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Post by jonsdigs on Dec 2, 2006 12:26:48 GMT -5
What's y'alls' take on having the 2011 convention in Glenwood Springs, Colorado? G. S. Attractions
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Post by Azurerana on Dec 2, 2006 14:00:31 GMT -5
Get discounts for the Hot Springs pool and the Vapor Caves, and you're on. Also, a good geology field trip will be good. How far is it to caves? Is there going to be reasonable access to wild caves? Can we dig? *|:-)
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Post by jonsdigs on Dec 2, 2006 15:04:18 GMT -5
The area is filthy with caves (and digs, shhh!). I would not be surprised if one of the featured activities is the pool and vapor caves. You can catch a gondola right in town up to Glenwood Caverns. It's literally right next to the White River Plateau that has at least 5 major caves including Groaning, the longest in the state. Mark Maslyn did his Master's Thesis on paleokarst up by Aspen (just up the Roaring Fork) and I used to work in the Leadville District. There's Marble, Colorado, closer than Aspen as well. I toured the Gypsum gypsum mine a couple of summers ago.
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Post by Azurerana on Dec 2, 2006 18:29:49 GMT -5
How upscale is Glenwood Springs? I've been in parts of Colorado where they wouldn't let me in. Literally. The towns of Telluride and Vail, for two. All I know of Aspen is John Denver, and people skiing, but I've never been tempted to go there to find out.
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Post by jonsdigs on Dec 2, 2006 18:36:14 GMT -5
Glenwood Springs isn't as snooty as Aspen, Telluride, or Vail. It has McDonalds and Wendy's. Aspen is the capital of Snootistan.
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Post by madratdan on Dec 3, 2006 9:57:59 GMT -5
The Glenwood Springs area is a very beautiful part of the state. It is very much a tourist destination, so expect to pay a little more for basic goods, such as gas and things. The price of gas raises steadily on the road to Aspen, but thats like 40 to 50 mules up the road. Remember, this is all very premature information and we haven't started to nail down any cpnvention costs. We are hoping to use Colorado Mountain College and it's dorms for housing and the campground, but negotations haven't even begun yet. All we know is it might be available if we can afford it. We have other options to look at, but nothing specific. In fact, the only thing we know for sure, is we have narrowed our choice to the Glenwood area, not glenwood itself. The college sits on top of a hill and it about 8 miles out of town, toward Aspen. Both Glenwood and Carbondale, which is closer to CMC than Glenwood, are building new high schools at this time. We could end up in Carbondale for the sessons, as it is smaller and more bike friendly. We could end up by Redstone for a campground if CMC is out of our price range. The only place in the area we won't be having it is in Aspen where all the Aspen holes live. Right now, everything is so unsure and up in the air...........but our concentration is to focus on the Glenwood area and try to start putting prices together. This whole announcement is so premature..........until the committee makes an official announcement, I'd take all this info you are reading with a grain of salt. Nothings been proposed, nothings been accepted.
There was talk about renting the hot springs pool for a night. This convention will also have caves in the area, and some good ones at that. Most are on USFS or BLM land, so caving is in and digging is out.
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Post by Azurerana on Dec 3, 2006 13:33:52 GMT -5
Dan, I was just making a funny about digging anyway, (I've just been digging ice and sleet slush, and don't want to see a shovel for a while). Since I've known you're involved I know it's gonna be cost-effective. It's just the link to the Glenwood Springs C&C makes it look pretty toney--
I know some mid-life Missourians who moved to a suburb of Denver, intending to put down roots, but once they found the day to day conditions, and water forecast, they moved back. *|:-)
Colorado--a great place to visit, but since I don't ski, no reason to live there. I do adore the rocks, rock exposures and hot springs, though. Idaho Hot Springs--Yummmmm.
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Post by madratdan on Dec 4, 2006 12:04:27 GMT -5
I wouldn't live in Denver either. Colorado Springs is a little better, but not much.........unless you are into the military, religion, electronics, or lots of outdoor activities. ;D I shouldn't say bad things about Aspen...........the place is incredibly beautiful and well preserved. The highlight will be driving through town and heading up Independence pass. It's arguably the most beautiful, paved road pass in the state. The wild flowers seem to bloom all summer long up there. The rock climbing areas have guide books and are world class. The area between Glenwood and Aspen is a joy to drive through. The geology trips Dr. Phred is planning will be diverse I'm guessing. We do have a few geologic features to see in the area. I was just at Rifle Falls park. I can see a JSS trip in the making. Great place to get in some rock climbing too.
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Post by madratdan on Dec 4, 2006 23:49:19 GMT -5
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Brian Roebuck
Site Admin
Caver
Caving - the one activity that really brings you to your knees!
Posts: 2,732
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Post by Brian Roebuck on Dec 5, 2006 6:29:08 GMT -5
Dan I certainly enjoyed my visit to the Denver area 10 years or so ago. I may not want to live there but it was just so different from the TAG area that it was interesting just to drive around and look at things. I enjoyed driving up Pikes Peak and we still have fingerprint dents in our dashboard to prove it! Relatives that live there tell me the price of food etc is much lower than where I live. I guess if you can't afford housing you need to be able to eat! I do look forward to your convention out there. It will be a blast!
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Post by Sharon Faulkner on Dec 5, 2006 18:33:43 GMT -5
I'm looking forward to the 2011 Colorado Convention. I guess Glenwood Springs is as good a location as any other. Not sure I know enough about the possible sites to form an opinion on a chosen location. Ideally, I'd like to spend a number of days prior to Convention doing some Colorado caving. Hopefully someone or some group will host a Pre-Convention caving/camping event in a good caving area. That doesn't necessarily have to be held in the Glenwood Springs area tho.
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Post by madratdan on Dec 5, 2006 22:02:47 GMT -5
Most of the caves in the state are in the Glenwood area, which is called the Flat Tops. I'm guessing there will also be some kind of happenings in Williams Canyon for those traveling through Colorado Springs. I'll make sure you have a good time and see some really cool caves, Sharon. I'd like to put together a post convention raft and canoe trip down the Colorado river through Ruby and Horsethief canyon. It makes for a beautiful two to three day float and camping trip. No permit needed on that streach. The trick will be to get a Westwater permit to run those rapids on the third day. Check out this link to see some photos of the area. coloradodiscoverability.com/photos/2006-06-23-25-Westwater/index.cfmwww.blm.gov/utah/moab/ww-info.html
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Post by Sharon Faulkner on Dec 6, 2006 9:55:02 GMT -5
Thanks Dan! The Glenwood Springs area sounds good then.
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