western tour itineraries

GATORS, GARDENS, GUSHERS & GREAT FOOD Beaumont, Texas

HIGHLIGHTS

� Gator Country Adventure Park – see and touch live alligators, dine on authentic Cajun cuisine

� Shangri La Botanical Gardens & Nature Center was just named among the 10 Greenest EcoProjects in the World

� Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum – watch world’s only replica gusher blow 100 feet in the sky, just like in 1901

� Spindletop Steakhouse – Take a culinary tour in Beaumont’s historic downtown

CONTACT: Beaumont Convention & Visitors Bureau� Elizabeth Eddins, Director of Tourism • www.beaumontcvb.com

505 Willow St., Beaumont, TX 77701Phone: 866-822-0245 • Email: [email protected]

88 June 2010 special section LeisureGroupTravel.com

DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY

DAY 1:

Treat yourself to a scrumptious breakfast at Rao’s Bakery & CoffeeCafe, where you’ll find freshly brewed coffee and piping hot croissantsand breakfast burritos.

Take a short drive over to Spindletop-Gladys City BoomtownMuseum, where you’ll step back in time to witness Beaumont’s rich oilheritage as you watch the world’s only working replica gusher blowwater hundreds of feet into Beaumont’s blue sky. Follow the history of the "Cradle of the Petroleum Age" with a tour of the Texas Energy Museum and experience the fascinating world of oil exploration and refining!

Round out your tour of Downtown Beaumont with a trip to a couple of our other intriguing museums: the Art Museum of Southeast Texasand the Fire Museum of Texas. Don’t forget dinner at the legendary Crockett Street Entertainment District!

DAY 2:

Rekindle your sense of wonder at Shangri La Botanical Gardens &Nature Center, located just minutes from Beaumont. Observe nestingbirds in Shangri La’s Ruby Lake through a state-of-the-art bird blind.Explore more than 300 species of plants in one of the most Earth-friendlyprojects in the world.

See history come alive in any of our three historic homes: the John JayFrench House, the Chambers House and the McFaddin-Ward House.

After a busy day, relax at Spindletop Steakhouse on historicCrockett Street, where the tantalizing menu items will have yourmouth watering.

DAY 3:

Start the day by reconnecting with nature at the Big Thicket National Preserve as you slice through the waters of Village Creek ina canoe. Enjoy great Texas BBQ at Willy Ray’s, where you’ll find an arrayof enticing sides to go along with their famous BBQ. Be inspired at St. Anthony's Cathedral Basilica, one of Beaumont’s many uniqueand historic places of worship on the Beaumont Faith Trail.

Feed your adventurous spirit at Gator Country—Texas’ only alligatortheme park. Have a hands-on experience by helping feed LIVE gatorsand take home a picture to prove it! View educational demonstrationsand see the jaw dropping half-ton alligator, lovingly named “Big Al.”End your day on a high note by grooving to the music of a local bayouband and feasting on Gator Country’s famous Cajun cuisine.

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:� The Faith Trail� Nature Trail

RIDE THE RAILS OF SCENIC COLORADO Manitou Springs, Cañon City, Cripple Creek, Alamosa

HIGHLIGHTS

� Ascend 14,115 feet to the summit of Pikes Peak on The Cog Railway

� Sample mineral waters, 2,000 years in the making

� Take a train along the Arkansas River with the Royal Gorge Bridge 1,000 ft. above

� Ride a narrow gauge between the historic mining towns of Cripple Creek and Victor

� Climb aboard the longest and highest steam-operated train in the country

CONTACT: Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau� Betty Jo Cardona • www.VisitCOS.com

515 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903Phone: 719-685-7629 • Email: [email protected]

LeisureGroupTravel.com special section June 2010 89


DAY 1: Manitou Springs

We first grab a bite for breakfast on one of the charming patio restaurantsof historic Manitou Springs. The Cliff House Inn offers four-diamond din-ing with treats such as Grand Marnier French toast. We then arrive at thePikes Peak Cog Railway, the highest cog in the world, which treks upPikes Peak – America’s Mountain – to the 14,115-foot summit. This 8.9-mile trip lasts just over three hours including a 45-minute stop at the top.We’ll have a chance to see native wildlife such as bighorn sheep and yel-low-bellied marmots, and we’ll grab some tasty homemade doughnutsat The Summit House. The trip runs year-round and will ascend as far asweather permits. Once back down the mountain, we can shop the greatboutiques in town and sample the tasty mineral springs.

DAY 2: Cañon City

We start the day with a short drive from Colorado Springs to nearbyCañon City, CO where an adventure on the Royal Gorge Route Railroadawaits. Whether it is a lunch, dinner or wine train, the views alongside thewaters of the Arkansas River and the steep geological walls forming thevast Royal Gorge are breathtaking. The train travels under the impressiveRoyal Gorge Bridge, nearly 1,000 feet above, making it the highest sus-pension bridge in North America. If we want a full day of adventure, wecan even do a “Raft and Rail” package or a “Ride and Rail” package thatcombines rafting or horseback riding with the train excursion. To add a lit-tle more “Wild West,” we’ll stop by Buckskin Joe Frontier Town &Railway to see a gunfight and ride the Royal Gorge Scenic Railway.Our next stop will be the Winery at Holy Cross Abbey for a few of

their famous selections before we head back. For dinner, we’ll dine at arestaurant on Tejon Street in historic downtown Colorado Springs.

DAY 3: Cripple Creek - Alamosa

The Victor & Cripple Creek Narrow Gauge Railroad offers us a ridethrough the gold mining era of the 1890s! This steam locomotive picksup speed and covers a span of four miles through the historic gold min-ing district of Cripple Creek and Victor, where the world’s greatest goldcamp existed between 1890 and 1910. During those years it was hometo 50,000 residents who pulled out more than 22,400,000 ounces ofgold. The train runs mid-May through mid-October. Several stops areincluded along the way for photos and points of interest, including adeserted mining town, before returning to Cripple Creek. Now thatwe’ve acquired a taste for the Gold Rush days, we’ll take the 1,000-foottrip underground at the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine. Next we’ll headover to Alamosa to ride the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad, which hashistory all along its rails. It is the longest and highest steam-operatedtrain and is a joint effort between Colorado and New Mexico. Variousroutes are offered and in celebration of its 40th anniversary, special dis-counts are available.

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:� Hidden Gems to Explore in the Pikes Peak Region� Colorado Springs: City of Churches and Their Architecture

GRAPEVINE - AGED TO PERFECTION™Grapevine, Fort Worth, Dallas, Texas

HIGHLIGHTS

� Centrally located in the Dallas/Fort Worth region, Grapevine's vintage charm offers the perfect hub for area tours!

� Enjoy vineyard tours and wine tasting at eight unique winery tasting rooms

� Hop aboard the 1896 steam engine "Puffy" on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad

� Experience local artisan demonstrations, including glass blowing, bronze sculpting and blacksmithing

� Plan an excursion to the Fort Worth Stockyards, Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza and Southfork Ranch

CONTACT: Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau� Grapevine Tourism Department • www.GrapevineTexasUSA.com

One Liberty Park Plaza, Grapevine, TX 76051Phone: 817-410-3184 • Email: [email protected]



DAY 1: Grapevine

Let us introduce your group to Grapevine’s history and heritage at theGrapevine Cotton Belt Railroad, Historic District and HistoricalMuseum. Here, you will also experience artisan demonstrations suchas glassblowing at Vetro Glass Blowing Gallery & Studio. Next, shopand sightsee in beautifully restored ca. 1900 buildings in HistoricDowntown Grapevine, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.Shops and boutiques offer unique treasures and one-of-a-kind finds.Enjoy public art, like the “Coming Home,” “The Sidewalk Judge” and the“Nightwatchman,” that celebrate characters and events that shapedGrapevine’s spirit. Lunch can be enjoyed on their own at any numberof family-owned eateries in Historic Downtown Grapevine. This after-noon, follow the Grapevine Wine Trail! Tour several of the winery tasting rooms and learn about grape growing and winemaking in Texas as you savor the flavor of Texas wines! Dinner may be arranged at a winery, complete with entertainment, or at any one of a variety of steakhouses and group-friendly restaurants. For additional entertain-ment, try your skills with the Gaylord Texan Resort’s Murder MysteryDinner Theater. [B,D]

DAY 2: Grapevine / Fort Worth

Start your day with mega-shopping at Grapevine Mills mall.Grapevine Mills offers “shoppertainment” with over 200 stores, amuse-ment centers and themed restaurants. This afternoon, ride the rails ofnostalgia when you experience the Grapevine Vintage Railroad! Thetrain operates a seasonal schedule round-trip excursion fromGrapevine to the Fort Worth Stockyards. At the Fort Worth Stockyards,

see a Texas Longhorn cattle drive, shop Stockyards Station and visitthe Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame before your return trip to Grapevine.Dinner tonight may be arranged at a variety of Grapevine restaurants.After dinner, enjoy world class musical performances at the GrapevineOpry! Every Saturday night experience the finest country music revueand special theme evenings at the Historic Palace Theatre on Main Streetin Grapevine. [B,D]

DAY 3: Dallas

Your day starts with a visit to The Sixth Floor Museum at DealeyPlaza, also known as the JFK Memorial Museum. Most people remem-ber exactly where they were the fateful day John F. Kennedy was shotin Dallas. At this museum you can view minute-by-minute accounts of what happened on that tragic day. Next stop, the Dallas Museumof Art, offering a collection that includes American masterpieces, contemporary art, European and impressionist art, and special tempo-rary exhibits on display throughout the year. Lunch can be arranged for your group at the Dallas Museum of Art. This afternoon, head overto the Dallas Arboretum, a 66-acre arboretum and botanical gardenshowcasing perennial fragrant gardens, towering trees and lush lawns.Cap off your visit to Dallas with a visit to Southfork Ranch, also knownas the home of J.R. Ewing and his family on the hit television series“Dallas.” Here your group will receive a guided tour of this famousranch, followed by an evening chuckwagon supper. [B,L,D]

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:� Grapevine Wine Trail� Christmas Capital of Texas

BEST OF THE NORTHWEST HISTORY AND SCENERY Vancouver, Washington

HIGHLIGHTS

� Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

� Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

� Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area

� Lewis & Clark Trail to the Pacific Ocean

� Portland, Oregon Gardens & Nature

CONTACT: Vancouver USA Regional Tourism Office � Debbie Picard • www.VisitVancouverUSA.com

101 East 8th Street, Suite 240, Vancouver WA 98660Phone: 877-600-0800 • Email: [email protected]



DAY 1: Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

Tour Mount St. Helens and learn about the May 18, 1980 eruption thatforever changed the landscape of this famous mountain and capti-vated the attention of our nation and the world. This world-class nat-ural attraction offers year-round scenic and wildlife viewing as wellas educational visitor centers to help visitors comprehend the dra-matic events of 1980 and the recovery that has followed. This yearmarks the 30th anniversary and commemorative events are scheduledthroughout the year and new awe-inspiring exhibits are beingunveiled.

DAY 2: Northwest History in Vancouver, WA

Take a guided tour of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.Established in 1825, it was the Pacific Northwest headquarters ofthe British-based Hudson’s Bay Company and their extensive furtrading empire. Visit Pearson Air Museum, located at one of theoldest continually operating airfields in the United States, to learnabout aviation history and view airplanes from pre-WWII. TourOfficers Row and the General George C. Marshall House built in1886 for the commander of Vancouver Barracks and named for itsfamous resident who resided there from 1936 to 1938. Lunch at thehistoric Grant House.

DAY 3: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area

Take a free tour of the famous Pendleton Woolen Mill to see first-hand the state-of-the-art dye house and the spinning, weaving, andfinishing of the distinctive Indian motif blankets. At the ColumbiaGorge Interpretive Center, view over 11,000 square feet of exhibitsthat interpret the area’s cultural and natural history. Cross theColumbia River into Oregon and take a scenic river cruise on theColumbia Gorge Sternwheeler, a triple-decker paddle wheeler, for

360-degree views of the magnificent Columbia River Gorge. Thentour the Bonneville Dam with historical exhibits and an underwaterfish viewing station. Stop and explore Multnomah Falls, the secondhighest year-round waterfall in the United States.

DAY 4: Lewis & Clark Trail and the Pacific Ocean

You’ll find pristine beaches and spectacular scenery on the Pacific Coast, which is only a 90-minute drive from Vancouver. Onthe way, take a four-mile auto tour of the Ridgefield National WildlifeRefuge, home to many species of spring and fall migrating birds.Stretch your legs at the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for White-TailedDeer. Viewing platforms allow you to see deer and elk speciesfirst described for science by Lewis & Clark. Visit the Lewis & ClarkInterpretive Center at Cape Disappointment State Park with exhibitsinterpreting Lewis & Clark’s experience at the mouth of the ColumbiaRiver. In the seaside town of Long Beach, spend a few hours explor-ing the International Kite Museum, Marshall’s Free Museum, CranberryMuseum and the historic town of Oysterville.

DAY 5: Portland, Oregon Gardens & Nature

Cross the Columbia River into Portland and visit several unique gar-dens in Washington Park starting with the 5.5-acre Japanese Gardenwith its authentic Japanese-style buildings, tranquil gardens andponds. Just next door is the Portland Rose Garden with 550 vari-eties of roses in a spectacle of color. The nearby Hoyt Arboretum isa 187-acre living museum of trees and plants from all over the world.

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:� History Comes Alive in Vancouver USA� Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Loop Tour

Photo: Donnelly-Austin Photography

TUCSON HIGHLIGHTS Tucson, Arizona

HIGHLIGHTS

� Saguaro National Park

� Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

� Old Tucson Studios

� Sabino Canyon

� DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun

� Pima Air & Space Museum

CONTACT: Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau� Judy Wood, Tourism Sales Manager • www.visittucson.org

100 S. Church Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701Phone: 520-770-2148 • Email: [email protected]


DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARYThis itinerary showcases some of the finest attractions that the met-ropolitan Tucson area has to offer. Enjoy our stunning desert setting atSaguaro National Park, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and SabinoCanyon. Relive the excitement of many old Western movies at Old TucsonStudios. Discover our creative side at DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun andlearn about our military history at Pima Air & Space Museum. As you’lldiscover, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Tucson!

DAY 1:

Take a drive-through tour of Saguaro National Park West and get abreathtaking view of thousands of saguaros, the giants of the desert.Break for lunch and a tour at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum,which tells the unique story of the Sonoran Desert region. More than300 species of live animals and 1,400 species of plants indigenous to the Sonoran Desert are exhibited in naturalistic habitats. Stop at Old Tucson Studios, the famous movie location and theme park. Takea step back in time and enjoy watching a simulated gunfight and saloon show. Or visit the International Wildlife Museum, a world-class natural history museum, where you get a close-up view of morethan 400 different species of preserved insects, mammals and birdsfrom around the world. The museum features a variety of hands-onexhibits and interactive displays for all ages. For the evening, dine at one of Tucson's many steakhouses; some even offer authenticWestern entertainment.

DAY 2:

Enjoy the views at Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, a true desertoasis. The narrated ground-tram ride lasts 45 minutes and travels

through some of the most camera-worthy scenery in the Tucson area.Head west to DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, built to showcase theunique Southwestern art of Ettore "Ted" DeGrazia. The gallery is aunique adobe construction with beautiful decorative features andcontains rooms exhibiting DeGrazia originals on subjects such as Padre Kino, Cabeza de Vaca and Yaqui Easter. Break for lunch at La Encantada and experience an upscale outdoor specialty shopping center that celebrates the splendor of Old World Spanishtraditions alongside modern sophistication. It features plazas, fine dining, and the trendiest national and local retailers.

Drive south to the Pima Air & Space Museum, where more than 250aircraft are on display, representative of America's aviation history. This impressive aircraft collection ranges from the first (a replica ofthe Wright flyer) to the ultimate flying machine, the famous SR-71ABlackbird. Dine at a Tucson Originals restaurant, an organization ofmany of Tucson's best independent fine dining, casual and neighbor-hood restaurants preserving Tucson's culinary sense of place byencouraging the support of local establishments.

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:� A Birder's Paradise� Stellar Views: Astronomy

COLORADO’S HIGH MOUNTAIN RAILROADS

Denver, Grand Junction and Colorado Springs,Colorado & New Mexico

HIGHLIGHTS

� Six Train Rides including the Silverton & Durango plus the Cumbres & Toltec

� High Mountain Jeep Tour

� Denver City Tour

� Manitou Cliff Dwellings & Garden of the Gods Park

� Six Breakfasts, Two Lunches and Three Dinners

CONTACT: US TOURS � Bob Cline • www.ustours.biz

2819 Murdoch Ave., Parkersburg, WV 26101Phone: 888-393-8687 • Email: [email protected]



DAY 1:

Arrive in Denver, CO. Check into hotel for a two-night stay. Dinnertonight will be on own.

DAY 2:

Start with a Denver City Tour. See the sights and sounds of the “MileHigh City.” Next is a ride on the Georgetown Scenic Railroad. Thisold-time steam locomotive will chug its way up the canyon, haulingyour train past the remains of several gold and silver mines betweenGeorgetown and Silver Plume. Tour the Lebanon Silver Mine, takingyou 500 feet into a mine tunnel bored in the 1870s. Return to Denverfor dinner at a local restaurant.

DAY 3:

Ride the high mountain cliffs and hanging mining trails on a three-hourJeep Tour over Corkscrew Pass into the Red Mountains. A wonderfulpicnic lunch will be included today. Your next stop is a ride on theSilverton-Durango Railroad. This steam locomotive travels along theAnimas River from Durango to Silverton, winding through spectacularcanyons in the remote wilderness of San Juan National Forest. Travel toPagosa Springs, CO for an overnight stay.

DAY 4:

Travel to Chamas, NM and ride the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad, a 64-mile, fully operational steam railroad jointly owned by Colorado andNew Mexico. Discover spectacular scenery and an unspoiled land-scape as well as the historic railroad structures preserved on the line.You will stop in Osier for a hot lunch included with the ride and makeyour way to Antonito, CO. You will then change trains at AntonitoStation and ride the Toltec Limited through the spectacular and

famous scenic Toltec Gorge Valley to Alamosa just in time for dinneron own. We will be staying overnight in Alamosa.

DAY 5:

Enjoy a morning ride on either the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad orRoyal Gorge Route Railroad. The Rio Grande winds through colorfulfoothills to cliff-sided mountains, while the Royal Gorge travels alongthe tumbling waters of the legendary Arkansas River deep within thegranite cliffs of the Royal Gorge. Next, travel to Colorado Springs,where we will be staying two nights. Tour the Garden of the GodsPark, a Registered National Natural Landmark in Colorado Springs, andexperience the Native American culture. Dinner this evening will beat Guiseppe's Old Depot Restaurant.

DAY 6:

Tour the Manitou Cliff Dwellings. Located at the foot of Pikes Peak, thesemountain dwellings are a rare historical treasure. Preserved under a pro-tective red sandstone overhang, the authentic Anasazi cliff dwellingswere built more than 700 years ago. The afternoon features a roundtripride on Pikes Peak Cog Railroad. This 8.9-mile ride travels along RuxtonCreek in Englemann Canyon. Conductors like to point out the various"faces" and shapes that can be seen, with a bit of imagination, in thegiant boulders. Dinner tonight will be at the Flying W Ranch. Enjoy areal chuckwagon dinner and be entertained by the Flying W Wranglers.

DAY 7:

Depart for home.

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:� Almost Heaven West Virginia� The Palmetto-Low Country Train

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

CORRIDORS OF SPRING COLOR Destination: Yosemite/Mariposa

County, California

HIGHLIGHTS

� Shopping in Historic Downtown Mariposa

� Mariposa Brewing Company Tour and Tasting

� Mariposa Gold Rush History Center and Museum

� Yosemite National Park Tour

� Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad

CONTACT: Yosemite/Mariposa County Tourism Bureau � Jeffrey Hentz • www.homeofyosemite.com

P.O. Box 967, Mariposa, CA 95338Phone: 209-742-4567 • Email: [email protected]



DAY 1: Historic Mariposa

Receiving its name from the thousands of butterflies that arrive everyspring, Mariposa County comes alive with a stunning array of not justbutterflies but also the colorful wildflowers they love to visit. Travelthrough the San Joaquin Valley on Hwy. 99 and exit in Merced, takingHwy. 140 to enjoy the climb into the foothills where the flowers are inbreathtaking full bloom.

Afternoon: Arrive in Mariposa in time for lunch in Historic DowntownMariposa.

Visit the California State Mining and Mineral Museum. Then strollacross the parking lot for a tasting and tour at Mariposa BrewingCompany. Next tour the Mariposa County Courthouse and Old JailHouse, then the Mariposa Gold Rush History Center and Museum.

Hotel check-in followed by free time for shopping in antique shops,art galleries and boutiques in Historic Downtown Mariposa.

Evening: Dinner – option of a fine dining experience with a wine pair-ing from one of our local wineries or a more casual experience at adowntown restaurant.

DAY 2: Yosemite Valley

Morning: After breakfast at your hotel, depart for the wonders ofYosemite. Enjoy the drive along scenic Hwy. 140, “The All Season MotorCoach Highway” that follows the Merced River, known for its Class 3-4whitewater rafting in late spring and summer.

Continue to the Yosemite Valley floor. As winter recedes, the park comesto life in dramatic fashion. Roaring waterfalls are at their peak. We suggest the 2-Hour Narrated Valley Tour or possibly contracting witha step-on guide for a complete overview of Yosemite and its wonders.

Afternoon: Group buffet lunch served in the Garden Terrace. Menu:Rainbow trout and grilled chicken breast ($15.00 inclusive, escort &driver complimentary).

Free time to explore the Ansel Adams Gallery, Indian Museum,Yosemite Cemetery, Indian Cultural Exhibit and Historical PostOffice, plus shopping for Yosemite souvenirs.

Check-in at Yosemite Lodge at the Falls.

DAY 3: Yosemite Valley

Morning: Breakfast at your hotel and free time for shopping and astroll before boarding your motorcoach. Depart the Yosemite Valley onthe Hwy. 41 corridor. Stop by Inspiration Point (aka Tunnel View) fora stunning overview on your way out.

At Wawona Pioneer History Centerwalk through a covered bridge fora self-guided tour of an era gone by. Look for the deer grazing on theonly golf course in a national park. Then it’s “all aboard” the YosemiteMountain Sugar Pine Railroad for a one-hour narrated steam trainexcursion over rails used for logging at the turn of the 20th century.

Afternoon: An outdoor barbecue awaits your return to the station.Take time to walk through the Thornberry Museum, try your hand atgold panning, visit the bookstore and don’t forget to pick up a fewsouvenirs in the Ticket Office Gift Shop.

Please note: If you are traveling from Southern California, you may wantto reverse this itinerary and spend your first night in Yosemite Valley atYosemite Lodge and spend the second night in Historic Mariposa.

OTHER ITINERARIES AVAILABLE:� Fall in Yosemite/Mariposa County� Winter in Yosemite/Mariposa County

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