March 10, 2004 -- The National Parks System isn't content with a study that shows nearly 40% of US adults have visited such a park in the past five years, 93% of them saying they were highly satisfied with their experience. The system wants more people, launching a campaign to promote the parks with a micro site, a national sweepstakes, a promotions poster, a video e-mail, and lots of advertising here and abroad.
Clicking over to www.seeamerica.org to pore over deals to any of the 388 members of the NPS; deals like taking a pass on registration fees for longer stays at KOA RV parks and campgrounds, reduced prices on escorted tours, reduced rates at some grand lodges and more.
As a result of all this publicity, we predict it will be harder to get into the parks this summer than last. Don't say we didn't warn you: Start planning now.
And if the outdoors is your piece of cake, take a look at these spots -- not part of the parks system -- but still worthy of note.
Mountain Vacations has extended its "Kids Fly, Stay & Ski Free" offer for travel through April 15, 2004. Children aged 2 to 12 can fly free into Aspen, Beaver Creek, Crested Butte, Snowmass, Steamboat, Telluride and Vail on air-inclusive vacations via United Airlines into the appropriate airport (Hayden, Eagle, Montrose and Gunnison) in Colorado.
Moreover, children staying three nights or more at the properties mentioned stay free in select units. Finally, they ski free in Vail, Beaver Creek and Crested Butte. (They ski free in Steamboat with an adult purchase of a five-day lift ticket.)
Typical vacations to Vail begin at $565 from Chicago, $575 from Dallas/Fort Worth, $590 from Houston and $595 from Los Angeles, Detroit, Tucson, Cleveland, Phoenix or Minneapolis. Such vacations include round trip airfare on United, three nights' lodging at the Ch?au Vail, three-day lift tickets, hotel taxes and 24-hour traveler assistance. Prices are based on double occupancy and are valid for Sunday, Monday or Tuesday departures from April 1 through 9, 2004. One child flies free per paying adult. Airport fees and taxes not included, and the offer is subject to availability. Contact Mountain Vacations at www.mountainvacations.com or phone for reservations at 800/775-7995.
Hidden Creek Ranch, a fabulous spot out in Harrison, Idaho, has a regular six-day format for its dude ranch activities, but can expand that, or even cut it down to a three-day stay for those in a real hurry. Although they feature horseback riding and all sorts of wholesome outdoor activities, they also have a spiritual side, dealing with healing of body and psyche, maintaining a Body, Mind & Spirit Foundation for the latter purpose.
During the months of May and September, and the first part of June, Hidden Creek has adult-only programs, which are offered simultaneously and in addition to their normal programs. This means you pay the usual rates and then get to pick and choose from several different things to do, and to decide if you want the normal programs or the special ones within the same week.
Special weeks in 2004 include:
- Food Class & Wine Education (May 2-8)
- Hands-on Horsemanship (May 9-15)
- Magic (May 16-22)
- Outdoor Photography (May 30-June 5 and then September 5-11)
- Hiking (September 12-18)
- Art of Massage (September 19-25)
In addition to these, a Summer Program for Children is available from June 13 through September 4, 2004, for ages three up to the teens.
Prices per person, double occupancy, through April run from $762 for two nights to $1,313 for four nights. Kids under 2 are free, children 3 to 11 pay $619 for two nights to $1,021 for four nights. In the summer (May-October), the rate in a double is $1,339 per person for three nights, $2,230 for six nights. Children pay $857 or $1,829, respectively. The prices include lodging in a luxurious log cabin, three meals daily (with unlimited fresh fruits and cookies, lemonade, iced tea and coffee), use of all facilities (including hot tubs and yard games), free use of riding books and dusters, games, library, and more, as well as such activities as the special week events, horseback rides, wagon rides, a rodeo, fly fishing instructions, jogging, fitness hikes, boat tours, archery lessons, a medicine trail hike, nature walks, walking meditation instructions, yoga classes, and much more.
For more information, contact Hidden Creek at www.hiddencreek.com or phone 800/446-3833 or 208/689-3209.
Free Vacation Guides
Don't overlook the free vacation guides issued by nearly every state or province. One example is the new Travel Manitoba 2004 Vacation Guide, which affords a lot of information about wildlife viewing, for example. Polar bears, beluga whales, elk, moose, and birds galore can be seen if you plan ahead. Ask for your free Manitoba guide at 800/665-0040 (ext. IV4) or go to www.travelmanitoba.com.
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