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Best of Colorado's West: Rivers, Mountains, Intergenerational Adventure

Program Number: 4946RJ
Start and End Dates:
6/16/2013 - 6/21/2013; 6/23/2013 - 6/28/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Price starting at: $1,125.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Intergenerational
Intergenerational
Meals: 13; 5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners    

Program intended for grandchildren from 10 - 13 years of age.

Thrilling adventures await as you and your grandchild explore the history, mountains and adventure of the Old West from land, water and air! Float above the valley in a hot air balloon, raft down a river through rugged scenery, and go back in time on horseback. By land we’ll hike to 280-foot Fish Creek Falls, then we'll travel by chair-lift to the top of the oldest continuously operating ski area in Colorado, Howelsen Hill, for a ride down the alpine slide.




Highlights

• Raft down a section of the Yampa River experiencing white water and beautiful scenery along the way.
• Enjoy beautiful mountain views and Aspen forests during a horseback ride.
• Learn about hot-air balloons, build your own prototype, then soar above the Yampa Valley in the basket of the Wild West Hot Air Balloon.



Activity Particulars

Elevations of 4,600-8,000 feet. Walking up to one-half mile, mostly flat terrain, some steps.



Coordinated by Mountains and Plains Institute.




Steamboat Springs

Nestled in the beautiful Yampa Valley, Steamboat Springs — "Ski Town USA" — boasts numerous natural hot springs and friendly Western hospitality. Regarded as a haven for skiers, Steamboat Springs also offers ample summer opportunities for fishing, kayaking and river rafting along the Yampa River.
Accommodations
Convenient downtown motel. Daily pass to hot springs swimming pools across street from motel included.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
AnnMarie Kirkpatrick
AnnMarie Kirkpatrick has a love for the outdoors, leading hiking programs from the Colorado Rockies to the canyons of Utah. Director of BASE Camp at Johnson Elementary in Fort Collins, AnnMarie is certified in Emergency Response First Aid and CPR. She has a passion for South America, where she has spent time learning the culture and climbing mountains. She enjoys running marathons, listening to music, backpacking and skiing.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Rabbit Ears Motel
  Steamboat Springs, CO 5 nights
 Rabbit Ears Motel
Type: Motel
  Description: Our location is considered one of the premier locations in Steamboat. We are located in Main Downtown directly across from the Hot Springs Pool and next door to Yampa River Park. We are within walking distance to all the downtown shops and restaurants. The bus service is free and stops at our driveway every 20 minutes. We are approx. 2 miles from the ski area.
  Contact info: 201 Lincoln Ave.
Steamboat Springs, CO 80477 USA
phone: 970-879-1150
web: www.rabbitearsmotel.com/
  Room amenities: The amenities include: refrigerators, coffee makers, hair dryers, wireless internet, dataport phones and remote control TV on extended service cable.
  Facility amenities: Our Road Scholar program provides daily paid passes to the hot springs spa across street from motel also see unique features.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Additional nights prior: Call for rates Reserve directly with motel. Rates at discretion of motel.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: Call for rates Reserve directly with motel. Rates at discretion of motel.
  Check out time: 10:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Motel Check in at 3 PM. 5:00 PM Required orientation in Motel Meeting Room followed by Dinner. You will be staying at Rabbit Ears Motel that night.
  End of Program:
Program ends after breakfast. Check out by 10 AM. You will be staying at Rabbit Ears Motel the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Please return required attached forms to address on form. Adult Acknowledgement of Risk-Liability Waiver Form Youth Acknowledgement of Risk-Liability Waiver Form
  Parking availability:
No charge
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Steamboat Springs, CO
  Nearest highway: Us Highway 40
  Nearest airport:  The Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN)
  From End of Program
  Location: Steamboat Springs, CO
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Steamboat Springs

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Alpine Taxi and Limo
phone: 800-343-7433

   

Gateway airports are Denver International Airport (DIA) or Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN) Commercial shuttle Alpine Taxi and Limo, Inc. from both airports to Steamboat Springs available. www.alpinetaxi.com
 
Driving Directions
  Steamboat Springs from Denver and Salt Lake City From Denver (DEN, about 3.5 hours) Take the I-70 WEST exit toward CO-470/GRAND JCT - go 55.2 mi Take exit #205/CO-9 NORTH onto BLUE RIVER PKY[CO-9] toward SILVERTHORNE - go 3.3 mi Continue to follow CO-9 NORTH - go 34.3 mi Turn on PARK AVE[US-40] - go 0.5 mi Continue to follow US-40 - go 51.0 mi Arrive at 201 LINCOLN AVE, STEAMBOAT SPRINGS From Salt Lake City Turn onto I-80 EAST - go 259.9 mi Take exit #187/WY-789 SOUTH toward BAGGS RD - go 0.3 mi Turn on BAGGS RD[WY-789] - go 5.0 mi Continue to follow WY-789 - go 48.2 mi WY-789 becomes CO-13 - go 36.5 mi CO-13 becomes YAMPA AVE - go 1.6 mi Turn on W VICTORY WAY - go 0.3 mi Turn on RANNEY ST - go 0.1 mi Turn on 4TH ST - go 0.6 mi Turn on LINCOLN ST - go 0.1 mi Turn on E VICTORY WAY[US-40] - go 0.3 mi Continue to follow US-40 EAST - go 41.3 mi Arrive at 201 LINCOLN AVE, STEAMBOAT SPRINGS
Elevation Note: Steamboat Springs is at 6,695 feet above sea level.

Equipment Requirements: Good walking hiking shoes, clothing layers and outer layer for warm sunny days to cool, breezy days with thunder showers, water bottle, daypack.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Introductions-orientation
(Sunday, June 23)

Note: Accommodations are in the conveniently located Rabbit Ears Motel, double occupancy rooms with private bath. Check-in is on Sunday at the Motel Lobby from 3:00 - 5:00 pm. Road Scholar Orientation begins at 5:00 sharp. The motel is across the street from the hot springs complex for which daily complimentary passes will be available.
   
 Afternoon: 5:00 PM - We will have an informative overview of the program to come plus an opportunity to talk with program staff and your fellow participants during an introductory “get-acquainted” session. Dinner and refreshments will be provided.
 Dinner: Catered Meal in Motel Conference Room at 6 pm. Meals: Breakfast will be served in the Motel and is a Continental Breakfast. Lunches will be provided either as a Box Lunch or Restaurant meal depending upon activities. Dinners will be in restaurants or catered in the motel. One dinner is own your own to explore downtown Steamboat Springs. The Program ends after breakfast on Friday.
   
Accommodations: Rabbit Ears Motel
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Discover Steamboat and Raft the Yampa River
(Monday, June 24)

Note: The Rabbit Ears Motel is right across the street from the Hot Springs Swimming Pool, water slide and plunge pools. Daily entrance passes will be provided for adults and children who wish to visit the pool and spa.
   
 Breakfast: Motel Continental Breakfast NOTE: All activities in this daily itinerary are subject to change due to weather. Activities such as hot air balloon ride, raft trip, horseback ride, and hike may change from this itinerary.
 Morning: Learn about the local river ecology and watershed and then experience it's power as you raft through rugged scenery and exciting rapids.
 Lunch: Picnic box lunch
 Afternoon: Experience a fun and informative presentation on hot air balloons, and then each family will build their own hot-air balloon prototype. Later in the week, we will put these to the test and watch from below during our own "test flight".
 Dinner: Restaurant or Catered Meal
 Evening: Visit hot springs; outside games for youth; movie, lecture, or relaxation for adults.
   
Accommodations: Rabbit Ears Motel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Hike to waterfall and ride a chair-lift to top of Ski Area
(Tuesday, June 25)
   
 Breakfast: Motel Continental Breakfast
 Morning: Hike and discover 280’ Fish Creek Falls in Routt National Forest. Hike on a trail with beautiful scenery, wildflowers, hummingbirds, and a great diversity of trees.
 Lunch: Picnic box lunch
 Afternoon: Tour the historic one room Mesa Schoolhouse and experience student life at the turn-of-the century. Learn about historic toys and recess games, Routt County school history, and more. How is your school experience different from what your grandparents experienced? Learn about how the circus influenced skiing in Colorado, then take a ride up a ski chair-lift to the top of Howelsen Hill, the oldest continuously operating ski area in Colorado. Get the same view many Olympic ski jumpers have looked at just before their leap, and then slide down the mountain on "The Howler" alpine slide.
 Evening: Visit hot springs; games for youth; movie, lecture, or relaxation for adults
 Evening: Dinner on your own tonight to explore downtown Steamboat Springs.
   
Accommodations: Rabbit Ears Motel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Morning launch of tissue papaer hot air baloons, Horseback ride
(Wednesday, June 26)
   
 Breakfast: Motel Continental Breakfast
 Morning: It's time to test out the hot-air balloon you made! It is sure to be a highlight when the balloon you and your grandparent(s) made soars in the air above you and the other group members. Later in the morning, we will experience the best of Colorado's west on horseback. Ride through the beautiful mountain scenery and enjoy the sounds of the forest!
 Lunch: Picnic box lunch
 Afternoon: Visit the "Tread of Pioneers" local museum for a scavenger hunt and a chance to win a prize. Learn about local animals and make your very own animal tracks to take home with you.
 Dinner: Restaurant or Catered Meal
   
Accommodations: Rabbit Ears Motel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Hot Air Balloon Ride and visit with activities at Steamboat Lake State Park
(Thursday, June 27)
   
 Breakfast: Motel Continental Breakfast
 Morning: Float above the valley in a Hot Air Balloon with spectacular vistas of the Flat Tops Mountains. One group will ride in the balloon first while the other groups follow along as the “ground crew” taking photos and watching from below. After the balloon lands each time, the groups will switch.
 Lunch: Picnic box lunch
 Afternoon: Van to beautiful Steamboat Lake State Park for some exciting and fun educational activities led by the interpretive rangers. Activities include fishing for crayfish!
 Dinner: Restaurant or Catered Meal
 Evening: Closing program, farewells, packing
   
Accommodations: Rabbit Ears Motel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Departures after Breakfast
(Friday, June 28)
   
 Depart From: Independent departures after breakfast
 Breakfast: Motel Continental Breakfast
   
Meals Included: Breakfast
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


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