THINKING ABOUT A
TOUR AFTER DENVENTION3 2008?
Colorado, Utah, Arizona tour ending in Las Vegas
(Sunday) Leave the convention after closing ceremonies and drive to Colorado Springs. On the way we will stop at the Colorado Railroad Museum. Overnight in Colorado Springs.
(Monday) Ride to Pikes Peak on the Cog Railway, take a look at the Garden of the Gods, and visit to the Air Force Academy. Overnight in Colorado Springs.
(Tuesday) From Colorado Springs we travel toward Silverton with a stop to view the Black Canyon of the Gunnison and the town Ouray (known as the Switzerland of America.) Overnight in Ouray.
(Wednesday) Leaving Ouray, we stop at Silverton, then travel to Durango via the Durango & Silverton Narrow Guage Railroad. Overnight in Durango.
(Thursday) From Durange, it's a short ride to Mesa Verde National Park to see the mysterious cliff dwellings of the little understood Anasasi Indians. Overnight in Cortez, just outside the park.
(Friday) We then head into Indian Country to Four Corners, the only place in the US where four states meet. We will travel through Monument Valley (the location for many a western movie) and on to the town of Cameron, where we stop for the night.
(Saturday) Today we explore the Grand Canyon. There are a number of options here, such as a raft ride down the Colorado River or a helicopter tour of the canyon.
(Sunday) From Grand Canyon we travel to Las Vegas with a stop at Hoover Dam and a tour of the dam and hydroelectric power facilities. The tour would end in Las Vegas, where you can extend your stay for a long as you'd like (or until your wallet empties). This is just a capsule itinerary, your input is much desired.
South Dakota, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona tour ending in Las Vegas
This other tour we are considering will require longer periods of coach travel.
(Sunday) After closing cerimonies, we head north from Denver into Wyoming toward the Black Hills of South Dakota. Overnight in Lusk, just west of the Hills.
(Monday) Our first stop is Jewel Cave and then on to Mount Rushmore with its carved heads of four presidents. Only seventeen miles from there we will enjoy the Crazyhorse Memorial with its still unfinished (after more than 50 years) mountain carving. When it is completed, it will be the world’s largest mountain sculpture. Also located here is the Indian Museum of North America. Next, it's on to Deadwood, where Wild Bill Hickok's luck ran out while holding aces and eights (the deadman's hand). Overnight in the interesting named Lead.
(Tuesday) From Lead we ride across most of Wyoming toward Yellowstone National Park. Overnight in Cody, just east of the park.
(Wednesday) Yellowstone is an active volcanic caldera with the most geysers in the world (including the famous Old Faithful). It is also America's first national park (thanks, Teddy). Overnight inside the park.
(Thursday) Upon leaving Yellowstone, we head south into Grand Teton National Park, with it's magnificent saw tooth mountains towering to almost 14,000 feet. Overnight in Jackson (think we'll see Harrison Ford?).
(Friday) Continuing south, we head to Salt Lake City, where we will see the Great Salt Lake, temple square, and the Mormon tabernacle with its amazing acoustics (yes, you can hear a pin drop). Those who's time is limited could leave the tour here. Overnight in Salt Lake City.
(Saturday) On to Bryce Canyon with it's "hoodoos" (pillers sculpted by erosion). Ebenezer Bryce is said to have exclaimed "It is a hell of a place to lose a cow!" Overnight in the town of Bryce.
(Sunday) We then travel to Zion National Park with its striking landscape carved out by rushing streams over a period of millions of years. Our overnight is in Page, Arizona (a town created to house workers on the Glen Canyon Dam project). We will have a short view of the dam and Lake Powell before arriving at our motel.
(Monday) Today we explore the Grand Canyon. There are a number of options here, such as a raft ride down the Colorado River or a helicopter tour of the canyon. Overnight at the canyon.
(Tuesday) From Grand Canyon, we travel to Las Vegas with a stop at Hoover Dam and a tour of the Dam and hydroelectric power facilities. The tour would end in Las Vegas, where you can extend your stay for a long as you'd like (or until your wallet empties). This is also just a capsule itinerary, your input is much desired.
Val & Ron Ontell
4557 Rueda Drive
San Diego CA 92124
(858) 292-4363