PAGE 52 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2011
Hearst Castle - Some 2500 miles away and several decades later, another American tycoon began building an equally extravagant mansion, this one a Spanish style extravaganza designed by renowned architect Julia Morgan. William Randolf Hearst, the mega media mogul, took 28 years to finish his estate in San Simeon, California. It included one main house, three guesthouses, two pools, several tennis courts, 127 acres of gardens, and a zoo that contained more than 300 animals including zebras, kangaroos, and yaks. (The zoo and one swimming pool have since been dismantled.) Many of Hollywood’s biggest stars visited regularly, especially during the holidays. Hearst had the house decorated lavishly during the Christmas season, with huge trees laden with handmade garlands, brilliant poinsettias, and
elaborate ornaments. Today, photos of Hearst’s holiday parties are used to recreate that festive atmosphere from mid-November through December. After Hearst’s death, the family gave the property to the State of California. It has since been deemed a State Historical Monument and is run by the Park Service, which has set up six different tours. I opt for the Evening Tour, when docents dress in period costumes and lights sparkle on the trees. The feeling is magical, and I can almost hear Bing Crosby crooning White Christmas. I feel as if — in more ways than one — I’m spending Christmas amongst the stars. Visit www.hearstcastle.org for more information. Reservations advised. MSN
Plan a Vacation to Remember... Call your Travel Agent Today! MOUNTAIN WESTOURS Ltd./AAA Your Montana AAA 800-391-4222 or 406-439-3375 A&B TOURS PO Box 2176 A&B Minot, ND TOURS 58702 PO Box 2176 701-852-8144 Minot, ND 58702 800-440-2690 701-852-8144 800-440-2690 ESCAPE TOURS P.O. BO AMTRACK 800-872-7245
ESCAPE TOURS P.O. BOX 3833 Missoula, MT 59806 406-240-8687
MISSOULA SENIOR CENTER 705 S. Higgins Missoula, MT 59801 406-543-7154
FLATHEAD TRAVEL 500 South Main, Kalispell, MT 59901 800-223-9380
RIMROCK STAGES 1302 West Towne Ave Glendive MT 59330 406-365-2600
LAIRD LEISURE TRAVEL 1106 9th St S Great Falls, MT 59405 406-761-9700 866-967-9700
SATROM TOURS 561 South 7th Street Bismarck, ND 58504 800-833-8787
DECEMBER 2011 Twin Cities Christmas Satrom Travel & Tour
Jan 28Feb 4
1-4
New York City Theatre Satrom Travel & Tour
10-18
Quilt Barn Trail Missoula Senior Center
2-4
Old Fashioned Holidays Escape Tours
Oct 31Nov 12
Christmas in Branson Laird Travel
4-8
8-13
NOVEMBER 2011 Explore Branson Mountain Westours/AAA
Dec 29- California Dreamin’ Jan 9 Laird Travel
11-22
Great Parks of Kenya Laird Travel
14-17
20-28
Branson A & B Tours
Oct 8
OCTOBER 2011 Oktoberfest, Whitefish Missoula Senior Center
Oct 21Nov 6
Copper Canyon Laird Travel
Oct 26
Nov 29- Victorian Christmas Dec 5 Laird Travel
1-4
Cruising with the King! Satrom Travel & Tour FEBRUARY 2012 7-Day E Caribbean Cruise Satrom Travel & Tour
11-19
7-Day W. Caribbean Cruise Satrom Travel & Tour
14-21
All-inclusive Cabo, Mexico Flathead Travel
JANUARY 2012 Golf Getaway (Air Tour) Satrom Travel & Tour
Feb 25Mar 3
E Caribbean Cruise Missoula Sr Center
28
Beauty & The Beast Spokane Broadway (1nt) Flathead Travel
20-31
MARCH 2012 Italy - International Flathead Travel
28-29
Beauty & The Beast Escape Tours
5-12
MAY 2012 St Louis/Nashville/TN Flathead Travel
New York City Holiday Flathead Travel/Summit Club
A wise
14-15
person knows when to
17-21
go home from the party...
In the Heights Escape Tours JUNE 2012 Mary Poppins Broadway Spokane Flathead Travel
12-14
Mary Poppins Escape Tours
17-21
Sail/Rail New England Flathead Travel
AUGUST 2012 Aug 29- Small Ship Alaska Sept 6 Flathead Travel 9-16
SEPTEMBER 2012 Yosemite & Sequoia Mntn Westours/AAA