Globus PARKS & CANYONS SPECTACULAR – 2007
13 days Itinerary 2007 Excursion:
Map showing route.
Day 1: Rapid City
>>>
Day 2: Rapid City
The day begins with a visit to CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL, built in honor of the fearless Sioux Indian chief whose fame is derived from the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Afterward, explore MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL
..
The four presidential faces, carved 60-feet high in the granite of Mount Rushmore, comprise one of America’s most revered images. But many visitors cannot help thinking of Cary Grant in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1959 thriller North by Northwest, where he and Eva Marie Saint clamber across the monolith pursued by Communist spies. The shot was actually filmed in a Hollywood studio, but it convinced millions of people that they too could climb the patriotic monument. This is not the case: Access to Mount Rushmore has been blocked by a high-security fence ever since the artist Gutzon Borglum died in 1941 and work on the giant sculpture ceased. But according to his original plan, Borglum had intended that the public be able to reach his giant faces via a splendid stone staircase. In the late 1930s, he even began work on a splendid vault buried within the rock for tourists to visit – called the Hall of Records, it was planned as a repository for the original Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. Mount Rushmore features the monumental likenesses of four U.S. presidents—Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt—carved on the face of a mountain. Maybe stroll along the Presidential Trail for more intimate views, or visit the Information Center.
>>>
Day 3: Rapid City–Sheridan
This morning, enjoy a drive through BLACK HILLS NATIONAL FOREST and experience the area’s colorful history with a tour of DEADWOO D, once a wild gold-mining town, and hear the stories of legendary Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Afterward, visit TATANKA, “The Story of the Bison,” and experience the richness of the Lakota people, a Plains Indian buffalo culture. Then continue through the Black Hills to the cattle town of Sheridan at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains.
>>>
Day 4: Sheridan–Little Bighorn Battlefield
“You might think that not much changes on a 19th century battlefield. But at Little Bighorn in Montana, the scene of the most famous fight in the West, the landscape is always in flux. It was on this lonely expanse that Lt. General George Armstrong Custer and 262 men of the United States Seventh Cavalry were wiped out by a combined force of Lakota Sioux and Cheyenne on June 25th, 1876. For generations, the physical focus for visitors to the site has been the poignant monument at Last Stand Hill. (All around, gravestones of Custer’s men lie in the grass; they were buried where they fell by United States soldiers three days after the battle, illustrating just how Custer’s defense disintegrated before the Indian onslaught).”
Journey this morning into southern Montana to visit LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD, the site commemorating one of America’s most famous battles. Tour the battlegrounds where Custer was defeated by approximately 7,000 Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors, and visit the museum. Afterward, continue your scenic drive through the Bighorn Mountains, stopping at Shell Falls en route to Cody, with time for an optional float trip on the Shoshone River.
>>
Day 5: Cody–Yellowstone National Park
Today, Yellowstone is virtually a country unto itself. It has its own weekly newspaper, a vast staff, a $30 million annual budget, army-sized campgrounds and visitor complexes as busy as miniature cities. But even with this infrastructure, much of the landscape has not changed since the Victorian era, when only 300 or so lucky travelers would arrive on horseback each summer, following rough animal trails. The first hotel arrived in 1871, McCartney’s Cabin at Mammoth Hot Springs, a makeshift log structure where guests had to sleep on the floor. Most preferred instead to camp in the forest, catching fish for their dinner in the pristine lakes. This morning, visit the BUFFALO BILL HISTORICAL CENTER , a fine museum of historic weapons and western art. Then continue through Shoshone National Forest to YELLOWSTONE Yellowstone Wildlife NATIONAL PARK, established in 1872 as the world’s first national park.
…Every 90 minutes or so, hundreds of onlookers gather to admire the gush of Old Faithful, the world’s most famous geyser – a spectacle that remains as enthralling today as it was back in the summer of 1870, when Cornelius Hedges, a member of the scientific party to study the Upper Geyser Basin, first beheld it. After spending weeks on a grueling horseback trip to reach the remote Yellowstone plateau, the American adventurers were so astonished to see the 100-foot-high explosion of sparkling water that they threw up their hats and shouted for sheer joy at the sight. That very same night, Hedges apparently proposed to his fellow expedition members while sitting around a crackling campfire that this volcanic hotspot in the Rockies, which has 250 geysers and 10,000 geothermal features, should be protected from development and turned into the world’s very first “national park.” On March 1st, 1872, Congress did pass the bill that protected Yellowstone: A staggering two million acres would be “set apart as a Pleasure Park or pleasuring-ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.”
. Travel along Grand Loop Road to Artist Point on the south rim with magnificent views of Yellowstone Canyon and the spectacular Lower Falls, almost twice as high as Niagara Falls. Next, stop at Fountain Paint Pots to see the bubbling mud. Rejoin the loop road and enjoy several photo stops along the way to your hotel, including the infamous Old Faithful Geyser.
>>>
Day 6: Yellowstone National Park–Grand Teton National Park
…In the winter of 1927, residents in the cattle town of Jackson, Wyoming began to learn of a mysterious business concern known as the Snake River Land Company that was rapidly buying up property around their picturesque valley, which is overshadowed by the dramatic Teton Mountains. Rumors soon began to spread that a plot was afoot to elbow ranchers out of the area and close off key cattle drives. Finally, in 1930, it was revealed that the company was actually a front for America’s richest man, the oil magnate John D. Rockefeller Jr. Rockefeller had visited the area three years earlier and had been stunned by its alpine beauty; a visionary philanthropist, he decided to purchase the whole valley floor from private owners and donate it to the United States Government for an extension of the Grand Teton National Park, which was then only a tiny enclave covering the remotest mountain zones. But tempers flared against Rockefeller’s secrecy; many suspected that the magnate might use the land for his own private ends.
Journey south this morning into breathtaking GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK. Visit beautiful glacier-fed Jenny Lake at the foot of the rugged spires for a delightful walk along the shore before ending the day in the all-western town of Jackson. This evening, experience dinner at the BAR-T-5 CHUCK WAGON COOKOUT and Wild West show.
>>>
Day 7: Jackson
Full day at leisure to enjoy this spectacular playground of America. Perhaps take a stroll along the downtown boardwalks and enjoy a drink at one of the swing-door saloons. (B)
Day 8: Jackson–Salt Lake City
Today’s journey continues alongside some of Wyoming’s most beautiful mountain ranges into Utah, home to five national parks. Arrive in Salt Lake City, founded by Brigham Young in 1847. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the capital city and its historic monuments.
>>>
Day 9: Salt Lake City –Bryce Canyon
Today, travel through sagebrush landscape to BRYCE CANYON, a national park with a beauty all its own. Take a leisurely drive with photo stops to capture the bright red, yellow, and pink pillars called “hoodoos.” The balance of the day is at leisure and your overnight is at the entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
>>>
Day 10: Bryce Canyon–Zion National Park
Zion National Park
Lake Powell
Travel to ZION
Zion NATIONAL PARK, with its dramatic landscape of sculptured canyons and soaring cliffs resembling temples and cathedrals. With your sightseeing tour you’ll have an opportunity to experience the park up-close and personal. Then continue into Arizona
Arizona and the town of Page, nestled on the shores of Lake Powell. Appreciate its majestic beauty on an afternoon CRUISE which takes you to Glen Canyon Dam and the “tapestry” walls of Antelope Canyon.
>>>
Day 11: Powell–Painted Desert–Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon
This morning, you may wish to join our optional flight over Monument Valley
Monument Valley for a bird’seye view of the red sandstone monoliths, made famous by many western movies and shows. Afterward, cross the Painted Desert, with its ever-changing color scheme, and catch your first glimpse of the world-famous GRAND CANYON, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. An afternoon arrival allows plenty of free time to explore the canyon rim on your own. Be sure to take an evening stroll to savor the magnificent sunset.
Special Feature: Your hotel tonight is located on the rim of the Grand Canyon, a rare opportunity for great views and a significant extra by traveling with Globus.
>>>
Day 12: Grand Canyon–Las Vegas
Las Vegas
For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, take our optional flightseeing tour over the Grand Canyon. (We did the hellicoptor over flight and it was awesome!)Then travel on part of legendary Route 66. Route 66 to Las Vegas, one of America’s most famous cities. Enjoy a sightseeing tour while en route to your resort hotel, located in the heart of the “Strip” for easy access to all the mega-casinos and amusement parks. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special GLOBUS FAREWELL CELEBRATION DINNER. Wonderful conversation and cuisine make the perfect finale for your vacation.
>>>
Day 13: Las Vegas
Vacation ends this morning with guests departing on independent schedules. Transfers are provided to the Las Vegas Airport.
(Continue to look for pictures taken in Las Vegas..)
Comments are closed.