on location: west O
elana andersen
Family Reunions Target National Parks Reunions are all about creating occasions for family members to join together and celebrate bonds of lineage.
California’s Yosemite National Park attracts 3.3 million visitors annually.
WHETHER A SMALL GROUP OF
apart, the afternoon picnic at Grandma’s
tions. Amenities include shops, museums,
siblings or a large gathering with multi-
house is no longer practical. Many fami-
visitor centers, and dining and refresh-
ple generations, family members eagerly
lies now plan annual or bi-annual re-
ment outlets. Accommodation options,
mark their calendars and make travel
union events to fit in individual
from campgrounds to full-service hotels,
plans for these special festivities.
members’ vacation plans.
are found both in the parks and nearby.
More than 72 million Americans at-
Location, reasonable travel time and
Wilderness guides, outfitters and opera-
tend family reunions, and more than half
cost, recreation, a relaxed atmosphere,
tors of adventure programs are also
do so every year. Reunions magazine
and group facilities and services are just
available. Many parks offer transporta-
[reunionsmag.com], a leader in tracking
some of the criteria considered when se-
tion shuttle services between lodgings
the growth and trends of various kinds of
lecting a reunion destination. U.S. na-
and key sights.
reunion groups, reports that families are
tional parks have great appeal not only
unique in that the motivation is to create
for ambiance and recreation facilities;
Here is a sampling of parks that are ideal
a meaningful way for relatives to stay in
they also invoke memories of fun family
locations for family reunions:
touch and pass on their heritage to new
gatherings throughout the generations.
generations. Among significant changes that affect
Western wilderness parks preserve
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
thousands of acres of the country’s most
Located in northwest Montana, this 1.4-
family reunions are the advent of a
majestic and pristine landscapes, offering
million-acre park encompasses one of the
longer life span and extended family
groups everything from scenic sights and
most dramatically beautiful mountain re-
units that represent four to five genera-
wildlife viewing to recreation options, in-
gions in the West. Scenic features include
tions. Because relatives often live far
terpretive programs and seasonal celebra-
dense forests and alpine tundra, more
60 April 2009
LeisureGroupTravel.com
than 200 lakes, 50 glaciers, hundreds of
explore the canyons, rugged ridges and
a rifle range are also available. [800-293-
waterfalls, 730 miles of trails, and 1,000
backcountry wilderness area. Ranger
5444, zionponderosa.com]
different species of plants and wildlife.
programs include day and evening talks
Recreation choices include boating, bik-
and walks that focus on wildlife, geology,
BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK
ing, canoeing, rafting, fishing, hiking,
plants and human history. For youngsters
A visit to this park is often in combina-
swimming and golf. Guided horseback
there are daily Junior Ranger Explorer
tion with a trip to Zion. It is an easy 70-
riding and hikes are popular, as are Red
and Discovery programs. [nps.gov/zion/,
mile drive between the parks. Small by
Bus tours on vintage vehicles with roll-
zion.national-park.com]
national park standards, Bryce is set at
back canvas tops. There are seven his-
Family Adventure: Book an area guest
the eastern edge of Utah’s Paunsaugunt
toric hotels and lodges in the park.
ranch like the 4,000-acre Zion Ponderosa
Plateau. Its most dramatic feature is the
[nps.gov/glac/, glacier.national-park.com]
Ranch, where accommodations include
series of more than a dozen amphithe-
Family Adventure: Charter Red Bus tour-
family lodges (up to 35 guests), two- to
aters with colorful limestone formations
ing coaches or travel in tandem by car
five-bedroom homes, cabins, camp-
called hoodoos. Trails descend from the
along the 50-mile Going-to-the-Sun
grounds and an RV park. There is a
plateau rim down into the canyons; at
Road, the park’s most famous route.
restaurant with banquet facilities and
rim level is an 18-mile driving route to
Keep in touch by walkie-talkie (no cell
catering services. Zion Ponderosa Ranch
Rainbow Point featuring 13 “Photo Op”
phone access here) and plan a group pic-
guests also enjoy extensive recreation fa-
viewing stops. Daily ranger-led programs
nic stop at an alpine meadow or lunch at
cilities and guided and unguided adven-
have geology talks and hikes, rim walks
one of the historic hotels.
tures, including horseback riding, jeep
and evening programs at the campground
tours and trail hikes. Swimming, tennis,
amphitheater. There are wrangler-led
ZION NATIONAL PARK
volleyball, a zip line, climbing wall, tram-
horseback and mule rides.
Of all the national parks in Utah, Zion is
poline bungee, horseshoes, basketball and
[bryce.canyon.national-park.com,
perhaps the most striking. Its 229-
nps.gov/brca/]
square-mile expanse is a mosaic of
Family Adventure: The clarity of
earthen hues carved over 200 mil-
Bryce Canyon’s nighttime sky makes
lion years into massive monoliths,
this an ideal location for star gazing.
limestone arches, mesas, buttes,
Two guided programs will entertain
deep slot canyons and towering red
and amaze all family members. The
rock cliffs that rise some 3,000 feet
“Full Moon Hikes” follow trails illu-
above a tree-lined river valley. The
minated by the stars and moon. The
park has a rich cultural history dat-
“Stars in the Park” astronomy pro-
ing back more than 10,000 years.
gram includes a multimedia show
Displays at the Human History
followed by telescope viewing.
Museum show artifacts from the Archaic, Ancestral Puebloan
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
(Anasazi), Southern Paiute and
Yosemite Valley in California, with
Mormon cultures. Other exhibits
its dramatic waterfalls and towering
feature the region’s topography and
sheer Half Dome face overlooking a
natural elements.
lush forested landscape, is one of the
The landscape invites all types
most iconic national park images.
of outdoor adventures, including
All park roads lead to the main val-
photography, wildlife viewing and
ley, a center for many sights, activi-
various sports activities. There are opportunities for cycling, hiking, climbing and horseback riding. Or LeisureGroupTravel.com
ties, accommodations and park
The Human History Museum is a popular services. Throughout the 1,200-squarestop at Utah’s Zion National Park. April 2009 61
west O
mile park are many less traveled, but
services, accommodations and opportu-
equally impressive areas, each with its
nities for visitors to explore its wilder-
own distinctive ambiance, recreation op-
ness on their own or with a guide.
tions and services. At the south entrance
Unique experiences include a llama trek.
are the Mariposa Grove and Giant Se-
Join a history walk that gives insights
quoia (redwood) Forest. Also here are
into Yellowstone and the founding of the
the historic Wawona Hotel and Pioneer
National Park Service; it includes a tour
Yosemite History Center. Tioga Pass at
of century-old Old Faithful Lodge.
the eastern entrance leads to the alpine
[yellowstone.national-park.com,
Tuolumme Meadows, a popular
nps.gov/yell/]
fishing, hiking, birding and picnic area.
Family Adventure: Take the family on a
[nps.gov/yose/,
Yellowstone Old West Dinner Cookout.
yosemite.national-park.com]
Travel by horse-drawn wagons through
Family Adventure: Organize a family
sagebrush flats to a cookout site. Wran-
photo safari. Family groups should grab
glers tell stories about life on the range
trail maps and cameras and head out for
and sing Western ballads while guests
a day of exploration in various areas of
enjoy hearty food.
the park. Replay photo adventures around the evening campfire (a Yosemite
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK
tradition) and award prizes to your fam-
Five million visitors annually visit the
ily’s best Ansel Adams shots.
rim of the Grand Canyon to see the aweinspiring, mile-deep, 277-mile-long gorge. The hub of activities and services is found at South Rim Village. Popular activities include scenic bus and air tours, guided walks that focus on geology and cultural history, wilderness horseback rides and the sunset wagon ride. Adventurers hike or ride mules to the canyon floor and overnight at the Phantom Ranch. [nps.gov/grca/, grand.canyon.national-park.com] Family Adventure: Early visitors to the
Roadside parking areas provide panoramic views of the Hayden Valley in Yellowstone National Park.
Grand Canyon arrived by rail, and you can relive the era on the Grand Canyon Railroad’s trip between Williams and South Rim Station. [800-843-8724, thetrain.com]. “Learning and Lodging
62 April 2009
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
Adventure” are two-day outings de-
America’s first national park is in
signed for family groups and operated
Wyoming and bridges into Montana and
by the Grand Canyon Field Institute.
Idaho. It is known for Old Faithful and
The package includes guided hikes and
other geysers and abundant wildlife.
tours, plus hands-on activities, two
Like other parks, Yellowstone offers a
nights’ accommodations and meals.
full menu of natural and cultural history
[866-471 4435,
enrichment programs, extensive visitor
grandcanyon.org/fieldinstitute] LGT LeisureGroupTravel.com
on our radar: west O
ALASKA Bering Straits Native Corporation, in partnership with Kigluaik Adventures, offers intrepid travelers a ski and winter sport experience that will guarantee “top this” bragging rights. Travel from Nome by Snowcat to ski the challenging Kigluaik Mountains while looking west across the Bering Strait to Eastern Eurasia. Expand the adventure with dog mushing, ice fishing, wildlife tundra viewing and other lively adventures. Guided trips are available March through May. Multi-night tundra camp arrangements are also available. [800-478-5079, beringstraits.com/lands/tourism.html; Kigluaik Adventures, 907-632-7197]
Explore the Kigluaik Mountains of Western Alaska ARIZONA Pueblo Grande Museum in Phoenix is found on the site of a 1,500 year-old Hohokam village. For over 70 years the museum has been entrusted with the study and interpretation of the Hohokam culture. The 102-acre-park grounds feature the ruin of an 800-year-old platform mound used as a ceremonial or governing center, a ball court and reproductions of prehistoric Hohokam homes. Also here are remains of Hohokam irrigation canals. The museum’s exhibition hall displays different aspects of Hohokam culture. Guided tours of the grounds and exhibition areas are offered. Visiting groups are welcome to participate in the year-round educational events that are sponsored by the city’s Public Archaeology Program. [877-706-4408, Guided tours - 602-495-0901, http://phoenix.gov/parks/pueblo.html] CALIFORNIA Lake County has released two new discovery itineraries: “Wine Adventure Route” and “Farm Trails Discovery.” The Farm Trails brochure spotlights the area’s agricultural products. There is also a guide to farmers’ markets and farmstands, plus special events such as the Kelseyville Pear LeisureGroupTravel.com
April 2009 63
on our radar: west O
Festival, Sept. 26. The “Wine Adventure” lists area wineries, vineyards, wine bars and tasting rooms. It describes Lake County’s five viticultural areas. Information about these and other agricultural touring options is available from the Lake County Visitor Information Center. [800-525-3743, lakecounty.com] The Autry National Center of the American West in Los Angeles features the exhibition Sparkle and Twang:
Starting this summer, visitors to Denver can rent bikes for free.
Marty Stuart's American Musical Odyssey from April 16-Aug. 23. The exhibition tells the story of this coun-
ments and unpublished photographs of
four miles of downtown and will be
try music icon and his personal experi-
such legends as Patsy Cline, Hank
near convenient locations such as light
ences with some of the most famous
Williams, Porter Wagoner, Johnny
rail stations, museums, campuses and
stars of American music. Displayed are
Cash and Bob Dylan. [323-667-2000,
hotels. Metro Denver has 850 miles of
performance costumes, handwritten
autrynationalcenter.org]
off-road, paved bike trails, one of the
lyrics, personal letters, musical instru-
largest bike networks in the nation. Palm Springs Air Museum has added
Denver is also filling the downtown
new planes to its collection. Its two new
area with bike lanes and “shared lane
exhibits, Interactive History Map of the
arrows” to make the city more bike-
Progression of the Allies and Axis Pow-
friendly. [visitdenver.com]
ers in Europe During World War II, are located in the museum’s European
Fine Arts Center Colorado Springs is
Hangar. The C-47 and PBY have been
not just a museum but also a perform-
restored and are available for interior
ing arts center and school for the arts.
tours. Also new are 20-minute helicop-
The museum and its collection were
ter rides for up to four persons. [760-
founded in 1938. Until the recent ex-
778-6262, palmspringsairmuseum.org]
pansion of the gallery space, only a small portion of its highly praised col-
64 April 2009
COLORADO
lection of more than 20,000 objects had
A new citywide bike-sharing program –
been on display. The collection encom-
“Denver B-Cycle” – will put 500 free
passes art and media produced in the
bikes on the streets of Denver by this
Americas and is now shown in nine the-
summer. Visitors and residents will be
matic galleries. There are also two gal-
able to go to one of 30-40 bike stations,
leries for traveling exhibitions. The
swipe a credit card, and ride off on a
upcoming show is The Baroque World
bike to sightsee around the city, attend
of Fernando Botero, May 15-Aug. 15.
meetings or run errands. Bike rentals
Botero is a Colombian painter, sculptor
are free as long as the bike is returned
and draftsman. His works follow
to the same location by 10 a.m. the fol-
themes of baroque expressions, exagger-
lowing business day. All of the bike sta-
ated rounded forms with mocking ob-
tions will be situated within three or
servations depicting the comedy of LeisureGroupTravel.com
human life. This is the first retrospective
plant and herb garden. Cheyenne
tion of the new Oklahoma Cheyenne
exhibition of Botero’s work in the U.S.
artists, such as bead workers, painters,
Heritage Trail. The three-day itinerary
since 1978. [719-634-5581, tours - 716-
basket makers and dancers, demon-
visits the 106-year-old Mohawk Trad-
475-2444, csfineartscenter.org]
strate their art forms and crafts. [580-
ing Post, the first Indian trading post in
323-6224, clintonokla.org]
Oklahoma, and Washita National His-
NEVADA The Palazzo Las Vegas offers visitors a
toric Site. This site interprets the grassy The Cultural Center is the launch loca-
area where the Southern Cheyenne vil-
unique entertainment experience with The Living Garden, which combines the beauty of nature with classical music and graceful choreography. The performance begins at the base of the resort’s dramatic lobby waterfall, where three elegant statues transform into living creatures and find their way to the second-floor Shoppes at The Palazzo. Here they are joined by two living vine characters, and the nine-foot-tall performers proceed to interact with resort guests and pose for photos. This free performance is held daily at noon, 1:30, 3, 4:30 and 6 p.m. [877-883-6423, palazzolasvegas.com] OKLAHOMA Alabaster Caverns State Park in Freedom welcomes visitors to its ¾-mile
A PLACE WHERE GRITTY ROCK AND ROLL SWAGGER MEETS GLITZY URBAN SWANK.
alabaster cavern. Free guided tours are
A PLACE TO FEED YOUR SOUL AND SATISFY YOUR HUNGER FOR THE FINER THINGS.
available daily. This often overlooked
OUR COLORFUL PAST & BRILLIANT FUTURE. OUR DRAMATIC FLAIR & UNPRETENTIOUS AIR.
attraction recently was enhanced with new lighting that makes the pathway clearly visible and illuminates the colorful alabaster hues. Guided group tours need to be reserved two weeks in advance. [580-621-3381, oklahomaparks.com] Cheyenne Cultural Center near Clinton has opened its one-acre complex on the tribe’s ancient red-land fields and the original land allotment of the former Cheyenne-Arapaho Reservation. Displays and living history programs in different exhibition areas depict the stories of the Cheyenne people, their art and
V I SI T OKC .C OM
their language. There is a medicinal LeisureGroupTravel.com
April 2009 65
on our radar: west O
The Elizabethan Stage seats 1,200 people at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland. lage of Peace Chief Black Kettle was at-
and largest professional non-profit the-
tacked by the U.S. Cavalry in 1868.
aters in the nation. Its season runs
Travel to the Black Kettle Museum and
from February through early Novem-
through Black Kettle National Grass-
ber, with 11 plays in three theaters.
lands to important sites at Antelope Hill,
The programs include a mix of pro-
Camp Supply and Gloss Mountains. The
ductions including Shakespeare, musi-
Plains Indians and Pioneers Museum in
cal comedy, new theater and classics.
Woodward is also featured. [See Group
[Groups – 866-545-6337; box office –
Tour Planner and Sample Itineraries at
800-219-8161, rshakes.org]
travelok.com] TEXAS OREGON
The Fort Worth Stockyards is offering a
Portland’s Fertile Ground Festival,
new way to experience past and present
produced by the Portland Area The-
Western culture with the use of GPS
ater Alliance, is a 10-day, city-wide
Ranger video tours. The patented, hand-
performing arts event held in late Jan-
held device delivers information on the
uary. The program offers a full sched-
24 points of interest throughout the
ule of arts events with the focus on
tour, using GPS (Global Positioning Sys-
sampling the breadth and depth of
tem). The GPS Ranger has 30 different
new theater. Its inaugural 2009 festival
video segments on sites such as the
set the stage for next year’s program
Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and White
by introducing 20 world premiere the-
Elephant Saloon. The device allows visi-
ater works. The 2010 program will be
tors to decide which sites they would
announced this fall. [503-241-4902,
like to see and lets them do it at their
fertilegroundpdx.org]
own pace. The GPS Ranger also has interactive trivia, allowing visitors to earn
The Oregon Shakespeare Festival in
points by answering questions about
Ashland has been on stage for 74 years
what they have seen. The video tour,
and this year is celebrating its 50th
hosted by rodeo legends Bob Tallman
year of performances at the outdoor
and Pam Minick, is 45 minutes long.
Elizabethan Stage. This Tony Award-
[817-625-9715, stockyardsstation.com].
winning festival is among the oldest 66 April 2009
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