The Dakotas: Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Theodore Roosevelt National Park
9 Days, June 20th - 28th
Imagine that somewhere along the Missouri River there is a spot where Teddy Roosevelt, Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, Sacagawea, Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse and even George Custer have all walked. That spot would be in the Dakota Territories. While no one can actually pinpoint that specific spot, the trail of each of these historic people follows the Missouri River through North Dakota and so does your journey as you go West! See this magical land through their eyes.
•Visit the National Shrine of Democracy, Mt. Rushmore, during the day and for the poignant evening lighting ceremony
•Explore awesome Badlands National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park
•Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of the Medora Musical before the show, a pitchfork fondue dinner, and The Medora Musical, a tribute to patriotism and the Wild West
•Ride to the top of Crazy Horse Mountain and learn about the monumental project that is being created right now
•Jeeps carry you into heart of the range where buffalo really do roam free in Custer State Park
•18 meals: 5 breakfasts, 3 full breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners
•Door-to-door airport transportation
•Round trip air Sacramento/Bismarck; Denver/Sacramento
•3600/3950 Gold Passport Points
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Day 1
An early morning flight from Sacramento through Denver arrives into Bismarck, ND in the early afternoon in time for a late lunch and a bit of sightseeing. Fort Abraham Lincoln was Lt. Col. George Custer’s last assignment before he rode off into history. You’ll have a chance to get a glimpse into his home life as well as into the life of the Mandans and Hidatsas, the Native Americans of North Dakota with a visit to Bismarck’s historic sites.
- Holiday Inn Express
- Lunch is included this day.
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Day 2 & 3
The rolling plains of the Western Dakotas call to you during the next two days as you continue your travels along the banks of the Missouri River towards Medora, the little town Teddy Roosevelt called home for a short period in his life. “I never would have been president, if it had not been for my experiences in North Dakota.” Spend two days in this small town along the Little Missouri River hearing all sorts of stories about Teddy Roosevelt, the Marquis de Mores, and some of the other colorful characters who brought this area to life. Enjoy a ride through Theodore Roosevelt National Park, a pitchfork fondue (yep, they really do cook your steak to order using a pitchfork!), a visit to the Chateau de Mores, and a great performance of the Medora Musical. You’ll find out why T. R. loved North Dakota so much and how it changed his life, affecting his ideas on conservation, politics and business.
- AmericInn Medora – 2 nights
- 2 Breakfasts, 2 lunches, and a dinner are include these days
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Day 4
Travel south today through the grasslands and small communities of western Dakotas. It is in these areas where the state bird, the pheasant, outnumbers the people yet everywhere you stop you are sure to be greeted with true hospitality. In Bowman, pause at the Pioneer Trail Museum and in Spearfish discover the Matthew Opera House. An early dinner at the Bay Leaf Café concludes the day.
- County Inn Suites Rapid City – 2 nights
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included this day
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Day 5
Today it is off to Mako Sica, or Badlands National Park, a spectacular land of awesome wonder, of nature in action; an otherworldly land of soft clays and sandstones carved by wind and water. You are on your own for lunch in Wall, home of Wall Drug, once a small pharmacy offering a free cup of ice water to weary travelers. Today, Wall Drug is a multi-complex of restaurants, museums, and shops….and yes, they still offer the free ice water! Return to Rapid City for dinner with your fellow fun-loving adventurers.
- Breakfast and dinner are included this day
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Day 6
Learn about the extraordinary sculptor who carved Mount Rushmore with a morning visit to the Rushmore-Borglum Museum. Dine with the Presidents at the “Shrine to Democracy” and get your daytime photos. Take a walk along the base, visit the sculptor’s studio, and later board open-air jeeps for a ride through Custer State Park in search of buffalo that still roam free in the hills. Cap your day with dinner at the State Game Lodge, summer White House to two US Presidents. Our accommodations for the next few nights, situated in the shadow of Harney Peak, have just the right amount of rustic charm for the remainder of our Black Hills adventure.
- Palmer Gulch Lodge – 2 nights
- Breakfast and dinner are included this day
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Day 7
Visit a monumental carving project still in the works today, The Crazy Horse Memorial. You will have an opportunity to go to the very top of this carving and stand on the “forehead” for an incredible view of the Black Hills. Once back down on common ground, visit the museum, art gallery and artisan tables to discover beautiful Native American arts and crafts. This afternoon, enjoy quiet Hill City with some time on your own for shopping and dinner at your leisure. This evening we return to Mount Rushmore for the very poignant night program and lighting of the mountain.
- Full breakfast is included this day
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Day 8
The journey continues southward as we move down through the lower region of the Black Hills towards Wyoming today. Stop in Hot Springs at the Mammoth Site, where more than 26,000 years ago large Columbian and Woolly Mammoths were stuck in situ in a sinkhole. This amazing discovery in 1974 created quite a buzz in the scientific world. The visitors center enables you to view first hand this working paleontological site. Continue into Wyoming, arriving into Fort Laramie in the late afternoon.
- Hilton Garden Inn
- Full breakfast and lunch are included this day
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Day 9
Explore Fort Laramie, the settlement located at the “Crossroads of a nation moving west.” This pivotal fort played a major role in the settlement of the west as pioneers moved along the Oregon Trail and throughout The Black Hills during the gold rush days. Your western adventure comes to a conclusion as we leave Wyoming and turn into Colorado for the last segment of our trip. Your flight from Denver arrives in Sacramento in the evening.
- Full breakfast and lunch are included this day
A Port, A President, and The Pageant of the Masters
Featuring The Laguna Pageant of the Masters.
Alaska’s Denali National Park and the Kenai Peninsula
Featurng Alaska’s finest resorts and The Alaska Railroad.
Balloons, Glass and Ducks: A Washington State Adventure
Located at the northern tip of the Olympic Peninsula, Sequim is surrounded by the Olympic Mountains, and the Straits of San Juan de Fuca. Resting in the rain shadow of the mountains, Sequim enjoys pleasant days and little rain compared to the rest of the peninsula. John Wayne vacationed here, as do many celebrities today. You will enjoy three nights here during the Sequim Balloon Festival conveniently located just across the road from your hotel.
9 Days · 18 Meals
Your trip includes all accommodations, airfare from Sacramento*, all listed activities and the services of a Sports Leisure Tour Director
*If applicable. Not traveling from Sacramento? Not a problem, just give us a call.
(951) 361 - 2051
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