I discovered these when I was seeking something new to experience when Jay and I became 'Empty Nesters'. We were putting our life together again, finding ourselve alone. We had been going to 'night school' and had great fun learning a good many things. Jay especially enjoyed the various cooking classes we attended. I struggled through a class of Finance Management, which Jay of course found very interesting. All in all
we had tried a great many things to find a common ground to enjoy being
together, alone again.
I went to the Public Library and researched other things, and found Elder Hostel. I sent off for more information - you will have to remember this was before the inter-net. When they sent us a catalog, we spent a good deal of time scanning the various opportunities this offered. Finding Programs that were not too far from home to sign up for.
Our first attempt was at St. George, Utah. It was a week of discovery in
a part of the Country that was close to Jay's heart. We were to learn more about the Ghost Towns of the area along with color from the surrounding area. I had no idea there were mines that had brought a large number of people to that area. I always thought that Religion had caused the influx of population, but I was to learn that there were precious Metals as well. Of
course with the family connection of Jay's we were aware of Iron that
was in the area, but knew it was not sufficient to be of value.
We learned about the many Movies that were shot in the area and a lot about John Wayne and his love of Southern Utah. Where he ate, and where many of the scenes were shot. We had an evening learning about the Jewelry that was made by the Indians in the area as well. There was a Pioneer Dutch Oven Dinner in the Park that followed a walk through the Pioneer Grave Yard. We spend a very enjoyable week there, and came away wanting more.
Being envolved in Elder Hostels ment you met some very interesting people and learned more than you could possibly have guessed was out there. One thing we discovered was the people who participate in these wonderous weeks are very special. One women took a plane from Pennsylvania with nothing but a duffle bag full of clothing and personal needs, starting the furtherest West and would cover the country attending Elder Hostels as she
moved East. Each connecting travel East would be accepted by someone in the group she ment in the West. She said she was never disappointed. She
was always able to find someone else that would offer her a ride either to or near where her next Elder Hostel was. Amazing!
We met people from all walks of life. Very few were like us - first timers.
Many had been to a number of Elder Hostels, some even out of the United
States. It was interesting to hear about all the places they had gone and what they had learned.
Our appetite had grown so that we decided to go again, and again. We again poured over the catalog and decided where we would like to go next.
I believe the one that followed that was most inspiring was our trip to Trinidad, Colorado for the study of the Santa Fe Trail. As it would work out, it was the last time it would be offered. The man who was knowledgeable was elderly, and was frank to admit he had no idea how long he would be able to continue. We were fortunate to be able to be in this group. The streets in Trinidad, Colorado are paved in bricks made in the town. We each received one at the end of the week. What a prize. Among the many things that we were able to visit was Fort Union. One of the places the wagon trains that followed the Santa Fe Trail stopped at. When we visited there, we looked out over the flat land and could see the wheel marks, still visible leaving the Fort. We were surprised to learn there were more than one set of wagon wheel tracks. They did not all follow one after the other as we had thought. From Fort Union the Trains would continue South with their goods and set up their wares in Santa Fe, New Mexico. We learned they would take the time to stop and clean up and get ready for their trading with the folks that came North from Mexico. It was a revelation of how those people traded.
One of the interesting things about this particular trip was we discovered when we got into Colorado, neither of us had money with us. We had not made it to the Bank to get the necessary cash to pay for our Tuition. It was a Holiday Week-end and the College did not take checks. Fortunately we
had arrived before the local Banks had closed, and was able to get a Cash
Advance on our Credit Card. The Lord was certainly with us on this trip.
The City of Trinidad is very colorful. A nagging question that I had for years was what was the 'pickit wire' that was talked about in many of the Western Movies I had seen. In one of our field trips, we were taken to the Pergitory River where a number of French Soldiers had been killed, thus the River was called by that name. Western folks couldn't clearly pronounce the French word so it came out as the 'pickit wire' rather than the Per-git-twah. Just another one of those interesting but small things uncovered.
We were taken to a home where a family were working in Adobe bricks. We learned how they were made, and were able to tour their most interesting home, all made of the Adobe Bricks they had made on the spot.
Oh, and if you wonder about housing - it could be in a Motel, or it could be in Dormatories on Campus. Food was special here at Trinidad - catered by Marriot Hotel, and it was fabulous to say the least. One of the great things we enjoyed was Cookies made from the left over Donuts. Out of this world and hugh.
Another Eldler Hostel was in Kingman, Arizona where we learned about Rock Hounding. Here we stayed in the Motel. The food wasn't as good, but we didn't go hungry either. We visited Oatman and saw the Donkeys the Miners turned loose when they either died or gave up prospecting. They run wild in the streets and surrounding area. They say Clark Gable and Carole Lumbard haunt the Hotel. It was where they spent their Honeymoon. We stopped along the Highway and picked up odd looking rocks and for some of us, they had value. We study more Ghost Towns and learned about Andy Devine the Movie Actor who was from those part. The many classes and field trips made for a great week. As I said we went to places that was close to home. There is much around us that we have no idea can make for an interesting trip, and adventure in seeking out treasures that lay close at hand.
Elder Hostels are great ways to learn, they have become expensive I under-stand. If I had the finances however, I would still be going and discovering what lays close at hand almost anywhere one might travel. I hope this will encourage my family to make every trip away from home into one of discovery. There are many hidden fun and interesting things to see and to explore. No place is sterile. Someone lived there, experienced the thrill of
making life and earning a living. They built homes, they learned about what was in the area. Sometimes it was Mineral, other times it was the chance to make something blossom and productive. In every case they have left history and discoveries that should be explored and enjoyed. Nothing came from nothing, and nothing ever will. Strike out, seek the hidden, and enjoy every opportunity that comes your way. As the wise man once said:
"we pass this way but once". What will you discover then next time you travel along the Highway of Your Life? The Choice is YOURS!
Written this 9th day of April 2013
by: Eileen C. Rosenberg
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