Post-conference trip: Glenwood Springs -- April 27-30, 2003

Here are some of the options we will have for activities on this women-only trip.

We will leave the conference hotel on Sunday afternoon and drive to Glenwood Springs, arriving in the early evening. We will spend the next three nights at one of the classic hotels of this historic and scenic spa town. Inexpensive lodging in 8-bed rooms will be available, or participants may opt to spend more for double or single rooms at the hotel.

About the area: Glenwood Canyon runs for about 15 miles, with the town of Glenwood Springs at its western end. Interstate 70 runs through the canyon, in the most expensive stretch of interstate highway ever built. The highway project was completed with minimal environmental damage and makes many places within the dramatic canyon easily accessible. A smooth, easy bike path also runs the length of the canyon, and various rafting companies run this stretch of the Colorado.

Storm King Mountain Memorial Trail This memorial honors those who lost their lives while battling the South Canyon fire, and is a tribute to firefighters everywhere. Its purpose is to honor our living and our dead, to help us understand what happened there, and to allow us to reflect on the lessons we have learned so we can prevent future tragedies. The trail was built by a community literally walking through the grieving process. It began as a footpath made by families of the firefighters and others as they hiked the mountain to pay their respects to those who had died, and to try to understand what had happened. In response to the community's need, and in an effort to increase understanding, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, and more than 100 local volunteers built the main trail in October of 1994. In April of 1995, 60 cadets from the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs installed wooden and stone steps, hauled mortar to the observation point for stone benches, dug holes for interpretive signs, and developed an area for reflection at the base of the hill where twelve of the firefighters fell. Local businesses donated goods and services throughout the trail's construction. The trail takes visitors on the journey of a firefighter. It was left steep and rough, allowing visitors to experience something similar to what firefighters encounter. Signs provide visitors with information about how firefighters care for each other and their community, why they would choose this job, and what they need to be aware of to do their job safely and efficiently. The trail takes visitors on the journey of a firefighter. It was left steep and rough allowing visitors to experience something similar to what firefighters encounter. Signs provide visitors with information about how firefighters care for each other and their community, why they would choose this job, and what they need to be aware of to do their job safely and efficiently.

Glenwood Springs Hot Springs Pool: the world's largest outdoor thermal pool

The Hot Springs Lodge & Pool represents the perfect blend of the past and present. Clean and modern shower facilities and a state-of-the-art ozone pool purification system maximize the enjoyment of guests as they relax in spring waters that continuously rise up from deep in the earth. The large pool, is 405 feet long and 100 feet wide at the widest point, and is kept at about 90 degrees F / 32 degrees C. It has a diving area and exercise lap lanes. The therapy pool -- the "small" pool -- is 100 feet long, and is kept at a temperature of about 104 degrees F / 40 degrees C.

The Yampah Hot Springs, considered a sacred healing spot by the Ute people for hundreds of years, feeds the pool with 3.5 million gallons of hot, mineral-rich water a day. It was "discovered" in 1860, when a party of geographic explorers led by Captain Richard Sopris came to the area. Twenty years later Walter, Horace and James Devereux and a group of British investors bought the Yampah Hot Springs and ten acres of surrounding land, and set out to build the largest hot springs pool in the world in the newly-established town of Glenwood Springs.

In l890, a red sandstone bath house and lodge designed by Austrian architect Theodore von Rosenberg was built at a cost of $100,000. The bathhouse was fitted with tubs, Roman vapor baths and special accommodations for pool bathing. The walls of both the pool and the bathhouse were of solid masonry peach-blow sandstone quarried nearby. Each of the building's 44 bath rooms included a dressing and lounging room. The building also housed a ladies' parlor, physicians office, gymnasium and smoking and reading rooms. As word of the new resort spread, visitors came by train from around the world including European royalty, U.S. senators, presidents and movie stars.

The resort served as a U.S. Naval Convalescent Hospital during World War II, the only time in history when the pool was closed to the public. After the war, the lodge was converted to a private hospital and subsequently to a hotel. In l956, a group of area business people purchased the resort and pool.

A new water filtration system, children's wading pool, water slide and miniature golf were added in 1970. In l986, the owners built a new l07-room Hot Springs Lodge just north of the pool. Today, the original sandstone lodge houses the snack bar, athletic club, conference facilities and administrative offices.

Glenwood Caverns & Historic Fairy Caves Originally opened for public tours in 1895, the Fairy Caves were once touted as the "Eighth Wonder of the World." World War I put an end to the tourist operation, and what little visitation to the caves that occurred since essentially came to an end several decades ago. Since the caves were closed, numerous pristine rooms and passageways have been discovered including two of the largest rooms in Colorado. After being closed to the public for over 80 years, the historic cave as well as the newly discovered areas have now been reopened. Hanging Lake Hiking Trail The trail itself is steep (1000' elevation gain in 1.2 miles), rocky, and full of switchbacks. However, it is very popular, owing to the spectacular views. The stretch of trail after the one-mile mark is particularly steep but fortunately there are steel handrails provided. There is a boardwalk around the precarious outside edge of the lake, to prevent erosion. You can walk nearly around the lake and underneath the falls on the far side. A must-see side trail leads to another falls and Spouting Rock.

To receive a registration form for the post-conference trip, check the appropriate box on your conference registration form.