According to its catalog, "Elderhostel is ... the world's largest education and travel organization for adults 55 and over." Founded in 1975, it offers more than 10,000 learning adventures each year in more than 90 countries and as a not-for-profit organization, provides educational opportunities at reasonable rates.
After 13 years of participation in Elderhostel programs, I think of them as "a second childhood - even more carefree than the first." As a child, I took it for granted that when I was hungry, someone would feed me; when I was lonely, someone would be there to play with; and every day would be filled with new and exciting things to enjoy.
Today, much older and a bit wiser, I no longer take such simple joys for granted and I'm grateful for Elderhostel activities that include golf, skiing, hiking, kayaking and biking instruction as well as a variety of subjects ranging from poetry and art to identifying animal tracks, trees and bushes in snow-covered forests.
At 73, I've participated in 35 active Elderhostel programs and 20 involved downhill skiing at the Sunday River Ski Area in Maine. Unlike previous years, however, programs are now held at the Bethel Inn instead of the Sunday River Inn.
On Sunday, Jan. 21, I headed north for my first ski week this year, wondering how much of the Sunday River Ski Area would be open, afraid I'd find more ice than snow on the mountain.
As usual, my fears were in vain because Sunday River has an impressive snowmaking and grooming system and Monday morning warm-up runs on South Ridge lifted my spirits. A few minutes later, I was in a ski class with Peter while others skied with Mary Ellen, Mike and Karen.
Instructors led us to the sunniest areas on cold mornings and sheltered trails when winds were strong. We skied with them for two hours each morning and another hour on our own before catching the free shuttle bus back to the Bethel Inn for lunch. Our ski tickets covered morning skiing only - usually more than enough for me - but some opted for all-day skiing, arriving back at the inn later in the day.
From Monday through Thursday, my usual routine after morning skiing was lunch, a shower and afternoon activities that included shooting pool in the Bethel Inn Tavern and a guided tour of the mountain's snowmaking equipment at the base of Barker Mountain.
After 13 years of participation in Elderhostel programs, I think of them as "a second childhood - even more carefree than the first." As a child, I took it for granted that when I was hungry, someone would feed me; when I was lonely, someone would be there to play with; and every day would be filled with new and exciting things to enjoy.
Today, much older and a bit wiser, I no longer take such simple joys for granted and I'm grateful for Elderhostel activities that include golf, skiing, hiking, kayaking and biking instruction as well as a variety of subjects ranging from poetry and art to identifying animal tracks, trees and bushes in snow-covered forests.
At 73, I've participated in 35 active Elderhostel programs and 20 involved downhill skiing at the Sunday River Ski Area in Maine. Unlike previous years, however, programs are now held at the Bethel Inn instead of the Sunday River Inn.
On Sunday, Jan. 21, I headed north for my first ski week this year, wondering how much of the Sunday River Ski Area would be open, afraid I'd find more ice than snow on the mountain.
As usual, my fears were in vain because Sunday River has an impressive snowmaking and grooming system and Monday morning warm-up runs on South Ridge lifted my spirits. A few minutes later, I was in a ski class with Peter while others skied with Mary Ellen, Mike and Karen.
Instructors led us to the sunniest areas on cold mornings and sheltered trails when winds were strong. We skied with them for two hours each morning and another hour on our own before catching the free shuttle bus back to the Bethel Inn for lunch. Our ski tickets covered morning skiing only - usually more than enough for me - but some opted for all-day skiing, arriving back at the inn later in the day.
From Monday through Thursday, my usual routine after morning skiing was lunch, a shower and afternoon activities that included shooting pool in the Bethel Inn Tavern and a guided tour of the mountain's snowmaking equipment at the base of Barker Mountain.
In the evenings, we enjoyed musical sessions with Frank Gotwals, a lobsterman from Stonington, Maine, who writes his own songs and plays a variety of guitars. I bought one of Frank's cassettes with a song, "Unfamiliar Sea," about changes in the fishing industry when "Time ... changed the canvas sails into the diesels' song" and the "high courts" of the land left the captain looking "for guidance on an unfamiliar sea." ("Unfamiliar Sea," Frank Gotwals, F&D; Records, RFD 1, Box 964, Stonington, Maine 04681)
My second week at Sunday River began on Feb. 11 and a few days later, almost 3 feet of powder snow fell in a Valentine's Day storm that brought rain, snow and ice to Cape Ann. It was cold on the mountain on Monday and Tuesday, but I was dressed for it and enjoyed the skiing.
On Wednesday morning we skied in powder conditions with Mary Ellen, our instructor. It took me all morning to get used to it, but I enjoyed it.
On Thursday morning, after one run on partially groomed, windblown slopes, I called it a day and when Friday turned out just as windy, decided to head for home.
My final ski Eldershostel week was for women only and included yoga, tai chi, massage, a visit to an alpaca farm and a spinning class, in addition to skiing classes.
Because of a Thursday evening snowstorm that lasted 24 hours, I spent an extra night at the Bethel Inn and left for home on Saturday morning, March 3.
One of the many things I enjoy about Elderhostel programs is the people. Phil has been skiing for 75 years and married for 65 years to Emily, a renowned harpist who played for us one evening.
I met Toosie last fall at a hiking, biking and kayaking Elderhostel program at Acadia National Park and we skied in the same class.
David snapped a photo of our group at the top of Jordan Bowl with Mount Washington barely visible in the distance behind us and gave us a copy the next day.
Connie taught us how to play professional-class Scrabble, using words we never knew existed. Judi came from Kansas to ski cross-country trails and Charlene looked for moguls all week, but the long-distance travel record went to Shireen, who flew from England to ski for two weeks in January.
If you enjoy sharing a variety of activities with fascinating people, you'll love Elderhostel programs. Check out the Web site at www.elderhostel.org or call 877-426-8056 to receive free catalogs.
Eileen Ford is a retired police officer who lives in Rockport.
