NWSA REUNION #38
COLORADO SPRINGS COLORADO
16 to 20 May 2011
As posted previously, Reunion 38 will be held in Colorado Springs at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. There are a number of really good ways to get to COS. First there is the airport at Colorado Springs (COS) and the hotel has a free van to pick up guests. Then there is the Denver Airport (DEN) some 71 miles North of Colorado Springs and for which there are regular $50 shuttle runs to/from the hotel. There are discounts available for the shuttle (Colorado Springs Shuttle). Drivers using the Interstate can use I-70 going East/West and I-25 going North/South. The Crowne Plaza Hotel is located about two blocks east of I-25 on exit 139, Circle Drive. Folks are reminded that the hotel has a van that will take people to places within reason and that there is generally little reason for a car at this hotel. People who do wish to have a car can rent a Hertz at the hotel for less money than would the same vehicle cost at either airport.
The hotel is situated right in the city and it is an easy walk to many stores, shops and restaurants. The regular rooms cost $120 and the better situated rooms cost $131 per night. There will be a room Raffle ($5.00/Ticket) where the winner will have their room paid for by the proceeds of the Raffle. The winner will be selected at the banquet. The hotel has a good size Hospitality Room and will provide free coffee. Additionally, folks who stay at the hotel will have breakfast included like that we enjoyed in Dallas. The hotel has lots of parking for both cars and larger vehicles. The nearest RV Park (RV Park Info) is the Cheyenne Mountain State Park, Ph 719-576-2016. The park is some five miles south of the hotel.
We will have the Hospitality Room available on Tuesday, 15 May so that those who can make the trip a day early can complete the items that are need prior to the real event which starts on Wednesday 16 May. There is one room up-grade available for some lucky group who will arrive on Tuesday to help us with all the preparations that would otherwise be worked by a local NWSA chapter. Some random process that does not include me, will be used to make the selection! The local Tourist Bureau will have a large number of items available for us to stuff into the goody bags including of course the bags themselves. The big challenge will be to take the Excel file generated by Dick Gilmore and stuff the bags with the individual requirements for each registered member. Included in the workday is the need to for someone who can make a run to the local commissary and booze store. It is of note that we have five boxes of all sorts of paper plates, cups, tickets, etc. left over from previous reunions. Fay Crossley went to a lot of work to generate a complete inventory of these leftovers. It will probably be a real exercise just to get all that sorted out to determine what if anything will need to be purchased for Reunion 38.
There has been a whole lot of effort made trying to get a variety side trips. Both Tom and I made trips to COS to get an idea of which ones were suitable for NWSA. The Tourist Bureau will be sending the COS Visitor Guide to the registered members so that information is available prior to making the trip.
On Wednesday we will be taking vans for a walking tour of Old Colorado City which has a Wild West atmosphere. There are unique shops, galleries, a historic museum and numerous good places for visitors to obtain lunch. The cost is for transportation only and dining will be up to the individual.
On Thursday there will be a major trip to visit the National Sand Dunes National Park and several near by Indian missions and ruins. The Indian part of this trip is not a usual tourist stop however the bus driver will have real history when explaining these ancient sites. The trip will stop for lunch at one of several places along the way. The cost is for transportation and admission to the Sand Dunes Park.
On Friday we will bus to near-by Manitou Springs. There, one can taste the mineral waters which made Manitou famous. The Indian tribes such as the Utes, Cheyenne, Arapahoe and other plains tribes wintered here. This place was universally declared to be a “Weapons Free Zone”. There are numerous one-of-a-kind shops, galleries and a variety of dining. There are also Indian Cliff Dwellings where one can get an idea of what life was like for the Ancient Anasazi. The price for this trip is for transportation.
On Saturday the main attraction of all the trips will be a visit to the Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel which is a most magnificent structure. The gleaming towers of this chapel can be seen from across the valley from I-25. Lunch is available at the Balanced Rock Cafe in the Garden of the Gods. The “Rock” garden has been sculpted by years of erosion. Bring your camera as these two places are among the most picture places in the United States. The price is for transportation only.
The food selected for this Reunion will be a bit of departure from the last few reunions. The Welcome Aboard Party will feature Pasta Salad with two different sauces. The theme for Thursday night will be Tacos on the Patio. On Friday night, vans will take us to the Flying W Ranch for Western Grub Night at the Steakhouse. On Saturday, there will be a traditional happy hour. The Banquet Meal will be a traditional served meal which will be a selection of Steak, BBQ Ribs or Chicken. After the meal there will be Western Entertainment and cowboy music. The entire program will last about 2 hours.
The concept of having a reunion at a location where there is not a local chapter does add challenge points. Also, the cost of transportation has risen significantly since we first made our inquiries. While Pikes Peak is a major attraction for COS, it was not selected for fear of having altitude problems. The mountain, which dominates the view to the West of COS, is some 14,115 feet in elevation. Those who seek real adventure can ride down the hill on a rented bicycle. There are several different ways in which individuals can make their own arrangements for Pikes Peak. All of the people that we have contacted in and around COS have been very helpful and welcome the opportunity to provide us with a very unique Colorado experience.
LCDR Earl Kerr USN RET, Reunion Chairman
Email Reunion Committee
SEE Y’ALL IN COLORADO SPRINGS!
