New Mexico, May 2010 - Trip Prospectus

GHOST RANCH
New Mexico Archaeological and Hiking Experience

May 14 – 25, 2010

Thank you for your interest in our excursion to Ghost Ranch in Santa Fe and Albiquiu, New Mexico. New Mexico offers some of the most spectacular landscapes that you will find in the world. Pictures cannot do justice to the mountains, canyons, and deserts. This is the land of Georgia O’Keefe. Colors of formations range from shades of pink and red to yellow and green. Wonderful photographic opportunities. Major activities are hiking, field trips to archeological sites, and visiting museums in Santa Fe

Highlights:

Bandelier National Monument – Learn more about the Anasazi, ancient ancestors to Pueblo Indians. Bandelier's Visitors Center has excellent exhibits and an interpretive film on the Anasazi who occupied the area from 1050 to 1550 A.D. A short hike from the Visitors Center are Pueblo ruins, underground kivas in the canyon floor and rooms carved out of soft volcanic rock high in the canyon walls. Bandelier also has several wonderful nature trails. Hundreds of ruins of Anasazi cliff houses and pueblo-style dwellings lay scattered across the Pajarito Plateau of northern New Mexico. Within Bandelier National Monument's 32,000 acres, 70 miles of trails provide access to these ancient ruins, including the cliff dwellings and Tyuonyi village of Frijoles Canyon.
http://www.nps.gov/band/
Trail descriptions http://www.nps.gov/band/planyourvisit/short-trails.htm
History and Culture of Bandelier http://www.nps.gov/band/historyculture/index.htm and http://www.desertusa.com/ban/du_bandesc.html

Taos Pueblo – The foothills of the largest peaks in New Mexico are the pristine setting of the Taos Pueblo Village. Taos Pueblo is the only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site by UNESCO http://www.nps.gov/history/worldheritage/taos.htm and a National Historic Landmark. The multi-storied adobe buildings have been continuously inhabited for over 1000 years. http://www.taospueblo.com/index.php

Santa Fe - Located at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains at an elevation of 7000 feet, Santa Fe is traveler’s delight, offering a rich multicultural heritage evident in its world-renowned art, architecture, music and cuisine. It is home to hundreds of art galleries and many world-class museums.

Our home base for one week will be Ghost Ranch near Abiquiu. In this special place of red canyons, majestic mesas and amazing skies, Ghost Ranch has been host to a number of meetings, conferences, and special workshops for various groups from around the world. http://www.ghostranch.org/

Ghost Ranch History
The 21,000 acres that comprise Ghost Ranch were part of a land grant to Pedro Martin Serrano from the King of Spain in 1766. The grant was called Piedra Lumbre (shining rock). The name “Ghost Ranch,” or the local name “El Rancho de los Brujos” was derived from the many tales of ghosts and legends of hangings in the Ranch’s history. For the past fifty years the Protestant Church, the staff, the National Ghost Ranch Foundation have built the programs, facilities and grounds into a nationally known study and conference center. Ghost Ranch is also frequently used in movie productions.

Accommodations - For the convenience of airline connections, we will spend one night at the beginning of the trip at a Best Western Motel near the Airport in Albuquerque. We then move on to Ghost Ranch , Albiquiu for the next week followed by two nights at the Ghost Ranch facility in Santa Fe. We are back at our Best Western Motel near the Albuquerque Airport for our final night. There are a total of eleven lodging nights.

Best Western Inn Suites Hotel, Albuquerque Airport – Basic motel with free shuttle to and from airport. Outdoor swimming pool. Two beds per room. We are there the first and last nights of trip. Breakfast is included.

Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu - Housing & Meals The rooms are basic, no frills, but clean and comfortable with magnificent views. The rooms we have reserved are double occupancy with private bath. We will be served three meals daily, served cafeteria style, with choice of indoor or outdoor dining and vegetarian or non-vegetarian menu. Guest computer room is available. This comfortable adobe style building is a small conference center with the feel of a European pension, a home away from home, where hospitality is paramount. It is a place you can escape the demands of a busy life, relax and enjoy time in a quiet, Southwestern setting. We will observe the honor system at Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu. There are no locks on guest room doors, and no telephones, televisions, radios, or alarm clocks in guest rooms. Phones are available in various locations for guest use on the Ranch. Access for long distance calls is available with a phone card (bring your own or purchase one in the Trading Post). Cell phone use is hit and miss….mostly miss A telephone calling card is your best bet.

Library - An excellent library, containing over 16,000 volumes plus daily newspapers and current magazines, is open to guests 24 hours a day, year round.

Ranch Museums and Gift Shop The Florence Hawley Ellis Museum of Anthropology and the Ruth Hall Museum of Paleontology are located just west of the Lower Pavilion. The Museum Gift Shop offers pottery, jewelry and textiles by local artists, and other gift items. The Ghost Ranch Piedra Lumbre Education and Visitor Center, located on U.S. Highway 84 just one mile north of the main Ghost Ranch entrance, has exhibits and a gift shop open daily from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. March through October.

Health - Ghost Ranch (Abiquiu) is in a remote location at an altitude of 6500 feet. There is a limited first aid station here. Before you come, consider that the nearest clinic is 14 miles away in Abiquiu, and a hospital with ambulance service is over 35 miles away. Those with significant health problems should consult with their personal physicians as to the safety of being at this altitude in this remote location. Remember to bring your medication with a sufficient supply for your stay.

Ghost Ranch in Santa Fe, A Quiet, Comfortable Place to Stay
We spend two nights in Santa Fe. All Bed & Breakfast rooms have a full and a twin size bed and bathroom with sink, toilet and shower. Guest computer room and wireless service are available. Ghost Ranch Santa Fe is three walking blocks north of the downtown historic plaza close to museums, galleries and restaurants. Within walking distance of Ghost Ranch Santa Fe are the Museums of New Mexico - Palace of the Governors and the Museum of Fine Arts. Also within three blocks is the independent Institute of American Indian Arts Museum (IAIA). The International Folk Art, The Spanish Colonial Art, Museum of Indian Arts and Culture and the independent Wheelwright Museum are on the Camino Lejo hill, a short van ride from here. To view descriptions of cultural events, galleries, shops and restaurants visit http://www.santafe.com/ For a listing of NM Museums visit nmculture.org .

Weather & What to Bring - Since we will be at 6500 feet, spring temperatures can range from lows in the 30s at night to highs in the 70s at mid-day. Be prepared for rain and/or snow. Bring comfortable, casual clothes you can layer, sturdy walking shoes, a hat, rain gear, a flashlight, and sun block. There is no on-site ATM (Automated Teller Machine) available.

Transportation - The cost of your flight from your home city to Albuquerque is not included. Because we are flying from different cities and people have their favorite airlines, we will not all be arriving at the same time. To be sure that no one needs to hang around an airport waiting, our trips arrive in Albuquerque….anytime on Friday, May 14. You can take a free shuttle to our motel .

Regarding flights - You may prefer to use your frequent flyer mileage or some other plan for a free or discounted ticket. Cost of flight from Boston at this time (7/09) is $448. We have rented three mini vans for our transportation within Utah.

Leadership
Kathy Didier owns and manages Pembrook in Woodstock, NH. She is an Appalachian Mountain Club leader (hiking, backpacking, canoeing, and skiing). She leads an average of ten major trips each year. She is certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR.

Nancy DiMeo is a Boston Chapter leader who has led weekend trips in the White Mountains for many years. . She has led AMC major trips to Patagonia, Chile, New Zealand, Iceland, and Italy . She has led private groups to Alaska, to the Copper Canyons of Mexico, to Mount Hood, Oregon, the Canadian Rockies, Washington State, Utah, as well as a rim to rim trip to the Grand Canyon. For many years, Nancy has led hut to hut trips in New Hampshires’s White Mountains. While completing her degree in occupational therapy she earned a minor in outdoor education. She also has a masters degree in Human Services Administration. She has completed Advanced SOLO Wilderness First Aid Training and CPR.

Robert DiMeo is a Boston Chapter Intro leader who in addition to weekend trips has led annual Hut to Hut trips in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Bob has led AMC trips to New Zealand, Iceland and Italy. In addition to this he co-led a private camping trips to Alaska, Mt. Hood , Canadian Rockies, Utah, and Washington. He has completed Advanced SOLO Wilderness First Aid Training and CPR. On a personal note Bob works as a licensed, independent clinical social worker and has a great deal of experience leading groups in this capacity.

Requirements: Each participant must fulfill these requirements:

· Have the proper physical strength and stamina to participate in daily activities, which include strenuous up and downhill hiking over moderate terrain. Regular physical conditioning is necessary to prepare for this trip. Strength training (nautilus, free weights, etc.) is helpful. Remember that, the better condition you are in, the more enjoyable the trip will be for you. You should be able to hike several days in a row at a pace of two miles per hour. Our goal is not to bag mountain peaks…but, to enjoy the scenery along the way.

· Adaptability: An important criterion for this trip is the ability to be flexible. Our itinerary could change from day to day, planes can be delayed, and vans can break down. Everyone is expected to be able to “roll with the punches” as much as possible, be cooperative, abide by leader decision, and add to the total group experience while enjoying themselves.

· Understand Purpose of Trip: This trip is designed for everyone to experience the natural wonders and history of New Mexico through hiking and sightseeing. Although each person comes with his or her own expectations, this is primarily a group trip and everyone is expected to be a cooperative member of it. Everyone is expected to participate in each day’s activities, barring of course, accident or illness.

· Although, enjoyment and appreciation of New Mexico is our purpose, our main objective will be a safe trip. Safety will always take priority in the leaders’ decision.

· This is a “Non-Smoking” trip.

· COST - $2100 if group size is less than 14. $1950 for group size of 14-15, $1850 for full group of 16 –

We expect that this trip will be full and cost will be $1850 per person.

This is a non-profit trip. If cost of trip is less than estimated, you will receive a refund.

Included in the price:
· All transportation by rental cars or vans within New Mexico
· Three guides/drivers – Bob, Nancy, Kathy
· Eleven breakfasts, seven lunches, and seven dinners
· Accommodations (motels, lodge rooms)
· Taos Pueblo Entry Fee
· Museum Hill passes in Santa Fe
· Admission to Bandelier National Park
· Admission to Ojo Caliente Pools

Not included in price:.
· Airfare: about $450
· Transportation to and from home airport
· Personal charges such as wine, liquor, laundry
· Any pre-trip costs or anything else not in the above list of “Included in the Price”
· Dinner and lunch in Albuquerque on first and last days of trip. Dinners and lunches on the two days in Santa Fe. Dinner on the day we go to Taos.
· Tipping of local Guides

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Registration $800 deposit ($100 nonrefundable)
October 1, 2009 payment of $600
January 1, 2010 Balance is due

CANCELLATION POLICY
There is a $100 non-refundable fee charged if you cancel your reservation. Cancellation must be in writing. If we find a replacement for you, you will be refunded your payments minus $100. If we do not find a replacement, you will lose total of payments made to date.

CANCELLATION INSURANCE
It is advisable to have cancellation and baggage insurance

REGISTRATION – Complete attached application and return to Kathy Didier.
Kathy Didier, PO Box C, Woodstock, NH 03293. You can send the application via email kdidier@suchmail.com and mail the check.

http://pembrook.blogspot.com/