Colorado Springs and Air Force Academy
WHEN: Thursday, January 26, 2012
FAM Coordinator: Natallia Fodemski will be our Guide; she has a full day planned.
THE SCHEDULE:
Suggested: Meet at 7:45 am for carpooling at C-470 and South University Boulevard Park 'n' Ride
Be sure to take money to give carpool driver (a Courtesy); also QUARTERS for Parking Meters
Exit: 156B off I-25 for U.S Air Force Academy North Gate Entrance
9:00 am: Meet at Parking Area on the Right BEFORE Entering USAFA North Gate; ph: 719-333-2025.
Visitors Center: See Educational movie, Visit Gift Shop, Restroom Stop Walk to Chapel for Tour; 1/3 mile walk to, 1/3 mile return, included in time frame
Drive to Downtown Colorado Springs on I-25. Take Exit 142 (Bijou St.) Park on Tejon or Nevada, both border former El Paso County Courthouse, now the Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum, 215 South Tejon Street--you will need quarters for parking meters. The Museum is a fantastic use of an older facility, and the Museum inside is great! A Self-Guided Tour; 719-385-5990
Group Lunch at MacKenzie's Chop House, 128 So. Tejon St., across from Pioneer Museum, 719-635- 3536.
Buy Your Own Lunch. Don't forget Tip money and quarters for "hungry" parking meters, if needed.
For Drive to Old Colorado City: Go 1 block North to Colorado Ave. Turn West. Continue on Colorado Ave. about 10+ minutes to OCC. Watch for Bancroft Park (on Right/North Side--covers Square Block) in OCC. Park where space. FEED METERS again with quarters!
Brief Tour with Stops at:
Carnegie Library, 2418 West Pikes Peak Ave., ph: 719-531-6333
Old Colorado City History Center, 1 South 24th St., 719-636-1225
A bit of "Magic": Michael Garman's Magic Town, 2418 W. Colorado Ave., 719-471-9391; $2.OO FEE
4:00 pm: FAM OVER. Leave Colorado Springs to Return to Denver, or Enjoy more of Colorado Springs!
Guide Line Review
COLORADO SPRINGS FAM . . .
The participants were asked for thoughts and comments on the "Most Meaningful Portions of The Day" and/or "What They Learned That Was New!" They are:
"Excellent private tour by Pete Peterson, Public Relations Director, Cadet Chapel, U.S. Air Force Academy. Cadet Chapel completed in 1963 at cost of $3.5 million for just shell of building. Everything inside privately donated. One million visitors/ year. 17 spires outside plus 76 pews inside = 1776. Second pew on Right always reserved for POWs & MIAs. Cross above altar: 46 ft. 2" tall, 12 ft. wide, designed in shape of propellers, called "Soaring Spirit." Privately-owned vehicles (POV) never allowed in parking lot near Chapel, but they will accommodate buses for handicapped)
Visited Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum, housed in historic El Paso County Courthouse. Beautiful building, built 1903. Large yellow columns made from scagliola or imitation marble. Process developed in 15th Century Italy and composed of gypsum, glue, isinglass (gelatin), and coloring matter. Looks like yellow marble! Ornate elevator is a 1913 Otis Birdcage.
We visited a hidden treasure in Old Colorado City: Michael Garman Museum & Gallery. This "Magic Town" display is a must see--amazing and fun! -- Valerie Booze
"Points I remember the most:
* Beaver top hats are not made with the skin--only the under hairs are used.
* There is elevator access to the Protestant Chapel at USAFA. It's located on the North End.
* Group Tours of Chapel can be arranged using one of USAFA Chapel guides.
* Pete, USAFA Public Relations, Director, is very willing to work with Tour Directors about getting motor coach access to Chapel, custom tours or any other help we need.
* Lunches are reasonable at MacKenzie's Chop House.
* Michael Garman's "Magic Town" provides an art experience that would appeal to both adults and children. If you want a gift that is unique and from Colorado, a Garman sculpture would be just the thing.
* Museum at Simpich's is Free. They provide several marionette performances throughout year; details: www.simpich.com
* First Capitol Building of Colorado still stands in Old Colorado City.
* The best place to keep informed of schedule/activities at USAFA Chapel is on Facebook.
--Tom Jensen
"What a delightful place to take groups for a fun day trip! The Cadet Chapel brought an inspiration to know they serve various religious faith groups. The Chapels within have extraordinary religious sculptures, paintings, windows, organs, items of worship and great history. They will accommodate ADA clients.
The Pioneer Museum was very interesting. In the medical department, I noticed saw set exactly like the ones my father uses as a "Curandero". I'm sure everyone will find something they remember of "back in the days"! What I was impressed with was the talent Michael Garman has. How do you explain the way he features his Magic Town? Groups will love to see the animation, the reflections, the items sculpted to the finest detail! This is a place of "Must See". It's good pricing, fun, cordial staff and good ADA and motor coach accessibility." --Elsie DeHerrera
"The Chapel was unusually fascinating. The quaint Court House was great, and I especially enjoyed the Indian Exhibition. Michael Garman's Magic Town, most unique and absorbing." --Joan Garton
"I really enjoyed this day for several reasons: 1) the camaraderie of all our group; 2) the great food at lunch; 3) seeing places that I had only heard about in addition to getting a group picture at the old Court House, learning some of the back routes and background of USAFA. Lastly, the visit to the Magic Town was great." --Adrian Swenson
"I learned something new everywhere we went, even to places I had visited previously, such as the USAFA Chapel. I was very pleased with the places we visited that were new. The Pioneer Museum has a display about the Sanatoria which helped so many people with tuberculosis; something like 2/3's of them were cured and went on with their lives. Michael Garman's Magic Town was indeed magic, and that, as well as its location across the street from the shops of Old Colorado City, makes it a perfect place to take guests for some independent time."
--Mary Bendelow
"One of the most interesting unknown treasures I discovered on our Colorado Springs FAM Trip was the Pioneer Museum. On approaching this magnificent building with its domed clock-tower, I was fascinated in finding out that this used to be the old El Paso County Court House, built in 1903. As we made our way into the entrance, a statue of Katherine Lee Bates greets you. She is gazing west at Pikes Peak where she gave us our so-loved song "America, the Beautiful". Upon our arrival, Steven (a docent of the Museum) gave us an overview of what our self-guided tour would include. We had an opportunity to visit exhibits including the 3rd Floor Division Court Rooms, a medical/dental exhibit of the early 1900s, a gun collection and artifacts used to mold the Old West, a Native American exhibit, and not to leave out the experience, riding in their 1913 Otis Birdcage elevator. This is a location tour guests would love to have included in their visit "out West." --Jody Calton
U.S. Air Force Academy is located at 7258' elevation--physical exertion should be considered when making a visit.
* The Air Force became a separate military entity in 1947
* In 1953, Congress authorized the building of the Academy. 580 sites considered but Colorado chosen because of unique setting, mountains and plains used for flight training. The first class graduating from here began training at a temporary site at Lowry AFB. Women are 20% of the student population, having first been admitted in 1976. 1400 students enter as freshmen but about 40% drop out (about 1,000 graduate each year).
* The Academy attempts to meet religious faiths of the 4,000 cadets within the Chapel: Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Native American, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, with an outdoor worship area for Earth Centered religions! Cadet attendance is no longer required at this $3 1/2 million Chapel with its 17 soaring 150' spires, built in 1963. --Mary Thompson
Some Key Points For Tour Guides: USAFA, Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum, & Michael Garman Museum/Gallery
U.S. Air Force Academy, Entrance to and exit from the Academy: North Entrance, Exit 156 off I-25.
* Cadet Noon Meal Formation viewing: Monday and Friday, 12 Noon, during academic year mid-August thru mid-May
* Pete Peterson, Public Relations Director, Cadet Chapel. Guides may be requested for Chapel. Access for tour coach: enter parking lot next to Chapel to accommodate handicapped visitors. No guarantee on availability. Handicapped access to Chapel at North End (opposite end from main entrance)
* Chapel Hours: M - Sat, 9 - 5, Su: 1 - 5. Worship/religious services are top priority, open to public. Chapel is open Christmas Eve & New Year's Eve and is closed Thanksgiving, Dec 25, Jan 1.
* Visitors Center open 9 - 5 daily and is closed Thanksgiving, Dec 24 - 25, 31 - Jan 1.
Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum Visitation: 10 am-4 pm, Tuesday - Saturday. Free; possible holiday closings.
* Museum Tours are available as well as tours in Bell Tower. The 1913 Otis Birdcage elevator fully functional and real treat!
The Michael Garman Museum & Gallery open 7 days/week. Check hours. Gallery Free, but real attraction: Magic Town
* Magic Town Adult admission: $7; age 65+: $5. Group of 6 or more: 25% discount; 10 or more: 50% discount.
* Guided Tour (10 min. intro and 20 min. tour) is additional $10 for up to 20 people.
--Larry Ralston