Here’s hoping you can find a happy medium in the future. Love your blog and wish it had been around when I was a kid back in ’70s and ’80s. (And I mean the above criticism in a constructive way. I really hope you can combine business and science and inspire people along the way.)

You did give Sue and I a great idea however!

There are also more low-impact activities, like fishing, swimming, hot tubbing, horseshoes, shuffleboard, bocci, and an indoor game room with billiards, table tennis and such. I strongly recommend you go to the ranch’s website at clazyu.com and poke around to find out all that’s available.

We did not design this vacation to be like a con – there are plenty of those already. We wanted to bridge the gap between listening to people talk about science and actually experiencing it in a natural setting. We think this will be a vacation that most people can enjoy tremendously, regardless of age or ability. We are going to do everything in our power to accommodate those with physical limitations to make sure everyone gets their money’s worth.

Honestly, if you know you don’t like being outdoors, this is probably not the vacation for you. However, if you’ve never had a vacation that forces you out of doors and are in fair physical condition, we think you’ll be surprised by how invigorating the breathtaking views and clean, crisp air will be.

Also the ranch holds 70 guests. You mention 3 scientists. So the ratios for nature walks, lecture, etc. will be 3:70? Or perhaps 1:70? How will mobility impaired guests fare?

So This Is What A Scientist Looks Like:

http://lookslikescience.tumblr.com/

For those who are interested in viewing Graybill’s bristle cone trees used in Michael Mann’s tree ring analysis of Earth’s temperature history, we have a very special offer.

After an exciting evening of viewing the stars and planets, you can depart the next day for an actual scientific field trip. After only a three hour drive and a mild hike, you will have the chance to photograph the actual trees which were sampled.

Most of the trees have metal identification plates and you can even view the holes where the samples were obtained.

But best of all, you will be able to evaluate the trees for yourself and prove how stupid those denialists are!

Nice idea Phil, but way too expensive for most people. Perhaps I can offer an alternative if we coordinate together.

Phil, you got me all excited and I wanted to make reservations, until I saw the price.

How about I invite people to a star party at my 1.6 acre home in Fort Collins with dark skies and not a single street light around? Heck, I am about the only one on the street that does not have horses, so even those could be arranged with the help of my neighbors.

My back yard:

http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u373/shunt01/IMG_3829.jpg

Fort Collins has fantastic restaurants and motels available at very reasonable rates. If food and lodging costs you more than $100 per day, then you are doing something wrong.

Mountains are only three miles away from my home and the view is fantastic. With my 10″ Meade and 8″ Celestron computerized telescopes, everyone could have an enjoyable evening viewing our clear Colorado skies.

Heck, if we pool enough money together, we may even be able to bribe Phil to attend!

FWIW, my interest in science has gone up since becoming PADI OW certified. Now all my vacations include at least a boat dive and some shore dives.

Since you’re in Colorado, you should give Steve Spangler a call – he’s a family-event oriented kind of guy…

A must read. And very interesting!

We visited the ranch, and we know the quality of the accommodations and food is superior to what you’d get on an average cruise or any similarly priced hotel in a destination city. The range and quality of the activities are superior as well, and they’re not an expensive add-on like cruise excursions.

The cost for two people, including tax and service charge, is about $3500 total for five days/four nights at the ranch. For all this, plus the science events we’re adding, this is a very reasonable rate. We’re excited to offer this kind of experience to fellow science lovers.

Was Mitt Romney the financial advisor?