Elderhostel Programs Begin Today

Sun., June 15, 1997

Susan English The Wire Services Contributed To Thi Staff writer

It’s not too early to sign up for the three Elderhostel programs at Schweitzer Mountain Resort.

They are open only to those age 55 and older. Students stay at the Green Gables Lodge on the mountain and the coursework combines classroom instruction with outdoor activities.

The first session begins today and runs through Friday and coursework includes forest ecology, geology of the North Idaho Selkirk Mountains and raptors of North Idaho. This session, however, is already full.

The other sessions are August 17-22 and Sept. 21-27. The August session covers the balance of geological and ecological systems in North Idaho and includes guided llama hikes.

The final session studies the natural history of North Idaho and includes golf at Hidden Lakes Golf Resort.

For information call (208) 263-9555 or (800) 831-8810.

Cliff dwelling

Available for overnight stays: 1,650-square-foot, one-bedroom cave home, carved from a 40-million-year-old sandstone formation in Farmington, N.M. A luxuriously furnished, one-of-a-kind bed and breakfast.

Guests must be able to negotiate a 70-foot cliffside staircase. Reward is a breathtaking view of the La Plata River from 280 feet up.

Information: (505) 325-7855.

Heading down the Gorge?

The new Columbia Gorge Discovery Center overlooking the Columbia River near The Dalles, Ore., has opened.

Its 48,000 square feet of displays, plus extensive outdoor exhibits, cover the natural and human history of the Columbia Gorge and nearby areas.

The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center is the official interpretive center for the federally administered Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area, and shows how volcanic upheavals, raging floods and the Columbia River shaped the landscape and lifestyles of the region.

The adjoining Wasco County Historical Museum showcases 10,000 years of human history in the area. There also are outdoor trails, films and talks.

Information: (541) 296-8600.

Bring your snowshoes

Paradise Inn on the south slope of Mount Rainier, highest peak in Washington’s Cascades, has opened its rooms and restaurant for the summer season. But take along your snowshoes or cross-country skis if you want to hit the trails in the near future.

As of early this week, there were more than 150 inches of snow on the ground at 5,400-foot-elevation Paradise. Lodging information: (360) 569-2275. Mount Rainier National Park and weather/road info: (360) 569-2211.

Clarifications

The Argosy Cruises day-long tour of Puget Sound - Water, Wings & Wine Tour - is open to groups only. Group size is limited to 15 minimum, 40 maximum and individuals can book a spot on the tour only if there’s already a group booked and space is remaining. The tour runs weekdays through September. For information: (206) 789-6498.

The Pend Oreille County Fair and Rodeo is Aug. 21-24; for information call (509) 445-1128. The dates and info number listed in last Sunday’s Travel section were incorrect.

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: BYLINE = Susan English Staff writer The wire services contributed to this report.

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