University of Arkansas at Monticello

 June 19 - June 29, 2010

We will gather in Salt Lake City and spend the first day of our adventure exploring world-famous Temple Square and Golden Spike National Historic Site, where the legendary transcontinental railroad was completed. A trip to Antelope Island State Park will provide an opportunity see a variety of wildlife and take a swim (a float?) in the Great Salt Lake. After a second night in Salt Lake City, we strike out for Fossil Butte National Monument to see what southwest Wyoming was like 50 million years ago when the Rocky Mountains were beginning to be uplifted. After leaving the Eocene age fossil beds, we continue on to the tourist mecca of Jackson, Wyoming, where we will spend our third night within walking distance of the town square and its dazzling array of shops and restaurants. The next morning we pass through Grand Teton National Park, which boasts the most famous "skyline" in North America, and arrive in Yellowstone National Park. We will stay four nights in the colorful little town of West Yellowstone at the west entrance to the park, which will allow us to spend one day visiting the incredible array of geothermal features (including, of course, Old Faithful) along the Firehole River; a second day mingling with herds of bison and elk  in the Hayden Valley and enjoying the extraordinary vistas of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River; and a third day exploring Mammoth Springs and Fort Yellowstone. Then it’s off to Quake Lake and Craters of the Moon National Monument, one of the most remarkable volcanic landscapes on the continent. After a night in Hailey, Idaho, we visit Shoshone Falls State Park on the Snake River then push on to West Wendover, Nevada, in the heart of the Great Salt Desert. Our final day of exploration includes a 54-mile loop on primitive roads through the Silver Island Mountains and a visit to the world renowned Bonneville Salt Flats, where we hope to try our luck setting a new land speed record in the category of "Overloaded Mini-Vans." Our last night will have us back in Salt Lake City to wrap up the trip and prepare to fly out to wherever home is on the next day.

COST:$1495.00 plus tuition ($342.00 per 3 hour undergraduate course, $495.00 per 3 hour graduate course) and airfare to Salt Lake City, UT. This price covers ground transportation, lodging, meal allowance, entry fees. Non-Arkansas residents (except those from Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Tennessee) may have to pay an out-of-state fee of $417.00 per undergraduate course and $597.00 per graduate course. UAM does have a limited number of non-resident scholarships available to cover the out-of-state fee. The $1495.00 figure is based on estimates related to the cost of lodging, meals, mini-van rental fees, fuel costs, and entry fees. We are hoping to be able to reduce this cost, but during these unstable economic times it is hard to know what will be going on 6 months from now.

Important Note to In-Service Teachers: These courses qualify for "No Child Left Behind" funds from your school district or educational cooperative.

Undergraduates should check with the Financial Aid Office, Room 300, Harris Hall - 870-460-1050 about assistance.

             
    Lamar Valley Bison        Lower Falls                 Salt Lake City                            Great Salt Lake                         Teton Mountains                Craters of the Moon NM               Moose

UNDERGRADUATE COURSES

ESCI 358V Natural History - 3 hours credit. Field course in geology.

GEOG 354V Field Course - 3 hours credit. Field course to selected region.

HIST 348V Field Course - 3 hours credit. Field course to selected historic sites.

ITINERARY  (under construction)

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