Beginning now, as we celebrate our 35th anniversary year, Elderhostel has extended the Road Scholar name to all of our learning adventures across the globe. We will no longer use the Exploritas name.
A number of you have written to ask why this is happening so soon after the first change.
Here’s what happened …
Not long after the first Exploritas publications were mailed last fall, Elderhostel was sued for trademark infringement by a commercial tour company that thought the name Exploritas was similar to theirs. Elderhostel scrupulously followed federal law in registering the Exploritas trademark and was legally granted ownership of it by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and we were shocked by the complaint. We were further surprised when it was decided in court that use of the name Exploritas created “confusion."
We believe the impact we have in people’s lives is far more critical than the name we call our learning adventures, and the pursuit of our mission is much more important than the pursuit of an appeal. As a result, we have closed our brief Exploritas chapter and we have extended the Road Scholar name to all of Elderhostel’s educational experiences.
I have dedicated my professional life to Elderhostel since 1979 and I am proud to say that Elderhostel today is the same organization that has earned your trust and respect throughout the years. As we celebrate our 35th anniversary year, we remain dedicated to you and to our educational mission. You can count on that.
We believe Road Scholar best captures the vitality and excitement of our educational experiences and we know that all of our participants are energized by the Road Scholar program name, from the new generation of 50-year-olds to our seasoned lifelong learners in their 80s.
“Road” connotes a journey and real-world experience, and “Scholar” reflects a deep appreciation for learning. Together the words capture the heart of our program experience: learning from expert instructors, enhanced by direct discovery of an idea, issue, subject or place. Our educational experiences range from snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef with a marine biologist to immersion in the Oregon Shakespeare Festival with a noted professor.
Elderhostel’s co-founder, David Bianco, and I think Road Scholar is a great name and we are excited to extend its embrace to all Elderhostel programs. Elderhostel will, of course, proudly continue to be the name of our organization, and we will continue to offer a great variety of programs and activity levels across North America and around the world.
All of us at Elderhostel are dedicated to you and to our not-for-profit mission — creating innovative educational adventures. Caring staff members are eager to assist you, expert instructors have a world of knowledge to share, and the warmth and camaraderie of fellow lifelong learners await you!
We look forward to welcoming you on a Road Scholar learning adventure very soon.
Sincerely yours,
James Moses
Elderhostel President
Monday, June 14, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
NICE Meeting
I led off the meeting with a brief movie of our active, outdoor Exploritas program, Florida's Fragile Coastal Treasure: Snorkel the Coral Reefs
I was followed by Joe who showed photos and described their experiences on Art History in Belgium and Holland...
Next Les showed photos and talked of their program in Albuquerque New Mexico’s Conversos and Crypto-Jews detailing the Jews who fled to New Spain in the New World and secretly practiced their religion after being driven out of Spain in 1492...
The meeting ended with Bob's movie showing his adventures in Arizona Hiking the Slick Rock, Slot Canyons and Red Rocks of Lake Powell, as well as his beautiful photos of his independent guided hike of Upper Antelope Canyon's magnificent slot canyon...
As usual, the group then adjourned to nearby Hillside Family Restaurant for lunch and more conversation...
Our next meeting will be Saturday, August 14th at 10am. If you have an Exploritas program you'd like to share with the group, call Pete at 847-549-1659.
I was followed by Joe who showed photos and described their experiences on Art History in Belgium and Holland...
Next Les showed photos and talked of their program in Albuquerque New Mexico’s Conversos and Crypto-Jews detailing the Jews who fled to New Spain in the New World and secretly practiced their religion after being driven out of Spain in 1492...
The meeting ended with Bob's movie showing his adventures in Arizona Hiking the Slick Rock, Slot Canyons and Red Rocks of Lake Powell, as well as his beautiful photos of his independent guided hike of Upper Antelope Canyon's magnificent slot canyon...
As usual, the group then adjourned to nearby Hillside Family Restaurant for lunch and more conversation...
Our next meeting will be Saturday, August 14th at 10am. If you have an Exploritas program you'd like to share with the group, call Pete at 847-549-1659.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
April 10th meeting cancelled
The April 10 meeting has been called off due to sickness. Our next meeting is June 12.
If you have n Exploritas program trip or something else to share, please e-mail peterobertclark@aol.com.
The next meeting will be June 12th at 10am.
If you have n Exploritas program trip or something else to share, please e-mail peterobertclark@aol.com.
The next meeting will be June 12th at 10am.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Next Meeting is Saturday, April 10, 2010...
...at the State Bank of the Lakes in Grayslake, 50 Commerce Drive, from 10am to Noon.
The meeting is in the Community Room in the basement (there is an elevator).
The meeting is in the Community Room in the basement (there is an elevator).
(Click on map to enlarge)
Saturday, December 12, 2009
NICE Meeting of 12/12/09
The holiday season cut our attendance to just 5 regulars, but we had an enjoyable get-together, as Phyllis showed us her photos from her Adventures Afloat Elderhostel trip to seven Grecian Islands in August...
Then I showed movies of our two New England Elderhostel trips in August and September, both of which are available online: Kayaking, Canoeing, and Rafting the Delaware Water Gap in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains...
...and sailing on the windjammer Angelique on Penobscot Bay out of Camden, Maine...
We then adjourned to Hillcrest Restaurant for a tasty meal...
Then I showed movies of our two New England Elderhostel trips in August and September, both of which are available online: Kayaking, Canoeing, and Rafting the Delaware Water Gap in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains...
...and sailing on the windjammer Angelique on Penobscot Bay out of Camden, Maine...
We then adjourned to Hillcrest Restaurant for a tasty meal...
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Writer's Group Meeting
A number of our Elderhostel alumni group members gather together regularly to create memoirs (also known as lifestories) under the tutelage of Don Nylin of our group, who has taken several Elderhostel courses on this subject. We have been meeting for nearly five years now, and some of us have a couple dozen of these memoirs finished. In essence, we are each writing our autobiographies, one chapter/ incident at a time, attempting to leave to our descendants our own words in order to allow them to know who we were and how we got to be these people we are.
Today we met at my place, and, since we hadn't met in quite some time due to scheduling problems, we spent some time getting caught up with each others latest doings, and then after a nice lunch, Phyllis, Pete, Don (clockwise around the table)...
...and I shared our latest stories for several hours.
Getting together with good friends and sharing our written words is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. And new members are always welcomed!
Today we met at my place, and, since we hadn't met in quite some time due to scheduling problems, we spent some time getting caught up with each others latest doings, and then after a nice lunch, Phyllis, Pete, Don (clockwise around the table)...
...and I shared our latest stories for several hours.
Getting together with good friends and sharing our written words is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. And new members are always welcomed!
Friday, October 2, 2009
October 10th NICE Meeting Cancelled..
...due to a conflict at our meeting place. The next meeting will be December 12, 2009.
The Writer's Group will still meet in Wauconda as planned.
The Writer's Group will still meet in Wauconda as planned.
Exploritas/Elderhostel "Relaxes" Age Limit of Participants
A Message from President James Moses
Dear Friends,
Since our new program name was recently unveiled, I have fielded many questions and concerns about the age eligibility for Exploritas programs.
The widely circulated and erroneous idea that we will be seeking new participants as young as 21 has become a lightning rod, and has led to a false fear that our programs will be overrun with overly energetic 20- and 30-year-olds. The simple message is that we won’t be actively seeking any participants younger than Baby Boomers, but neither will we be turning away any adult who loves lifelong learning.
Elderhostel has been, and Exploritas will continue to be, a program created for and attractive to older, primarily retired adults.
Before 1975, older adults had very few organized ways to learn, grow, and experience adventure. When Elderhostel was founded, it was exclusively an organization for adults 60 and over. It was something special, almost a rite of passage, because it provided opportunities that weren’t previously available. Later the age limit was changed to 55, and this change had no impact on the average age of participants. When we launched Road Scholar in 2004, those programs had no age limit (other than the requirement of being legally an adult), yet the average age of participants was still over 60. For years we've allowed, even encouraged, people over 55 to bring along their younger spouse or partner, or for that matter, their adult children.
As we considered the decision to apply the Road Scholar standard generally to all of our programs, our thought process was this: Why should we bar a 54-year-old (or a 53-year-old, or a 52-year-old) from coming on a program if they have a sincere interest in the destination or the subject matter? Why should we turn away a 32-year-old who wants to go on a program with her 60-year-old mother? Once you start unraveling this thread of questions, you quickly realize that any formal age limit is totally arbitrary. Does that mean that our programs will suddenly be flooded with 20-somethings? Nothing in our past experience suggests that will happen because, for the most part, people in that age range choose to do other things with their available time.
There’s a related concern about how a broader range of ages might affect the activity level of a program. Once you understand that there won’t be a flood of younger participants, this concern should mostly go away, but there’s still a point that needs to be made. While it’s certainly true that, in general, people become less active as they age, there are lots of exceptions, particularly among our participants, who we know are atypically hale and hearty for their age. I've seen many, many people 70-plus who can out-hike people decades younger. If people are honest with themselves (and with us) about enrolling in programs at the right activity level, a mix of ages should not be a problem.
In summary, we all need to remember and remind others that there is a huge difference between "actively seeking" and "not turning away." Our goal as we relax the 55 age limit is not to change the atmosphere of our programs, but to adopt an open, welcoming posture. We don’t want to turn away any adult who has a genuine thirst for learning, affiliation and meaning, and I believe that anyone who looks beyond the sound bite will agree that this is our proper position and the right decision.
If you have any comments or concerns you’d like to share, please send me an e-mail to comments@exploritas.org.
Sincerely,
James Moses
Elderhostel President
Saturday, August 8, 2009
NICE Meeting of August 8, 2008
Today was the bi-monthly meeting of our Northern Illinois Chapter of Elderhostel. Pete opened the meeting with information about the much-anticipated name change for Elderhostel. The change to a new name has been much ballyhooed for many months and will soon be revealed. Elderhostel has a short video explaining its 35 year history and the need, now, for a name change...
Bob spoke of his latest 3 1/2 week trip to South Africa's Kruger National Park and his adventures there with his wife and son. This was his third trip and he really knows his stuff!
Then I presented a movie I made showing our two Elderhostel programs in Florida a few months ago -- canoeing in the Ocala National Forest and the mystery behind the magic in Disney World.
Don was next, with a slideshow of his intergenerational Elderhostel program learning to sail a 19' sloop in Maine's Booth Bay with his adopted grandson.
Don then related his duties and the experiences he's had as an Elderhostel Ambassador for the last decade-plus.
Finally, we all conversed a bit about our varied experiences with programs before dismissing and heading to lunch at Hillside Restaurant. Our next meeting will be 10/10 at 10 am.
Bob spoke of his latest 3 1/2 week trip to South Africa's Kruger National Park and his adventures there with his wife and son. This was his third trip and he really knows his stuff!
Then I presented a movie I made showing our two Elderhostel programs in Florida a few months ago -- canoeing in the Ocala National Forest and the mystery behind the magic in Disney World.
Don was next, with a slideshow of his intergenerational Elderhostel program learning to sail a 19' sloop in Maine's Booth Bay with his adopted grandson.
Don then related his duties and the experiences he's had as an Elderhostel Ambassador for the last decade-plus.
Finally, we all conversed a bit about our varied experiences with programs before dismissing and heading to lunch at Hillside Restaurant. Our next meeting will be 10/10 at 10 am.
Friday, June 5, 2009
June meeting cancelled
The Northern Illinois Chapter of Elderhostel Alumni will not meet in June (over half of our regulars have health concerns or other commitments).
Please save Saturday, August 8, 2009 for our next meeting. We will meet at the State Bank of the Lakes in Grayslake, Illinois at 10 AM until 12 PM
Our program will be a sharing of recent Elderhostel experiences. Please e-mail or call Pete if you have one you want to share: peterobertclark@aol.com or call 847-549-1659.
Please save Saturday, August 8, 2009 for our next meeting. We will meet at the State Bank of the Lakes in Grayslake, Illinois at 10 AM until 12 PM
Our program will be a sharing of recent Elderhostel experiences. Please e-mail or call Pete if you have one you want to share: peterobertclark@aol.com or call 847-549-1659.
Monday, April 13, 2009
NICE Meeting of April 11, 2009 featured...
... Anette Isaacs, German historian and leader of German Elderhostels, speaking on the events that led to the "Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall."
The enthusiastic audience enjoyed the presentation...
...as well as the door prize, a $100 certificate towards any of the many Elderhostel programs in Germany.
The enthusiastic audience enjoyed the presentation...
...as well as the door prize, a $100 certificate towards any of the many Elderhostel programs in Germany.
Monday, March 30, 2009
"Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall" at NICE Meeting on April 11, 2009...
...10 a.m. to Noon, at the STATE BANK OF THE LAKES (847-548-2700) in Grayslake, 50 Commerce Drive, located east of Illinois Route 83, off Center Street, on Industrial Drive, across from the Post Office.
The meeting is in the Community Room in the basement (there is an elevator).
(Click on map to enlarge)
German Historian Anette Isaacs recounts the events that led to the
"Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall".
"Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall".
The event is free! Everyone over 21 is welcomed!
Anette will also describe the Elderhostel programs available in Germany AND there will be a $100 certificate to one winner for an Elderhostel program held in Germany.
For More Information:Call Pete Clark, 1-847-549-1659
or e-mail Pete at peteropbertclark@aol.com
or e-mail Pete at peteropbertclark@aol.com
On the day of this program, you can call 1-847-970-8700 (cell phone) for directions or other questions.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Elderhostel is...
...an organization with which you should familiarize yourself if you 55 or better IF:
I joined 7 years ago, have participated in 21 programs, and highly recommend their offerings. Here are posts about the canoeing program ...
...and the Behind the scenes at Disney program, both from last month...
A love of learning, and a love of being in the company of exceptional people while visiting new locales, and a love of participating in engaging environments -- all create extraordinary experiences -- which is what Elderhostel has been providing for more than a quarter-century. "Exceptional learning opportunities for adults at a remarkable value" is their motto, but in a nutshell, Elderhostel is older folks going to school without homework, without tests or quizzes, with long recesses, with nice people from all over the country, and with really good food service.
Elderhostel was founded in 1975 on five New Hampshire college campuses, based on the idea of inexpensive lodging and non-credit classes. As it evolved, Elderhostel programs left college dorm housing and moved to quality motels/hotels, and the meals similarly improved. In fact, many programs provide local, cultural cuisine to add to the "educational component" required of all programs. Our Mexico/Copper Canyon trip included local restaurants and even featured a "home visit" where we were served a traditional home-cooked meal by the matriarch of the home. Another program in Florida took us to local black churches for delicious home cooked meals.
Today Elderhostel serves 160,000 participants annually, offering nearly 8000 programs in the USA and Canada, with an additional 1251 programs in over 90 countries on 6 continents. Since Elderhostel is a non-profit organization, you eliminate the middle-man fees usually found in travel programs. There are 698,853 Elderhostelers living in 524,568 households with an average age of 71.7 years, of whom 62% are female. Over 4 million people have participated in a trip since Elderhostel began.
Elderhostel strives to offer low-cost, stimulating trips, and you can find a program to match any interest you wish to pursue. Programs can be found that cover one day or several weeks, though most are 5 days long. The average cost for US programs is a bit over $100 a day, a bit over $200 a day for international trips. Everything except transportation to and from the site is included in the advertised fee -- all meals, taxes, lodging, excursions, group shuttles to sites while on the trip, activities, lectures, and even all gratuities. No ups - no extras!
Best of all, perhaps, is the Travel Assistance Plan that is automatically included in the cost of the program. It provides 24-hour coverage in any emergency during the trip, including medical evacuation.
And membership is free. Membership gets you free catalogs of all the offerings, though many use the convenient online search capabilities of the Elderhostel site, which also allows you to sign up online. Or you can call their toll-free number and speak with a live person for answers to questions or to register for for a program.
Many communities such as ours even have "alumni" groups which are local chapters composed of experienced Elderhostelers and those interested in learning about the organizations. I belong to the Northern Illinois Chapter of Elderhostel (NICE) and we meet every other month (photo below) and share our latest Elderhostel adventures, hear guest speakers, and socialize over lunch afterward.
As I mentioned, twenty-one of my adventures have involved active outdoor Elderhostel programs, all of which are listed here and include info and photos on each. Or go here for Elderhostel's description of program categories. It's free and could change your life! And just for fun, go to their website, type in a topic of interest to you, and see what programs are available for that topic. One warning, though -- Elderhostel trips can become addictive!
- You like to travel.
- You enjoy spending time with people who share your passions.
- You want to learn while engaged in an enjoyable activity.
- You want an affordable trip.
I joined 7 years ago, have participated in 21 programs, and highly recommend their offerings. Here are posts about the canoeing program ...
...and the Behind the scenes at Disney program, both from last month...
A love of learning, and a love of being in the company of exceptional people while visiting new locales, and a love of participating in engaging environments -- all create extraordinary experiences -- which is what Elderhostel has been providing for more than a quarter-century. "Exceptional learning opportunities for adults at a remarkable value" is their motto, but in a nutshell, Elderhostel is older folks going to school without homework, without tests or quizzes, with long recesses, with nice people from all over the country, and with really good food service.
Elderhostel was founded in 1975 on five New Hampshire college campuses, based on the idea of inexpensive lodging and non-credit classes. As it evolved, Elderhostel programs left college dorm housing and moved to quality motels/hotels, and the meals similarly improved. In fact, many programs provide local, cultural cuisine to add to the "educational component" required of all programs. Our Mexico/Copper Canyon trip included local restaurants and even featured a "home visit" where we were served a traditional home-cooked meal by the matriarch of the home. Another program in Florida took us to local black churches for delicious home cooked meals.
Today Elderhostel serves 160,000 participants annually, offering nearly 8000 programs in the USA and Canada, with an additional 1251 programs in over 90 countries on 6 continents. Since Elderhostel is a non-profit organization, you eliminate the middle-man fees usually found in travel programs. There are 698,853 Elderhostelers living in 524,568 households with an average age of 71.7 years, of whom 62% are female. Over 4 million people have participated in a trip since Elderhostel began.
Elderhostel strives to offer low-cost, stimulating trips, and you can find a program to match any interest you wish to pursue. Programs can be found that cover one day or several weeks, though most are 5 days long. The average cost for US programs is a bit over $100 a day, a bit over $200 a day for international trips. Everything except transportation to and from the site is included in the advertised fee -- all meals, taxes, lodging, excursions, group shuttles to sites while on the trip, activities, lectures, and even all gratuities. No ups - no extras!
Best of all, perhaps, is the Travel Assistance Plan that is automatically included in the cost of the program. It provides 24-hour coverage in any emergency during the trip, including medical evacuation.
| United States & Canada Programs | International Programs | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
And membership is free. Membership gets you free catalogs of all the offerings, though many use the convenient online search capabilities of the Elderhostel site, which also allows you to sign up online. Or you can call their toll-free number and speak with a live person for answers to questions or to register for for a program.
Many communities such as ours even have "alumni" groups which are local chapters composed of experienced Elderhostelers and those interested in learning about the organizations. I belong to the Northern Illinois Chapter of Elderhostel (NICE) and we meet every other month (photo below) and share our latest Elderhostel adventures, hear guest speakers, and socialize over lunch afterward.
As I mentioned, twenty-one of my adventures have involved active outdoor Elderhostel programs, all of which are listed here and include info and photos on each. Or go here for Elderhostel's description of program categories. It's free and could change your life! And just for fun, go to their website, type in a topic of interest to you, and see what programs are available for that topic. One warning, though -- Elderhostel trips can become addictive!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
February Meeting Postponed -- Annette Isaacs presentation on April 11th
The February 14th meeting has been postponed until April 11th and will feature a presentation by Anette Isaacs, the Berlin Director for Elderhostel’s program provider, Group IST Germany. She will speak on the Berlin Wall being taken down and what has happened since.
There will also be a raffle of a $100 voucher to an upcoming Elderhostel program in Germany.
There will also be a raffle of a $100 voucher to an upcoming Elderhostel program in Germany.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Nice NICE Meeting again...
... which was well attended considering it's so close to Christmas and all are so busy...
... and the attendees were rewarded by 3 presentations of trips. John was first, with narrated movies of his travels in Turkey and Greece on an Elderhostel program entitled "Discovering the Jewels of the Mediterranean: Athens to Istanbul." Then Bob reported on his program at Hawaii's Volcanoes National Park with another wonderful slideshow of photos he took of volcanoes, lava, a hike through a lava tube, steam from lava entering the sea, and more. Finally, Bill and Jenny recounted their trip to Thailand and Cambodia, replete with magnificent photos and firsthand info on the culture and religion of the land. Below is a photo of Bill, Bob, and John.
The next meeting is on February 14th, 2009, and more inspiring travel programs will be presented.
... and the attendees were rewarded by 3 presentations of trips. John was first, with narrated movies of his travels in Turkey and Greece on an Elderhostel program entitled "Discovering the Jewels of the Mediterranean: Athens to Istanbul." Then Bob reported on his program at Hawaii's Volcanoes National Park with another wonderful slideshow of photos he took of volcanoes, lava, a hike through a lava tube, steam from lava entering the sea, and more. Finally, Bill and Jenny recounted their trip to Thailand and Cambodia, replete with magnificent photos and firsthand info on the culture and religion of the land. Below is a photo of Bill, Bob, and John.
The next meeting is on February 14th, 2009, and more inspiring travel programs will be presented.
Writer's Group Meeting...
... was today following the NICE meeting mentioned above. Phyllis hosted us for a delicious lunch...
... during which we honored our founder, Don (on left), for his upcoming birthday, by all enjoying a piece of Boston creme pie...
...followed by readings of our latest memoir masterpieces.
The stories related the year Santa visited, the travails accompanying the knitting of a scarf when an inquisitive cat got into the act, the exploits of a bulldog named Brutus, and some reflections on jury duty.
... during which we honored our founder, Don (on left), for his upcoming birthday, by all enjoying a piece of Boston creme pie...
...followed by readings of our latest memoir masterpieces.
The stories related the year Santa visited, the travails accompanying the knitting of a scarf when an inquisitive cat got into the act, the exploits of a bulldog named Brutus, and some reflections on jury duty.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
December 13 Meeting Info
NICE DECEMBER MEETING
(Northern Illinois Chapter of Elderhostel)
(Northern Illinois Chapter of Elderhostel)
Saturday, December 13 at 10:00 AM to Noon
State Bank of the Lakes, Grayslake, Illinois
In the basement meeting room
Bill Casale will be presenting his trip to Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos
the State Bank of The Lakes, 50 Commerce Drive in Grayslake, IL, 60030 ((847-548-2700) located east of Illinois Route 83, off Center Street, on Industrial Drive, across from the Post Office. (Double click on map to enlarge.)
We need at least two other presentations
(call Pete Clark at 1-847-549-1659
or e-mail at peterobertclark@aol.com)
There is no cost, there are pass-outs from Elderhostel, everyone is invited – please feel free to bring a friend!
State Bank of the Lakes, Grayslake, Illinois
In the basement meeting room
Bill Casale will be presenting his trip to Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos
the State Bank of The Lakes, 50 Commerce Drive in Grayslake, IL, 60030 ((847-548-2700) located east of Illinois Route 83, off Center Street, on Industrial Drive, across from the Post Office. (Double click on map to enlarge.)
We need at least two other presentations
(call Pete Clark at 1-847-549-1659
or e-mail at peterobertclark@aol.com)
There is no cost, there are pass-outs from Elderhostel, everyone is invited – please feel free to bring a friend!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
NICE Meeting today!
Our bi-monthly meeting in Grayslake featured several trip reports today. The first was Don's PowerPoint presentation on his recent sailing adventure out of Camden, Maine on the ketch "Angelique." They spent 6 nights aboard as they explored the waters of Penobscot Bay, visiting small towns, spotting waterfowl and seals, helping raise and lower sails, taking turns at the helm, and dining on tasty shipboard cuisine and even including a lobster bake on shore. You can see a photo of the craft on the poster behind Don. The naturalist and folklore specialists also added much to the educational component of this program.
We then viewed a professional DVD showing the boat and all its amenities, which along with Don's photos and descriptions had us all ready to sign up for the trip!
Then Chuck showed photos of his recent 9 day trip canoeing Utah's Green River as well as his 6 day backpack trip in Arizona's Canyon de Chelly National Monument. The audience was amazed at the scenery but not anxious to do the seemingly straight-up climbs to reach the mesa tops!
The next meeting is Saturday, December 13th, in Grayslake.
We then viewed a professional DVD showing the boat and all its amenities, which along with Don's photos and descriptions had us all ready to sign up for the trip!
Then Chuck showed photos of his recent 9 day trip canoeing Utah's Green River as well as his 6 day backpack trip in Arizona's Canyon de Chelly National Monument. The audience was amazed at the scenery but not anxious to do the seemingly straight-up climbs to reach the mesa tops!
The next meeting is Saturday, December 13th, in Grayslake.
Writer's Group Meeting...
The writer's group re-assembled at Chuck's place after the NICE meeting and enjoyed a lunch...
... and stimulating conversation as we re-connected after a hiatus of several months...
... and then the readings of our latest literary masterpieces followed -- always a wonderful time as we learn more about each other and get ideas for future pieces we can write.
KC Bird also joined our group today, and though he attentively listened to all the readings, he never contributed any constructive comments!
... and stimulating conversation as we re-connected after a hiatus of several months...
... and then the readings of our latest literary masterpieces followed -- always a wonderful time as we learn more about each other and get ideas for future pieces we can write.
KC Bird also joined our group today, and though he attentively listened to all the readings, he never contributed any constructive comments!
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Writer's Group Meeting...
... at Don's place in Sedgebrook, beginning with lunch and conversation in the cafe...
...followed by sharing our latest memoirs, getting "caught up" since our last meeting was 7 months ago, and having light dessert. Seated (l to r) are Phyllis, Pete, Evie, and Don (Ellen is out of the photo on the couch.)
Our next meeting will be at my place following the NICE meeting in Grayslake on October 11th.
...followed by sharing our latest memoirs, getting "caught up" since our last meeting was 7 months ago, and having light dessert. Seated (l to r) are Phyllis, Pete, Evie, and Don (Ellen is out of the photo on the couch.)
Our next meeting will be at my place following the NICE meeting in Grayslake on October 11th.
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