ELDERHOSTEL SITE INFORMATION: HUNTSVILLE, AL

We are delighted that you have chosen to participate in an Auburn University sponsored Elderhostel program at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama! More detailed information about specific programs may be obtained by selecting the particular program from the Program Information section.

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LODGING | MEALS | TRAVEL | CLIMATE | WHAT TO BRING | GENERAL INFORMATION

Lodging Information

Hampton Inn University
4815 University Drive
Huntsville, AL 35816 USA
phone: 256-830-9400
web: www.hamptoninn.com

PROGRAM ON-SITE REGISTRATION AND CHECK-OUT

•Please come to the registration desk in the lobby of the hotel to determine where the Elderhostel registration has been assigned. Program registration will be held from 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the hotel.
•At the program registration, you will receive your Elderhostel packets, name tags, schedule, etc. A “Getting to Know You” session and dinner will precede an orientation and welcome to the program, which will be followed by Flight Suit Issue on that first evening.
•The program will conclude after breakfast and a short morning session which will probably be concluded by 10:00 a.m. We have found that most participants are very anxious to get on the road on the last day of a program, so we’ll start early and finish early!

Hotel Check-in/Check-out:

• Hotel check-in time is at 2:00 p.m. If a vacant room is available, however, you may be able to check in at an earlier time.
• Hotel check-out time is 12:00 p.m. (Most programs conclude after breakfast and a short class/activity on the last day).
• To arrange to stay the night before the program, or to stay an extra night at the Elderhostel rate, please call: Reservations @ 256-830-9400. Identify yourself as being part of the Elderhostel program. If there are rooms available, they should honor your request.

ABOUT THE HAMPTON INN UNIVERSITY AND PARKING

Hotel and Room Amenities:

• Hotel provides: In-room coffee, iron/board, hair-dryer, free high speed internet access and lap desk, microwave and refrigerator, and free cable TV with HBO and Cinemax. Hotel has courtyard with outdoor heated pool and outdoor heated jacuzzi. Lobby area of hotel has free wireless internet and serves freshly baked cookies Monday-Thursday evenings. Besides the traditional hot and cold selections for breakfast, guests can also get an "On The Go" breakfast bag if needed. A new fitness facility will be in place by 2007. (Hotel is not pet-friendly)
• Hotel is conveniently located next to Madison Square Mall.
• There is no charge to park at the hotel.

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Meals Information

• Continental Breakfast @ hotel
• Most lunches and one dinner @ U.S.S.R.C.
• Other dinners @ nearby restaurant

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Travel Information

TRAVELING BY AIR

We recommend that you to fly to Huntsville International Airport.
Both a commercial shuttle and taxi service are available from the airport.
Call American Cab (256) 534-5000 or Airport Shuttle (256) 772-0186 to check schedule, rates, and/or make reservations.

TRAVELING BY CAR

Atlanta, GA (East) Take I-75 North to Hwy 24 West (towards Nashville). Go approximately 35 miles. Exit on South Pittsburgh Exit That should be Hwy 72. Want 72 West. From 72 West - Take I-565 Take Exit 19B which is Pratt Avenue Turn Right and go 4 miles on University Drive. Hotel will be on the left, immediately past Wynn Drive intersection.

Birmingham, AL (South) Take I-65 North to I-565 East (exit #340). Take I-565 East to Exit #14 (Research Park Blvd.) Take Research Park Blvd. to Hwy 72 East/University Drive. Hotel is located 1/2 mile on the right

Jackson, MS (West) Take I-20 East to I-65 North. Take I-65 North to I-565 (#exit 340) Take I-565 Est to Exit #14 (Research Park Blvd.) Take Researach Park Blvd. to Hwy 72 East/University Drive. Hotel is located 1/2 mile on the right.

Nashville, TN (North) Take I-65 South . Take Hwy 72 East to Huntsville (approx. 18 miles) Hwy 72 East becomes University Drive. Hotel is located on the right

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Climate Information

More information coming soon.

Month	Average High	Average Low	Mean	Average Precipitation
January	49◦F	31◦F	40◦F	5.52 in.
February	55◦F	34◦F	44◦F	4.95 in.
March	63◦F	41◦F	52◦F	6.68 in.
April	72◦F	48◦F	60◦F	4.54 in.
May	80◦F	57◦F	69◦F	5.24 in.
June	87◦F	65◦F	76◦F	4.22 in.
July	89◦F	70◦F	80◦F	4.40 in.
August	89◦F	68◦F	79◦F	3.32 in.
September	83◦F	62◦F	72◦F	4.29 in.
October	73◦F	50◦F	61◦F	3.54 in.
November	62◦F	41◦F	51◦F	5.22 in.
December	52◦F	34◦F	43◦F	5.59 in.

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What to Bring

•A layered wardrobe works best, with a jacket for being out of doors.
•Formal dress clothing is not required for any activity, but some like to make the final night a bit “dressier”.
•The hotel has a heated outdoor pool and fitness facility, so plan accordingly.
•Comfortable walking shoes
•Something to wear under the flight suit is recommended. (Bonnie wears biking shorts/tee shirt)
•A belt to possibly use with flight suit.
•Notebook pad and pen
•Medications
•Camera, film, batteries, battery chargers, etc.
•Flashlight (for emergencies)

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General Information

•The schedule is not “set in stone”, but we are planning on having some incredible speakers, and we are trying to arrange a visit to the Marshall Space Flight Center, which has been closed to the public since September 11th. As you might imagine, the security is still extremely “tight”. For this POSSIBLE activity, please bring a picture ID, eg: a driver’s license, or if you are a non-U.S. citizen, you will need to bring a passport. Please notify Bonnie Stauffer, 334-844-3109, if you are a non-U.S. citizen.
•The Space Center has told us that we will be able to wear cotton a “flight suit” while we are participating in the space mission programs. We suggest you bring a pair of shorts and a tee-shirt to wear under the flight suit, which we will be wearing for 2 ½ days. If you elect to wear the flight suit (which I hope you will for the great photo opportunities), you’ll still need to bring a warm jacket as we will be outside to view the actual/real rockets at Rocket Park. Most of the classes are indoors, but what is a comfortable indoor temperature for one person is not for another, so I recommend you bring clothing that you can “layer”.
• Please return the three forms that are relevant to this program by January 31, 2007.
(Forms: Health and Emergency Information, Hold Harmless/Informed Consent Agreement, Flight Suit Sizes)

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