National Parks & Lodges of the Old West
June 25 - July 3, 2020

National Parks & Lodges of the Old West

(This tour has been postponed.) Inspiration, a connection to the past, and nature's beauty are the gifts of this 10-day American expedition. Trace the historic paths and natural splendors of the Old West. See and learn about the storied sights and monuments of Badlands National Park, Custer State Park, Spearfish Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, and Grand Teton National Park. Witness bison herds, savor a chuck wagon cook-out, see Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial, visit a wooly mammoth dig site, and, at the volcanically active caldera of Yellowstone, observe otherworldly geothermal sites. Wonderfully atmospheric hotels and lodges are a highlight of this program, including landmark lodging within the parks themselves. Traveling comfortably in a private motor coach, there is no better way to see our national parks.

Faculty Host

Alain Plante

Alain Plante is a Professor in the Department of Earth & Environmental Science, where he has taught since 2007. He currently serves as Undergraduate Chair in the department and as the Faculty Director of the University Scholars program at the University’s Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (CURF). Plante is a soil scientist by training and studies how organic matter decomposition in soil affects the global carbon cycle. His current research focuses on using biological, chemical, and thermal methods to distinguish between characterized soil organic matter, and to distinguish between carbon derived from decomposition compared to fire-derived or coal carbon. Plante has worked at study sites in Mongolia, Puerto Rico, New Zealand, West Africa, and across the U.S. and Europe. He teaches courses in introductory environmental science, soil science, biogeochemistry, environmental sustainability, and the Anthropocene. Plante holds a B.Sc.(Eng.) in Environmental Engineering and an M.Sc. in Soil Science from the University of Guelph (Canada), and a Ph.D. in Soil Science from the University of Alberta (Canada).

As of March 13, 2020, Penn faculty and staff members are prohibited from participating in University-related travel. We will confirm the faculty host’s participation in the tour upon receiving updated policy information from the University.

Staff Host

Janell Wiseley

Janell Wiseley is the Program Coordinator of Penn Alumni Education, Travel, and Career Networking. She has been with the Alumni Relations Office at Penn for eighteen years and with Penn Alumni Education, Travel, and Career Networking for thirteen years. Her love of travel started on a trip to Paris as part of an Art History course in college and has continued to grow. Janell has hosted trips all over Western Europe, Greece & Turkey, the Baltic States, Alaska, the Canadian Rockies, the Galapagos Islands, and most recently Northern Italy. This will Janell’s Thirteenth trip with Penn Alumni Travel and she is looking forward to exploring new places with Penn alumni and friends in 2020.

As of March 13, 2020, Penn faculty and staff members are prohibited from participating in University-related travel. We will confirm the staff host’s participation in the tour upon receiving updated policy information from the University.
ITINERARY

Day 1 Arrive in Rapid City, SD
Day 2 Badlands National Park / Custer State Park
Day 3 Custer State Park / Hot Springs
Day 4 Mount Rushmore
Day 5 Ranch at Ucross / Cody, WY
Day 6 Cody / Yellowstone National Park
Day 7 Yellowstone National Park
Day 8 Grand Teton National Park / Jackson
Day 9 Jackson
Day 10 Depart Jackson
Optional Post-Tour: Jackson

For detailed weather information as your departure date approaches, we suggest you consult http://www.weather.com/.