Colorado Ranch Vacation - Swim & Hike the Rockies - July 17-24, 2009

Beneath a grassy mountain valley in central Colorado, about two hours from Colorado Springs, lays one of the richest and most diverse fossil deposits in the world. Petrified redwood stumps up to 14 feet wide and thousands of detailed fossils of insects and plants reveal the story of a very different, prehistoric Colorado. This is Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument where we will spend a day of hiking. The fossils from lake deposits of the Florissant Formation date at 34.07 million years old, and it represents the latest Eocene Epoch of earth history.

Other days will include a hike to “Top of the World” and “A-Bluff” the two highest points on the ranch. A day at Fish Creek which is 6-7 miles long, where we will have a chance to see beaver ponds and golden eagles, red-tailed hawk and hopefully a herd of elk. Early morning birding trip to Lake George to see white pelicans, cormorants and other water birds will be available, along with amazing views and the headquarters of a cattle operation.

Cost is $1750 plus est. $450-$600 airfare. Cost covers cozy studio apartment lodging, six buffet style breakfasts, six sumptuous dinners, five sack lunches, Colorado ground transportation.

Feel free to look at the prospectus and itinerary.

Camping July 4th Weekend at Mohawk Trail State Forest - July 2 - 5

It's that time of year, ready for another camping trip over the 4th of July weekend! This time it's in Western Massachusetts, where we can bike the moderately hilly area, hike Mount Greylock, water tube the Deerfield River, watch the extreme kayakers or hang out at the campfire, which is indeed a sport!

I don't believe any of us will be this crazy to kayak after they let the dam out, but we may watch them. We may even water tube with the rest of the people out there, but we will definitely hike Mount Greylock and enjoy the fun at the campfire.


Off the Beaten Path, by Readers Digest Association, Susan Byrne

Hiking Southern New England, by Rhonda Ostertag