2010 RMS-AAPG Meeting

Special, Social and Guest Activities

on this page:
Special Events
Social Events
Registered Guest Events
Durango was founded in 1880 as a railroad hub between the gold and silver mines in the mountains and the coal mines bordering the San Juan Basin. The early city benefitted from this confluence of resources through the Durango ore smelter. Today Durango retains a small-town ambiance with a Victorian flavor in architecture. Locals and visitors alike enjoy a variety of year-round outdoor activities. During your stay in our area you can participate in our social and guest activities (listed below), or strike out on your own to float, fish, bike, hike, take a jeep tour, go horseback riding, visit archeology sites, play golf or visit the art galleries.


Special Events

Opening Ceremony and Awards

Date: Sunday June 13, 4:00p.m.-5:00p.m.
 
The Opening Session will include remarks from the Rocky Mountain Section President (Tom Ann Casey), the General Co-Chairs for this 59th Annual Rocky Mountain Rendezvous (Kim Miskell-Gerhardt and Jim Fassett) and the Awards Chair (Alan Emmendorfer). Please join us in recognizing the winners from the last RMS meeting (in Denver in 2008) with the presentations of:

  • A.I. Levorsen Award - Best Oral Presentation

    2008 winner: Rex D. Cole, Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, Mesa State College, Grand Junction, CO and Matthew J. Pranter, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO for the presentation: Stratigraphic variability of sandstone-body dimensions in the Williams Fork Formation: Outcrop data from the southwest Piceance Basin, Colorado

     

  • Steve Champlin Memorial Award - Best Poster Presentation

    2008 winner: Mike J. Mullen, Halliburton Energy Services, Denver, CO and Milt Enderlin, Gearhart Company, Forth Worth, TX for the poster title: Is that Frac job really breaking new rock?

     

  • Runge Award - Best Student Presentation

    2008 winner: Sara M. Smaltz, Department of Geosciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, Eric A. Erslev, Department of Geosciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO for the presentation: Structural controls on detachment folds associated with foreland arches: Beaver Creek Anticline, Wyoming

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Exhibits

Dates:
Sunday   June 13, 5:00p.m.-7:00p.m.
Monday June 14, 8:30a.m.-6:30p.m.
Tuesday June 15, 8:30a.m.-6:30p.m.
Wednesday June 16, 8:30a.m.-12:00p.m.
 
Vendors in the Petroleum industry as well as geoscience organizations will be on review at the 2010 AAPG Rocky Mountain Section Meeting in Durango, Colorado. You will have the opportunity to investigate a wide range of products, services and publications in every area of the industry.

Sunday's Icebreaker as well as Happy Hours on Monday and Tuesday will be held in the Exhibit Hall, giving everyone a chance to look at the latest technology while networking with friends and colleagues.

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All Convention Luncheon

"An Accidental Geologist...From Fossils to Good Fortune;
Affirmative Action to Independent"

Speaker: Robbie Gries, Priority Oil and Gas LLC
Date: Monday, June 14, 11:45a.m. – 1:15p.m.
Fee: $30.00 per person
 
Robbie Gries
"Some careers are decided early in life and follow a predictable path. Others are accidental, results of timing or passion. My accidental career followed a chance discovery of geology, a fortunate job opportunity and unpredictable situations governed by the ups and downs of the industry. Career steps for me were never planned, always adventurous, and sometimes extremely challenging. Life as a geologist has been philosophically rewarding; recognizing that what seemed to be "just a lot of fun" is also a crucial profession that enables civilization to advance. Surviving as an Independent is both demanding and satisfying -- and perfect for someone doggedly determined to persevere."
Robbie Gries, 2010.

Robbie Gries was the daughter of a shrimper in south Texas and now owns her own company, Priority Oil and Gas LLC, in Denver. The steps between have taken her through academia, Texaco, Reserve Oil Inc. and consulting. Along the way she has piled up an impressive number of firsts, among them first female geology graduate from CSU and the first woman President of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. Although infill drilling is her bread and butter, Robbie prefers the excitement of frontier plays. She is well-known in Colorado for her subthrust exploration on Rocky Mountain foreland structures, sub-volcanic exploration between the San Juan and San Luis Basins, and for tight sand exploration in Ireland. Come join us for lunch and hear Robbie recap her fascinating path to success.

The keynote address will be preceded by remarks from John Lorenz, AAPG President and Rick Fritz, AAPG Executive Director.

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Social Events

Photo courtesy Durango
Area Tourism Office

Narrow Gauge Train Ride to Silverton with Lunch and Return Transfer

Date: Sunday, June 13, 2010: 9:00a.m.-4:00p.m.
Location: Departing from and returning to the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad train depot at 479 Main (at the south end of town).
Fee: Adult $116 / Child (4-11 years old) $79, under 4 free
 
Ride the historic Durango-to-Silverton narrow-gauge train, followed by lunch in Silverton at the Pride of the West restaurant at 1323 Green Street. Return to Durango by bus. The Denver and Rio Grande Railway was built in 1881-1882 to haul silver and gold ore from the San Juan Mountains to the smelter in Durango. The train has been in continuous operation for 127 years and still uses vintage steam locomotives. The ride up to Silverton (9:00a.m.-1:00p.m.) combines spectacular views with Victorian comforts. A local host geologist will accompany the group to explain the scenery. There will be time after lunch to stroll around this vintage mining town before the busses leave at 2:30p.m. (from Blair Street next to the train), returning to Durango by 4:00p.m.

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Ice Breaker Reception

Date: Sunday, June 13, 2010, 5:00p.m.-7:00p.m.
Location: Exhibit Hall (Fort Lewis College, College Union Building, 2nd Floor)
Admission: By badge only
 
The traditional icebreaker will be held in the Exhibits Hall after the Opening Ceremony and Awards on Sunday evening. Enjoy beer, wine, hot hors d'ouerves and other refreshments while mingling with friends and colleagues. Peruse the wares and services offered by exhibitors on their opening night.

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Photo courtesy Durango
Area Tourism Office

Chuckwagon Bar D Dinner and Western Stage Show

Date: Monday, June 14, 6:00p.m.-9:30p.m.
Location: The Bar D ranch is located nine miles north of Durango on CR 250 (the East Animas Road), and is easily reached by private car. Transportation is also being provided from both the Circle Drive at Fort Lewis College and from the Durango Transit Center (250 W. 8th Street). Busses leave both locations at 6:00p.m.
Fee: Adult $30.00 / Child $15.00 (8 and under)
 
Bring your family for a chuckwagon dinner and an evening of musical fun with the Bar-D Wranglers. The Wranglers serve up a barbeque supper followed by an old west stage show. It's a famous classic with great music and food in an old West setting.

Please note that alcohol is not served at this venue.

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Happy Hours

Dates:
Monday June 14, 2010, 4:30p.m.-6:30p.m.
Tuesday June 15, 2010, 4:30p.m.-6:30p.m.
Location: Exhibit Hall (Fort Lewis College, College Union Building, 2nd Floor)
Admission: By badge only
 
Happy hours with beer, wine and light snacks will be held in the Exhibit Hall following the technical sessions on Monday and Tuesday, in the late afternoon.

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Registered Guest Events

Guest Hospitality Suite

Dates:
Monday June 14, 2010, 8:30a.m.-5:00p.m.
Tuesday June 15, 2010, 8:30a.m.-5:00p.m.
 
The hospitality suite is located in the Oak Room at the Strater Hotel in downtown Durango at 699 Main Street. A Continental breakfast will be available in the morning and snacks during the day.

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Guided Full Day Tour of Mesa Verde National Park with Lunch

Date: Monday, June 14, 9:00a.m.-4:00p.m.
Location: Mesa Verde National Park is located 27 miles west of Durango. Van transportation and lunch is provided, leaving from and returning to the Durango Transit Center at 250 W. 8th Street.
Fee: $75.00 per person
 
Cliff Palace
Registered guests are invited to a guided tour of Mesa Verde National Park, which is just 27 miles from Durango. Mesa Verde was inhabited by the ancestors of the modern puebloan peoples from A.D. 600 to A.D. 1300. The park is famous for its stunning cliff dwellings, but is also home to many older ruins tracing the development of the Anasazi from basketmakers to accomplished potters and architects.
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Historic Walking Tour of Downtown Durango with Mrs. Camp's Town Ladies

Strater Hotel
Date: Tuesday, June 15, 2010, 10:00a.m. – 1:30p.m.
Location: The tour, which will be on foot, will depart from the Oak Room (the Hospitality Suite) at the Strater Hotel at 699 Main Street.
Fee: $40.00 per person
 
Registered guests are invited to tour the historic, downtown Durango district with Mrs. Camp's Town Ladies. The Ladies, dressed in traditional Victorian garb, will take you on a walking tour while explaining the history of the various buildings. The tour will be followed by a luncheon at the historic Strater Hotel, built in 1887 and completely furnished with Victorian antiques.

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Photo courtesy of Ricci Dawson
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