Canadian Rockies: Trip Overview

Sample Itinerary

Read through the itinerary and plan now to join us in this fascinating discovery of the great Canadian Rockies.

Saturday (Day 1) LANCASTER-MONTPELIER, OH (L, D)
Leaving Lancaster on our deluxe motorcoach, we begin our travels westward along the Pennsylvania turnpike, stopping at selected points to pick up tour members who live in the central and western part of the state. Following lunch, we continue into Ohio. Basically a day of travel, our goal for tonight is just East of the Ohio/Indiana state line.

Sunday (Day 2) MONTPELIER- MADISON, WI (B, D)
Following breakfast, we drive West into Chicago to attend the morning worship service of well-known Moody Church named in honor of Dwight L. Moody. Of additional interest is Sears Tower, the tallest building in the world -110 stories. After watching "The Chicago Experience", which gives a brief overview of the city, our elevator wisks us to the top for a panoramic view. Leaving the city, we travel Northwest to Madison, WI for the evening meal and overnight accommodations.

Monday (Day 3) MADISON -ROCHESTER, MN (B, D)
U Rochester, MN is the home of the would-renowned Mayo Clinic. Begun as a family practice, this
medical center is known for its advanced technologies and discoveries in the medical world, drawing doctors and patients from the 4 corners of the globe. Our guided tour takes in the medical center campus of 24 buildings and a film highlights the history of the clinic. Evening meal and lodging are found here in Rochester.

Tuesday (Day 4) ROCHESTER- MITCHELL, SD (8, L)
Our journey continues West, stopping for our noon meal near the state line. Overlooking the Blue
Mound Rock formation, our restaurant offers us unlimited portions of food, roast turkey their specialty. Arriving in Mitchell, our first stop is the famous Corn Palace at 6th and Main. Interior and exterior portions of the building are covered with fresh designs made with corn, grasses and grains. Every year approximately 3,000 bushels of various shades of corn are used to redecorate the building and our guide will acquaint us with all we see. Of additional interest is the Enchanted World Doll Museum, containing more than 4,000 modern and antique dolls. Fairy tales, nursery rhymes and 18th century life are depicted in 400 scenes. Our motel is here in Mitchell and our evening meal is at our leisure.

Wednesday (Day 5) MITCHELL- CUSTER, SD (B, D) Today we visit the Badlands National Park This area contains spectacular examples of weathering and erosion. After stopping at the visitor's center, various picture stops are made to capture these fantastic formations on film. Mount Rushmore National Memorial contains the enormous heads of past presidents, all 60 feet high. Our hotel for tonight is the historic State Game Lodge in Custer State Park and we dine on buffalo sirloin for dinner.

Thursday (Day 6) CUSTER- RIVERTON, WY (B, D)
Custer State park encompasses 73,000 acres of the South Dakota Black Hills and is home of one of the world's largest free-roaming bison herds (about 1400). Our morning starts with a buffalo roundup as our experienced drivers rake us to scour the herds in their natural surroundings. Crossing into Wyoming, we travel through Thunder Basin National Grassland, covering more than 1.8 million acres. Deemed unsuitable for cultivation, sheep and cattle now graze on this vast land, which also supports one of the world's largest herds of pronghorn antelope. Our overnight is spent on the Wind River Indian Reservation, in the town of Riverton, just East of the Rocky Mountain Range.

Friday (Day 7) RIVERTON- GRAND TETONS (B, D)
The 485 square miles of the Grand Teton National Park include a majority of Wyoming's Teton
Range and the Valley of Jackson Hole. Considered the youngest mountains on the continent, there isolated peaks, valleys and lakes fit together to offer a majestic landscape. Tonight's lodging is in the Grand Teton/Jackson area and a special dinner is arranged for this evening.

Saturday (Day 8) GRAND TETONS -BOZEMAN , MT (8, D) Driving North through the Tetons, we enter the South gate of Yellowstone National Park and the majority of our day is spent here. The world's first national park, Yellowstone was established in 1872. Since the park is basically an elevated volcanic plateau, the thermal basins account for the many displays of scalding water (Old FaIthful) and bubbling clay (Pamtpots). Stops include Old Faithful,  Mammoth Hot Springs and the Pamtpots. Leaving the park through the North gate, we enter Montana and reach our overnight lodge In Bozeman.

Sunday (Day 9) BOZEMAN- KALISPELL, MT (B, L)
We will be having a worship time on the bus this morning as we arrive at the Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site in Wescero Montana. Established in the 1860's, the ranch has grown to 27,000 acres. Now smaller in size (1,500 acres), the ranch has more than 80 buildings ranging from the 23-room ranch house to bunkhouse row. Our guided tour will provide us with insight into this Ranch's history. The Old Montana Prison began functioning in 1871 and guided tours are available. Also, the Ford Museum is here, containing more than 100 Fords and Lincolns, possibly the most complete Ford collection in the world. We travel North toward the Canadian border, finding the Kalispell/Wesc Glacier area.

Monday (Day 10) KALISPELL- CALGARY, AB (B, D)
Glacier National Park contains a million acres of possibly the finest mountain scenery in America.
Going- To- The-sun Road is acclaimed as one of the outstanding scenic highways of the world. This 51-mile route traverses the width of the park and special vehicles are needed to transport our group to the East Gate, offering us the most magnificent views. Meeting our bus, we cross into Canada and arrive in Calgary this evening. FYI- 80% of all Canadians live within 100 miles of the US border.

Tuesday (Day 11) CALGARY- BANFF, AB (B, D)
Once a cow-town, the discovery of oil turned this agricultural community into a city of skyscrapers
and shopping malls. About half of the downtown buildings are connected by enclosed walkways, allowing freedom of movement without winter attire. A quick tour of the city includes Calgary Tower and the Devonian Gardens before we visit Heritage Park Historical Village. The more than 100 exhibits reflect fur trading of the 1860's, settlements of the 1880's and turn-of-the-century businesses. An antique steam train encircles the 60 acre park and a 200-passenger paddlewheel boat cruises the reservoir. Mid-afternoon we travel to the resort town of Banff, beautifully nested in the heat of the Canadian Rockies and our hotel for the next two nights.

Wednesday (Day 12) BANFF (B, 1:)
Banff National Park is a wildlife refuge, Elk, Deer and Bighorn sheep being the most common. This
is Canada's oldest National Park. Mid-morning we have a brief tour of the town of Banff and have the opportunity to board the Sulphur Mountain Gondola for spectacular views of the town of Banff and surrounding mountains from the 7,500 summit observation desk. Our buffet lunch is taken at the famous Banff Springs Hotel before we are on our own for the remainder of the day. Our hotel is situated so most things are within easy walking distance.

Thursday (Day 13) BANFF -JASPER, AB (B, L)
The morning's first stop is the icy blue-green waters of Lake Louise. Fed by Victoria -.-Glacier, the silt and rock flour give the water their distinctive color. The lake is 1 mile wide and the tranquil setting makes it ideal for relaxing or walking around the water's ~ edge. Following lunch at Saskatchewan River Crossing, we travel the Icefields Parkway, offering beautiful views of snow-capped mountains, waterfalls and lakes. Crossing into Jasper National Park, a stop is made at Athabasca Glacier, a tongue of the Columbia Icefield. A "snowmobile" trip is scheduled (snowmobiles hold 30-40 -people) to take us out on the ice of the glacier for a close-up look at this magnificent work of art. Continuing North, several picture stops are made before we arrive at our motel in Jasper.

Friday (Day 14) JASPER- KAMLOOPS, BC (B, D) .
Less developed and less crowded than Banff National Park, the majestic mountains, valleys and lakes offer equally spectacular views of the Rocky Mountain wild scenes. Traveling West through Yellowhead pass, we enter British Columbia and begin our drive south to Kamloops for the night, our motel offering a panoramic view of the valley below.

Saturday (Day 15) KAMLOOPS -VANCOUVER, BC           
Kamloops comes from an Indian word meaning "meeting of the waters" and began as a post for the Hudson's Bay Co. Driving West and South, we enter the Fraser Canyon and stop at Hell's . Gate, so named because the narrow passage creates such turbulent waters. The Airtram takes us -- across the Canyon to a visitor's center, floral gardens, suspension foot bridge, Salmon ladders, and lunch. 2 million salmon use the ladder to swim up stream to their spawning grounds each year. An hour east of Vancouver is Minter Gardens, offering eleven theme gardens displaying seasonal colors. We continue to the outskirts of Vancouver to find our motel.

Sunday (Day 16) VANCOUVER- VICTORIA, BC (B, D)
Following our morning church service and lunch, a short tour of the city is in order. Of interest here is Stanley Park, Gastown, Chinatown (2nd largest in North America), and the harbor. Boarding our ferry, we set sail for Vancouver Island and the city of Victoria. This provincial capital has the distinct atmosphere of Great Britain with afternoon tea, woolen shops and double-decker busses. The many hanging baskets and flowerbeds make this city a delightful place to spent the next two nights.

Monday (Day 17) VICTORIA (B, D)
Just to the North is the enchanting Fable Cottage Estate. Built by it's owner as a private residence, this unique home appears as if it leaped from the pages of a fairy tale. This 3 1/2 acre estate over- looks the ocean and our guide helps bring everything to life. World famous Butchart Gardens brings us 49 acres of breathtaking splendor and a stroll through this vast array of color is a highlight of our visit. Several restaurants offer us a chance to get a bit to eat before we return to Victoria for some free time to spent as we wish.

Tuesday (Day 18) VICTORIA -SEATTLE, WA (B, D)
Boarding the ferry, our ship sets sail for the state of Washington (US customs) and the port of Anacortes. En route, we wind our way through the 172 San Juan Islands, offering picturesque bays and steep, forested ridges. Back on land, Everett, WA contains the Boeing Assembly Plant for 747 and 767 commercial aircraft. Following a film presentation, a guided tour of the assembly line is an experience not to be forgotten. Driving into Seattle, our motel awaits us

Wednesday (Day 19) SEATTLE- SPOKANE, WA (B, D)
The Space Needle has been the most visible landmark of the city since the 1962 World Fair. An observation deck at the 520-foot level offers a bird's eye view of the city below. Following our city tour we turn our sights to the East as we begin our travels back home. Of interest this afternoon is the Grand Coulee Dam, used to harness the Columbia River for irrigation, power, and flood control. The dam is reported to be the most massive concrete structure in the world (500 feet high, 500 feet wide, 5,223 feet long). A visitor's center offers more information. We travel to Spokane for our overnight lodging.

Thursday (Day 20) SPOKANE- BUTTE, MT {B, D)
What attracted many people to come West originally was the lure of Gold and Silver. In Wallace, ID, the Sierra Silver Mine allows us the opportunity to witness mining in the silver-laden veins of the Coeur d'Alene district. Entering a tunnel, equipment and the techniques used are seen in operation. Back in Montana, the Smokejumpers Base Aerial Fire Depot allows us a glimpse into the life and work of these daring men. Forest Service smokejumpers give a guided tour of the base. Butte, MT once had the reputation as being "the richest hill on earth", yielding approximately 19 billion pounds of copper. Once we arrive in Butte for our overnight stay, it will regain that reputation once again {until we leave tomorrow).

Friday (Day 21) BUTTE- SHERIDAN, WY (B,D)
(Note: those signed up for the "Heart of the Canadian Rockies" will be flying back to Pennsylvania today.) Moving through Montana, the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument commemorates the dramatic climax of the Indian wars. As you may remember, Lt. Col. George A. Custer and 210 men made their last stand against several thousand Sioux and Cheyenne Indians. An historical museum helps bring this event to life. Continuing on to Sheridan, WY, we check into our hotel and have the evening meal Note: We have hopes a rodeo will be scheduled for tonight for to attend.

Saturday (Day 22) SHERIDAN -SCOTTS BLUFF, NB (B, D)
In the town of Douglas, WY is found an extensive collection of Wyoming pioneer items, Indian artifacts, newspapers and photographs of the early 1800'5, all found at the Wyoming Pioneer Memorial Museum. Following the Oregon Trail today, we see well-preserved examples of the mid-19th-century pioneer trail. Fort Laramie also lies along this trail and was an important trading post. Eleven structures have been restored to recall the flavor of daily life at this post. Costumed interpreters demonstrate aspects of both military and civilian life in the 1870'5. We cross the state line into Scotts Bluff, NB to find our lodging and dinner for tonight.

Sunday (Day 23) SCOTTS BLUFF -GRAND ISLAND, NE (B,D)
Scotts Bluff National Monument, 5 miles Southwest of town, rises 800 feet above the north Platte River. This bluff was prominent landmark on the Oregon Trail. Overlooks from the summit offer a spectacular view of Chimney Rock, Laramie Peak and the valley below. The rest of the day is dedicated to travel as we drive through Nebraska to the city of Grand Island for our motel accommodations and evening meal.

Monday (Day 24) GRAND ISLAND -DES MOINE, lA (B, D)
Crossing into Iowa, Des Moine is home to the fabulous Living History Farms, a 600-acre open-air agricultural museum telling the story of farming in the midwest and helping to preserve pioneer farming skills. Featured here are a 1700 Indian Village, an 1850 pioneer working farm, a horse-powered 1900 farm, an 1875 town and a modern crop center. We have ample time to explore this outstanding museum before finding our motel for tonight.

Tuesday, (Day 25) DES MOINE -GALES8URG, IL (8, L)
A short drive brings us to the Amana Colonies, 7 closely united villages settle in the 1850's by a religious sect from Germany. Those villages are East Arnana, West Arnana, High Arnana, Middle Amana, South Amana, Amana and Homestead. Our guide takes us throughout the colony before we settle down to a scrumptious family-style noon meal at one of their fine restaurants. Note: They are best known for their Amana kitchen appliances. A short distance away is the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site. Here we find the 2- room cottage where he was born, the Quaker Meetinghouse he attended, and the Hoover Presidential Library and museum, and the graves of the former President and his wife. Our lodging for tonight is found in Galesburg, IL.

Wednesday (Day 29) GALESBURG -RICHMOND, IN (B, L)
Springfield, IL contains many memories of Abraham Lincoln, having lived here for 24 years. A visit to Lincoln's home (the only home he ever owned), the Lincoln Depot Museum, and Lincoln's tomb are worth seeing. Our evening meal is enroute before we arrive at our accommodation in Richmond, IN.

Thursday (Day 27) RICHMOND -LANCASTER, PA (B, D)
This day is devoted to arriving back in Pennsylvania, dropping everyone off at the same point where we departed from. We have just experienced the trip of a lifetime and the incredible memories of all that we have seen and experienced will live on in our minds, photos and friendships.