Colorado Springs is at approx. 6,000' and higher to the North (Air Force Chapel is about 7,200'). Those with breathing and heart problems need to check with their doctor on any special needs. Pikes Peak is at 14,110' (one of the 54 'Fourteeners' in Colorado). The time at the top is less than an hour, and the amount of walking is pretty minimal.

High altitudes are dry. Often below 20% humidity. Drink water. Then drink some more. Recommended is about 8 glasses of water a day. This will help with dehydration as well as altitude sickness. A day with only a glass or two of water will usually yield achy muscles and a headache.

It is said in Colorado that if you don't like the weather, wait 15 minutes. In August it could be high of 50 to 90 and lows of 30 to 50. Wear layers. Take a sweater or light jacket for the evening. When the sun drops below the mountains (can easily be an hour before official sunset), the temperature can drop 15 degrees.

Sun block and a hat are very helpful. Higher altitudes provide less protection from UV light.

With attention to the above, everyone should have a great time. Lots to do (you have picked out some of the best), a large city (about 500,000 in the metro area), and right next to the mountains. Great City parks (including Garden of the Gods and actually Pikes Peak is a City park as well).

June 14, 2005 - Greetings to all Ikards, Ikerds, Family Members and Friends of the Family!

Perhaps you have heard that there is to be a gathering of the clan? Well, if so, that is correct. We are working feverishly to plan a wonderful four days in cool Colorado this summer. If you were in beautiful North Carolina last summer, you may be scratching your head and wondering why we aren't going to the Southwest. Not to worry, we are going to do that next year. We put the El Paso/Las Cruces trip on hold to give Mary Salopek a little time to recover from the loss of her beloved Tom "Yankee" Salopek. She is doing well and will be a driving force to help Bill Ikard and me to entertain you in the Southwest next year.

What is planned for this year is a great trip to Colorado Springs the last week in August. The dates are the 24th to the 28th. I realize that is getting close to school starting; however, as an educator for over 40 years and still working, children will get more out of this trip than what they will cover in the first few days of school.

I have selected the Sheraton Hotel of Colorado Springs for lodging and for the location of the banquet on Saturday evening. It is located in close proximity to some of our activities, near to shopping centers, and restaurants. The address is 2886 S. Circle Drive and only 7 miles from the airport. We need to arrive on Wednesday evening so we are ready to start a whirlwind of activities on Thursday morning.

Our first activity on Thursday will be a visit to the Chapel at the Air Force Academy around 9 A.M. It is located near an accessible gate, and I have been assured that with an ID, such as a driver's license, that there will be no trouble getting on the Base. (This is a free activity.)

From there, we will go to the Garden of the Gods. We should arrive around 11:00 A.M. For sure, we need to be there by 11:20 in order to see a short movie about rock formations in and around the Garden of the Gods. We will lunch there, and everyone will have time to shop the gift shop and enjoy the beauty of the Garden of the Gods.

Our next activity will be at 6:00 P.M. for an outing at the Flying W Ranch. This will be a real adventure! The Flying W is still a working rach and most of the food we will eat will have been grown on the premises. They serve up to 2,000 guests every evening! After dinner, you will be treated to ane xcellent show featuring Western singers and dancers.

Friday, we are off to see the Royal Gorge. There is a great deal to see there, so we will spend a great deal of the day in that area. There is a sky coaster ride over the Gorge, as well as rides to the floor of the gorge. Right outside the immediate area is Buskin Joe's, where they have hourly gunfights in the streets and an opportunity to see where many Western movies have been filmed.

Friday evening, you can have dinner on your own (there are two or three restaurants in the Sheraton, and there are other restaurants close by). Then...about dusk, we will go to the Seven Falls for a spectacular light show on the falls. If you want to go early, there are hiking trails, but at dusk we will be entertained by the light show on the water.

Saturday morning will find our group boarding the cog railroad for a trip to the top of Pike's Peak. This is beauty beyond belief! There are eight trains a day, with a 45-minute stay on the summit to enjoy the view and shop in the gift shop.

Saturday evening we will ahve our banquet in the Sheraton and spend our final evening together strengthening our strong family ties.

Sunday morning, we will bid our final farewells until we meet again in the El Paso/Las Cruces area over Memorial Day in May of 2006.

There are many other possibilities of things to do in Colorado Springs. There is a pottery factory, Cave of the Winds, just to mention a few. Some of you may opt to spend ome of your free time taking a little side trip to Cripple Creek and check out your luck in the casinos! We could actually stay a week and not see everything.

Please call the Sheraton to make your room reservation and be sure to identify yourself as part of the Ikard/Ikerd Family Reunion. They have discounted the room considerably; for sure, you will want the "Ikard/Ikerd" rate! The rooms are $89.00. The number to call is 1-800-981-4012.

I will purchase all tickets in advance, so you will need to let me know if you plan to participate in all the activities. Prices will be on the order form enclosed (see below). I will attempt to make this a memorable four days for you. What I need most of all is to know how many in your family will be coming. Please feel free to communicate with me any questions or concerns.

My info is as follows: Lanny Desautels, PO Box 371492 El Paso, Texas 79937. You can send a check for these events in advance or pay upon arrival. Also, please share this information with all family members not on the mailing list. Please E-mail me if you have any questions.

Return the following information if you are planning to attend, to Lanny at the above address:

Names of People Attending:

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

Events:

Air Force Academy Free Persons Attending _____

Garden of the Gods Free Persons Attending _____
Buffet Lunch $8.00/each # of persons eating _____

Flying W Ranch $19.50 per person (dinner and show)
# of persons attending _____

Royal Gorge Group Rates Adults $15.50/Children $12.50
Adult tickets______ Children tickets____

Seven Falls Light Show Group Rates Adults $8.50/Children $5.50
Adult tickets______ Children tickets____

Pike's Peak Group Rates Adults $28.00/Children $15.50
Adult tickets______ Children tickets____

Banquet Tickets at the Sheraton $27.00 Adult tickets______ Children tickets____

You can get information on Coloardo Springs at the following: Experience Colorado Springs

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