Dinosaur Digs, Gushing
Geysers & Towering Teton:
A Family Adventure with Pacific Science Center!
July 13-19, 2008
We are sorry to announce that this trip has been cancelled.
If you would be interested in joining us on a similar trip
in the future,
please let us know by sending an email to travel@pacsci.org
or call (206)443-3642.
Join Pacific Science Center and
Earthbound Expeditions for the ultimate family adventure!
On this trip, we will travel to some of our nation's
favorite National Parks and Monuments in search of ancient
marine fossils, dinosaur bones, and natural discovery. This
trip has something for everyone in the family! Highlights
include digging for fossils in Utah's Fossil Butte National
Monument, a day excavating dinosaur bones at the Wyoming
Dinosaur Center, rafting through Grand Teton National Park,
and a few days exploring Yellowstone - our nation's first
national park!
Update: We are very excited to announce
that Dennis Schatz, Vice President for Education, will be
Pacific Science Center's host for this trip. Among his many
accomplishments, Dennis is the author of several books and
activity kits on dinosaurs including: Totally Dinosaurs;
Uncover a T-Rex: An Uncover It Book; and Fossil Detective:
Tyrannosaurus Rex. With over thirty years at Pacific
Science Center, Dennis brings a wealth of knowledge about
dinosaurs and inquiry-based learning to this trip.
Your Journey
- 1 Night Salt Lake / Thanksgiving Point
- 1 Night Thermopolis
- 2 Nights Jackson Hole
- 2 Nights Yellowstone National Park
- Hosted by Pacific Science Center
• Fully guided by an Earthbound Expeditions program director
• Six nights accommodation (all rooms with private bath)
• All breakfasts, three lunches and four dinners
• Park entrances as listed in your itinerary
• A half day tour with a specialist at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center
• Transport by private, air conditioned motor coach
• A scenic raft trip through the Grand Tetons
- 6 Nights / 7 Days
- $1,975 per adult in a double room (land only)
- $300 single supplement, waived if you are willing to share
- Kids save 10%
- Air travel is not included, but will run approximately $375 per passenger
* Note: Participation on this trip is a benefit of membership with Pacific Science Center. If you are not currently a member, please enclose a separate check with your membership contribution with your trip deposit.
Your Adventure Begins...
Day 1: Depart Seattle For the Land of Dinosaurs... Utah! Dinosnorzzz After arriving in Salt Lake, we drive 40 minutes south to the Museum of Ancient Life. Tonight's activities: Sleep under the belly of a Brachiosaurus or the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex, tour exhibits, watch a movie, participate in a series of paleontology classes, and enjoy snacks, breakfast, and other activities. NOTE: The sleep over is available to larger groups. If not available, we will visit the Museum of Ancient Life and sleep at a conveniently located hotel.
Day 2: Fossil Butte National Monument This morning we drive north approximately 180 miles north to Fossil Butte National Monument. Orientation and time for kids and adults to dig up some truly awesome marine fossils. Tour digs, lunch and drive to the Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis. Sleep in Thermopolis.
Day 3: A Morning at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center The Wyoming Dinosaur Center has 12,000 square feet of exhibition area. Fossils and life forms from earliest geologic time periods are displayed in a chronological perspective. There are over 200 displays throughout the museum. The central hall houses dozens of full-size mounted skeletons, including over 20 dinosaurs! Kids are parents will have plenty of time to discover, collect, and document Jurassic dinosaur fossils with technicians of the Wyoming Dinosaur Center. After a 15-minute van trip to the dig site, you are introduced to the dig sites and activities, fossil stabilization and excavation, quarry mapping, and documentation. Experienced staff is on hand to answer questions and provide assistance.
After lunch, we'll drive west approximately 225 miles to the town of Jackson Hole and the towering Grand Tetons. Sleep in Jackson Hole
Day 4: River Rafting in the Grand Tetons Breathtaking Views! With the magnificent snowcapped Teton Range as your backdrop, your professional guide will treat you to an experience that you will remember for a lifetime. This 13 mile stretch of the Snake River takes about three hours and is without a doubt one of Wyoming's finest. Don't forget your camera! The morning and afternoon float trips includes a delicious deli lunch. Note: For those wishing an afternoon horseback riding trip may be arranged. Sleep in Jackson Hole
Day 5: Gushing Geysers in Yellowstone Yellowstone is the Nation's first national park, and was established as the world's first National Park on March 1, 1872. One of the largest national parks, Yellowstone is larger than Rhode Island and Delaware combined. Yellowstone is so large that it resides in three different states. While traveling through Yellowstone you are sure to cross the Continental Divide a few times. Sleep in Yellow Stone National Park region.
Day 6: A Full Day of Discovery After a hearty breakfast, spend the day exploring America's National Treasure, Yellowstone Park. Gushing geysers, wild buffalo and towering mountain peaks are on today's agenda. Sleep in Yellow Stone National Park region.
Day 7: The Buffalo Bill Historical Center The Buffalo Bill Historical Center is widely regarded as America's finest Western museum which features five internationally acclaimed museums. Founded in 1917 as the Buffalo Bill Memorial Association, the Buffalo Bill Historical Center consists of: Whitney Gallery of Western Art , Buffalo Bill Museum, Plains Indian Museum, Cody Firearms Museum, Draper Museum of Natural History and Harold McCracken Research Library. After our tour, we'll have lunch and depart Cody to return to Seattle.
About the Wyoming Dinosaur Center
In 1993, the first dinosaur fossils were discovered in a thick mudstone layer on the Warm Springs Ranch. Many locations have since been identified. Excavation work at our two main quarries has yielded well-preserved sauropod material (Camarasaurus and Diplodocus).