Join us on a Safari to the FAR OUT and DEEP UNDER in Hutchinson, KS.
The FAR OUT:The Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center. Our visit will include the Museum, a Planetarium Show, Dr. Goddard’s Lab, and a digital movie in the dome theater.
HALL OF SPACE MUSEUM: We will take a journey through the history of space travel and the Space Race. You will witness the world’s most significant collection of U.S. and Russian space artifacts that include the actual Apollo 13 command module, Liberty Bell 7 Mercury capsule, and a flown Vostok spacecraft. With a U.S. space artifact collection second only to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and the largest collection of Russian space artifacts outside of Moscow, the Hall of Space Museum is known by space enthusiasts worldwide.
The OASIS IN SPACE, a Planetarium Show: We will be transported on a startling and beautiful voyage through our universe, galaxy and solar system in search of liquid water, a key ingredient for life. DR. GODDARD’S LAB: We will get a first hand glimpse of the physics, victories and failures of mans’ first attempts at rocketry through an interactive demonstration, as well as original film footage.
LIVING IN THE AGE OF AIRPLANES, a Carey Digital Dome Movie: We will be reminded how the airplane has profoundly changed the world and our lives. Beautifully filmed in 18 countries, across all 7 continents, this film renews our appreciation for one of the most extraordinary and awe inspiring inventions in the modern world.
The DEEP UNDER: STRATACA The Kansas Underground Salt Museum. The Hutchinson Salt Member of the Permian Wellington Formation is one of the largest in the world. The extent of this bedded salt deposit is 27,000 square miles in central and south-central Kansas and is marginal to Permian Basin salt deposits in Oklahoma, the Texas Panhandle, and southeastern New Mexico that cover 100,000 square miles. The purest portion of the salt vein at this location is 650 feet underground and is still mined here today. Strataca has access to about 300,000 square feet of mined out area. Our visit will include a self paced tour through the Gallery, a 30 minute Dark Ride, and a 15 minute Train Ride. NOTE: Strataca does not allow children under the age of 4 to participate. Strataca is not handicap accessible.
Cost:Hotel:Â $89 per night plus tax. You are responsible for your own hotel reservations and fees. Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center: $15.27 per person ($25.07 per person if < 15 people). Strataca, Kansas Underground Salt Museum: $20.73 per person, or $13.63 for those age 4-12. Registration Fee: $5 per family or group of people that registers together.
Meals: The Comfort Inn provides breakfast. Everyone is on their own for snacks, lunch and dinner. There are several fast food & restaurant options in Hutchinson, or you can bring your own picnic meals. There is a two hour lunch break the day we are at the Cosmosphere. There are snack bar options on site or you will have time to go off site if desired. There are nice grassy areas to sit for a picnic. Transportation is not provided. Hutchinson is about an 8 hour drive east and south of Denver.
Schedule:
FRIDAY, September 4, at 7:00 p.m., we will gather in the breakfast room at the Comfort Inn for introductions, announcements, fellowship and snacks (provided).
SATURDAY, September 5, we will explore the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center.
SUNDAY, September 6, we will start the morning with a fellowship time around the Word of God and in the afternoon we will go underground to the Salt Museum, Strataca. Each evening we will gather for snacks and a space related video or presentation.
Questions: If you would like more information, please call Ed or Janie Johlman at 307-752-6488. You can also email them here.
Lodging:Comfort Inn and Suites, 1601 Super Plaza Avenue, Hutchinson, KS. Phone: 620-669-5200. We have a block of 8 rooms set aside, four with two queen beds and four with one king bed. You are responsible to make your own hotel reservations! Tell them you are requesting one of the rooms set aside for RMCF. You must make your reservations before August 17th. At that point they will release any unreserved rooms for other guests. The Comfort Inn serves hot breakfast with a good variety of choices. All rooms include microwave, refrigerator, flat panel TV, and high-speed internet access. Hotel amenities include indoor heated pool, whirlpool, fitness center, business center, and 24-hour guest laundry facilities. The hotel was recently renovated and looks to be very nice.
REGISTRATION: The venues we are going to require pre-payment for the purchase of tickets. Therefore Ed Johlman must receive payment for the tickets before August 15. If you are going to send your payment through the mail, it must arrive at the Johlman’s before August 10 or they will not get it. Ed will be at the RMCF meeting on August 14, 2015, and can accept registrations and payments BEFORE the meeting begins. (Checks should be made out to Ed Johlman.). Please email Janie Johlman @ [email protected] with the names and ages of everyone in your party, and the museums you plan to attend. Please calculate your total cost including the $5 registration (see Costs section above) and send payment to Ed Johlman, 211 South Ridge Court Parachute, CO 81635.
