The Pacific Northwest
A 17 Day "Western Exploration"
Motorcoach Tour
September 2 - 18, 2017
Highlights
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This tour requires a passport or passport card
Day 1. Saturday, September 2 - This morning we will board our Rustad motor coach bound for the Pacific Northwest. Today will be a day of travel and keeping with that theme, lunch will be included in the Freight Room of the Depot Train Station in Mitchell, SD. Later we will inspect various means of transportation at the Pioneer Auto Museum. This evening we will stay in Rapid City, SD. (L)
Day 2. Sunday, September 3 - Skirting around the South Dakota Black Hills, we will soon find ourselves in Wyoming cattle country. A noon meal will be included in Sheridan before crossing over the first major mountain range of the Rockies, the majestic Big Horn Mountains. This afternoon we will stop at Shell Creek Visitor Center to admire the beautiful scenery and the waterfalls of this mountain stream. Later this afternoon we will arrive in Cody, Wyoming for our accommodations. (B) (L)
Day 3. Monday, September 4 - One of the most popular routes into Yellowstone National Park is through the scenic Wapiti Valley located between Cody, Wyoming and the east entrance of the Park. Our coach will follow this scenic route to Yellowstone, our nation’s oldest national park. Stops will be made at scenic and unusual sights before continuing on to Pocatello, Idaho to our motel. (B)
Day 4. Tuesday, September 5 - After an included breakfast at our motel, we will travel across the southern portion of Idaho through the Snake River Plains. Upon entering the state of Oregon, a noon lunch will be included in Ontario. Our route continues through a semi-arid plateau known to locals as the “High Desert.” The High Desert is part of the Cascade Range, but the scenery is completely different. Our motel this evening will be in Bend, Oregon. (B) (L)
Day 5. Wednesday, September 6 - Breakfast will be included before we leave the High Desert and travel into the forested foothills of the Cascade Mountain Range. High in the Cascade Range lays the crown jewel of Oregon – Crater Lake. The lake is six miles long, four and one-half miles wide and 1,932 feet deep. There will be time to explore the area and enjoy a picnic lunch before heading south to California through Grants Pass, Oregon. Our accommodations this evening will be in Crescent City. (B) (L)
Day 6. Thursday, September 7 - After leaving the hotel, we will turn south to travel the Pacific Coast to Klamath, California and the “Trees of Mystery.” Following nature trails, we will see such wonders as: twelve Sitka Spruce trees growing from one trunk (32 feet around), nine living trees growing from one root structure which forms the famous Cathedral Tree, the Upside-down Tree, and much more. Leaving the Huge Coastal Redwoods, we will travel north along the coast of Oregon to Coos Bay. At the House of Myrtlewood, we will see beautiful wood products made from this hardwood tree in multi-colors of red, yellow, and brown. This evening we will stay in Coos Bay. (B) (L)
Day 7. Friday, September 8 - Following scenic Highway 101 north along the beautiful Pacific Coast, we will stop in Newport. The sea lions gather here to feast off the fish dropped from the fishing vessels that dock to unload their catch. There will be time to look in the shops and eat at one of the many restaurants before we continue on to the Multnomah Falls. Our coach will follow the Columbia River to our motel in Portland, OR. (B)
Day 8. Saturday, September 9 - Mount St. Helens is quiet today, but definitely not sleeping. This morning, we will drive to the Johnston Visitor Center near the top of the mountain where you can look into the smoking crater. A picnic lunch will be included before leaving the breath-taking mountain scenery. Returning to I-5, our coach will turn north toward Seattle, Washington. This evening we’ll unpack for a 2-night stay in the North Seattle area. (B) (L)
Day 9. Sunday, September 10 - Breakfast will be included at the hotel before joining a guide for a tour of Boeing’s Everett Factory. Here you’ll see planes being built for airline customers. This is the largest manufacturing company of commercial jetliners. Our next stop will be at the Sky City Restaurant to enjoy a Sunday brunch from the top of the Space Needle and view Seattle at your feet. You will be surprised at what you can see 520 feet above the ground! Returning to ground level, there is time to walk through and view the glass works of Chihuly. It is a short ride to Pier 56 to board the “Good Time III” for a 2.5 hour narrated cruise, which includes going through the locks. This evening is free to relax at the hotel. (B) (L)
Day 10. Monday, September 11 - After breakfast and a short ride, our coach will drive aboard a state ferry for a ride across Puget Sound to Olympic Peninsula. We will take another ferry ride this afternoon across the Straits of Juan De Fuca to bring us to the capital city of British Columbia, Victoria. A step-on guide will show us the gardens, inner harbor, parks, and Parliament Building of this British city. Our accommodations will be in Victoria and you’ll have a free evening to enjoy the city. (B)
Day 11. Tuesday, September 12 - Joining the sightseers at the Butchart Gardens, we will spend the morning strolling through the gardens that grace this showplace in British Columbia. This lovely garden consists of 35 landscaped acres of native and exotic flowers. The colorful sunken garden spills over into the English Rose, Italian, and Japanese Gardens. A luncheon buffet will be included before we travel to Swartz Bay to ferry back to the mainland and to the city of Vancouver, British Columbia for a 2-night stay. (B) (L)
Day 12. Wednesday, September 13 - This morning, a step-on guide will join us for a tour of the sophisticated city of Vancouver. We will enjoy visiting Gastown, Chinatown, Stanley Park, and the waterfront area. A noon lunch is included at the Stanley Park Pavilion before going to Capilano Canyon and the Suspension Bridge. This is Vancouver’s oldest and most famous attraction. It is without a doubt the greatest suspension bridge in the world. Late afternoon we return to the hotel for a free evening. (B) (L)
Day 13. Thursday, September 14 - Traveling east from Vancouver, we will journey into the interior of British Columbia. Our scenery will consist of beautiful tree-covered mountains, small farms, orchards, and some desert-type terrain. Mid-afternoon, we will arrive at Three Valley Gap, our home for the night. Our evening will include a tour through their ghost town and a steak dinner grilled on an outdoor BBQ pit. (B) (D)
Day 14. Friday, September 15 - We’ll start the day with a beautiful drive across the Rocky Mountains continuing east into Canada’s Glacier National Park with a stop at Rogers Pass. At this high elevation, so much snow falls that avalanches are a dangerous problem. At the visitor’s center, we learn how the rangers prevent disasters before they start. Picture stops will be made in Yoho National Park and Lake Louise before traveling to Banff Town site, for our evening accommodations. Tonight will be free to explore downtown Banff and the many shops and restaurants. (B)
Day 15. Saturday, September 16 - Today we will leave the mountains behind and travel through the ranching and farming country of Alberta. After lunch at Ft. MacLeod, we visit the Fort Museum to learn about the Northwest Mounted Police. Check out the horses and pygmy goats! Our route leads us south into Montana. You’ll need your passport today to clear customs and tonight our motel will be in Great Falls, MT. (B) (L)
Day 16. Sunday, September 17 - This morning we head west passing the huge ranches and sheep herds, you’re sure to spot antelope or two along the way. Lunch is included before continuing on to North Dakota. In Medora you’ll learn about ranching, prehistoric animals, and rodeo riders at the Cowboy Hall of Fame Museum. This evening a light meal is included at the museum before bedding down in the Badlands. (B) (L) (D)
Day 17. Monday, September 18 - As our vacation comes to an end; we bring back fond memories of our tours, majestic mountains, forests, beautiful gardens, and the remote wilderness that we have experienced on this 17-day tour. The day will pass quickly as the scenery changes from North Dakota prairies to the fertile farmlands of Minnesota. Early evening we will return to Kerkhoven. (B) (L)
Day 2. Sunday, September 3 - Skirting around the South Dakota Black Hills, we will soon find ourselves in Wyoming cattle country. A noon meal will be included in Sheridan before crossing over the first major mountain range of the Rockies, the majestic Big Horn Mountains. This afternoon we will stop at Shell Creek Visitor Center to admire the beautiful scenery and the waterfalls of this mountain stream. Later this afternoon we will arrive in Cody, Wyoming for our accommodations. (B) (L)
Day 3. Monday, September 4 - One of the most popular routes into Yellowstone National Park is through the scenic Wapiti Valley located between Cody, Wyoming and the east entrance of the Park. Our coach will follow this scenic route to Yellowstone, our nation’s oldest national park. Stops will be made at scenic and unusual sights before continuing on to Pocatello, Idaho to our motel. (B)
Day 4. Tuesday, September 5 - After an included breakfast at our motel, we will travel across the southern portion of Idaho through the Snake River Plains. Upon entering the state of Oregon, a noon lunch will be included in Ontario. Our route continues through a semi-arid plateau known to locals as the “High Desert.” The High Desert is part of the Cascade Range, but the scenery is completely different. Our motel this evening will be in Bend, Oregon. (B) (L)
Day 5. Wednesday, September 6 - Breakfast will be included before we leave the High Desert and travel into the forested foothills of the Cascade Mountain Range. High in the Cascade Range lays the crown jewel of Oregon – Crater Lake. The lake is six miles long, four and one-half miles wide and 1,932 feet deep. There will be time to explore the area and enjoy a picnic lunch before heading south to California through Grants Pass, Oregon. Our accommodations this evening will be in Crescent City. (B) (L)
Day 6. Thursday, September 7 - After leaving the hotel, we will turn south to travel the Pacific Coast to Klamath, California and the “Trees of Mystery.” Following nature trails, we will see such wonders as: twelve Sitka Spruce trees growing from one trunk (32 feet around), nine living trees growing from one root structure which forms the famous Cathedral Tree, the Upside-down Tree, and much more. Leaving the Huge Coastal Redwoods, we will travel north along the coast of Oregon to Coos Bay. At the House of Myrtlewood, we will see beautiful wood products made from this hardwood tree in multi-colors of red, yellow, and brown. This evening we will stay in Coos Bay. (B) (L)
Day 7. Friday, September 8 - Following scenic Highway 101 north along the beautiful Pacific Coast, we will stop in Newport. The sea lions gather here to feast off the fish dropped from the fishing vessels that dock to unload their catch. There will be time to look in the shops and eat at one of the many restaurants before we continue on to the Multnomah Falls. Our coach will follow the Columbia River to our motel in Portland, OR. (B)
Day 8. Saturday, September 9 - Mount St. Helens is quiet today, but definitely not sleeping. This morning, we will drive to the Johnston Visitor Center near the top of the mountain where you can look into the smoking crater. A picnic lunch will be included before leaving the breath-taking mountain scenery. Returning to I-5, our coach will turn north toward Seattle, Washington. This evening we’ll unpack for a 2-night stay in the North Seattle area. (B) (L)
Day 9. Sunday, September 10 - Breakfast will be included at the hotel before joining a guide for a tour of Boeing’s Everett Factory. Here you’ll see planes being built for airline customers. This is the largest manufacturing company of commercial jetliners. Our next stop will be at the Sky City Restaurant to enjoy a Sunday brunch from the top of the Space Needle and view Seattle at your feet. You will be surprised at what you can see 520 feet above the ground! Returning to ground level, there is time to walk through and view the glass works of Chihuly. It is a short ride to Pier 56 to board the “Good Time III” for a 2.5 hour narrated cruise, which includes going through the locks. This evening is free to relax at the hotel. (B) (L)
Day 10. Monday, September 11 - After breakfast and a short ride, our coach will drive aboard a state ferry for a ride across Puget Sound to Olympic Peninsula. We will take another ferry ride this afternoon across the Straits of Juan De Fuca to bring us to the capital city of British Columbia, Victoria. A step-on guide will show us the gardens, inner harbor, parks, and Parliament Building of this British city. Our accommodations will be in Victoria and you’ll have a free evening to enjoy the city. (B)
Day 11. Tuesday, September 12 - Joining the sightseers at the Butchart Gardens, we will spend the morning strolling through the gardens that grace this showplace in British Columbia. This lovely garden consists of 35 landscaped acres of native and exotic flowers. The colorful sunken garden spills over into the English Rose, Italian, and Japanese Gardens. A luncheon buffet will be included before we travel to Swartz Bay to ferry back to the mainland and to the city of Vancouver, British Columbia for a 2-night stay. (B) (L)
Day 12. Wednesday, September 13 - This morning, a step-on guide will join us for a tour of the sophisticated city of Vancouver. We will enjoy visiting Gastown, Chinatown, Stanley Park, and the waterfront area. A noon lunch is included at the Stanley Park Pavilion before going to Capilano Canyon and the Suspension Bridge. This is Vancouver’s oldest and most famous attraction. It is without a doubt the greatest suspension bridge in the world. Late afternoon we return to the hotel for a free evening. (B) (L)
Day 13. Thursday, September 14 - Traveling east from Vancouver, we will journey into the interior of British Columbia. Our scenery will consist of beautiful tree-covered mountains, small farms, orchards, and some desert-type terrain. Mid-afternoon, we will arrive at Three Valley Gap, our home for the night. Our evening will include a tour through their ghost town and a steak dinner grilled on an outdoor BBQ pit. (B) (D)
Day 14. Friday, September 15 - We’ll start the day with a beautiful drive across the Rocky Mountains continuing east into Canada’s Glacier National Park with a stop at Rogers Pass. At this high elevation, so much snow falls that avalanches are a dangerous problem. At the visitor’s center, we learn how the rangers prevent disasters before they start. Picture stops will be made in Yoho National Park and Lake Louise before traveling to Banff Town site, for our evening accommodations. Tonight will be free to explore downtown Banff and the many shops and restaurants. (B)
Day 15. Saturday, September 16 - Today we will leave the mountains behind and travel through the ranching and farming country of Alberta. After lunch at Ft. MacLeod, we visit the Fort Museum to learn about the Northwest Mounted Police. Check out the horses and pygmy goats! Our route leads us south into Montana. You’ll need your passport today to clear customs and tonight our motel will be in Great Falls, MT. (B) (L)
Day 16. Sunday, September 17 - This morning we head west passing the huge ranches and sheep herds, you’re sure to spot antelope or two along the way. Lunch is included before continuing on to North Dakota. In Medora you’ll learn about ranching, prehistoric animals, and rodeo riders at the Cowboy Hall of Fame Museum. This evening a light meal is included at the museum before bedding down in the Badlands. (B) (L) (D)
Day 17. Monday, September 18 - As our vacation comes to an end; we bring back fond memories of our tours, majestic mountains, forests, beautiful gardens, and the remote wilderness that we have experienced on this 17-day tour. The day will pass quickly as the scenery changes from North Dakota prairies to the fertile farmlands of Minnesota. Early evening we will return to Kerkhoven. (B) (L)
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TOUR COST PER PERSON
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Trips Include:
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