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Join us for a lesbian and gay summer camp
in the Rockies. Like summer camps you may recall from younger
days, this one is set in a beautiful natural location with a wide
array of outdoor activities. Unlike those camps, we'll stay in
comfortable condos. And you can hold hands with whomever you want.
The location is Grand Teton
National Park. Every year, millions of tourists drive past the
Tetons on their way to Yellowstone. After stopping to photograph
the mountains from the road, they feel like they've seen the park.
On Butch Cassidy Days, we'll truly see and experience these grand
mountains and lush valley, from the land and from the water.
On each of 5 days you can
join our group for a different activity. Your choice of any four
of these activities is included in the price; or do all five for a
modest additional fee. Choose from:
- Canoeing
- Horseback riding
- White-water kayaking
- Rock climbing, with
instruction and some exciting hands-on climbing
- Rafting, with sections of both
foaming whitewater and flatwater, letting you slow down enough
to enjoy the scenery and wildlife.
Hiking and swimming are free, with
plenty of time to fit them in. One unscheduled day gives you
flexibility to pursue an activity that you particularly enjoy, or
to just kick back and relax. For an additional fee, you can even
take an early morning balloon ride over the valley if weather
conditions permit. Here's how the week will shape up.
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Rising over a mile from the valley, the
Grand Teton is widely considered our country's most majestic peak,
nicknamed "The American Matterhorn". If you're flying
into Jackson, Wyoming, ask for a window seat and you'll have
dramatic views as your plane touches down in the flat valley
alongside the Teton range.
Early arrivals may want to
drive into Grand Teton National Park for sightseeing and perhaps a
swim in Jenny Lake. Our trip officially starts at 6:00 pm with a
reception and orientation, followed by a buffet dinner.
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One of the Teton's newest geological features
is Slide Lake, formed early in the 1900s when a huge mass of
one mountain dropped off and slid into the valley below damming up
the river.
A short drive through the
ranchlands takes us to the shore of Slide Lake. Though only half
an hour from the Park, Slide Lake is unknown to most tourists.
We may feel all alone, as we put in our canoes.
We'll canoe to one end of this
long and narrow lake and look at the rockslide which created it.
Lunch is at a nearby overlook with a picturesque view of the
lake in the foreground, the mountains in the distance.
After lunch we'll paddle to the
other end. Beavers and bald eagles are common sights in this
secluded area. We'll stop for a short hike into the hills, to
stretch our legs.
Mountain wildflowers are
abundant here, as they are wherever we go in the Tetons: the
vivid scarlet of Indian Paintbrush; the blues and violets of
Harebells and Gentians.
After dinner this evening,
it's hard to resist a stroll under the star-lit sky before turning
in for the night.
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Today is a day to experience the Grand Tetons
from a atop a horse, and for those who have chosen the
ballooning option, plan an early start today, as we drive to where
a hot-air balloon and crew await us. As the sun rises from the
other side of the rugged peaks the balloons also rise. Moments
later we're aloft!
In our balloon, we waft along
whichever direction the wind takes us, with Idaho on one side,
Wyoming on the other. After touching down, we celebrate with a
champagne breakfast.
Those on the hot-air balloon
excursion will be back at Teton Village in time for our horseback
riding excursion later in the morning.
Right from Teton Village,
where we make our home for the week, spectacular trails lead up
into the lower slopes of the Teton range. Today we'll let the
horse do most of the work, as we make our way through the aspens
and across a mountain stream to a secluded rest spot.
We've scheduled a four-hour
ride today, with several stops. A two-hour ride is available for
those who prefer it, and this can be arranged at the orientation
upon arrival.
After your horseback ride
you will have time for an afternoon hike along the peaceful
tree-lined banks of String Lake. On a hot day, the water offers a
quick way to cool off against a scenic mountain backdrop.
If you're not taking the
horseback ride today, this is a good day to take the tram to the
10,450-foot summit of Rendezvous Peak, where you can follow the
Cody Peak trail with breathtaking views of the valley below.
Find a secluded spot and just
watch silently as the life of the Tetons moves by. You may spot
a red fox, in stealthy pursuit of a furry pika or an eagle
diving thousands of feet to snare a chubby marmot.
Guided nature tours are also
available here. You'll be amazed how much more you see with a
bit of coaching. Those ready to call it a day can ride the tram
back to the base. Others have the option of a longer, but
exhilarating hike down, watching for moose and other wildlife as
they descend in the late afternoon.
And for those who haven't had
enough air time: You can still fit in a tandem paraglider
ride, with an instructor who will keep you aloft while you simply
enjoy the views.
For dinner tonight we
suggest a group excursion to the local hangout known as Bubba's,
where you can have a full and tasty dinner for under $10.
Barbecued meats are the specialty at Bubba's, but they have
vegetarian options as well.
In addition to its wealth of
outdoor activities, Jackson Hole is known as an arts center. Music
festivals and theaters provide a wide assortment of evening
entertainment options. Or you can just go outside and gaze at the
Milky Way.
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Another day, another activity in the majestic
Tetons, but today we do it in a skirt ... a kayak spray skirt.
After getting outfitted in our kayaking gear, we'll head to Flat
Creek this morning for an introduction to white-water kayaking.
Our experienced guides will explain how our kayaks operate, how to
paddle, how to roll and escape in the water and, what we really
want to know, how our skirts work.
With some stretching and
struggling, we connect them to the kayak to protect us from water
spray in the rapids. After a quick bite to eat, we'll return to
the kayaks, then "eddy-out" into the Snake River for
several miles of cruising on the quieter, more flat-water portions
of this mighty river. You'll encounter small grade I and II
rapids, with stretches of smooth water in between, and by the end
of the take out, you'll be eager to learn an eskimo roll.
The guides are close-by to assist
and to further explain technique. Clients raved about this
optional activity in past years and we have now scheduled a day
for it, making it one of the four activities from which you can
choose.
Upon our return, if we have time,
we may head over to the Alpine Slide at Snow King Mountain. An
alpine slide is a fiberglass luge that slides down a polished
metal track on the ski slope. You grab a sled and fly down in a
seated position through the twists and turns of the course,
controlling your speed with a handbrake. Then you can ride the
chairlift up and go again. It'll bring out the kid in you!
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Our introductory rock-climbing day begins with
hands-on lessons by experienced local climbers. (Our past
instructors have included one of America's top alpinists, and a
former Olympic skier.) We start by taking a boat across Jenny Lake
at the base of the mountains.
As the Grand Teton and Teewinot
peaks loom overhead, we'll learn how to tie dependable knots.
We'll practice the art of belaying -- how to protect another
climber if he or she should slip. And we'll learn to get the
most advantage as we climb, from small holds and cracks in the
rock.
Then come the adrenaline parts:
Climbing up a vertical cliff, using only the skills we've just
learned; and rappelling back down on a rope, using a device
known as a "Figure-8" that lets you control your rate
of descent.
Safety is always a paramount
concern. Whether you're climbing up or rappelling down, your
instructor or partner will always be ready to catch you on the
backup rope.
Was it fun? Rock climbing gets
even more enjoyable as you gain confidence in yourself, and in
the safety systems that protect you. If you enjoyed today, we
hope you'll return for The
Grand, on which we hone those climbing skills, then
undertake a 2-day ascent of the Grand Teton.
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Today is open: No activities have been
scheduled, but there's plenty for you to do.
Mountain biking is high on
our recommended list. The beautiful Cache Creek trail, lined with
wildflowers, takes you along a secluded stream. Those with less
biking experience may prefer a flatter, paved route, along the
valley floor and through the Elk Refuge.
Likewise, there are 250
miles of hiking trails to appeal to both less- and more-energetic
hikers. An easy circuit takes you around the sparkling waters of
Jenny Lake, where you can swim in the reflected glory of the
Tetons, and on to the towering Hidden Falls. Those looking for an
all-day hike will enjoy the largely flat and scenic trail to
Hermitage Point; moose and trumpeter swans are commonly spotted
along here, and you'll be rewarded with grand views of the Tetons
in Jackson Lake. A more ambitious hike goes to Lake of the Crags,
an often-steep trail to what is considered one of the most
beautiful spots in the Tetons.
Grand Teton National Park
is full of wildlife. Don't be surprised to see a moose in the
trail, or a bald eagle in a riverside cottonwood tree, as you hike
or bike today.
A day trip to Yellowstone may
appeal to you, if you haven't been there before. Just 60 miles
away, Yellowstone offers entirely different scenery: Bison, elk
and bears are often spotted; and you won't want to miss the geyser
basin. For those who have the time, however, our advice is to set
aside several days after the trip for a visit to the first spot in
the world designated as a National Park.
Many other activities are also
available in Jackson Hole. The Snake River, flowing through
the center of the valley, is famous for its cutthroat trout. Our
guide will help people with similar interests to hook up, and will
suggest places to go for each activity.
In the evening, Jackson offers
not only a wide selection of restaurants but also community
theaters, rodeo two nights a week each summer, and many cultural
and music festivals.
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Jackson Hole offers all types of water
sports, from the calm waters of String Lake to the varied sections
of the Snake River. Our rafting day gives us a taste of both.
We begin just south of Jackson,
on a flatwater section of the Snake. The raft takes us past
scenery that would never be seen by drivers, or even by most
hikers. Bald eagles have repopulated this stretch of river, and
we can expect to see a few today, perched in the cottonwoods.
Don't be surprised if we also spot a moose amongst the trees.
Feeling hot? Hop in the water and you'll cool off in no time.
Then comes the white water:
Churning class-III and IV rapids carry you past forests and
cliffs. The raft trip ends with a picnic lunch before we return to
Jackson.
Even the most avid hikers will
only have begun to explore the nearly endless and varied hiking
trails of the Tetons. But there are still unexplored sides of
Jackson Hole. Today, some of us will probably want to visit the
National Museum of Wildlife Art, featuring more than 1200 works
by over 100 artists.
For those seeking one last
adventure: Ride the chairlift to the top of Snow King Mountain,
right on the border of town, and wind your way back down the
trails on a mountain bike.
Jackson Hole is best known for
its outdoors activities, but several restaurants are establishing
their reputations as well. Tonight we'll celebrate a great week
with dinner at one of Jackson Hole's top restaurants.
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Our trip officially ends after breakfast,
but if you've got early connections, you can rise and depart as
early as you need to.
An experience as intense as
this creates strong bonds, and it's sad to say goodbye to new
friends. But if the past is any guide, we'll see each other again
on future adventures. And if you've got a few extra days,
Yellowstone is nearby. Our pre-trip newsletter makes it easy to
plan a trip there with others in the group. |
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