The '64 Mountain Division Activities Planning Team (MDAPT) is excited about your presence at the Mini Reunion/Ryder Cup in stunning Cordillera, Colorado. Below is a listing of fabulous possible options for those of you committed to optimizing your learning and growth by choosing the path less travelled and holding high the banner of Non-Golfing excellence. Our tireless team is ready to leap into action, support your interests, and enrich your reunion experience.
Easiest (walking, 8,500 ft altitude in/around town):
Wednesday Vail Art Walk (August 1 @ 11am, meets at Vail Village Info Center, top level of parking structure)
o An hour long walking tour of Vail's public art collection. The tour winds its way through the Village with discussions of master planning and the importance of site specific commissioned art in creating the charm of the village.
o Vail Recreation Path: Located right in the middle of town, the trail winds from West Vail to East Vail and has 1,100 acres of open space available to the public. The path stretches for 15 miles and is surrounded by 350,000 acres of national forest.
o Guided Nature Walks. Nature Discovery Center, Daily, 11am & 2pm. Located in an all-seasons yurt adjacent to the Eagle Bahn Gondola atop Vail Mountain. Join Walking Mountains Science Center on a morning or afternoon nature walk and discover how plants and animals adapt to the high elevation environment as you identify signs of life on Vail Mountain.
Vail Nature Center. Nestled along the banks of Gore Creek, this 7 acres forest, meadow and stream are a delight and peaceful place known by many locals and visitors as their favorite place in Vail. Explore or take in one of the educational programs offered.
o Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. Enjoy the highest botanical gardens in the world with a unique collection of alpine, sub-alpine and other mountain plants and flowers. Dawn to dusk daily. (Scribe note: I suspect this Betty Ford thing will also have benefits for those of you who feel the need to “dry out” from the mini experience).
o Silverthorne Shopping Outlets (30 minutes away)
o Cooking Class at “Dish Restaurant” in Edwards CO (a few minutes away, adjacent to Vail)
o Wine Tour western slope outside of Grand Junction (approx. 2hr, 15 min away)
Intermediate (walking, hiking, biking – 8,500 to 11,000 ft altitude):
o 10th Mountain & Camp Hale (historical presentation, visit to cabins, strenuous hiking involved)
o Mountain Jeep Tours
o Tennis: free tennis at the Golden Peak Tennis Courts. First-come, first-served basis .
o Glenwood Springs: Bike Path/tour through stunning Glenwood Canyon (designated bike path, no traffics); Huge Hot Springs Pool; Caverns (45 minutes away)
o Leadville Historical Tour: Victorian Architecture, Mining Hall of Fame (1 hour away, 10,000 ft altitude)
o Rafting Trip (1/2 day) on Eagle River with Lakota Guides Company
o Biking/Hiking/Climbing Trails (including gondola rides up, lunch at midway chalet, and hike/gondola back down), spectacular wildflowers and wildlife as you explore the nature and forests of Vail. Pack a picnic and camera.
o Fly Fishing (Eagle River & Gore Creek) Free Fly Fishing Casting Clinics. Gore Creek Fly Fisherman offers complimentary daily casting clinics at 10:30am in Vail Village along the Gore Creek Promenade. Perfect for beginners or those wanting to brush up on their technique.
o Hot Air Balloon Rides over Vail Valley
o Horseback Riding: mountain trail ride
Advanced (slightly above all altitudes):
o Beer Tasting: Local Micro Brews (in Vail, Avon, Edwards)
Expert Only (for the mavericks, the rebels, the "outside the lines" dudes and dudettes, those wild and crazy types …):
o Vail's Free Skatepark: Check out Vail's free skatepark. Open dawn to dusk daily, the free skatepark features a half-pipe, pyramid, multiple ramps, transitions, rails and banks, plus a street course area for younger or less experienced riders. Note: there will be a half-pipe competition between the East and West teams on Wednesday morning prior to tee off.
o High Altitude Woodstock Yoga: Join internationally acclaimed "Yeti" for an invigorating tantra yoga session at 12,500 ft in a snow field. Known as a Renaissance Experience where one realizes what a "higher level" living is truly about. Bring your own mat, water (or liquid of preference), sunscreen, and a smile … and, yes, clothing is optional. Vintage weed harvested in the late '60's and preserved in an unnamed classmate's wine cellar will be an integral part of the meditation. If enough interest is shown, we can arrange a night yoga session as well. Note: Golfers may want to skip a day of golfing to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime growth experience. Reduce your golfing stress and be cool the next day…and the next…and the next…
The '64 Mountain Division Activities Planning Team is looking forward to your immediate feedback. Your opinion makes a difference. You will brighten the 2012 reunion with your presence, your energy, and, in particular, your Non-Golfing Wisdom.