Subject: Activity Options for National Parks
From: "Smith, Michele" <[email-masked]>
To: "Beaub" <[email-masked]>, <[email-masked]>, "Hunter Biden" <[email-masked]>, "Ashley Biden" <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2010 17:28:04 -0400

Hope the information below is helpful.  Look forward to discussing it in
more detail with you once you have a chance to look at it. In the
meantime, let me know if you have any questions.  - Michele

From: Selfridge, Peter A. 
Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2010 4:22 PM
To: Smith, Michele
Cc: Bernal, Anthony R.; Hornbrook, Alex
Subject: RE: Rafting and other activities

MONTANA/WYOMING

We are working on locking in some housing in Big Sky, MT right now.  We
are working under the assumption that they will spend Fri-Sun nights
there; Monday go to Yellowstone and then head off to the Grand Canyon
area.   We'll send you options soon.

As far as activities are concerned, the web site were primarily using
for research in Montana is this one:

http://www.bigskyresort.com/

Otherwise, we have done research on what there is to do in Yellowstone,
but some of this might not be possible because of where it is and
timing...we can figure some of that out on the advance if we have a
general idea of what it is they want to see and do.

*	Rafting

	*	Half Day Paradise Package- The Montana Whitewater
Rafting Company offers a wide range of rivers and rapid intensity. The
Yellowstone River (Class II-III) is a wide, deep river offering a fun
ride for the whole family.
	*	Montana Whitewater offers free wetsuits and footwear
rentals.
	*	Contact Information: Call 800-799-4465 or visit
http://www.montanawhitewater.com/pages/yellowstone_trips.html for
details
	*	Cost:  Adults $39, 12 and under $29
	*	Half day trips depart at  9:00, 10:00, 1:00, 2:00, 4:00

Other Options:

	*	 Western Scenic Special- Let one of our guides row you
down a mild stretch of the Yellowstone River. Enjoy friends and family
while taking in the peace and scenic beauty of the Yellowstone River
Valley. This trip is great for those who want to have the option for
some paddling, enjoy the wildlife, and relax while floating along the
northern boundary of Yellowstone National Park.
	*	Same provider, cost, and contact information as above.
	*	Call to inquire about departure times and availability

*	Hiking

	*	Private Tours available with the Yellowstone
Association: http://www.yellowstoneassociation.org/institute/tours.aspx
	*	Wildlife Watching on the Northern Range 
		Start: 6 or 8 a.m. at Gardiner or Mammoth, 6:30 or 8
a.m. at Roosevelt or Lamar 
		Discover the diverse and abundant wildlife of
Yellowstone's northern range. Learn how to search for wildlife and how
to use binoculars and spotting scopes effectively. (April-October) 
	*	Natural History and Geology: Yellowstone Lake and Grand
Canyon of the Yellowstone 
		Start: 8 a.m. at Gardiner, Mammoth, Canyon, Norris, or
Lake 
		Explore the natural and geologic history of the
Yellowstone Lake Area, and the spectacular Grand Canyon of the
Yellowstone River. Search for wildlife in the bison-rich Hayden Valley,
and learn about the Yellowstone volcano on easy geology strolls.
(April-October) 
	*	Geysers, Mudpots, and Hot Springs: Old Faithful Area 
		Start: 8 a.m. at Gardiner, Mammoth, or Norris; 9:30 a.m.
at Madison or Old Faithful 
		From the center of the world's greatest concentration of
hydrothermal features, take an in-depth look at how they form and why
they do the things they do. You'll travel on boardwalks and easy trails,
observing geologic features that reveal the wonders of Yellowstone's
volcano. (April-October) 
	*	Day Hiking in Yellowstone 
		Start: 8 a.m. at Gardiner, Mammoth, Canyon, Lake, or
Roosevelt; 9:30 a.m. at Madison or Old Faithful 
		Carefully chosen hikes explore Yellowstone's diverse
landscape. Learn the basics of safe, low-impact backcountry travel in
grizzly country with an Institute naturalist guide skilled in
backcountry travel. Hikes are selected to match your group's ability
level and interests. (April-October)
	*	Cost: 1-5 participants $495 
		6-13 participants $650 
		14-26 participants $1,300
	*	You can make requests for certain destinations,
landmarks, or activities though contact with your tour guide.
Recommended sites to see:

		*	Old Faithful (watch geysers erupt), Look into
the Grand Canyon, Waterfalls, Soak in hot springs

*	Fishing

	*	Choose from walk/wade trips, float trips, horseback
wilderness trips, walk-in pack trips, float tube trips, combination
hunting / fishing trips or custom designed itineraries. Every trip is
tailored to suit the needs, expectations and experience levels of each
angler in the party.  North Fork Anglers' guides provide fly fishing
instruction and assistance with casting techniques, fly presentation,
streamside entomology, catch and release ethics and more.  Most
importantly, your guide will put you over trout - every day - so you can
catch trout while learning new skills on the water. A bent rod, or line
peeling off a spool, is a great reward for doing everything right. Your
guide will be there to assist in the landing and release for a quick
photo. North Fork Anglers specializes in taking neophyte anglers to the
rivers and streams in the area and welcome them into this tightly bound
fly fishing 'family' of specialized anglers. North Fork Anglers has been
guiding fly fisher men and women in the Greater Yellowstone/Cody Wyoming
region since 1984. During the past 20+ years, we have made lots of
friends and have fine-tuned our guide skills to assist every angler's
skill level. North Fork Anglers is also an Orvis Endorsed Outfitter,
which assures you of our responsibility to give you the trip of a life
time, no matter how big or small the 'trophy'. Experience the beauty and
excitement of fishing in the Cody Wyoming area. 
	*	Recommended: Walk/ wade or float trip
	*	Contact Information: Website-
http://www.northforkanglers.com/guidedtrips.shtml 

			*	Phone- 307.527.7274
			*	Email- [email-masked] 

GRAND CANYON

For the Grand Canyon, following is the research we have done on sites
and rafting thus far.  The smooth water option may be the way to go, but
we have to be careful with timing as half a day is really all that they
may have for the activity (and they should know that it's going to be
very hot there):

*	The Skywalk

	*	What: Walk on Plexiglas 4,000 feet above the canyon
floor. Offers 720 degree views
	*	Where: Grand Canyon West
	*	Cost: $49.00/ person entrance fee to G.C. West

		*	$29.95/ person for Skywalk

	*	Recommended Tour Provider: Oriental Tours and Travel
	*	Contact Information:

		*	Skywalk home: http://www.grandcanyonskywalk.com/

				*	(702) 220-8372 Office  | (702)
220-8517 Fax

		*	Oriental Tours:
http://www.grandcanyontour.com/English/skywalk.html

				*	Phone: 702.212.9919 | Fax:
702.693.6852

*	White Water Rafting

	*	What: Hualapai River Runners, a concession of the
Hualapai Tribe, offers all-day trips in the western end of the canyon.
Raft through rapids and on calm waters, offers opportunities to see the
canyon from its floor. 
	*	Where: Trips begin at Diamond Creek north of Peach
Springs, Arizona, a drive of about 160 miles (4-5 hours) from the South
Rim.
	*	Cost: $249.00 +79.00 transportation fee
	*	Recommended Tour Provider: Hualapai River Runners
	*	Contact Information: Phone- (888) 868-9378 

				*	Website-
http://grandcanyonwest.com/riverrunners.html

*	Smooth Water Raft Trips

	*	What: A comfortable pontoon raft ride for 15 miles of
dramatic scenery. Your experienced guide will tell the story of the
area's soaring sandstone cliffs, crystal blue-green waters, abundant
wildlife, exploration by Major John Wesley Powell and others, and the
river's modern role in the Southwest's water and power delivery system.
A stop to view an impressive set of ancient petroglyphs will offer you a
chance to stretch your legs and enjoy your lunch while bearing witness
to the area's former inhabitance by ancient native cultures. If you
choose, you may also refresh yourself by wading in the cold, clear
river. The river portion of your trip ends at historic Lees Ferry,
gateway to the Grand Canyon. Here you will board your bus for the short
ride back to Page, where your vehicle or other transportation awaits.
	*	Where: Half-day and all-day trips on the Colorado River
from Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry. Trips begin at Page, Arizona, a
drive of 140 miles from the South Rim. (Two daily trips exist: 7:30 am
and 1 pm departures-Return by 12:30 pm and 6:30 pm)
	*	Cost: Adults-$78 plus $6 river fee |          Children
(11 and under)- $68 plus $6 river fee
	*	Recommended Tour Provider: Colorado river Discovery, LLC
	*	Contact Information: Phone- (888) 522-6644

				*	Website-
http://www.raftthecanyon.com <http://www.raftthecanyon.com/> 

 

We have more if you/the need it.

Thanks,

Pete

 

From: Smith, Michele 
Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2010 4:02 PM
To: Selfridge, Peter A.
Cc: Bernal, Anthony R.
Subject: Rafting and other activities

Pete - Please keep in mind while looking at rafting options in the Grand
Canyon that there will be small children on the trip so if there is one
river that is slower than another, we should consider that one.

Also, once you know the general locations of the family will go in each
park, I am more than happy to research options for activities.    

Just let me know how I can be helpful.  VP is anxious for us to get
activity options and housing options to the family.