west itineraries (w_pages78-79)

THE VALLEY VIEWWenatchee, East Wenatchee

and Cashmere, WA

HIGHLIGHTS

� Heirloom Cuisine…a personal culinary adventure

� Ice Age Floods Geological Trail…discover the flood remnants

� Area Wineries…offering ice wines to rich reds

� Ohme Gardens…nine acres of lush alpine greenery

� Rocky Reach Dam…renewable energy

CONTACT: Wenatchee Valley Visitors Bureau� Marcia Janke • www.wenatcheevalley.org

5 S. Wenatchee Ave., Suite 100, Wenatchee, WA 98801Phone: 509-663-3723/800-572-7753 • Email: [email protected]

78 June 2011 special section LeisureGroupTravel.com

DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY

DAY 1: East Wenatchee & Wenatchee, WA

Follow the 30- or 164-mile Ice Age Floods Geological Trail and viewremnants left by the cataclysmic floodwaters as it raged through theValley 17,000 years ago. Explore Downtown Wenatchee and havesome fun. Join a self-guided walking tour of the outdoor Art on theAvenues sculptures, go shopping in antique stores and specialtyshops or enjoy ice cream in the historic Owl Soda Fountain. Strollacross the RiverWalk Crossing into Riverfront Park and the AppleCapital Loop Trail or follow the walking tour of the downtown histor-ical buildings and signs. Enjoy wine tasting and dinner at ChateauFaire le Pont Winery, a state-of-the-art gravity flow winery that createsworld-class, ultra-premium wines from locally grown grapes and ishoused in a superbly restored 1920s fruit warehouse.

DAY 2: East Wenatchee & Wenatchee, WA

The Bridge of Friendship Japanese Garden is a partnershipbetween the Sister Cities of Misawa, Japan, East Wenatchee andWenatchee. The garden features a reflecting pool, pagoda, and authen-tic Japanese artifacts. Visit the “Miss Veedol” hanger where historycomes alive! Hear the spine-tingling story of Clyde Pangborn andHugh Herndon’s struggle to complete the first non-stop transpacificflight and get a first-hand look at a working replica of the plane that made the flight in 1931. Enjoy wine tasting and lunch at SaintLaurent Winery where the winery and its unique European land-scaped gardens overlook the Wenatchee Valley.

The Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center features fourfloors of the region’s historical treasures and is home to six of the original Clovis Tools discovered in the valley in 1987. Stroll throughOhme Gardens’ nine acres of lush alpine beauty; sit beside a tumbling

waterfall or wander along cool and serene rock walkways with stun-ning views of the Columbia River and Wenatchee Valley. Tour Tiny’s42-acre Organic Farm in East Wenatchee and learn about the varietyof fruits and vegetables with names like Arctic Snow nectarines,Indian Blood peaches and DapplDandy pluots (a hybrid between aplum and an apricot).

DAY 3: Wenatchee & Cashmere, WA

At Rocky Reach Dam, “Look a Salmon in the Eye” in the fish view-ing room or explore the Museum of the Columbia and the Gallery ofElectricity. Outside marvel at the giant water pipe that transports juve-nile salmon around the face of the dam and deposits them down-stream into the Columbia River. Stop by Stemilt’s Bountiful Fruit for acrisp juicy apple or other in-season fruits. The WA Apple CommissionVisitor Center is full of historic photos, interactive displays and aninformative video about the apple industry. Reserve your seat at theTown Toyota Center for a memorable concert, thrilling hockey game,wild sports action or spectacular family entertainment. The Aplets andCotlets Factory Tour incorporates savory Washington apples, ripeapricots and crunchy English walnuts into Aplets and Cotlets Candy—top sellers since 1920! The Discover Heirloom Cuisine program at the Cashmere Cider Mill will offer you an experience like no other.Join working chefs and food artisans in a hands-on cooking class or anadventure excursion to an artisan producer, local farm, market, orchardor vineyard.

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:� Savor Wenatchee� Flowers and Gardens

Everett, Lynnwood, Mukilteoand Tulalip, Washington

HIGHLIGHTS

� Boeing Tour at the Future of Flight Aviation Center

� Flying Heritage Collection and Historic Flight aviation collections

� Lombardi’s Neighborhood Italian Restaurant wine pairing and cooking demonstration

� Nature-based tour components – river rafting, kayaking and bird watching

� Shopping galore! Outlets, malls and antique shopping in quaint villages and urban centers

CONTACT: Snohomish County Tourism Bureau� Amy Spain • www.snohomish.org

909 SE Everett Mall Way, C300, Everett, WA 98208Phone: 425-348-5802 or 888-338-0976 • Email: [email protected]

LeisureGroupTravel.com June 2011 79


DAY 1: Everett

11:00 am – 3:00 pm: Experience a half-day estuary tour of the EverettEverglades! Over 350 species of migratory birds pass through thelargest wetland near an urban center on the West Coast. Try kayaking forthe best experiences!

After your day paddling, pamper yourself with a delectable meal with“Get Sauced Safely” - Cooking Italian with Washington Wines atLombardi’s Neighborhood Italian. Learn the secrets of preparingfive versatile sauces. Each sauce is demonstrated, served and pairedwith a wine from Washington State.

DAY 2: Mukilteo, Everett and Bothell

9:00 am – 11:00 am: Experience the Boeing Tour and Future ofFlight Aviation Center. Witness the marvel of commercial jet aviationincluding a factory tour to see the assembly of the 747, 777 and thenew 787 Dreamliner.

11:30 am – 1:00 pm: Lunch nearby in Mukilteo while watching theferry come and go from the adjacent dock. Or head to the Edmondswaterfront to enjoy the view of the marina and the Olympic Peninsulawhile dining.

1:30 – 3:00 pm: Tour the Flying Heritage Collection or HistoricFlight Foundation to see vintage military aircraft from the early 20thcentury restored to a degree of authenticity never before attempted.Schedule your tour during the fly dates to see these treasurers in flight!

3:30 – 5:30 pm:Wander Bothell Country Village; 45 specialty shopsand restaurants housed in cozy farm-style buildings. Antiques, a full-service day spa, wine tasting, restaurants and more.

DAY 3: Foothills of the Cascade Mountains

(One to six hours depending on desired experience.) River rafting inthe Northwest is a spectacular experience. The Skykomish River sur-rounds you with thundering waterfalls, awesome granite gorges,mountain landscapes and old-growth forests. Fall, winter, spring andsummer trips…white water to scenic float trips.

DAY 4: Lynnwood, Snohomish and Tulalip

10:00 am – 11:30 am: At Alderwood, reacquaint yourself with afavorite store like Macy's, Nordstrom or Coach, then check out TheVillage's one-of-a-kind shops and upscale retailers. If outlets are moreto your liking, visit Seattle Premium Outlets in Tulalip for haute cou-ture fashions at unbelievable discounts.

12:00 pm – 3:30 pm: On the National Register of Historic Places forits business and residential districts, Snohomish is the “Antique Capitalof the Pacific Northwest.” Stop by a riverfront cafe for lunch, then strollalong historic streets and shop where over 350 antique dealers selltheir treasures.

4:00 pm – overnight: For evening entertainment, try your luck atTulalip Resort Casino! Casino games, slot machines and live entertain-ment will keep you busy after you dine at one of the restaurants on site,from Tulalip Bay, a fine dining restaurant, to The Eagles buffet for a morecasual dining experience.

If you’re planning a winter itinerary, the holiday magic of the Lights ofChristmas awaits you in December. Dazzling light displays, the holidaysounds of Victorian carolers, live music, stunning nativity scenes, giftsand crafts, storytelling and more makes the Lights of Christmas the per-fect holiday idea for you. Enjoy a dinner theater or dessert matinee, orextend your experience with an overnight stay.

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:� Snohomish County Arts, Culture and Heritage � Snohomish County Farms, Flowers and Festivals

THE BEST OF SNOHOMISH COUNTY, WASHINGTON

Arailway or waterway excursion isa great way to enjoy the natural

beauty, splendor and history of theWest. From the mountains to the Pacific coast, opportunities abound forvisitors to sit back, relax and enjoy thescenery. Be sure to have a camera inhand to capture the one-of-a-kindviews that these tours provide.The Coast Starlight, traveling

daily between Seattle and Los Ange-les, offers one of Amtrak’s most scenicrides. Views on the 1,377-mile routerange from the snow-covered peaks ofthe Cascade Range and Mount Shastato forests, valleys and Pacific Oceanshoreline. Amenities include multipledining options, complimentary Inter-net access and an onboard theater. Another popular Amtrak train is

the California Zephyr, which nego-tiates Colorado’s Rocky Mountains onits run between Chicago and SanFrancisco. West of Denver, the traincrosses the Continental Divide, mak-ing numerous switchbacks as it gainsaltitude and goes through 29 tunnels.Then the train glides through theGore and Glenwood canyons, sheerrock walls towering above the Col-orado River, where rafters tackle thewild rapids. The Zephyr then headsacross the Utah desert to Salt LakeCity and on across the Nevada desertto the High Sierras and California’sfamed Donner Pass. (amtrak.com).

80 April 2011 LeisureGroupTravel.com

� heather lee

On its run through Northern Arizona,

the Grand Canyon Railway features

Western-style entertainment.

WES

T ScenicWesternAdventures

80 June 2011 LeisureGroupTravel.com

The Grand Canyon Railway de-parts from Williams, Ariz., on its way toone of America’s most popular nationalparks. During the 2¼-hour trip fromthe 1908 Williams Depot to thecanyon’s South Rim, strolling musiciansand Wild West characters keep passen-gers entertained as they traverse 65miles of Northern Arizona’s pine forests,grassy plains and canyons. Commonlyseen wildlife includes elk, mule deer andpronghorn. (thetrain.com)

Gourmet dining defines Napa ValleyWine Train’s three-hour champagnebrunch, lunch and dinner excursions.The 36-mile trips pass 26 wineries between Napa and the quaint village ofSt. Helena in one of the world’s most fa-mous wine valleys.

In an area equally renowned for itscuisine, the train’s chefs prepare sea-sonal menus highlighted by the freshestand highest quality ingredients in thetrain’s two kitchens. Guests are wel-come to watch chefs work throughwindows located three feet away fromthe grill fire. The elegant 1917 Pullmandining car is accented with etched glass,polished brass, fine fabrics and rich ma-hogany paneling. (winetrain.com)

Cruise boats on Lake Tahoe providean excellent opportunity to sit back,relax and enjoy the scenery. The TahoeQueen provides a tour on the lake’sonly authentic Mississippi paddle-wheeler boat. Departing from Ski RunMarina, the Tahoe Queen offers day-time scenic cruises and sunset dinnerdance cruises. (boattahoe.com)

San Diego Harbor Tours providesan array of boat cruises on the SanDiego Bay. Options include whalewatching cruises, lunch or dinnercruises and a 13-mile tour of the Northor South Bay. One-hour sightseeingcruises on the North Bay glide by sealions basking on buoys and bait barges;pelicans, sea gulls and double-crestedcormorants; ships and aircraft at thenaval air station; a Navy submarine

base; and Point Loma Lighthouse,strategically located where the baymeets the Pacific. (sandiegotours.us)

Argosy Cruises offer one-hour har-bor excursions that provide an ideal ori-entation to Seattle. Besides panoramicviews of the downtown skyline, passen-gers get close-up looks at gantry cranesloading and unloading container ships.Snow-capped mountains loom in the

distance, providing great backdrops forthe freighters, ferry boats and pleasureboats crisscrossing Elliott Bay. (argosy-cruises.com) LGT


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Amarillo, Texas

HIGHLIGHTS

� Palo Duro Canyon State Park – 2nd largest canyon in the U.S. and a magnificent scenic attraction

� TEXAS – Outdoor musical drama performed each summer in the amphitheater in Palo Duro Canyon

� Cadillac Ranch – 10 Cadillacs buried nose-first

� American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum – beautiful artifacts, interactive exhibits and touching history of a true American horse breed

� Route 66 – The Texas portion of the fabled road runs directly through Amarillo

CONTACT: Amarillo Convention & Visitor Council� Jutta Matalka, CTP, TDM • www.visitamarillotx.com

1000 S. Polk, Amarillo, TX 79101Phone: 806-342-2012 • Email: [email protected]



DAY 1:

Start off your afternoon in Amarillo by visiting one of our unique muse-ums. The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum is ded-icated to showcasing the American Quarter Horse and the Westernlifestyle. The Amarillo Museum of Art provides quality visual artsthrough collections, temporary exhibitions representing a variety ofmedia and periods, educational programming, preservation andresearch. The Kwahadi Museum of the American Indian will offer aglimpse into the cultures of the people of the Pueblos and Plains. Themuseum displays fine paintings, bronzes and fine old beadwork. Fordinner, consider the world-famous Big Texan Steak Ranch! Theirsteaks are carefully aged for maximum flavor, and the aroma from thegrill will have your mouth watering as soon as you enter the huge din-ing room. You just might be up for their 72-oz. Steak Dinner Challenge.It’s FREE, if it and all the trimmings are eaten within one hour, that is(otherwise it’s $72)!

DAY 2:

Get a home cookin’ good breakfast at Calico County Restaurantbefore heading out for kicks on Route 66; visit the Amarillo portion ofthe road, 6th Avenue, with its many stores and eateries. On to Vega,with a pit stop to check out the old restored Magnolia Gas Station,which dates back to the early 1920s. Ride on to Adrian for your lunch-stop at Midpoint Cafe in the exact middle of Route 66 between both

coasts. Don’t forget a slice of their famous Ugly Crust Pie! On the wayback to Amarillo don’t forget to stop at the Cadillac Ranch. Keepingwith tradition, bring a couple cans of spray paint to release your innerartist onto any of the 10 Cadillacs buried nose-first in a field.

DAY 3:

Get over to River Breaks Ranch for a hearty Western meal. Your visitstarts with a ride on a covered wagon. Now that ya’ll are in the Westernspirit, visit Palo Duro Canyon State Park for breathtaking views andadventures with guided tours, horse rentals, wildlife exhibits and more!June 5 through August 15 head down to the Pioneer Amphitheater.Fill up with a pre-show dinner, catered by the Big Texan. Enjoy a per-formance of the renowned outdoor musical TEXAS, a family-friendlyshow bringing to life the stories, struggles and triumphs of the settlersof the Texas Panhandle in the 1800s with a generous helping of good ol'Texas humor.

AMARILLO: WHAT YOU EXPECT OF TEXAS AND MUCH, MUCH MORE!

Elk City, Oklahoma

HIGHLIGHTS

� Discover Route 66, the “Mother Road”

� National Route 66 Museum Complex (Transportation Museum/Farm & Ranch Museum/Blacksmith Museum/Old Town Museum)

� Ackley Park (Centennial Carousel, Choctaw Miniature Train, Old Town Putt-Putt Golf)

� Washita Battlefield Historic Site

� Black Kettle National Grasslands

CONTACT: Elk City Convention & Visitors Bureau� Tawana Thomas, Director • www.visitelkcity.com

P.O. Box 972/1016 E. Airport Industrial Rd., Elk City, OK 73648Phone: 580-225-0207 • Email: [email protected]



Welcome to Great Plains Country!

DAY 1:

Step into yesteryear as you tour the official National Route 66Museum Complex in Elk City, Oklahoma. Inside, the road motif takesvisitors to all eight states along the “Mother Road” from Illinois toCalifornia. Photographs, vintage autos and recorded personal accountsvividly re-create the heyday of this historical route.

As visitors tour the Transportation Museum they discover an inter-active trip through the history of transportation. From sitting in thefront seat of a 1959 Cadillac as you drive down Route 66 to climbingon the 1917 Reo Fire Truck as you ring the bill, kids of all ages willenjoy this museum in motion.

Early Oklahoma pioneer life is depicted as visitors wander through thisgrand two-story Victorian house. The upper level is devoted to the earlycowboy and rodeo way of life.

As visitors continue on to the Blacksmith Museum, they can view howblacksmiths created objects from iron or steel by forging metal using amultitude of tools.

Moving on to the Farm & Ranch Museum, visitors discover a vast col-lection of tools that were used in early farm and ranch life in westernOklahoma. The windmill collection, tractors, tractor seat collection,broom corn thrasher and barb wire collections are among some of theexhibits found in this museum.

While touring the National Route 66 Museum Complex, visitors will notwant to miss the Whited Grist Mill, the beautiful Opera House, CowtownWatering Hole, Memorial Chapel or the Paul Jones Drug Store, where youcan still buy stick candy and soda pop that comes in a bottle!

After your visit to the National Route 66 Museum Complex, you willenjoy a visit strolling Elk City’s historic downtown filled with uniqueshops with one-of-a-kind finds. Along the way we’ll even stop for pic-tures on the adorable Centennial Carousel located in Ackley Park.

And then it’s a quick stop to marvel at the famous Parker Drilling Rig,home to Parker Rig No. 201, once the biggest inland rig in the worldand brought to Elk City in the summer of 1981.

Then it’s on to Washita Battlefield National Historic Site in nearbyCheyenne. Hiking trails meander through the battlefield, and rangersare on hand for tours and interpretive talks. Adjacent to the battlefield,Black Kettle National Grasslands has miles of road through openprairie. Wildlife is abundant, so watch out!

DAY 2:

Today, after kicking off your morning with hot coffee and a deliciouschuckwagon breakfast at the Flying W Guest Ranch, enjoy discover-ing the archeological excavation of the buffalo kill sites and learndetails about the life of the Plains Indians. The sites reveal the tools andcooking materials used by the early Plains Indians, including spearpoints, cutting knives, scraping tools, and other instruments and cook-ing items used to prepare meat and hides.

Tonight you will rest easy at one of Elk City’s hotel properties after dining at a trendy grill with a diverse menu, including fish, steaks andItalian cuisine.

DAY 3:

Sleep in and then enjoy a relaxing lunch at Country Dove Gifts & TeaRoom, a two-story Victorian home where daily specials are scrump-tious and desserts are world-renowned! It’s a fabulous way to com-plete your visit to Elk City.

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:� Elk City Fall Festival� Elk City Christmas in the Park Weekend

ELK CITY: A PERFECT POSTCARD VISIT

Convention & Visitors Bureau

OKLAHOMA!: “NEVER MET A MAN I DIDN’T LIKE”

Bartlesville, Claremore andPonca City, Oklahoma

HIGHLIGHTS� Stroll through the life and times of Will Rogers

� Dinner amid the world’s largest private arms collection

� Price Tower, Frank Lloyd Wright’s only realized skyscraper

� Woolaroc, Frank Phillips’ wildlife preserve and summer estate

� Dine in style at America’s Castle, the Marland Mansion

� Hear the poignant story of Chief Standing Bear

CONTACT: Claremore Convention & Visitors Bureau� Tanya Andrews • www.visitclaremore.org

419 W. Will Rogers Blvd., Claremore, OK 74017Phone: 877-341-8688 • Email: [email protected]



DAY 1: Claremore

A visit to Oklahoma wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the birth-place of the man who “Never met a man he didn’t like.” Will Rogers’Oologah ranch home, sits atop a hill overlooking Oologah Lake, youcan imagine “little Will” ropin’ anything that moved. A short drive south,across the rolling plains to Claremore, you’ll arrive at the Will RogersMemorial Museum, dedicated to the life of Oklahoma’s favorite son.Your guide brings to life multiple galleries featuring various stages ofWill’s professional career, from calf-roper to revered columnist. You maywant to linger longer in the gallery detailing his final day. A reception isplanned to welcome you to the museum. Dinner will be served amidthe world’s largest private arms collection, accumulated by Will’s fel-low Oklahoman, J.M. Davis. Also on display are steins, WWI postersand if you search a bit, you’ll discover a few “strange” items at the J.M.Davis Arms & Historical Museum. On to our “bed-down” locationfor the evening.

DAY 2: Bartlesville

It’s a short drive to Bartlesville, where oil was first discovered in Oklahomaand the area features this historic event. This is where Frank Phillips(Phillips Petroleum) amassed his fortune. While visiting the Frank PhillipsHome, you’ll hear grand stories of his life during early statehood. One ofthe most striking structures in Oklahoma is “the tree that escaped theforest,” the Price Tower skyscraper designed by Frank Lloyd Wright,another must-see. From here travel the rolling hills to Woolaroc, theexpansive wildlife and summer retreat of Frank Phillips. The groundsand collection are so extensive you’ll want to break for lunch andregain your visual strength. The Phillips story continues as you visit thePhillips Petroleum Company Museum, a state-of-the-art museumchronicling the transformation of a small-town business into a globalenergy enterprise. Dinner this evening features a special NativeAmerican style show at the Bartlesville Area History Museum. Thenit’s “lights out” for the night.

DAY 3: Ponca City

Arrive at the Pioneer Woman Museum and meet Madame Opal, yourguide for a tell-all experience in Ponca City – a city that exudes theRoaring Twenties. Prepare yourself for a home you’d never expect tofind. The Marland Mansion is four stories and a mere 48,000 sq. ft. ofsculptured stone, Waterford crystal and gold leaf, and known as the“Palace on the Prairie” and featured on America’s Castles. Lydie and E.W.Marland, the last residents in the home, will join you for your noon meal.A bit of fresh air is in store at the Standing Bear Native AmericanMuseum and Park. The poignant story is best shared while sitting atthe foot of the bronze, larger-than-life Standing Bear statue. Your finalevening and it’s 1924 all over again at the Poncan Theater. VaudevilleDave along with a troupe of entertainers will see that your closing nightin Oklahoma is one to remember.

“Sweet Oklahoma dreams” tonight.

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:� Visit Group TravelDirectory.com for more NE Oklahoma

and individual city itinerary ideas

CHEYENNE FULL DAY ITINERARY Cheyenne, Wyoming

HIGHLIGHTS

� Historic Attractions

� Trolley Tour

� Bison Ranch

� Western Shopping

� Western Entertainment

CONTACT: Visit Cheyenne� Darren Rudloff • www.cheyenne.org

1 Depot Sq., 121 W. 15th St., Ste. 202, Cheyenne, WY 82001Phone: 800-426-5009 or 307-778-3133 • Email: [email protected]



DAY 1:

Go downtown to the newly restored Cheyenne Depot. A NationalHistoric Landmark, the depot has been restored to its original gloryand is once again a center of activity in the community. Tour the artdeco lobby and visit the Cheyenne Depot Museum, which chroniclesthe railroad and its relationship to Cheyenne.

In the depot, purchase tickets for the Cheyenne Street RailwayTrolley (307-778-3133), which provides a 90-minute overview of thecommunity, its history, and attractions. The tour includes stops at various attractions, allowing riders to disembark for the attraction,and then reboard the next trolley 90 minutes later. Stops include the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum (307-778-7290),Nelson Museum of the West (307-635-7670), Wyoming StateMuseum (307-777-7022), Historic Governors’ Mansion (307-777-7878), Wyoming Capitol and Cheyenne Botanic Gardens (307-637-6458). (Trolley drivers are available as step-on guides for motor-coaches.)

Upon returning to downtown, spend some time at a couple of trueWestern stores. Try the Wrangler (307-634-3048) for jeans, boots,hats, and other Western apparel or Wyoming Home (307-638-2222)for its unique Western furniture and artwork. Or catch a ride on thefree downtown carriage rides.

Head south nine miles to the Terry Bison Ranch (307-634-4171) fora horseback ride or a train ride into the middle of the bison herd thatcalls the ranch home. Back in town, be sure to check out Big Boy4004, the world’s largest steam locomotive

(1.2 million lbs.) It was designed especially for the rugged Cheyenneto Ogden, Utah run.

End your day watching the Western skits and escapades of theCheyenne Gunslingers at 6:00 pm in downtown Cheyenne (June-July). Then enjoy the Bit-O-Wyo Horsebarn Dinner Theater in thebeautiful mountains west of town (May-Aug). Or catch the Old-Fashioned Melodrama (307-638-6543) at the Historic AtlasTheater, where you can cheer the hero and hiss the villain (July).

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:� Frontier Days� Downtown Cheyenne

Sacramento, California

HIGHLIGHTS

� Old Sacramento: historic buildings, museumsand shopping

� Sutter’s Fort – one of the most important Gold Rushlocations

� Enjoy the scenic beauty of Lake Tahoe

� Marshall Gold Discovery State Park – the exact spot where the Gold Rush started

� Yosemite National Park – as stunning as it was 150 years ago

CONTACT: Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau� Terry Selk, Director of Tourism • www.discovergold.org

1608 I St., Sacramento, CA 95814Phone: 916-808-8989/800-292-2334 • Email: [email protected]



DAY 1: Sacramento

After the discovery of gold, Sacramento developed quickly as thecommerce center of the region. You’ll enjoy the Old Sacramentowaterfront district where prospectors once stocked up on mining supplies and blew their riches in the saloons. Today, the woodenboardwalks and historic buildings are filled with museums, restaurantsand an assortment of shopping options.

Old Sacramento is anchored by California State Railroad Museum atthe western end of the Transcontinental Railroad. Step inside and seethe original Golden Spike, locomotives and railroad cars from throughout the history of the rails. You’ll also visit the California StateCapitol building and its historic grounds. Sacramento has been thecapital of California since 1854 and the building dates back to the 1860s.

Sutter’s Fort is one of the most important locations tied to the GoldRush. This is where John Sutter originally set up shop to provide restand accommodations to weary pioneers (famously, the Donner Party).

The Gold Rush is also responsible for creating the earliest forms ofCalifornia cuisine. Some of the finest chefs of the time worked theirway west to cater to the wealthy businessmen and lucky prospectorsof the region. This evening you’ll be treated like the “Big 4” railroadbarons as you dine at Mulvaney’s Building & Loan, which focuses onthe fresh produce of our rich agricultural region.

DAY 2: Sacramento, Truckee, North Lake Tahoe

Trace the footsteps of the 49ers as you depart Sacramento for thefoothills. In the town of Truckee, you’ll enjoy shopping, restaurants andmore Donner Party history as you visit the Emigrant Trail Museum atDonner Memorial State Park. This is the infamous spot where the

Donners were trapped in an unexpectedly early snowstorm in theautumn of 1846. From there, you’ll travel to Crystal Bay on the borderbetween California and Nevada, where you’ll enjoy the scenic beautyof Lake Tahoe and the casinos of Nevada.

DAY 3: Coloma, Sutter Creek

A trip to Coloma takes you to Marshall Gold Discovery State Park andthe exact spot where the Gold Rush started. This is the home to Sutter’sMill, where James Marshall first saw that glimmer in the river back in 1848.

Drive through the picturesque rolling foothills to the town of SutterCreek to get a true gold mining experience. At Sutter Gold Mine you’llenjoy a mine tour and take your shot at panning for gems and gold.

The foothills of Amador County are a well-known wine producing regionand home to over 50 wineries. This evening you’ll get your first sip ofregional flavors as you head to Plymouth for dinner at Taste Restaurant.

DAY 4: Sonora, Yosemite, Sacramento

The time of the Gold Rush was also the time that preservationists beganthe push to protect the natural beauty of our land. Today, a trip toYosemite is just as stunning as it was 150 years ago. Spend the after-noon exploring this natural wonder and imagine what early pioneersmust have thought as they crossed the Sierra Nevada Range and stum-bled upon this majestic place.

Then it’s back to Sacramento for one final dinner with your peersaboard the Sacramento Hornblower river cruise ship. In the daysbefore automobiles, travel on the Sacramento River between SanFrancisco and Sacramento was a popular option and tonight you’ll getto experience it for yourself as part of your closing night festivities.

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:� Ultimate Northern California� Northern California Wine Tour

ULTIMATE GOLD RUSH TOUR

FIRE & ICE - VOLCANOES & GLACIERS Alaska & Hawaii

HIGHLIGHTS� Denali National Park

� The Alaska Railroad

� Anchorage & Honolulu

� Pearl Harbor & the Arizona Memorial

� Volcanoes National Park

CONTACT: US TOURS � Bob Cline • www.USTours.Biz

2819 Murdoch Ave., Parkersburg, WV 26101Phone: 304-485-8687 • Email: [email protected]

LeisureGroupTravel.com special section June 2011 87


DAY 1:

Fly to Anchorage; overnight.

DAY 2:

Today is a guided tour to Denali National Park. En route you will passthrough heavy birch forests and the spectacular Knik and MatanuskaRiver Valleys. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. Two nights Denali.

DAY 3:

Today is the Tundra Wilderness Tour, a search through the Denaliwilderness for bear, moose, caribou and Dall sheep. It’s a full-day narrated bus trip on Denali Park Road, offering you great wildlife-watching opportunities.

DAY 4:

Enjoy a morning of leisure with options for individual exploration in thepark. Then an afternoon ride on the world-famous Alaska Railroad.This trip of a lifetime follows the Susitna River, where you might seeblack bear fishing. Two nights Anchorage.

DAY 5:

Today is a narrated tour of Anchorage and the Alaska Native HeritageCenter. A renowned cultural center and museum, it is a place whereall people can expand their understanding of Alaska's first people. You will feel their heartbeat, hear their stories, explore their history andvillages, and discover a cultural heritage that is living and thriving today. Tonight is an Alaskan family-style buffet and a visit to WildberryChocolates factory

DAY 6:

The Alaska portion ends with a shuttle to the Anchorage Airport and aflight to Honolulu, where you are met with a traditional flower lei andescorted to your hotel.

DAY 7:

This morning you visit Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial first, thenenjoy a narrated tour of Honolulu including the National Cemetery ofthe Pacific (Punchbowl), Washington Place (the Governor’s Mansion),the State Capitol, Chinatown, Iolani Palace and King KamehamehaStatue.This afternoon you have free time to explore the shops on KalakauaAvenue and stroll on the world’s most famous beach, Waikiki.But tonight...be ready to hula. The evening features a real Hawaiian luauwith Polynesian drinks, traditional Hawaiian food and live island music.

DAY 8:

The narrated Grand Circle Island tour is a breathtaking 120-mile triparound Oahu. It visits Hawaii’s most famous landmarks: Diamond Head,Hanauma Bay, Halona Blowhole, Pali Lookout, Dole PineapplePlantation and North Shore.

DAY 9:

This morning you fly to the Big Island, Hawaii. Here this afternoon youcan explore Kona Town. King Kamehameha’s place of worship washere as is the site of the first Christian church built in Hawaii. Dinnertonight is at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company.

DAY 10:

On a full-day Best of the Big Island Tour, you’ll witness impressiveand diverse natural wonders, from volcanoes to tropical forests, black sand beaches and the spectacular Kealakekua Bay Overlook. ButVolcanoes National Park is the biggest highlight. You’ll learn aboutHawaii’s active volcanoes and see lava tubes and flows. You’ll hear aboutthis island’s seven ecological zones and native Hawaiian culture. It’s a fullday of excitement.

DAY 11:Flights for home

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:� Hawaii Three-I� Alaska National Parks & Wildlife Tour

west itineraries (w_pages78-79)

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