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Elderhostel Notebook April 1997
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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.
The newsletter is mailed to subscribers via e-mail and posted at
http://bcn.boulder.co.us/community/senior-citizens/center.html
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
Elderhostel Potpourri
Elderhostel Reviews
Personals and Notices
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Editor's Notebook
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This is a rather short edition of the Notebook compared to some
of the previous ones. We need more of you reporting your
elderhostel experiences to assist the rest of us in making
choices and also to give us some vicarious experiences since we
can't all attend all elderhostels.
We would like to get more personal experience vignettes from
your elderhostel trips to use in the Potpourri section. I am
throwing in an example of personal essay I wrote while returning
from the Apache Lake elderhostel this winter using my notebook
computer while on the road. I believe the magazine Family PC for
May is doing a short bit about how I kept in touch with grandkids
while on that trip. At least they interviewed me for the story
on older people using the internet.
You can tell from reading it that I am interested in nature and that
kind of thing and, in fact, have started yet another newsletter more
specific to birdwatching- nature study and environmental concerns.
It's called Silver Feathers and the first issue is just out.
You can get on the mailing list with a short note to me
either here at olsonjam@uwec.edu or sierrajimo@aol.com.
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Elderhostel Potpourri
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Looking Back and Looking Ahead
With this issue the Elderhostel Notebook starts it's second year
of publication. The first issue went out to 67 subscribers and
was posted and read at several places on the internet. Most of
the readers at that time were people who had been to a number of
elderhostels and wished to share their experiences with others.
Many of the 200 who joined later were relatively new to
elderhosteling and have used the Notebook to get an idea of what
elderhosteling is all about. Some of the old timers were very
valuable in supplying the news and the flavor of elderhostel to
them. One of those first subscribers who had been holsteling for
a number of years responded to the last address check with
regrets that he and his wife would be not going to any more
elderhostels. He did not further explain his situation and
respecting his privacy I did not ask; but it occurred to me that
just as there is a first elderhostel for all of us there is also
a last one.
I imagine there are a number of reasons for leaving
elderhosteling and I suspect that aside from the obvious one (the
necessity of prying the Elderhostel Passport from your cold dead
fingers,) various health conditions might be a major factor
affecting ability to travel to elderhostels, and to participate
in them as well. This is not necessarily an age related factor as
many of the most active elderhostelers doing the more physically
demanding programs are also among the more chronologically
advantaged elderhostelers.
Perhaps more can be done to extend the elderhostel trail a little
further for those who would otherwise have reached the end of
that trail for one reason or another. Maybe some organization
that deals with volunteer work helping people of elderhostel age
could team with elderhostel and provide some service elderhostels
designed to help provide an elderhostel-like experience for those
who can't go to elderhostels any longer but need to have the
elderhostel come to them.
Maybe there are some solutions to the transportation problem for
elderhostlers finding travel difficult. Maybe some of our readers
have ideas to share on this issue of extending the elderhostel
trail. We will continue to have a section in the Notebook for
personal comments on this and other elderhosteling issues.
________________
On the Road Jim Olson
olsonjam@uwec.edu
Returning home from Apache Lake Elderhostel
Pratt, Kansas,Thursday, Jan 16. 1997
We left Albuqurque this morning on I-40 east and headed out
across the eastern slope of the mountains to Cline Corners, New
Mexico, where the roads still showed the effect of the last snow
storm . From there out across the high plains to Tucumcarri, NM
and off northeast on US 54 through parts of New Mexico, and
through the panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma and on into Kansas.
The panhandles fit together there, pieces in our states jigsaw
puzzle. In that area Texas has a short stubby vertical handle and
Oklahoma a slim horizontal one. Kansas sits on top of them and
doesn't appear to need a handle, being a large boxy state that
eschews anything fancy like a handle or geographic features that
would interfere with a wheat field or a prairie, or slow Dorothy
down on her wind borne trip to OZ; or political concerns that
would prevent voting a straight Republican ticket.
Beyond Liberal, Kansas the term "liberal" drew nothing but
disdain from the radio talk shows. John Brown's Body, indeed. But
I forget, Abe Lincoln was a Republican- what a change- the KKK
had planned a national meeting in central Kansas on Martin Luther
King's birthday, but gave it up because the drive up from the
south was deemed too cold. To their credit, most Kansans greeted
this news with relief.
On the edge of the plains we were greeted by a prairie sunrise
that sent an ice crystal formed vertical rainbow up into the
horizon and splashed the white frozen plains with color. later on
the trek northeast we met many different birds reacting to the
sunny day in different ways. A lone bald eagle patroled overhead
competing with the ubiquitous plains hawks that form figureheads
on the roadside telephone and power line totem poles. Harriers
that glided noiselessly just above the prairie stubble.
Flocks of starlings and crows feasted on the material supplied by
the several large cattle feed lots along the way. The piles of
feed had frozen solid and the cattle were climbing and lying on
top of the piles, possibly trying to thaw them out. or maybe they
just wanted a better view of us to see if they might recognize us
later at a MacDonalds (which we have found essential now that
rest stops have practically disappeared from our back roads- or
maybe it's just that we seem to need to stop more often) I think
highway planners need a course in geriatric plumbing.
High overhead were several large formations of geese headed
south, evidently having discovered that they had not gone quite
far enough on their original "snowbird" excursion so they joined
the trickle of cars and RV's with Minn, WIS, and Iowa plates
headed south on 54.(we were practically alone headed north.)
Still there were a couple of flocks of horned larks headed north.
They are the first of the migratory birds to return north and
work their way north just behind and sometimes with the
disappearing snow line, which at the time seems to be along the
southern Kansas plains that had little snow left. I suspect they
will stop and reconsider their journey a few miles up the line,
but we will not. (and we think they have "bird brains.") Next
year we will pay more attention to the birds and learn from them.
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Elderhostel Reviews
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Big Sur, CA Elderhostel, 3/9/97
Fgdavis01@aol
My wife and I had never attended Elderhostel. It was my idea,
and she was somewhat skeptical. To be brief, it was great and we
want to go again.
The setting was spectacular, our room was simple but large, clean
and comfortable. The classes were very interesting . The nature
walks were informative and not strenuous. The food was not fancy
but ample and good. One drawback for some people might be the
steep walk back from the lodge/dining room to the living
cottages/conference center. It was on a roadway among towering
redwoods, and could have been driven if necessary.
I had felt the course on Sharks would not be to my liking, but
the instructor was so good that I thoroughly enjoyed every moment
of it. The other courses on the flora and fauna of Big Sur were
very well done, and the nature walks of the area were fun and
informative.
We met some wonderful people, enjoyed great weather and had a
very good time in Big Sur.
Frank and Diane Davis
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Mary Washington College, Arlington,VA U.S. Foreign Service
Mjs312@aol.com
We found this Elderhostel one of the best we have ever enjoyed.
All the instructors were Foreign Service people, either retired
or still active. They gave us a wonderful week of information
regarding the U.S. services abroad, relations with various
embassies, including Israel, and details about the way
Ambassadors and other members of the consulates are appointed and
what they do. We had a trip to the State Department in
Washington,D.C. and another to the Holocaust Museum. We were
given a wonderful lunch at the facility for retired U.S. Foreign
Service Diplomats. Unfortunately, that was the only really good
meal we had! The Comfort Inn in Arlington had good accommodations
but poor food. Planning was fine, and we had nothing but praise
for the coordinator, L.P.Mullin, who was also a Foreign Service
person. We would certainly recommend the program, but sign up
early. The program gets booked fast, and nobody wants to drop
out.
Edie and Marty Silver
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The University of Texas at Austin/Galveston Island Program
February 16-21, 1997
Barbara McCrary <76652.2116@CompuServe.COM>
Most of the group were from the upper MIdwestern states, looking
for warmer weather. We stayed at the Best Western Beachfront Inn
with the beach just across the street. Because the Inn no longer
has a restaurant, all breakfasts and most of the evening meals
were catered in the Conference Room where our classes were held.
We had several delicious lunches in Galveston restaurants that
included shrimp poorboys, shrimp gumbo and an assorted fish
platter.
We toured several restored houses and the 1894 Grand Opera House,
had a boat tour of the Port of Galveston, enjoyed boarding the
sailing ship Elissa, and spent several enjoyable hours at Moody
Gardens/Rainforest Pyramid. Many of us took advantage of free
bus transportation to visit nearby NASA. Due to bad weather,
Thursday's itinerary had to be rescheduled but the coordinator,
Sherry Hicks, worked hard to substitute activities that everyone
enjoyed.
We learned a lot about the history of Galveston island, thanks to
Victor Lang who spent three evenings with our group. He is a
native of Galveston, then spent many years in Washington as a
lobbyist before retiring to Galveston in recent years. He is a
dynamic speaker and was definitely one of the week's highlights.
He vividly described the 1900 hurricane that devastated Galveston
and killed over 6,000 people - still the worst disaster in U.S.
history. We thorougly enjoyed the week and recommend the
program.
_______________
Ole Miss Elderhostel
HHubb4443@aol.com
We attended this Elderhostel 2/23/97-3/1/97 in Oxford Miss. It
was our 18th and the best organized we have ever attended. The
profs were exceptionall good. The courses were,. Southern
Literature, Faulkner, Welty, O'Connor etc. We were sent their
short stories to read in advance. A wonderful course. Civil
Rights in America, Then and Now, primarily about the murder of
Father Jonathan Daniels in Lowndes County, Al. an excellent
course also. The Five Turning Points in the Civil War, very
interesting. Architectecture and Art.
This Prof was not the best, but the field trip to Holly Springs,
Miss was great. This little town was spared the torch by Sherman.
Attend the course and find out why. The Blues with a wonderful
Blues singer. Every night a video of one of the authors. They
were excellent. Oxford is a typical small southern town and we
enjoyed good weather while everyone else was getting snow and or
rain.
Accomodations were in an older Holiday Inn and were fine.
Breakfast and dinner was at the motel. Dinner was adequate, but
there are some excellent restaurants down town, two blocks from
the motel. Minivans picked us up every morning at 8:00 AM and
took us to campus about a mile away. We had cards for lunch at
the Student Union building all you could eat from Pizza to meat
and veggies. The card was also good for the Alumni House right
nest door to our class room. We prefered the Alumni House because
it was quieter. The food at both place was very good. The class
room was comfortable and their were soft drinks and coffee
available all day long. We highly recommend this elderhostel.
Hetta
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Yavapai College, Arizona
BetsyCas@aol.com
I have just returned from two Elderhostel programs hosted by
Yavapai College:
The first one, "Walking in Beauty," was a totally wonderful and
unforgettable experience. The title of this course is a direct
Navajo quote, and the aim was to bring us closer to the earth and
peoples of the area through study of geology, anthropology,
archeology, flora and fauna. We stayed in Bellrock Inn, just
south of Sedona and within walking distance of beautiful rock
formations. Excellent and challenging morning courses were led
by extraordinarily personable and capable instructors,
particularly Randy and Dena Greenwood-Miller. We were bussed to
various areas for three wonderful afternoon walking tours (easy)
led by Randy and Dena. Another outstanding session was with Gary
Lollman, who carries a Falconry license; he talked to the class
about raptors and other birds of the area. Two evening programs
were exceptionally good; food was fine. All of the instructors
have such a great love of that land that they transmit their
enthusiasm to all who listen........a truly uplifting experience.
The second one, "Watercolor Painting," likewise had a superior
and personable instructor; and there were three good evening
programs which we shared with another Elderhostel group. We were
housed in Quality Inn in Cottonwood. Excellent morning classes
were followed by all-too-brief painting in the field on three of
the days. We were driven to several spots for short supervised
sessions, but there was WAY too much free time, averaging over
three hours per day. We all were disappointed with the loss of
educational opportunity.
Note: If you plan to attend a Yavapai program, one instructor
suggested you phone the college to get more details on class
content. Their number is 1-800-922-6787.
Transportation: I did not have a car, and was totally pleased
with shuttle service I received from Iron Horse Transportation.
They have decided to devote all of their time to Elderhostlers,
and they go out of their way for us. Phone 520-567-5393.
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Personals and Notices
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Salon online magazine has opened a new online travel magazine
called Wanderlust.
It is located at
http://node54.salon1999.com/wanderlust/
Readers might want to check it out to see what types of
attractions there are in areas where you travel to elderhostels.
Like Salon it is oriented toward Yuppies and claims to be
dedicated to putting the romance -- the "unconquerable longing"
-- back into travel and the passion back into travel writing.
But I guess some of us elderhostelers can take some of that in
moderation.
Here is a sample:
"Girls in bikinis sashayed up to me and nibbled at my ear.
Tuk-tuks took me bumping down streets alive with shadows. Strange
voices rang me up in my dismal hotel room with soft offers of
sweet company. I heard heavy feet padding after light ones,
giggles and held breath, all night in the corridor. "
Hmm- sounds a little like that elderhostel in Hawaii.
_____________________
Kansas Hawks
Kansas
Roadside preachers
Atop their pulpit poles
Watch furry congregations turn
To prey.