June 6 – 13, 2009 8 days $986.00
We include both North and South Dakota on this tour. We have
found that many of you enjoyed Medora and Bismarck, ND as much
as the famous Presidents at Mt. Rushmore. From the sprawling prairies
to the haunting Badlands and on to the majesty of the Black Hills,
you will discover many treasures such as the Corn Palace, Pitchfork
Fondue, Crazy Horse, Needles Highway, North Dakota Heritage
Center, Lewis & Clark Riverboat, plus much more!
Day 1: Leave your cares behind as we head north into the Dakotas, land rich
in American heritage. We will have a day of traveling through Nebraska and
into Mitchell, SD for our night’s stay.
Day 2: For all you corn farmers, what a stunning, whimsical way to decorate
with your every day commodity. We’ll be going to the “World’s Only Corn
Palace”, which is redecorated each year with thousands of bushels of corn,
grain and grasses. We then will travel on north to Bismarck, ND, heart of the
Lewis and Clark Trail. We will venture out on the 100 foot paddle-wheeler,
Lewis and Clark Riverboat for a sunset scenic cruise, down the Missouri River
and included pizza dinner. Overnight in Bismarck.
Day 3: Today we visit the North Dakota Heritage Center located on the
Capitol grounds. The Center houses the largest museum in the state where
visitors can explore the diverse collections and the broad story of North
Dakota’s past. Following this tour, we are out to historic Fort Abraham
Lincoln State Park. Here we will relive the history of the 1800’s at Fort
Abraham Lincoln. It was from this fort that the Seventh Cavalry, under the
command of General George Armstrong Custer, rode out on the ill-fated
campaign at the Little Big Horn. It will then be time to head west to the town
of Medora. Historic Medora is the authentically restored pioneer cattle town
at the south entrance to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. We will enjoy a
play on the life and adventures of Theodore Roosevelt called “Bully”. After
checking into our motel we are in for a treat as we enjoy an included Pitchfork
Fondue dinner. Bring your cameras for a picture of the chefs and their
pitchforks full of steaks! Overnight in Medora.
Day 4: Today we start our day with a 36 mile loop drive through the
Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The park honors Roosevelt and his
national conservation policy based upon the wise use of the nation’s natural
resources. Following lunch, we will return to South Dakota and our overnight
stay will be in the town of Spearfish.
Day 5: This morning we will board vans for a guided tour of Deadwood.
We will hear stories of Wild Bill Hickok and of the gold rush days. Lunch will
be in Deadwood where you can eat at one of the places downtown such as the
Historic Franklin Hotel. In front of the local saloon they have a re-enactment
of the shooting of “Wild Bill Hickok”. Before our day ends we will have one
more stop, at Crazy Horse Memorial. The visitor complex includes displays
illustrating the mountain work and one of the foremost collections in the
upper Midwest, the Indian Museum of North America. Overnight in
Keystone for 2 nights.
Day 6: Local tour vans will be our transportation this morning as we enjoy
a narrated tour of the Needles Hwy, Custer St. Park, and Iron Mtn. Rd. On our
scenic breathtaking tour, we will travel through tight-fitting tunnels and
circling pigtail bridges on our way to Mt. Rushmore, where we will get to
spend time learning of the history of this great monument. Late afternoon we
will leave the mountain and travel to Hill City for an 1880’s train ride through
the Black Hills National Forest. What a day of spectacular scenery.
Day 7: We will continue on to Rapid City where we will be joined by a step-
on-guide for a short city tour as we head to Wall, SD, home of the famous Wall
Drug. Here we will have lunch and a chance to explore the world’s largest drug
store! It will then be time to head south as we travel through the Badland’s
National Park. Years of wind and water erosion have carved an eerie sight from
the vast prairies of western South Dakota. Overnight in Mitchell, SD
Day 8: Today will be a day of traveling as we share the memories with our
fellow travelers, of what we experienced in the beautiful Black Hills of South
Dakota and the rich history of North Dakota. Thanks for making this a
memorable tour.