as well as entertaining. We
sampled foods, received about 10 packets of seeds to take home,
we learned to make and ate corn blueberry muffins.
As indicated in the Elderhostel catalog, we were housed in
bungalows on the property. I understand that at one time the
property was part of a dude ranch but now is confined to about 15
- 18 acres and apparently almost entirely used by the college
for Elderhostel programs.
The furniture in the bungalows was worn but confortable. No maid
service, towels are provided on arrival and exchanged at mid
week. Bed linen is used for the week. There is no T.V. and we
were advised to bring a radio. There is one public phone
available on the compound.
We had a short walk, no more than 3 to 5 minutes to the main
house for meals. The meals were simple but adequate. Lemonade,
coffee and ice tea was available all day. The evening meal was
always hot. This would include a green salad, veggie and a hot
entree (no choices) and a dessert. One night we were taken to a
local Mexican Restaurant for dinner.
The food was: Plain, Adequate and not Memorable.
We found the courses to be excellent. The instructors were
knowledgable and very interesting. The guest speakers thatwere
brought in were all good. We were very impressed with a Native
American who discussed, Native American Spirituality. His name
is Joseph Enos. He spoke to us for about 3 hours and we would
have liked to hear more from him.
We also had an excellent program about the early Mexican Cowboy.
This was called "El Vaquero". He was not only instructional but
entertaining.
Our program was scheduled to have 30 participant, but I believe
we had 23. As usual, one of the most enjoyable parts of the
program was the people we spent the week getting to know.
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Intergenerational Elderhostels
Elsie McGuire
This is a report from a friend, Enid Mountjoy, who has enjoyed
many EH experiences but doesn't happen to have an e-mail address
as yet. She and her grandchildren have participated in several
of the inter-generational programs.
Enid writes:--
My experiences with inter-generational elderhostels are as
follows:
1. Strathcona Park Lodge, Vancouver Island.
Includes: Canoeing, Kayaking, Low Ropes Courses, High Ropes
Courses, Rock Climbing (on a 60 ft. rock face), Orienteering,
Hike to Sphagnum Bog, and an Overnight Stay on the Beach Under
Tarpaulin.
This is strictly a "learn by doing" experience, and the children
are kept physically busy. They meet difficult physical
challenges under very safe conditions. The feeling they
experience when they have completed, for example, the high ropes
course is wonderful to see--very hard to put into words.
The instructors or leaders are highly qualified and usually in
their 20's. Children respond very well to this age of
instructor.
Grandparents do as much of it as they wish, but are there to
"spot" their grandchildren, take pictures and share in their
delight. I have to rate it excellent, and have been there three
times.
2. Bishop's University, Lennoxville, Quebec.
My experience has been with basketball and drawing. Tennis,
watercolours and the Internet are also offered. Again, the
instructors are young and very good. Swimming is also a big hit
in the "off" hours. This is, also, a "learn by doing"
experience. I have been twice to this one, and would rate it
very good.
3. Bruce Connection, Bruce Peninsula, Ontario.
I attended once. Mostly hiking on the Bruce Trail. Older
instructors. Study of the plants of the area was boring for
children. This program has to be rated poor. There was not
enough physical activity for the children to do. It was the
first time for them, and it wasn't offered this past summer.
* * Elsie * *
ae852@freenet.durham.org
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Kenya, Africa -
Ktgrant1@aol.com
>From Sept. 13 to Sept. 29 I took part in an International
Elderhostel in Kenya (program number 12281-0912). Holbrook
Travel handled all the arrangements and also provided trip
extension for those that were interested. Air travel was by
British Airways by way of London and on to Nairobi.
The first three nights were at the Lenana Mount Hotel in Nairobi,
a very so-so king of place, but it was clean with private baths.
The food was O.K. Lots of fresh vegetables and fruits, which
turned out to be a problem for some people, but everyone had
their supplies a Imodium - Hakuna Matata (no problem). All
travel was done in small, eight passenger vans. Since our group
had 24, we had lots of room with 6 per van. Drivers very nice and
knowledgeable. We had a city tour and a visit to Mrs. Mitchell's
Plantation (a look at how the English colonials lived) among
other things.
The next night was a real highlight - a night at the Ark. A
wonderful hotel in the Aberdare National Park. Fantastic game
viewing of wildlife at a salt lick. Excellent food in a fine
restaurant.
Our trip continued to a 6 night stay at Lake Nukuru Lodge in the
Rift Valley. This lodge is in a game preserve and we had numerous
game drives and saw the animals "up close" even at meals. Lake
Nukura is the home for millions of Flamingos. This was the
educational part of the trip. The program and all lectures were
presented by the excellent and outstanding Kenya staff and
faculty of Egerton University. There were trips to various
places, including a visit to a rural school. It was a pleasure to
meet the children. The accommodations were very good and food
was fine.
The next stop was the Masai Mara Reserve which is an extension of
the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and the home of the Masai
tribe. This is a tented camp, but very luxurious with a lovely
pool and good eating. If you are interested, hot air balloon
rides are available. Numerous game rides and the viewing was
spectacular.
We returned to Nairobi by plane for our finally days, including a
farewell dinner at "Carnivore", a wild game restaurant.
I have to mention the condition of the roads. The main highways
are fine, but all other roads are dirt and range from almost
smooth to extremely bad. Elderhostel is not kidding when it says
the road is bumpy and not for people with spinal problems!
I think this was a great experience!
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Big Bend program sponsored by the University of Texas
Date: October 6-11, 1996
Barbara McCrary <76652.2116@CompuServe.COM>
We thoroughly enjoyed our week in the Big Bend area - magnificent
scenery, good weather and congenial people - what more could you
ask for? Our accommodations were outside the Park at Lajitas on
the Rio Grande, a resort west of the Park built in 1978. Their
restaurant staff did a good job on the meals which included two
Mexican-style dinners. The bakery next door kept us supplied
with all kinds of fresh breads, including huge cinnamon rolls.
We learned about the history and geology of the Big Bend area,
photography, astronomy and the Writers of the West. One highlight
enjoyed by everyone was viewing the stars through a telescope.
Two field trips took us into the Park to view various geologic
formations, and west on Farm Road 170 for spectacular views of
the Rio Grande River. We had one free day - part of the group
chose a raft trip on the Rio Grande, and others went into the
Park to picnic and hike.
This excellent program is worth the time it takes to get to this
remote area, but is easily reached over good highways. Big Bend
does not have huge crowds of visitors like many of the national
parks. If you have never visited Big Bend, this is a terrific
way to do it.
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PILGRIM MONUMENT PROVINCETOWN MUSEUM
ERWB@aol.com
We arrived early at Provincetown only to learn we could not check
into our room early. The inn's restaurant was closed and it was
pouring rain so we were a little unhappy with this. Most times
we have found we could check in early. The Inn only had one
luggage rack which was not good as our rooms were at the far back
of the inn. Otherwise our accomodations were ok. We did have to
put out our own trash and get our own linens each day. There was
another EH there that week also and we shared the dining room so
had a chance to get to know some of those people also. The food
was served buffet style and was very good.
Our field trips were many but came before the lectures which I
felt was backwards. We visited the various museums, lighthouses,
visitor centers, lifesaving station and heard excellent speakers
talking about the history and the area. Also had a speaker who
told the story of Jenny Lind. One of the speakers was a native
american woman and she told about her heritage and showed us how
to make an indian game. We also learned about White Line
Woodblock prints from a local artist. On our free afternoon we
took a whale watch cruise and saw 12 whales-4 species.
We felt the coordinator was a little weak but it did not really
bother us. There was no closing period. Just a final speaker and
distribution of box lunches before we departed at noon on Friday.
We also had a box lunch on Wednesday as that was our free
afternoon. These lunches were ok.
We would recommend this Elderhostel as a good one. We enjoyed
all the activities and since it was our first trip to the area
were glad that we were able to see all the historic monuments,
etc.
Evelyn and Ralph Bauer
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Covecrest, Georgia Elderhostel
HHubb4443@aol.com
We have just returned from a great Elderhostel at Covecrest in
north Georgia. It is 90 miles north of Atlanta and 4 lane most of
the way. This is a retreat and conference Center abutting a
National Forest. The accomodations are great, in the lodge [a big
room ] or in cottages [they call them cabins, but they are nicer
than what is usually considered a cabin] the food was good the
teachers excellent. We have been to 16 Elderhostels and consider
this one of the absolutely best. The three courses were: Flora
and Fauna. the 30s and 40s and May it please the court.
The teachers were excellent. We walked trails, not difficult
ones, heard music from the 30s and 40s and old radio programs
like "Jack Armstrong the all American boy". We heard real cases
tried before the U.S. Supreme Court, fascinating. I reccommend a
car as there are some very interesting places to visit nearby. It
is practically on th N.C> border a short drive to Highland N.C. a
resort town and Tallulah Gorge.
If you are a news junkie, bring a radio as there are none, no TV
and no newspapers. You get a recap of the news daily as the
co-ordinators subscribe to the "Atlanta Constitution" If you want
to get away from it all, this is the place. It is cool and sunny.
Even in he summer the average temp is 78. for more info contact
me. HHubb4443 @aol.com Hetta
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Personals
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From: Mjs312 @aol.com
we just returned from Atlanta where we took an EH that promised
us the Atlanta Symphony, which turned out to be on strike! We did
enjoy some music on tape, but hardly what we anticipated. Atlanta
is a fun city as we know, having been there before, but we can't
really recommend this EH because it was very limited in activity.
The sponsors are the members of a family - something new to us.
Mom is the coordinator, Daughter teaches the music, Hubby teaches
about the Civil War history. Son-in-law teaches theater. There
were two youngsters who did short pieces - one about the Civil
War and one telling stories. They were the only ones not related
to the coordinator! We hope the next EH will be
better.(California, here we come - again!) Edie and Marty
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Date: Tue, 1 Oct 1996 14:06:23 -0400
From: PHANNAWELL@aol.com
For hardy souls who are out-of-doors folk, I want to recommend
the programs at U of Maine at Presque Isle. I completed a
flyfishing/canoeing trip in August, and the scenery, staff, and
instruction were great. You must know that you do sleep in a
tent on the ground, and have to deal with all that that suggests.
They offer a canoe trip which got great reviews from the
participants I spoke to there. Consider this if it is your "cup
of tea". There are great travel opportunities nearby--you are
very close to Quebec, New Brunswick, etc.
_______
This is in responce to a request for more info on the Photo EH in
Tomohawk, WI. Rooms were small with bunk beds, baths down the
hall, similar to dorms. Food was cafeteria style, but was pretty
good. 2 Week program. Classes were great, two instructors really
knew their stuff, and as I've said before, many of the
participants were repeats and knew as much as the profs. We went
out every morning to different locales at county and state parks
to shoot flowers, trees, fungi (I don't wan't to see another
mushroom),water. All slides. While the films were developed in
the afternoons, we were free to roam the trails, take more pics,
etc. In the late afternoon or evening, we each picked a few of
our best shots and had a slide show, with constructive critiques
by profs and members. Just great!! Recommend it highly.
Joe Kluepfel