Colorado

**//Colorado//**

By.TL
 * History and State Information**

Colorado is a very interesting state! Its nickname is the Centennial State. It applied for statehood in August 1, 1876. Colorado's state motto is " Nothing without Providence". Another interesting fact that I found about Colorado is that it was the 38th state to join the Union. The state flower is the Rocky Mountain Colombine, the state bird is the Lark Bunting and the state tree is the Colorado Blue Spruce.

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Colorado has a lot of rich history including the gold and silver rush of the 1800's. In 1682, Colorado was claimed by a French explorer. His name was Rene-Robert Calvier, Sinr De La. He claimed the state for the French. In 1869, the final military engagement between the white settlers and the plains Indians took place at Summit Springs, Colorado. After that in 1803 Colorado was part of the Louisiana Purchase. Then in 1851 the Army founded Fort Washington in the southern part of the state near the border of Utah. Finally, in 1858 the gold and silver rush began in Denver, Colorado. From this rush, many new towns started popping up all over the state. Some town names were Boulder, Carbondale, and Aspen.

The reason I chose Colorado as my state was that my family and I often go there to ski on many of the ski resort mountains that are there. The town we are going to be staying at is named Aspen. It was a small mining town but turned very prosperous when the silver rush hit. We will be skiing on Snowmass Mountain and Aspen Mountain. Also there will be many shops we will be shopping at as we walk around the town. We might also be going on a snowmobile ride and of course, we will also be doing a lot of skiing. There are four mountains to ski on withinin a five mile radius of each other. Also while we are there, the Women's World Cup will be racing on Aspen mountain. We will definitely check that out! These are some of the reasons why I chose Colorado as my state. vsnowworkers.com


 * ITINERARY**

Here is our itinerary of our trip to Aspen, Colorado. Our trip will take place from December 24th to December 29th, 2009. We will depart from Harrisburg, PA on Thursday, December 24th, 2009. Then we will fly to Dulles airport in Washington D.C. and change to a different plane to fly to Denver, Colorado. Finally, after we change planes in Denver, our last flight will go directly into Aspen and we will arrive at 12:30am.

[|www.zimbio.com/.../ 0V6lw9-sE0b/Reinfried+Herbst] **Day One:** **Friday, December 25th.** We are finally here! Today we will be getting our ski passes for the mountains, walk around town and do some shopping. Also, we will look around to see if there are any good places to eat and hang out. Finally, we will be eating at a fabulous sushi restraunt for dinner. Our whole family loves it!

Today we will be skiing at Aspen Mountain. It is only two blocks from our hotel which is called the Limelight Lodge. It is our first time saying there. After dinner we are going to watch the fireworks welcoming the World Cup ski racers.
 * Day Two: Saturday, December 26th.**

Today we will be skiing at Aspen Highlands which is located right outside of town. We will have to take the free ski bus from Aspen to Aspen Highlands. We might even hike the Highlands bowl if we have a few hours. Finally, we wrap up the day with dinner and some shopping around the town.
 * Day Three: Sunday, December 27th.**

Today we will be skiing at Buttermilk Mountain. It is also located right outside of town. Again, we will take the free skier bus. We can only ski in the morning because the Women's World Cup will be going on and we will want to watch the ski racing. The public is allowed to walk up the side of the hill to watch the lower part of the race. It is very steep and is hard to do. These skiers are from all over the world and it is exciting to watch!
 * Day Four: Monday, December 28th.**

We leave today. We will pack up our stuff and get a ride to the airport which is only 5 minutes away. Our plane leaves at 11:00am. There will be lots of baggage with our ski bags, boots and clothing.
 * Day Five: Tuesday, December 29th.**

[|book.hotelstravel.com/ hotel/10006932-11384218...] The hotel we are staying at is called the Limelight Lodge. It is located in the heart of Aspen, 5 minutes from the Aspen Valley Airport. The hotel's address is 355 S. Monarch St. Aspen, Colorado. Their phone number is 1-970-925-3025. They have a lot of amenities like two heated hotubs and one heated pool. Also, there is highspeed internet access, locked ski storage, and a tuning machine for skis and snowboards. They also have a heated underground parking lot right under the hotel. There is a beautiful view of the Independance Pass and also Mount Daly (one of Colorado 14teeners!) Right across the street from the hotel is a park. My room is called the Grand Deluxe Suite for $550.00 per night. It is located on the fourth floor of the hotel. My family and I will be staying there from December 24th through Decmber 29th, 2009. The best part about it is that there is a free Continental breakfast included. Also at the airport the Hotel will pick us up anddrop us off. Finally, they have a free skier shuttle to any of the four ski mountains. These are a few of the reasons why I picked the Limelight Lodge to stay at during my vacation at Aspen, Colorado.
 * HOTEL **[[image:http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:P3rVn5112kys3M:http://m.travelpn.com/images/aspen/hotel/0/082082/Exterior_F_1.jpg width="119" height="80" caption="See full size image" link="http://m.travelpn.com/images/aspen/hotel/0/082082/Exterior_F_1.jpg"]]

The Little Nell Address 675 E. Durant Ave. Phone# 888-843-6355 Aspen Colorado 81611 Rates-$4,400 Amenities-Close to slopes, onsite restraunt,Concierge, Ski Valet, Wifi, Outdoor heated pool and Hotube
 * Alternate Hotel**


 * Flight Plans**

Leaving from: Harrisburg International Airport, PA Departure Date: December 24, 2009 Departure Time: 1:00pm Airline: United Airlines Flight Numbers: B-2 Layovers: Dulles, Washington D.C., Denver, Colorado Length of trip (One way): 1:00pm - 12:30am Destination: Aspen, Colorado Miles Traveled 1,659
 * Departure Information -**

Return from: Aspen, Colorado Departure Date: December 29, 2009 Departure Time: 10:30 am Airline: United Airlines Flight Numbers: F-3 Layovers: Denver, Colorado, Dulles, Washington, D.C. Lentht of trip (One way): 10:30am - 8:30pm Destination: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Miles Traveled 1,595
 * Return Information -**
 * ESTIMATED COSTS:**

Hotel Cost (5 days) $2,750 Food $900 Entertainment $100 Shopping $200 Round Trip Air Fare $2,400 Miscellanous $200 Airport Parking $108 Lift Tickets $1,120

Total cost of trip to Colorado $7,778

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Facts,Colorado.com,2009.Web.10-11-09,www.Colorado.gov
 * Bibliograghy**

Facts,FactsAbout,2009.Web.10-11-09,www.Facts About.org

Facts,50 States,2009.Web.10-12-09,www.50 States.com

Hotel,Air Fare,2009.Web.12-15-09,www.Aspen Snowmass.com


 * Pre Trip Planning**

1. Put mail on hold 2. Put newspaper on hold 3. Arrange for dog sitter 4. Arrange for relative to feed cats once a day 5. Take Goldfish to relativess house 6. Do laundry so have clean cloths on trip 7. Clean out refrigerator of perishable items 8. Pack backpack for on plane 9.Charge DVD player for on plane 10.Pack Cloths, Skis + Poles

**Pictures of Aspen**

//__Click on pictures to enlarge!__//

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