10 = THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
COVER STORY
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN * 11
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2002
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9
bumper boats and miniature golf sites that can be found on and off the main strip highway 76. It takes about five hours to drive to Branson from Lawrence.
According to Amber Sims, Branson sophomore, who attended Branson High School and is a singing waitress at the Hard Luck Diner, there's not really much in terms of party places.
"There's this one place, Planet Branson, that is kind of cool," Sims said. "People just go there and hang out and listen to local bands."
Sims has lived in Branson for nineteen years, and said that she and her friends usually had a great time just going to the movies.
— Julie Carey
Buena Vista, Colorado
The hardest part about making a trip to Buena Vista, Colo.. might be choosing from the vast array of things to do upon arrival. Warning: Recreation here does not center around bikinis or bars, shopping or sightseeing. Well, at least not sightseeing in the traditional sense.
Buena Vista, a small town with a population of about 2,500, lies in the Arkansas River Valley, approximately 90 miles west
of Colorado Springs and 140 miles southwest of Denver. A ten-hour drive from Lawrence, the town is located at the foot of a section of the Rocky Mountains known as the Collegiate Peaks, which include some of the tallest mountains in the state topping 14,000 feet. In the summer, these mountains provide a wealth of opportunities for hiking, rock climbing mountain biking and camping. In the winter, visitors often grab a pair of snowshoes and hit the mountain or join an outfitter group to rent snow mobiles.
While skiing is not available in Buena Vista itself, the town is located within one to one-and-a-half hours of the best ski resorts in Colorado, including Cooper, Vail, Keystone and Breckenridge. The advantage to staying in Buena Vista, and what makes the longer drive to the resorts worth it, is that the town and surrounding area offer affordable lodging and a number of things to do once you're home and tuckered out from skiing.
Two of Colorado's famous natural hot springs are near Buena Vista: Cottonwood (five-and-a-half miles from the town) and Mount Princeton (13 miles), which charge $10 and $6 per person to swim in the pools. Student-friendly night life can be found about 20 miles south in Salida, which has a variety of good bars and excellent food.
"For someone who wants to experience the Rockies, Buena Vista is an excellent place to start," said Darren McCarter, St. Joseph, Mo., sophomore. "You're a relatively close drive to any destination or activity."
In the summer, white water rafting on the Arkansas River is one of the area's main attractions, and there are plenty of outfitters located along the headwaters (some of the better companies: Four Corners, American Adventure Expeditions, and Noah's Ark). The quality of the rafting is entirely dependent on the level of the river, which gets all of its water from the snow melt of the surrounding mountains. Because the area experienced a drought during the last two years, the river level has been abnormally low. While this makes for less-than-ideal white water rafting, it has also meant lower prices for everything from rafting to lift tickets to ski gear. This winter could be one of the best opportunities for an affordable excursion to the Rockies.
And if you can't make it out there this winter, summer is an equally wonderful time to be in Buena Vista.
It's where McCarter decided to spend his last week of summer before school started in August.
"The Collegiate Peaks are, in my opinion, unmatched in their enjoyable hiking
and climbing," McCarter said. "The views from the mountain summits are spectacular."
— Kate Sullivan
Chicago
Chicago ... that other Midwestern metropolis, known for its blue collar population and once glorious, now pitiful, sports teams. Much more can be said for this city of nearly three million people. Filled with eclectic eateries and marvelous museums, the Windy City is a destination worth venturing to if you love the sights and sounds of city life.
Although Vanguard Airlines, a Kansas City-based airline and popular means to travel to Chicago, may have gone under, do not despair. There are still many affordable rates from KCI to Midway for about $100. If staying on the ground is more your style, Amtrak has the "Southwest Chief" route that runs from downtown Kansas City, Mo., to downtown Chicago for about $100. And, as always, there is the road trip option. At about 530 miles or eight hours, according to mapquest.com, Chicago could be a worthwhile adventure if one has the time over break, for example.
The most commonly known destina-
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
MONDAYS & TUESDAYS KU STUDENT ID NIGHTS SHOW VALID ID AND AND RECEIVE 15% OFF OF ENTIRE TICKET OF $10.00 OR MORE (23rd St. Location only does not include carryout) MIGUEL'S LA FAMILIA 2223 LOUISIANA ST. @ THE LOUISEANA PURCHASE MALL 749-5505