Southwest Tour & Travel Motorcoach Tours

The Green Choice Ride a Motorcoach -- The Greenest Approach

2011-04-25T08:03:00.001-05:00

Motorcoaches currently provide 206.6 passenger miles per gallon (MPG), more than double the second most fuel-efficient sector, commuter rail at 92.4 passenger MPG.

Transit buses achieve 31.4 passenger MPG, domestic air carriers achieve 44 passenger MPG, and single passenger automobiles achieve 27.2 passenger MPG. Each motorcoach has the potential of removing 55 autos from the highway. That's millions of cars not driven, saving fuel, cutting emissions and reducing congestion.

Travel Today & Create Memories for Tomorrow

2011-02-07T12:56:00.003-06:00

Travel Today & Create Memories for Tomorrow is something I tell my guests at travel shows and when doing speaking engagements. Nothing brings this more to light than a recent guests statement on our recent tour. He said "Now I can take this trip off of my bucket list." That is what makes our job one of the best in the business. We help people fulfill their dreams and check off their bucket list. Connie VanderPoel, Southwest Tour & Travel

Best of the Caribbean

2011-01-27T10:20:00.001-06:00

What's the best overall Caribbean destination?

By Kitty Bean Yancey, USA TODAY

It's Puerto Rico, according to Caribbean Travel + Life's "Best of the Caribbean" Readers' Choice Awards.

The W Retreat & Spa on Vieques Island adds glamour to the hotel scene in Puerto Rico.

CAPTION

W Retreat & Spa -- Vieques Island

(And Jamaica's Red Stripe is the best beer.)

Puerto Rico bested St. John and Jamaica in voting by more than 250,000 readers. It also won honorable mentions in shopping, adventure and best natural attraction or park for El Yunque rainforest. Its new W Retreat & Spa -- Vieques Island won honorable mention in best medium-sized hotel. And the venerable Caribe Hilton in San Juan earned an honorable mention in the "Megaresort" category.

Why did PR win best island? For its nightlife, nature, beaches, culture and friendly people. (And its food is pretty interesting, too. Foodies shouldn't miss "mofongo" (mashed plantain, yucca or breadfruit with garlic, oil stuffed with meat, poultry or fish) and might want to check out the Saborea food fest, April 1-3. Here's the website.)

Other winners of the the magazine's "Best of the Caribbean Readers' Choice" Awards :

Best Festival: Trinidad Carnival
Honorable Mention: Reggae Sumfest, Jamaica; St. Lucia Jazz Festival

Best Island to Live On: St. John, USVI
Honorable Mention: St. Thomas, USVI; Grand Cayman

Best Happy Hour: Rick's Café, Jamaica
Honorable Mention: Sunset Beach Bar, St. Maarten; Soggy Dollar, BVI (Kitty's note: The Soggy Dollar is a hoot if you're a boater and party animal.)

Best Luxury Resort: Parrot Cay, Turks and Caicos
Honorable Mention: Jade Mountain, St. Lucia; Fowl Cay Resort, Bahamas

Best Family Resort: Atlantis, Bahamas
Honorable Mention: Beaches Turks & Caicos; The Buccaneer, St. Croix, USVI

Best Rum: Cruzan
Honorable Mention: Tortuga; Appleton

Best Beer: Red Stripe
Honorable Mention: Carib; Presidente

Best Shopping: St. Thomas, USVI
Honorable Mention: St. Martin; Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

Best Adventure Destination: Belize
Honorable Mention: Riviera Maya, Mexico; Puerto Rico

Best Snorkeling & Diving: Belize
Honorable Mention: Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico

Best Small Hotel: Little Cayman Beach Resort
Honorable Mention: Rincón Beach Resort, Puerto Rico; Peter Island, BVI

Best Midsize Hotel: Caneel Bay, St. John, USVI
Honorable Mention: W Retreat & Spa, Vieques Island, Puerto Rico; Rosewood Little Dix Bay, BVI

Best Restaurant: The Cliff, Barbados
Honorable Mention: Kon Tiki, St. Maarten; Cracked Conch, Grand Cayman

Best Golf Resort: Four Seasons, Nevis
Honorable Mention: Sandy Lane, Barbados; Half Moon, Jamaica

Best Resort Spa: Silver Rain, Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
Honorable Mention: Golden Door Spa, Las Casitas Resort, Puerto Rico; Hotel Guanahani & Spa, St. Barts

Best Beach: Seven-Mile Beach, Grand Cayman
Honorable Mention: Trunk Bay, St. John, USVI; Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos

Resort With the Best View: Jade Mountain, St. Lucia
Honorable Mention: Anse Chastanet, St. Lucia; Peter Island, BVI

Best Bang for the Buck Resort: Beaches Turks & Caicos
Honorable Mention: Lazy Parrot Inn, Puerto Rico; Sunset House, Grand Cayman

Best Megaresort: Atlantis, Bahamas
Honorable Mention: Wyndham Sugar Bay, St. Thomas, USVI; Caribe Hilton, Puerto Rico

Best All-Inclusive Resort: Beaches Turks & Caicos
Honorable Mention: Peter Island, BVI; Jumby Bay, Antigua

Best Island for Celebrity-Watching: St. Barts
Honorable Mention: Turks and Caicos; Anguilla

Best Natural Attraction or Park: Virgin Islands National Park, St. John, USVI
Honorable Mention: El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico; Bonaire National Marine Park

Best Romantic Resort: Jade Mountain, St. Lucia
Honorable Mention: Peter Island, BVI; The Caves, Jamaica

Check out other great travel destinations on our website: www.swtourandtravel.com

Does your vehicle get 206 MPG? Ours does

2011-01-19T14:30:00.003-06:00

As a company that specializes in Motorcoach Tours, I follow the news and trends in this industry closely. In a economic impact study done by the American Bus Association the following highlight was pointed out:

Motorcoach travel averages 206 passenger miles per gallon compared to rail at 92, transit bus at 31, personal automobiles at 27 and hybrid cars at 46 passenger miles per gallon.

Go Green - Climb aboard a bus tour!

2010 John Deere bus tour provides dream

2011-01-17T14:49:00.004-06:00

One man's dream of seeing where his big green machine was built was fulfilled on the 2010 John Deere guided tour to Moline, IL in March.

John Deere Harvester Works is the largest, most modern combine manufacturing facility in the world. Located in East Moline, Illinois, it is approximately 90 acres under roof (that's nearly 4 million square feet).

A majority of your combine components start as a roll of steel. Each roll weighs 10-to 20-tons, is 4-to 6-feet wide, and comes in thickness up to 1/4-inch. Steel is fed into a machine which cuts it to various lengths, then flattens it. The flat steel is sent to different stations to be made into smaller parts.

Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machines, capable of holding 37 unique punches in a large wheel, are used to create various combinations of parts. Harvester Works also uses lasers that cut at rates of up to 400-inches per minute. Presses are used for larger sheet metal forming and can apply 400-to 1000-tons of pressure.

Another fascinating part of the tour was where the parts at John Deere Harvester are immersed 10 times during the pre-paint process. Each of the 10 stages contains approximately 50,000 gallons of continuously circulated liquid that may reach temperatures of 150 degrees F.

After the pre-treatment process, a coat of paint (0.8-1.0-mil) is applied and baked for 68 minutes at 275 degrees F. The three-stage electrocoat process is capable of operating at 600 volts and 2000 degrees. At this stage of the paint process, four Fanuc P200 robots capable of painting 39-inches per second apply a final topcoat. Under normal conditions, a part is involved in the paint process for approximately 5 hours from start to finish.

14 miles of automated track comes together to form the main Harvester Works building. Here, the sub-assemblies of your combine include:

Body (separator cleaning shoe)
Engine
Feeder house
Grain tank

Purchased parts such as engines, radiators, and fuel tanks arrive Just In Time (JIT) at loading docks near their final point of use. Parts arrive from all over the United States and from sister factories all over the world. These major sub-assemblies come together on the "main line" to be assembled into your finished combine.

After the combine is completely assembled, it is pre-delivered by an independent company that inspects the combine from front to back for proper fluids, torques, and tensions in key areas. This same company helps provide customer support during the summer harvest.
We are planning this motorcoach tour again for 2012. You can check out our upcoming bus tours at www.swtourandtravel.com

Inside the Cosmopolitan Casino Resort in Las Vegas

2011-01-14T09:04:00.003-06:00

Did you know Southwest Tour & Travel is also a "Full Service Travel Agency?" We are always looking for new destinations for you. Check out the new Cosmopolitan Casino Resort in Las Vegas on this U Tube video

Hearst Castle Zebra killed

2011-01-14T08:35:00.004-06:00

How Sad! Our California Motorcoach Tour goes to Hearst Castle and our guests always enjoy seeing the wildlife. We can only hope something like this will be handled differently in the future.

Connie VanderPoel, Manager Southwest Tour & Travel

Article Courtesy of Snobby Tours

Snobby Tours Travelblog: KILLING OF ZEBRAS FROM HEARST CASTLE RANCH STIRS C...

2011-01-14T08:31:00.000-06:00

Snobby Tours Travelblog: KILLING OF ZEBRAS FROM HEARST CASTLE RANCH STIRS C...: "'When William Randolph Hearst commissioned San Francisco architect Julia Morgan to build an opulent home for him above central California's ..."

About US

2011-01-13T16:37:00.003-06:00

Southwest Tour and Travel begins its 36th year in 2011 of providing its customers with a wide variety of quality motorcoach tours, motorcoach charters, and a full service line of travel services at an affordable price.

We also offer a wide variety of travel services including airline, Amtrak, cruises and vacation packages. Any destination…give us a call or e-mail us.

We extend our sincere thanks to the hundreds of loyal customers who travel with us time and time again. For those of you who have not traveled with us before, we welcome you to Southwest Tour and Travel and invite you to sample our unique style! Every detail of your tour will be planned to provide you with the best vacation experience possible. Our professional, courteous and competent tour directors and drivers will see that you have a hassle-free vacation that you can enjoy to the fullest!

Our goal is to bring you the best travel opportunities available, so let 2011 be the year you travel in style and comfort. You’ll see why our motto is, “Travel Southwest and Go with the Best!“

Southwest Tour and Travel will customize any tour to meet your group’s special needs, including custom air, motorcoach or cruise combinations. If your group is too small to fill an entire tour, we welcome you to join one of our scheduled tours.

We're Back

2011-01-06T16:54:00.003-06:00

Hi Again!
We have done some restructuring to our web-site, check it out on www.swtourandtravel.com
as well as we now have a Twitter account: http://twitter.com/SWtours and you can also follow us on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Southwest-Tour-Travel-Travel-Tidbits/144911992229168?v=wall#!

Our Blog will now be a more informational site where you can learn more about travel opportunities we have for you.

Thanks for following us!

Cherry Blossom Tour

2010-04-06T07:54:00.003-05:00

Day 3
Today we celebrated a birthday, an anniversary and the fact that temperatures reached 90 degrees, 20 degrees above normal and tying an all-time record. The scenery got steadily more rolling as we moved from the foothills of the Appalachians into the Allegheny Mountains. We traveled 12 miles in West Virginia and then into Pennsylvania. We enjoyed seeing a covered bridge, hillside farms, Pennsylvania-style barns with louvers for windows, miles of forest, curving highways, and a steady, colorful array of blossoming trees and bushes. At the highest elevations, the leaves had not come out, but everything in Gettysburg tonight is very green. We have spent time at the Peace Monument within Gettysburg National Military Park and had a guided walk through the National Cemetery. Tonight we are free to enjoy some of the interesting restaurants within walking distance of the hotel.

Day 2
Sunshine, 86 degrees, blossoming trees (tulip magnolia, red bud, Bradford pear) and bushes (forsythia) gave us a beautiful day. The flat Illinois prairies of this morning became rolling hills with many trees by the time we checked into our Ohio hotel. We spent some quality time at the Indy 500, riding around the 2 1/2-mile track and looking at all of the displays in the museum. Trophies, racing memorabilia and cars from every era gave us plenty to look at. The Duesenberg was probably the favorite display.

Day 1
Lots of people, lots of luggage, and lots of anticipation today as we left on the Cherry Blossom tour. Even though much of the area is familiar to many of us, it is still exciting to see signs of changing seasons with some of the fields having been worked and with the grass getting greener the farther south we got. We found daffodils in bloom and trees leafing out by the time we arrived in Galesburg. We've gotten acquainted with people sitting around us, learned that the Mississippi flows east-west through the Quad Cities, and we've started looking at our lists of Broadway plays and maps of Manhattan, thinking about the days to come. With temperatures reaching a high of 67 degrees today (followed by a cool down when we ran into rain), we're looking forward to wearing short sleeves.

John Deere Tour

2010-03-16T18:19:00.003-05:00

Day 4
Our John Deere packages are stowed away and we are anxious to get back to Minnesota to share our John Deere memories with our family and friends.

Day 3
A guide Rock Island Arsenal tour gave us interesting information on how this Arsenal has played an integral part in military history. A visit to the Isabel Bloom Studio where the make one of a kind sculptures and free time for shopping in LeClaire, IA made for a full day.

Day 2
This morning our first stop was at the John Deere Harvester plant where they make the huge JD combines. The one on display in the lobby was over $375,000, no one made a purchase order today! The JD World Headquarters was where we learned the history of John Deere and how the machinery has advanced over the years. Lunch at the John Deere Pavilion area gave us time to shop and get any John Deere souvenirs we might want. They even have John Deere underwear!!

This afternoon was a chance to enjoy the tasty treats part of this tour with a stop first at Boetje Foods for a sampling of their ground brown mustard, and next at a Chocolate Factory where she showed us how to make chocolate tulips, yummmmm....

A dinner theater presentation of Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat rounded out this evening with great food and entertainment.

Day 1

We spent a pleasant day today getting to know our traveling companions and discussing the upcoming spring thaw. We learned about the flooding in the area in 2008 and hoped 2010 would be nothing like that.

California

2010-03-05T07:43:00.010-06:00

Day 18
Our sand hill crane viewing continued this morning as we left Kearney, adding to the thousands we had seen yesterday. A few birds were flying, but most were eating in cornfields paralleling the interstate. We did some reminiscing as we headed home, sharing highlights of the tour and reminding ourselves of the great weather we had. We also had to remind ourselves of how much snow we had when the tour departed compared to what we were seeing today. Lastly, we said goodbyes to fellow travelers who have now become friends.

Day 17

We woke up to blue skies but temperatures in single digits! We drove past the rodeo grounds in Cheyenne and around the state capitol before heading east again. Today our roads were dry - a welcome change. This afternoon we relived the Oregon Trail at the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument in Kearney, NE. Our last sightseeing was with two step-on guides as we drove through the countryside along the Platte River, seeing flock after flock of sandhill cranes. Some were flying but most were feeding on the cornfields. We also stopped at Fort Kearney for a video on all the birds that migrate through here and a look at the fort's history. Our stay tonight is in Kearney.

Day 16

It was snowing lightly in Salt Lake City when we left this morning, but it was partly sunny by the time we arrived at the Utah Olympic Park. After our guided tour which brought us up to the top of the luge run and the ski jumps, we spent time at the museum with the chance for photographs in a bobsled (the contortions and groans of people getting in and out were entertaining), virtual skiing, videos, exhibits and a gift shop. From there we headed east on I-80. With the cold front that arrived yesterday, part of the interstate was closed due to blowing snow and icy conditions. We were very thankful that by lunch, our entire route had opened. We traveled through high desert country to Cheyenne where it was snowing and 25 degrees. Yesterday's temperature had been 70!

Day 15

On the east side of the mountains, the scenery is no longer lush. Today's drive was in high desert country, through the Great Salt Lake Desert and along the Great Salt Lake. In Salt Lake City we toured Temple Square and were able to listen to a rehearsal of the talented Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Day 14

Heading east for the first time this morning, we toured Jelly Belly before heading to Sacramento. In the city we had a walking tour of the State Capitol building, learned about almonds with the chance to taste the different flavors available and got introduced to a great local burger place for lunch. We drove through gold country and through the Sierra Nevada Mountains on our way to Reno where we drove through downtown and took a picture of the famous Reno arch. Our stay tonight is in adjoining Sparks with the chance for some casino time.

Day 13

A step-on guide took us on a walking tour of Chinatown this morning where we were able to walk some of the hills, observe a different lifestyle and taste fortune cookies freshly made. Driving through the various neighborhoods of the city, through Golden Gate Park and across the Golden Gate Bridge plus looking at the entire city from Twin Peaks gave us a good overview of San Francisco. This afternoon was free. Some chose to tour Alcatraz, some took a harbor cruise, and others shopped on Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39, looking at the sea lions and enjoying fresh seafood.

Day 12

After driving past quite a few acres of artichoke fields, we stopped at a produce stand to buy fruit and taste fried artichoke hearts. We continued through more miles of berries, corn, cattle and vegetables before getting into the area of redwood trees. We had a guided walk through a state park with the chance to stand at the base of trees over 350 feet high, followed by a train ride through the redwoods. After lunch we drove more of Highway #1 with stops to view a lighthouse and walk on a beach. Quite a few learned that it is a big mistake to turn your back on the ocean! After the more rural northern California driving, we are in the city of San Francisco tonight, right on Fisherman's Wharf.

Day 11

Breakfast was served both inside and outside this morning (those outside sat by a fire pit and kept warm). Our sightseeing included a stop to look at the ocean before heading up to the Hearst Castle where we watched the IMAX movie and then toured one guest house and a portion of the main house with its treasures from around the world. From there we drove through a variety of California scenery. Cattle grazing on lush green mountainsides. Miles of vineyards. Through the "Salad Bowl of the Nation" in the Salinas Valley. Along Highway #1 on the 17 Mile Drive with stops to see the ocean, harbor seals and birds. We enjoyed a picnic lunch and some shopping at Cannery Row in Monterey before checking into our hotel for the night.

Day 10
Sunshine, not a cloud in the sky with temperatures in the low 60s and a bit of a breeze made for a perfect March day. We spent an hour this morning walking on historic Stearns Wharf at Santa Barbara and looking at the palm trees, flowering trees, bird of paradise flowers and Spanish-style buildings. As we drove to Solvang, we were between the ocean to the west and mountains to the east. Offshore oil rigs, pump jacks on shore, strawberry fields, vineyards, citrus groves, an ostrich farm and many horse farms gave us non-stop sights to enjoy. The Danish community of Solvang had enough to keep us busy for a good block of time. We shopped, ate Danish pastries, tried pea soup, local breads, and the famous abelskivers. Our last driving stretch brought us to San Simeon along the Pacific coast. Mountain sides covered with carpet-like grass and grazing cattle and sheep added to the continuing fields of fruits and vegetables. Tonight we can walk along the ocean.

Day 9

After a buffet breakfast, we drove on the LA freeway system, seeing downtown LA, the Hollywood sign and Griffith Observatory and into Hollywood. We compared foot prints and signatures of the stars and found favorites on the Walk of Fame. Next we toured Warner Brothers Studio, riding through the back lot and seeing carpenters and set designers working to prepare streets for television and/or movies. We got into the area of props, were on the old set of "Friends" and sat where the audience sits for the taping of "Two and a half Men." The final stop was in the museum with costumes and props from past movies. After lunch at Warner Brothers, we continued northwest to Simi Valley, home to the Ronald Reagan Library and Museum. Videos, movies and displays presented the life of the Reagan's, with the highlight being Air Force One. Another highlight was seeing a section of the Berlin Wall. The view from the hillside location was of green mountains and a valley with avocado groves. Our drive into Ventura gave us a taste of California freeway traffic as we crept along for miles. Strawberry fields and lush green mountainsides at least made it a beautiful drive. Our hotel provided a welcome reception which allowed us to socialize and relax after our busy day.

Day 8
Today was the best weather day so far. It got up to 66 degrees, so it felt good to be outside without jackets. We had a morning tour of the Crystal Cathedral, seeing the first sanctuary, statues depicting Biblical events around the grounds, the Tower of Hope, the Welcome Center and the Crystal Cathedral itself. We spent the rest of the day at Disneyland, enjoying the rides, shows and landscaping. Some of us spent bench time recharging, some came home early, and others stayed until park closing to see the evening parade. We really got our exercise today!

Day 7
A beautiful morning meant that we were able to do our two hour harbor excursion in San Diego. The Navy and Marine presence was very evident as we saw nuclear submarines, dry docks, training sessions for dolphins, and many ships in port. City views, the Coronado Bay Bridge, Coronado Island, Petco Park and many more sites were part of our tour. Lunch was at Seaport Village in San Diego, and as we finished, the good weather ended for a short time of light rain. We drove along the coast, seeing some of the Carlsbad flower fields where they raise ranunculus. At San Juan Capistrano, we toured the mission and its colorful grounds with flowers and trees and courtyards. We also stopped to see the Basilica and its retablo covered in gold leaf. From there it was heavy traffic as we traveled into the Los Angeles area for our two night stay in Anaheim.

Day 6

Sunshine, temperatures up to 61 degrees and enough wind so someone suggested "We got blown away" by the San Diego Zoo! Our visit to the zoo started with a double decker bus tour where we saw tigers, elephants, monkeys, giraffes (including a baby) and many, many other animals without having to walk. Well, we did have to walk farther than usual after our bus broke down near the end of our tour. From that point we were able to explore on our own and watch animal activity including the pandas and other species not seen on the bus tour. The new elephant exhibit allowed us to even watch the elephants get pedicures.

Due to high winds, our harbor cruise was cancelled, so we toured the USS Midway. Our audio tour gave us first hand accounts from the men who had served on this mammoth aircraft carrier.

Our evening was free to enjoy the hotel and the nice weather.

Day 5

Today we crossed the border into California! We have seen the Mojave Desert with the Mojave yucca and more Joshua trees, mountain ranges, deep valleys, and lots of traffic. We visited a grove this afternoon and were treated to a tour by the owner. We learned enough to know that it is a lot of work to raise macadamia nuts, cherimoya, passion fruit, lemons, grapefruit and all the other fruits he had on his property. The views from the hillside location were more rural than typical of Southern California and just beautiful. We asked questions and sampled fruit and enjoyed getting off the interstate. Our San Diego hotel has palm trees, bird of paradise flowers and banana plants as part of the landscaping. However, the weather is a little chilly (10-15 degrees below normal) for using the outdoor pool!

Day 4

Our drive to Las Vegas was a combination of desert alternating with very scenic stretches. The narrow, winding and colorful Virgin River Canyon was a highlight. But there were also Joshua trees, cholla cactus and palm trees. When water is available, there was green grass, and the day was mild enough so golfers were playing. When we arrived in Las Vegas, we drove by the downtown area and through the entire Strip area. The huge casino resorts continue for something like 3 1/2 miles. We checked into our hotel and then had the afternoon free to explore. Some walked and explored the fabulous resorts, some tried their luck at the machines, some rested, and all of us had a great afternoon. This evening we went downtown to Fremont Street and watched (in a light rain) the colorful sound and light show. We walked through the Golden Nugget to see the huge chunk of gold and tried to calculate its current value. Our return to the hotel gave us an amazing view of Las Vegas at night.

Day 3- This morning, a short drive west on the interstate took us through sagebrush and small vegetation with very little irrigated land. Then we turned south on the Moab Scenic Byway. After about 20 miles we began to see a big change of scenery. Paralleling the Colorado River, we drove through Red Rock Country, with beautiful spires and towers. With some contrasting snow on the ground, the scenery was worth several photo stops. We continued on to Arches National Park. After an excellent movie at the visitor center, we drove into the park. Red rocks, balancing rocks and arches gave us more photo opportunities. The weather was sunny and in the low-mid 40s, so a short hike to see a double arch was most enjoyable. Our final arch stop was not possible because the road was flooded. After lunch we continued west with a couple of scenic stops along the San Rafael Swell. Miles of snow-covered almost desert country and then a broad irrigated valley provided the rest of the day's scenery. Our stay tonight is in Beaver, Utah.

Day 2 - The temperatures didn't change much today (from 39 - 42), but our weather certainly did. We had fog, light rain, sunshine, snow, blowing snow, and blue sky. Fortunately, the snow was only for a short time as we went over Vail Pass and through the Eisenhower Tunnel area (at 11,000 feet, the highest road tunnel in the world). Throughout the day we also had a huge variety of scenery. Flocks of ducks and geese along the Platte River. Feed lots. Two natural gas fields. Miles of sagebrush and yucca this morning, followed by mountains and Ponderosa pine this afternoon. Several ski resorts with lots of skiers. Orchards of fruit from Palisade, CO to Fruita, CO. Throughout the day we enjoyed lots of visiting and laughing as well as stumping the tour guide who couldn't answer questions about oxen.

Day 1 - After having left total snow cover at home this morning, it was a real treat to find 55 degree temperatures by mid-afternoon, to see bare fields with snow only along the snow fences and to find that the robins are in North Platte, NE. We spent the day getting acquainted and the afternoon driving through the Platte River Valley. Watching a movie on the Oregon Trail gave us an appreciation for how easy our travel was today and how far we were able to go. Flock after flock of snow geese and other waterfowl were resting in ponds along the highway or flying. It makes us anxious for spring and for the warmer temperatures to come.

Texas

2010-02-16T09:13:00.007-06:00

Day 14
Today was typical of the weather we have been enjoying - crisp, sunny morning, warming up to the low 60s by Oklahoma City. We crossed the Red River, saying goodbye to Texas. Our major sightseeing for the day was at the Oklahoma City National Memorial. A ranger spoke to us about the symbolism of the outdoor plaza, and then we spent time on our in the museum. It was a very sobering visit. Ironically, before we left, we heard about today's domestic terrorism at the IRS building in Austin, TX where we had been 24 hours earlier. Our afternoon drive to Emporia took us past some green fields of winter wheat and through the Flint Hills, rolling pasturelands for as far as the eye could see.

Day 13
It was a chilly start to the day with 31 degrees, as we took our last look at the Riverwalk and the city of San Antonio. Again, bright sun and clear skies were a treat all day. An hour after leaving, we were in Hill Country with all the live oak trees and miles of hills. Our first stop was in Johnson City where we toured LBJ's boyhood home. Next we drove west to the LBJ National Park. Our tour through the park took us along the Pedernales River. We saw the family cemetery where both Lady Bird and Lyndon are buried, a replica of LBJ's birthplace, the school he first attended, and finally a tour through four rooms of the Texas White House. Johnson's office, the family living room, dining room and kitchen have been opened to the public. We also got to see several family cars, including one that was amphibious. Lunch in Austin was followed by a drive past the governor's mansion (being restored) and the state capitol building. We continued on to the Dallas/Fort Worth area where we are staying for our last night in Texas.

Day 12
Starting the day in the low 30s, we made great strides. With bright sunshine, no wind, and temperatures at 61 degrees by noon, it has been just perfect. Palm trees around San Antonio, hanging baskets of pansies, green live oak trees along the Riverwalk, other trees beginning to leaf out, and the smell of freshly mowed grass all made for probably the nicest day yet. We watched the experts make shoes at San Antonio Shoes (SAS) and then bought some of that hand-crafted comfort for ourselves. Nickel coffee, fresh cookies and popcorn were also enjoyed before we left. We continued on to the Tower of the Americas, symbol of the 1968 HemisFair held here. After "flying" over Texas in a 4-D movie with special effects, we took the elevator to the very top for a bird's eye look at San Antonio. The view was clear in all directions. This afternoon, we are free to enjoy the RiverWalk, shopping, area restaurants and resting.

Day 11

A step-on guide took us on a San Antonio city tour this morning. Outdoor visits to San Fernando Cathedral and Mission San Jose were brisk with morning temperatures in the high 30s with a little breeze. But clear skies and sunshine made the day dry, and by mid-afternoon it was in the high 50s. We learned about the rich history of the city with its many cultures. After lunch we explored the Buckhorn Hall of Horns and the Texas Ranger Museum followed by shopping time at the Mexican marketplace, El Mercado. The all-year-round Christmas decorations at Mi Tierra Restaurant were something to see, and quite a few of us bought some of their pastries or candy. This evening is another chance to take advantage of the country music show across the street, reported by those who went last night to be just excellent.

Day 10
This morning's drive was flat to the horizon in the Rio Grande Valley, but the closer we got to San Antonio, the more rolling the land became. Also there were were more large live oak trees. After lunch at the big River Center Mall, we walked in warm sunshine to meet our chartered boats for the ride on the Riverwalk. With 72 degree temperatures, for the first time we had short sleeves and thought about getting a tan. It was wonderful. We ended our ride at the Hyatt Hotel, where the San Antonio River flows through the building. As we came out of the Hyatt, we were looking directly at the Shrine of Texas Liberty, the Alamo. Our visit there included a history talk, a movie, and time to explore on our own. Our hotel tonight is right on the RiverWalk, a perfect location for exploring. Fifteen minutes after getting to the hotel, the wind came up, the temperature dropped 15-20 degrees, and it started to mist!

Day 9
Driving south of McAllen this morning, we saw more agricultural fields than e have seen previously. Our goal was the parking lot at the border with Mexico. We were ready to experience a different culture and shop. It was sunny, in the low 60s, and we had a great time. We bought belts, belt buckles, billfolds, jewelry, little statues for the yard at home and vanilla. We tried the pastries and coffee at Rene's Bakery, and we safely ate food at our choice of several Progreso restaurants. After coming back across the border, we went to the DonWes Flea Market. Both the Farmer's Market section and the regular flea market gave us plenty to look at and buy. We had some rest time at the hotel, and then it was time for the mariachi mass at the Virgin de San Juan del Valle Shrine. The church seats about 3,500 people, and the music is delightful. It was a good way to end our international day.

Day 8
It gave us a chuckle to hear, in the dark at 7 AM on February 12, a lawn mower and a weed whacker being used outside our hotel this morning! It was 45 degrees but dry as we drive east of McAllen. At the Texas Visitor Center, we picked up maps and brochures and watched a most interesting and informative video on sugar cane in the Rio Grande Valley. As we headed south, we passed a couple of fields of sugar cane. By the time we got to South Padre Island, it was still 45 degrees, still mostly cloudy, with a stiff breeze. We bundled up the best we could for our dolphin watch. Believe it or not, we were on an open boat and consider ourselves not really survivors but at least tough Midwesterners. We did see dolphin and we also enjoyed the close-up views of Port Isabel and the mobile homes right along the waterfront. As part of the ride, the crew dragged a net behind the boat for awhile, then pulled it up to show us what lives underwater. We got to see a hardhead catfish, a brittle starfish (early residents tried to get rid of them by cutting them up and throwing them back into the water, but starfish can regrow and instead of destroying the population that just multiplied their numbers) and puffer fish. We learned a lot and got to see brown pelicans close up as they hovered over our boat. By lunch time it was up to 56 degrees, and we were able to taste some fresh seafood, including shrimp and Red Snapper. When we came out of the restaurant, the sky had cleared, and the sun was bright. We drove to the northern part of the island where we discovered drifting and some people were trying to shovel out a stuck pickup. Not from snow, but from sand. We got off the bus to walk along the edge of the Gulf of Mexico which had really high waves today. Our next stop was at Sea Turtle, inc. where we learned about the different types of sea turtles. They had a number of large tanks, covered partway because of the cold weather, with these large turtles on display. After a stop for T-shirts and souvenirs, we made one more beach stop at Isla Blanca Park at the most southern end of the island. It looked to be high tide, and the waves were really rolling in. At least one of us learned that you never turn your back on the waves, even for a picture. Even with the low temperatures, in the bright sunshine, our impression was that the island looked like a tropical paradise with all the light colored buildings, resorts, palm trees and tropical vegetation. Tonight we are again enjoying gathering over hot food and cold beverages at the hotel.

Day 7
Breakfast this morning was an experience, as we were on the 11th floor of our hotel overlooking the marina below us on Corpus Christi Bay. Facing east, we were able to enjoy the sunrise and clouds. We looked at palm trees, sailboats, white buildings and joggers with city views from the left and right as we had glass on three sides. It was quite a view.

With 44 degrees and clouds, we headed south. There were flat plowed fields from horizon to horizon. A sprayer plane was working one field near the road. By the time we got to Kingsville, we had seen a DVD on the history of the King Ranch. On our tour of the ranch, we saw their Santa Gertrudis breed of cattle, experimental breeds of cattle, quarter horses, new foals, ranch buildings, the main house and some of the thousands of acres of ranch land. Pastures covering 1,000 acres are the small ones. The bigger ones are 5-10,000 acres. There are enough fences on the ranch to stretch from Kingsville, TX to Boston, MA, and you can drive 50-75 miles and still be on the property. After our driving tour, we had a barbecue at one of the camp houses used by cowboys in years past. With 45 degree temperatures, no sunshine and a breeze, we found that it was more comfortable eating if we shut most of the many windows! The food - roast beef, of course, with sausage, beans and cole slaw - was tender and delicious. After leaving the ranch, we spent time in downtown Kingsville at the Saddle Shop and at Harrel's Drug Store. They have great ice cream, and Midwesterners can eat that even when it's chilly!

The weather forecasters were right. This morning was rainy, so we changed our scheduled activities from outdoors to indoors. We ended up driving to Rio Hondo, seeing plowed fields that looked as if they went to the horizon and a large cotton gin. After a quick coffee break, we went to Reed Lang Farms Gift Fruit Packing where we met 84-year old Mrs. Lang. What an absolutely delightful little woman. She and her husband have been growing and selling citrus for 60 years, so we learned a lot from her. We learned that oranges and grapefruit do not ripen after they are picked. That oranges with green spots can be just as sweet and flavorful as solid orange ones, but for gift boxes, appearance matters. We saw where the fruit goes through the de-greening process using ethylene gas. We are not ready to go into the citrus business, but it was an impressive visit!

From there we drove to Edinburg where we had lunch and then visited the Museum of South Texas History. Native Americans, Spanish and Mexicans were all here first. When irrigation and the railroads came in the early 1900s, then they started bringing land seekers into South Texas. Because developers didn't tell the entire story of what life was like here, they were sometimes called "land suckers." But ranching gave way to crops of all sorts including the 49 different kinds of fruit and vegetables raised here. It really is an interesting museum, complete with an old jail and hanging room.

Our last stop of the day was at a packing shed, where we saw truck loads of cilantro, lettuce, kale, cabbage, onions and peppers were being packed. There was so much activity with fork lifts moving product from the trucks to the lines, then from the lines to the coolers, and from the coolers to waiting semis. Our guide was so informative. We learned that carrots were originally purple and that this area has developed a maroon carrot. We also learned that the Vidalia onion has been surpassed in sweetness by a new Little Bear Honey Sweet (ask your grocer to carry them!).

Ending the day with 56 degrees and skies promising better weather tomorrow, we enjoyed hot food and cold beverages at the hotel. We also had dessert because the manager of the restaurant this noon sent two pecan pies home with us!

Day 6
We continued south through dry ranch country into the Rio Grande Valley. Water brought by irrigation makes the difference in appearance. Our first stop was at the Iwo Jima Memorial in Harlingen where it had warmed up to 59 degrees. We saw the plaster model used to make the Marine Corps Memorial in Washington, D.C. Once we started driving to McAllen, we began getting a heavy mist, but by then we were finished with anything outdoors. They have had drought conditions (the King Ranch did not have one drop of moisture - either rain or mist - from September '08 - September '09) so they are now making up for it.

A little city tour of McAllen introduced us to the City of Palms before arriving at our hotel. Now everyone is enjoying the evening social hour, an opportunity for us to visit as well as have a light meal together.

Day 5
A cold front came with the heavy rain last night, so this morning we woke up to temperatures 25 degrees colder than last night. With a brisk wind, it was chilly! Our drive took us south into the Gulf Coast region of the state. Large flat plowed fields had water standing in between the ridges. We also passed both cleared and uncleared ranching acreages with cattle and new calves that gave us a feeling of spring. The farther south we drove, the greener the grass looked and the more palm trees we saw. By late morning we were in Corpus Christi, a large city located right on Corpus Christi Bay. We first drove along the waterfront, admiring the large homes and their beautiful landscaping. Then we went over a very high bridge, looking down at the busy port facilities. Our first stop was at the USS Lexington, a World War II aircraft carrier nicknamed the Blue Ghost. We were able to tour the various decks including the flight deck, have lunch and end our visit with the very exciting movie, "Fighter Pilot." From there we drove to the Texas State Aquarium. Their dolphin show and a close-up look at the dolphins was followed by a guided tour. Highlights included sea horses, birds and various fish found in the Gulf of Mexico. It was a delightful visit. Our hotel this evening is right on the waterfront downtown. With clear skies, brilliant sunshine and 55 degrees, we are enjoying the walkway along the waterfront and the chance to try some of the local fresh seafood.

Day 4
Leaving our Huntsville hotel this morning, we drove past the Texas State Penitentiary, one of five prisons within 10 miles of town. It is here that all of the death sentences are carried out in the state of Texas. As we drove south, we passed the large white cement statue of Sam Houston, first president of the Republic of Texas, who lived in Huntsville.

As we drove to Houston, we finished the movie, "Apollo 13," knowing that we would be seeing the actual Mission Control room on our tour at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. But our first stop in the metro area was at the San Jacinto Monument. It was a beautiful clear day, so our view from the tall structure was perfect. We looked out over the Houston Ship Channel which connects the port of Houston with the Gulf of Mexico. We had driven past miles of refineries getting to the monument, and learned that 1/4 of all the United States oil is refined in the area. The rest of our day was spent at Space Center Houston. With a space shuttle having been launched early this morning, it was exciting to attend a briefing of the current status of the mission, seeing pictures and hearing about their schedule and goals. Our tram tour of the Space Center took us onto NASA property and gave us the opportunity of looking down into the large facility used to train the astronauts. Some of our people "flew" the flight simulator. There were a few safe landings, but most of us crashed!

The forecast for today had been thunderstorms, but instead we were thrilled to have patches of blue sky, some sunshine and temperatures up to 69 degrees. We saw the first few raindrops after we had left the Space Center and were driving past the Astrodome and Reliant Stadium. By the time we got to the hotel, it was dry again. Everyone got into the hotel, all the baggage was safely under cover, and just as the bus (including the driver and escort) pulled away from the hotel to park, the sky got dark and it started pouring. Perfect timing!

Day 3
We are slowly warming up. Today it got up to 51 degrees, and although we had no sunshine, at least it was dry while we were outside sightseeing. Our morning started with a tour of Southfork Ranch, where the outside scenes of "Dallas" were filmed. The museum, two gift shops and the mansion itself gave us a chance to relive the glory days of that television series.

We continued south into the heart of the city of Dallas. At the Sixth Floor Museum we relived the Kennedy era with displays, videos and photographs about the assassination, the events following and the various theories. We saw the window from which the shots were fired, the grassy knoll and the triple underpass. On a brief sightseeing walk we saw Dealy Plaza where Dallas began, the tiny cabin where the first settler lived and the John F. Kennedy Memorial, an open tomb.

By then we were really ready for food, and our lunch was at Sonny Bryan's where we tasted some authentic Texas barbecue. For dessert, we stopped an hour later at a Russell Stover store.

From there it was a straight drive to Huntsville, TX. We watched "Apollo 13" to get ready for tomorrow's visit to Space Center Houston, but we also saw a variety of scenery outside the window: a few fields for row crops, some cleared pasture land with black angus grazing, ranch land that had uncleared scrub brush, and finally miles and miles of forest with large pine trees on either side of the interstate.

Indicators of warmer weather were seeing lots of bright pansies, leaves on live oak and magnolia trees, and more and more green grass. Again, we are praying for drier, warmer, sunnier weather tomorrow.

Christmas in Branson #5

2009-11-30T19:42:00.003-06:00

Day 6 Our drive home gave us time to reminisce about the tour. We remembered the three-pound cinnamon roll that was won by the Deck’s at the Dutton show for being married the longest. Paul and Marie shared the roll with all the rest of us on the tour! We remembered John, the professional bull rider from Oklahoma who told us stories of Branson and different stars and kept us entertained for many miles. One of the men complained that he had had a very hard time getting to sleep the last night of the tour because it took him so long to decide which of the many pillows to use. We remembered the comment about Doug Gabriel’s flying fingers as he played his guitar: “And at no time did his fingers leave his hands.” And then there was the phone conversation reporting on one of the days in Branson: “We ate, we saw a show, we ate, we saw another show, we ate again, and we saw a third show.” Six days, eight shows, thousands of lights, talented performers and many new friends. All on our Branson Christmas tour.

Day 5 Our morning drive took us farther and farther from the Ozark Mountains. We drove into flatter country and realized that we missed seeing the green pastures and fall-colored leaves. We stopped for cheese and snacks at our morning break and then at a country meat market for great sandwiches at noon. Our afternoon stop was at the Treasures of the Steamboat Arabia Museum in Kansas City. People were mildly interested before the visit, but inside the museum we met one of the men who had actually excavated the boat. We heard the whole story of their personally financed adventure and saw the amazing amount of goods that have been cleaned and put on display. As we drove away from Kansas City, however, everyone was so excited about the stop that questions and conversation just flowed. Before checking into our hotel in St. Joseph, we stopped for a chocolate fix at Russell Stover. Snacks and beverages in the lobby tonight gave us a real opportunity to visit and relax.

Day 4 This morning we drove into old downtown Branson, dropping downhill to the Lake Taneycomo waterfront. The town has slowly changed over the years into a tourist destination, with the new Branson Landing development along the lake.

Our first show of the day was Yakov Smirnoff, who gave us lots of comedy, a celebration of Russian New Year complete with noisemakers, then Russian Christmas and Russian dancers. One of our group was called on stage to be part of the show. Yakov’s stories of coming to the United States and trying to learn the language were funny, but had us looking at English in a new way.

After lunch, we saw the Andy Williams show, and it was his birthday. Many of us had seen his television Christmas shows over the years, but to see him in person from our seats close to the stage was a real thrill. Andy had some very exciting and entertaining acts between segments of Christmas songs. His voice is still excellent, and he ended the show with “Moon River.”

We took a short rest break at the hotel, went to the Cracker Barrel for dinner tonight, and then drove through the Branson Festival of Lights. This colorful display gets better each year.

Our last show of the evening was the Dutton’s. This family is so talented, with comedy, singing, dancing and the ability to play several different instruments. A number of little Dutton's were also in the show, which gave everyone some chuckles and a glimpse of the pool of talent for the future.

Day 3-
With a gray, chilly day, it felt good to be inside today, and three shows certainly kept us busy! Our morning show was Doug Gabriel and the family including his wife, two sons and even the family dog. Doug Gabriel has a smooth voice and is a very talented guitarist. His wife is a beautiful singer, the older son plays drums in the band, the younger son gets out of high school to do some comedy on the show, and if their young daughter had not been in school this morning, she too would also have been on stage. People remarked about the wealth of talent on stage, including the back-up band members. One of our couples celebrated their 20Th anniversary today, but we also discovered during the show that one of our couples has been married 68 years! Our lunch was at the Branson Mill complex which gave us two choices for eating and many choices for shopping. From there we went to the Shoji Tabuchi show. With almost a full theater, there was a lot of energy which made for a great show. The entire show has a Christmas theme, although Shoji's violin/fiddle also gave us a taste of country, bluegrass and classical. A bell choir, chamber music-style Christmas songs and angels flying through the air gave us a glorious Christmas show. Our evening show was hard to describe. So popular there didn't seem to be an empty seat in the theater, SIX is a high-energy show featuring six brothers. They sing, they dance while they sing, and at the same time they provide their own backup "music." They make sounds like a full percussion section and just amazed us with their talent. As a special treat, their father played the grand piano to back them up on their last number.

Day 2-

Our drive south from the Kansas City area gave us a chance to get better acquainted with the rest of the group and also with Andy Williams, as we watched his very interesting biography. When we watch his show in a couple of days, we will think about those days where he struggled with his career to the point of having to eat Alpo. As we traveled south, it was like we went back to October. Skies were blue, temperatures were in the high 50s, there are still some fall leaves on trees, the grass is bright green and roses are still blooming.

Our first stop was at the Bass Pro Shop in Springfield, MO. This haven for fishermen and hunters is undergoing a huge renovation, with entire departments moved, exhibits added, a new waterfall with more mounted animals around it and an alligator in the new swamp area. We stayed long enough to have lunch, sight see and shop. Then we continued into higher and higher Ozark Mountains to Branson. Our first show was the Miracle of Christmas at the Sight and Sound Theater. The dramatic presentation of the Christmas story from the Gospels was presented in almost wrap-around style with both a front stage and two side stages. They used an excellent sound system, the singers had wonderful voices and the sets of Nazareth, Bethlehem, the shepherds' field and angels in heaven were amazingly beautiful. Our evening show was a complete opposite as we went to see the Baldknobbers, celebrating their 50Th anniversary as the first show in town. Country music, corny jokes that had the whole audience in laughter and a second half of Christmas music was a lively way to end a full day.

Day 1 -
Bright sunshine and crisp temperatures started our Christmas in Branson tour. The farther south we drove, the warmer it got until we were looking at green grass and temperatures of 59 degrees. It felt balmy and encouraged us to linger outside. The day passed quickly as we got acquainted on the drive to Kansas City. Sunset colors made the view of the city skyline and crossing the Missouri River so lovely. It was dark by the time we pulled up in front of Crown Center, the three-story shopping mall that is really decked out for the holidays. Lighted trees across the street included the 100-foot Mayor's Christmas Tree. Fountains and the skating rink added to our view from the Center. Inside the giant wreaths, Christmas trees and swags were breathtaking. We had to take time to admire the Christmas gingerbread village that took almost 400 hours for chefs from the two hotels to put together. Groups of children performed every 45 minutes, so that was entertaining and made for a real bustling, holiday atmosphere. After time to eat and shop, we drove south into the Country Club district. The Country Club Plaza is lighted starting Thanksgiving evening with something like 80 miles of lights. The architecture of the Plaza is Moorish/Mediterranean and includes red tile roofs, fountains, wrought iron and 14 towers. We drove back and forth through the Plaza, getting close-up views and a final long distance view of the setting. It was good to find our hotel in Overland Park, and especially nice to find a welcome reception waiting for us.

Christmas in Branson #3

2009-11-20T08:12:00.004-06:00

Day 6

Although the roads were dry this morning, we were a little startled to find ourselves driving north with snow from the day before almost completely covering the ditches and fields. We spent driving time playing Bingo for some nice prizes and watching part of another Branson show. By lunch, we started saying our goodbyes. We even began exchanging recipes for holiday meals, now that we have gotten into the spirit of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Laurel Johnson. Tour Director

Day 5
Today we left Branson and the Ozarks, getting our last looks at the mountains in fog. After our morning break at Osceola Cheese, we continued on to Independence, MO where the United States once ended. After lunch we toured the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum. A short movie gave us a good introduction to the life of the only president from the state of Missouri. Our guide through the museum was a great story teller, and we were both entertained and informed about Truman’s life and his presidential years. We learned that he was very reluctant to have Secret Service protection, that he kept a very messy desk, that his blunt speaking made him quite a colorful character and that his years in office resulted in him being ranked one of the greatest US Presidents. From Independence we continued to St. Joseph where we stocked up on Russell Stover candy before checking into the hotel. The evening reception was a great opportunity to visit and relax.

Day 4

Today was chilly, gray and drizzly, so it was good that three great shows kept us inside and wonderfully entertained. Our morning show was Doug Gabriel, whose singing was a combination of Engelbert Humperdinck, Roy Orbison and Elvis. His wife is the talented back-up singer, and both sons are in the show. There was even a brief appearance by the family dog who had to learn two tricks to get out on stage! Doug Gabriel not only sings, but also played the piano and classical guitar. Band members performed solos, there was audience participation, and it was a fast-paced, excellent show. From there we went to the Branson Mill complex for lunch and shopping (many craft shops, a leather shop and an inspirational décor shop). Shoji Tabuchi was our afternoon show. With elves dropping out of the ceiling and flying angels, the show’s special effects are a visual treat. Besides Shoji’s talented violin and fiddle music, the cast includes other musicians, singers and dancers. As always, the men’s and women’s bathrooms were a must-see. The evening show was a performance by SIX. These six real brothers sing and dance, but there is no band or recorded music backing them up. Instead, they use their own voices to make the sounds of percussion and instruments. It was an intense, powerful, energetic and entertaining show.

Christmas in Branson #1

2009-11-08T21:22:00.004-06:00

Day 6 -

After a great breakfast provided by the hotel, we leave Missouri and head north. We find that we are missing the mountains and all the trees, but at the same time looking forward to our own beds and family and friends at home. The tour has given us many stories to tell, sharing our experiences and telling about the warm weather we had. We have also gained new friends and talk about the possibility of getting together with some of them in the future. Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Day 5 -
Our drive out of Branson and the Ozark Mountains this morning took us on the typical area roads: no shoulders, sharp curves, hills and lots of scenery. We got a chance to look at small towns and rural living with chairs on many front porches.

We stopped at Precious Moments and were thrilled with our tour of the chapel, built by Sam Butcher to honor God for his talent. The vividly colored paintings interpreted Bible stories, all with the teardrop children in the Precious Moments style. The day was balmy, the setting
was peaceful and we thoroughly enjoyed our stop.

Driving north we stopped at a pecan store, with coffee and probably 30 different items set out for us to taste. Once we got to St. Joseph, we also stopped at Russell Stover where more samples were waiting for us. Then when we arrived at the hotel tonight, we had beverages and snacks
available. We had a busy afternoon!

Perhaps the most unexpected stop of the day was for hedgeapples, fruit of the Osage Orange tree, said to be the best thing to rid homes of spiders. There were quite a few in one of the ditches, and we later played Bingo to give them away!

Day 4 -
It was yet another beautiful, sunny day with temperatures up to 78 degrees. We started the day with a leisurely drive of the Branson Strip, past quite a few of the theaters.

Our first stop was at the Titanic exhibit. With individual audio tours, we learned so much about the ship and its tragic voyage. When we first arrived, each of us got the name of a Titanic passenger. At the end of the tour we had to check whether our character lived or died. A temporary exhibit on the making of the movie, "Titanic" was so interesting.

Our next stop was in downtown Branson at the shopping, restaurant and entertainment complex, Branson Landing. The setting along the river is so scenic, and we could have spent even more time shopping and looking.

Our afternoon show was the Twelve Irish Tenors. All of the young men are either Irish or Irish-American, their voices were amazing, and they performed a huge variety of music: Irish folk songs, opera, Mario Lanza, Barry Manilow, the Blues Brothers, Glenn Miller, and of course Christmas music. They incorporated dance routines and choreography with each song,
which made their performance a highlight for a number of us.

From that show we took scenic back roads to quickly get to the Dixie Stampede which has been described as a combination of a picnic and a horse show. We sat in a horseshoe-shaped arena so we could eat a delicious meal at the same time we watched the show. There was competition between the north side of the audience and the south side. The entertainment included
trick riding, a buckboard race, a living nativity with camels, sheep, goats, a dove and an angel, a segment of toys coming to life with neon-colored costumes and a horse in a matching cover. Besides all of those animals, there was a pig race, a chicken race and a few people from
the audience who participated in a horse race (hobbyhorses!). It was just so much fun. One of the ladies came back to the bus and said, "I never thought I'd yell and scream for a pig and a chicken!"

The finale was driving through the Branson Festival of Lights, about two miles of lighting including nativity scenes and the Twelve Days of Christmas. It was ooh and ah time. An unexpected stop on the way to the hotel was when the driver pulled off to the side of the road to let us watch a fireworks show in the distance. And after all that, we still got back to the hotel in time to enjoy their nightly coffee and cookies!

Day 3 -
Sunshine, blue skies and above-average temperatures that got up to the mid-70s made for a great day in Branson. We started out with not-enough-time at the Branson Mill complex. Craft shops, a leather shop, inspirational decor and a snack bar gave us lots of choices. Then we
drove to the south edge of Branson and the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery. A special event there was the dedication of a Blue Star Highway designation placque. Because those memorial highways pay tribute to the U.S. Armed Forces, the ceremony was being held along with other Veterans' Day events in Branson, and there were a lot of uniforms present. Because
we couldn't do the usual hatchery visit, each of us got fish food to feed the very hungry trout being raised there. We had so much fun watching the reaction to food the second it hit the water. We continued out to a scenic viewpoint overlooking Lake Taneycomo, Table Rock Dam, theaters, golf courses, housing developments and the beautiful Ozark Mountains.

The Showboat Branson Belle provided a combination of boat cruise, luncheon and entertainment. Singers, dancers and a funny illusionist gave us laughter and fun. Two of our people became stars of the show. Some free time on board let us go outside and enjoy the sunshine and passing sights.

>From there we went to the winery for a tour and tasting, including their three brand new wines. After all that excitement, it felt good to have a short rest at the hotel.

After our evening meal, we drove the Strip, looking at all the theaters and neon lights. The evening show was Spirit of Christmas at the Branson Variety Theater. The cast is from the United Kingdom and perform Spirit of the Dance during the rest of the year. This show was all Christmas music, except for "Ziggy" who did pantomime and got audience members involved. The show's choreography was unbelievably fast, energetic and precise. We were tired from just watching!

The best comment of the day was when we pulled into the Showboat's parking lot after our fun morning. One man, who maybe didn't expect a lot from the tour, looked around with almost surprise and said, "You know, I'm really enjoying this!"

Day 2 -
We left the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park this morning with sunshine and not one cloud in the sky. Again the farther south we went, the warmer it got, until it was 72 degrees in Branson. The Ozarks mountains are colorful with black angus in lush green pastures and all the trees in fall foliage. By late morning we were in Branson where we found many bus groups at every place we stopped. After lunch we went to our first show,Daniel O'Donnell. His smooth voice, new staging and the bonus of Mary Duff all made for a delightful three hour show. Our evening show was the always-spectacular Shoji Tabuchi show. Some said, "We've seen him before,but it's never been as good as this." Flying angels, a bell choir, singers, dancers and costumes designed in Hollywood made this show a real highlight.

Day 1 -

After a brisk morning, we were delighted to find that the farther south we went the warmer it got. Sunshine and the prospect of Indian summer are going to be so appreciated. We spent the day getting acquainted with fellow travelers. We compared birth dates and found four sets of shared
birthdays. We have honeymooners on board (married on Halloween), and two or three people on the bus have been to Branson 10-12 times, starting back in 1968 when there were only three choices for shows. What changes there have been since then. About 2/3 of the group are first time travelers on bus tours, so for a great variety of reasons, we are looking forward to the days in Branson.

New England - Day 16

2009-10-15T07:57:00.003-05:00

Even though this was our last day and we were just driving home, it was a day spent enjoying time with each other. This group has bonded so well that they used the full half hour at morning coffee just standing around visiting in a convenience store. Unscheduled entertainment on the bus included a bubble blowing contest and deciding who was going to sit with the 4’ high rag doll bought today as a gift for a granddaughter. Our included lunch gave us a chance to try a variety of pizzas plus other hot foods and salads. It was a nice treat for the last day. We spent time reminiscing about highlights of our tour but also looking forward to going home to pets who had been sorely missed. We also found that as we emptied our storage areas, there had been an amazing variety of souvenirs collected including those Vermont weather sticks and maple products and calendars and all those T shirts and sweatshirts. Hopefully they will be good reminders of our New England visit. -Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

New England - Day 15

2009-10-08T19:55:00.000-05:00

We enjoyed our day of travel through four different states. Starting out in Ohio, we passed through Indiana, then Illinois and finally into Iowa. A real change of scenery has us looking at flat land instead of mountains and open views of farm fields instead of the closed-in experience of trees on either side of the road. We had a good bit of rain today, but only when we were riding. Our sightseeing stop was at Notre Dame University with a guided tour through the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Stained glass windows, a ceiling with murals and gold stars painted on a brilliant blue background plus the stations of the cross were done over 17 years by talented artists. The result is breathtakingly beautiful. Tonight we are back in the same hotel we used on Day 1. We've stayed in enough different hotels so that at least one couple forgot their room number at the last stop and got another key made for what turned out to be someone else's room!-Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

New England - Day 14

2009-10-07T19:58:00.000-05:00

Everyone was eager to get going this morning. Our visit to the Corning Museum of Glass turned out to be an unexpected highlight for some and enjoyable for everyone. The displays were so varied with glass blowing demonstrations, glass pieces dating back to hundreds of years before
Christ, contemporary art glass, and everything in between. Shopping was also fun with choices from Steuben pieces priced up to $28,000 all the way to Corelle dishes and glass Christmas ornaments. (see the glass tree to the left)

The afternoon was spent driving across the state of New York. The tree-covered Allegheny Mountains seemed to be at peak fall colors, a real treat. Picturesque valley farms made for great scenery. The weather turned windy and rainy, so it was a gift to be inside. By the time we passed through Pennsylvania and into Ohio, the rain quit and the sun came out before we arrived at our hotel.-Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

We counted today and realized that we have crossed through 14 states and one Canadian province on our tour.

New England - Day 13

2009-10-06T19:43:00.002-05:00

It was another sunny morning as we crossed the high suspension bridge leaving Newport, RI. The waterfront view was stunning with the blue sky, the bright blue ocean and all the colorful sailboats with white sails. On two different stretches we were on winding two-lane roads with trees on either side. They gave close-up looks at a few small farms, home sites nestled back in the trees and historic buildings dating back to the 1700s. At New Haven, CT we went to Yale University. We looked at the dormitory lived in by Nathan Hale in the 1700s and enjoyed the stately University Gothic-style buildings of the old campus. Again, we left without graduating. The rest of our day was spent on interstates with great views of the colorful Catskill Mountains. Lunch at a Greek diner was memorable, and an afternoon stop at a rest area was a chance to just enjoy being outside. The hotel tonight had a welcome reception for us with punch, popcorn, fruit, cookies and coffee. It gave us time for some good visiting. Some are gathered around the television, watching the Twins game. This group has really bonded after almost two weeks together.- Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

New England - Day 12

2009-10-05T19:56:00.003-05:00

It was another beautiful day as we toured Cape Cod this morning. Our step-on guide had a wealth of information about the history of the Cape. In appearance, two hundred years ago there were wide open views, but now it is basically wooded with some kettle ponds and cranberry marshes. We drove on winding roads past historic homes and many Cape Cod-style homes. We learned that clapboards or wood siding was a sign of wealth, while the unpainted shakes used for the majority of homes we passed were less expensive. We saw highlights of the Cape: a 330-year old windmill used to grind corn, a lighthouse and a beach on the Cape Cod National Seashore. The waves of the incoming tide caught up with several who didn't move quite fast enough. We drove all the way out to the Province Lands at the end of the Cape with acres and acres of sand dunes stabilized by grasses, bayberry and other shrubs. We had a great time in Province town, enjoying treats from the Portuguese Bakery and returning with bags of T-shirts and souvenirs. After lunch we drove off the Cape and into Rhode Island. At Newport, we passed through the historic downtown along the beautiful waterfront. We decided that the huge homes along Ocean Drive were way beyond our reach. The highlight of Newport was touring the Breakers, the 70-room summer cottage built for the Vanderbilt family with expansive lawns and a wide view of the ocean. Our stay tonight is in an award-winning hotel in the area.-Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

New England - Day 11

2009-10-04T20:55:00.001-05:00

What a difference a day makes! Today was sunny, balmy and beautiful. We drove from Hyannis to Woods Hole where we boarded a large ferry (four buses and lots of cars were on the lowest deck with many, many foot passengers) for Martha's Vineyard. The 45-minute ride was smooth with views of harbors and lots of boats in the water. We had a step-on guide with us all day. Our first stop was in Oak Bluffs, which began as a religious retreat for Methodists. They originally lived in tents for their camp meetings, but then built small carpenter Gothic cottages. These 300 colorful cottages are full of gingerbread trim and surround the tabernacle where meetings and services are still held. From there we drove along a state beach to the old whaling town of Edgartown where we had free time for shopping and lunch. Many of us got food to go from a
walk-up stand and then ate sitting down by the waterfront, watching all the activity. There were gulls and boats and lighthouses and fishermen to watch, and it was such a beautiful day. We heard stories of Kennedy's, the Clinton's, and of the recent visit of the Obamas. We saw where scenes from the movie "Jaws" were filmed and bought a healthy amount of T-shirts, postcards, ice cream and souvenirs. We then drove along a wooded narrow road through the interior of the island back to Oak Bluffs for one last spurt of shopping. Some of us went into the Flying Horses Carousel where the two Obama daughters had ridden when they were on their vacation. The
ferry brought us back to Cape Cod, and on the drive back to Hyannis, the guide showed us an excellent video about Martha's Vineyard. We're looking forward to seeing more of Cape Cod tomorrow.-Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

New England - Day 10

2009-10-03T20:48:00.000-05:00

We woke to pouring rain, but we were inside all morning. The John F. Kennedy Library and Museum just on the south edge of Boston was our first stop. With two major movies plus many other videos and displays, we enjoyed reliving the Kennedy years and learning new things about his Presidency. Our lunch was in Plymouth at a seafood restaurant along the harbor. Since it was still pouring, the tour guide expected that everyone would prefer to just make a photo stop at the Mayflower and Plymouth Rock and do some inside things. But almost everyone said this was why they came, put on their recycled blue Maid of the Mist raincoats and boldly went out into the weather. The first stop was Plymouth Rock, only 1/3 its original size and engraved with the date 1620. Next people went on board the Mayflower II. 130 people were on that ship for 66 days (leaks, wet food, wet clothes, no bathrooms) in 1620. Today people on board acted the
part of real passengers and we were able to ask questions about their journey or reasons for coming over. We continued on to Plimoth Plantation, a recreation of the town of Plymouth seven years after the Pilgrims arrived. After a fine introductory movie, we headed outside. Unfortunately it was raining so hard that some decided to stay dry. Those that did go were a long blue line, walking the path to the 1627 Village. Inside the homes were people again playing the role of people from the era. To get the full benefit of the visit, questions had to be asked so good conversations could be started. At least some continued on to the Wampanoag Village where Native Americans were in their summer homes (winter homes were farther inland). People came back to the bus in a great mood, some saying Plimoth Plantation was the highlight of the trip so far. By then the rain had quit, and we continued on to Cape Cod. After a stop at the John F. Kennedy Memorial, a beautiful setting with rose bushes and a fountain at the edge of the ocean, and the Korean Memorial, we went to our hotel for the next two nights. There will be quite a few who will spend part of tonight drying out shoes and pants. What an amazing group!-Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

New England - Day 9

2009-10-02T20:31:00.000-05:00

It was a full day of touring as we joined rush hour traffic on the Southeast Expressway and headed into Boston. The streets twist around instead of going straight, and some are so narrow that the bus could never have gotten through. Our step-on guide was entertaining and knowledgeable, and she got us through the city on bus-friendly streets. We can name drop now that we got out for pictures at Copley Square, drove around Fenway Stadium, saw the gas street lamps on Beacon Hill and passed by the State House, the Cheers Bar, the Boston Common and historic cemeteries. We walked through Boston's North End to Old North Church, famous for the lanterns hung in the steeple. Our noon lunch was at bustling Quincy Market with its many, many food choices and crowds of people. The afternoon was spent in the towns of Lexington and Concord. Revolutionary War were fired in their town. The mostly-sunny day and fall foliage colors made our time on the Lexington Green and on the bridge at Concord most enjoyable. We finished the day by touring Harvard. We left without graduating, but our time there was exciting. We drove in the heavy traffic back to our hotel, many of us relieved that we live in much smaller communities. - Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

New England - Day 8

2009-10-01T19:58:00.002-05:00

We are discovering that positive thinking for warm weather on the tour while we were at home packing did not do much good. We woke this morning to temperatures in the low 40s, although we had a dry day with some sun so it was a pretty day. We just added another layer.

It was a short drive to Salem where we had a few minutes to walk past homes from the 1700s and 1800s. Then we toured the House of Seven Gables, built in the late 1600s. With its secret or hidden rooms and one tiny stairway, it was a most interesting home to visit. We also were able to visit Nathaniel Hawthorne's birthplace and the gift shop in another home dating from the 1600s. Our next stop was at the Essex County Visitor Center where a movie gave us a good overall view of the area's history and economy. We also had a few minutes to shop in a pedestrian-only street nearby. A visit to the Peabody Essex Museum was a quick introduction to the glory of Salem's shipping area when treasures from around the world made their way to the port city.

After lunch at a Greek deli, we drove into the Boston area. We were able to tour the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned naval vessel in the world. We toured both the main deck and lower deck of "Old Ironsides," so named because bullets wouldn't penetrate its wooden hull. She was undergoing extensive renovations so the upper deck was covered and the sails had been taken down.

After our busy day, we were definitely ready for our hotel and a rest this evening.- Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

New England - Day 7

2009-09-30T20:13:00.000-05:00

Some of us got an early start to our day by watching the sunrise at 6:39 over the Atlantic Ocean. The sky was clear, and with the waves rolling in, we experienced a thrilling sight. Some went on to walk the beach and collect shells. Our first group stop was at Cape Neddick Lighthouse, the most photographed lighthouse in Maine and possibly all of New England. At Old York, we walked through a cemetery with graves dating back to the 1700's and past homes built in those same years. We also loved the church steeple with the rooster weather vane. At our rest break, we all got a taste of natural Vitamin C from rose hips picked along the beach. Leaving Maine, we drove through New Hampshire's coastline and into Massachusetts. The road to Gloucester wound back and forth through small towns settled in the 1600s. Gloucester has sent fishermen out since the 1600s, and not all of them have returned. The Fishermen's Memorial and the Fishermen's Wives Memorial are waterfront sculptures dedicated to "those who go down to the sea in ships." The afternoon was spent on a whale watch. Yesterday they had to cancel the cruise because the winds were too strong, but today the weather was very good. We were out 18-19 miles from Gloucester where the whales are feeding during this time of year. We spent quite a bit of time watching a whale named Geometry. A naturalist on board gave a wonderful commentary on humpback whales in general, on Geometry and on the identification and tracking of the whales. We found another unnamed whale who was also feeding and watched him for awhile. There were lots of pictures taken, and it was an exciting experience.-Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

New England - Day 6

2009-09-29T20:10:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was Vermont, today was all New Hampshire. We had clear, sunny sightseeing, and the colors as we got up to the northern part of the state were just stunning. Our first stop was at Bath, NH and the oldest continuously operating general store in America. It was a quiet little town with a UCC church from the 1800s, with homemade baked goods and weather vanes to buy and a covered bridge to walk across. The rest of the morning was spent driving the Kancamagus Trail. Just 34 1/2 miles long, this is a road through forests with no billboards or development. We made several photo stops, walked along a river, over a bridge to a pond with a view, and raved about the incredibly beautiful color: vivid yellows, oranges, reds and almost purples as well as the dark green of pine trees. People who come east for foliage tours are called "leaf peepers," but we did more than just look today as many leaves were collected for souvenirs. After a fun lunch at a smokehouse, we toured a home built by a eccentric multi-millionaire. The high elevation gave us a good view of Lake Winnepesaukee, a huge lake with hundreds of islands below us. We drove southeast from Castle in the Clouds on a narrow road lined with stone fences and solid trees on either side. For us who are used to the prairies, it was quite a change. We found our views by late afternoon as we arrived on the southern coast of Maine. Our hotel is along the ocean with waves and a long beachfront tempting us to walk.- Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

New England - Day 5

2009-09-28T19:55:00.001-05:00

Today was a beautiful fall day with sunshine. We drove in tree-covered mountains, on winding New England roads and enjoyed being outdoors at each stop. We crossed out of New York State into Vermont and spent the rest of the day sightseeing. Morning stops included the Vermont Marble Company, where we saw both traditional and contemporary uses of the native rock,
and the Maple Museum, where we learned about all the work required to get a gallon of the sweet syrup. Tastes of different maple products were a nice ending. Our Vermont day continued with stops at covered bridges, a country store in continuous operation since 1840 and Quechee Gorge (New England's Grand Canyon). Our overhead compartments are fuller tonight with marble chunks, maple products and Vermont weather sticks. At dinner tonight, quite a few enjoyed the new experience of eating a whole lobster.-Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

New England - Day 4

2009-09-27T18:00:00.002-05:00

Our morning photo stop at the power generating station along the Niagara River made for some questions. It became an education vacation as we had to Google answers about how long water had been diverted for power and for reducing the erosion of the waterfalls. Our stop at the Floral Clock was timed perfectly so that we were all able to hear the Westminster chimes at 8:00. From there we crossed back into the United States and continued to Lockport, NY. The Erie Canal Discovery Center was very enjoyable, and most of us were able to watch several yachts lock through one of the series of five locks in town. Our afternoon was spent keeping active on the bus as we drove in rain. Once we got to Saratoga Springs, we made a stop at one of the springs in town. A "highlight" was standing in the light rain to toast to our health and taste the mineral water. Not one person believed drinking it was worth the possible beauty or health results! The natural spring water, however, was sweet. Before checking into our hotel, we drove through town to see the mansions built by wealthy visitors as summer cottages in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Our evening meal was memorable at a Greek diner in Saratoga Springs.-Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

New England - Day 3

2009-09-26T19:52:00.002-05:00

This morning's drive brought us through the most southerly part of Canada, a rich farming area. When we got to Lake Ontario, we were in Niagara Wine country with acres and acres of vineyards as well as fruit trees. The highlight of today was Niagara Falls. We had time to just enjoy the falls
(and the gift shops) before taking the Maid of the Mist ride. Everyone enjoyed that thrill, and one of the passengers said it was worth waiting 55 years for. Even though we had to contend with some light rain, the falls at night under colored lights were beautiful.- Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

New England - Day 2

2009-09-25T20:47:00.000-05:00

Today was mostly driving out of Iowa and across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan. At Detroit, we crossed the Ambassador Bridge into Windsor, Ontario. Our hotel was beautifully situated right on the riverfront with views of the river, river traffic and the city of Detroit. It was fun watching the lights come on as the evening progressed.-Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

New England - Day 1

2009-09-25T10:03:00.000-05:00

It was exciting for some passengers on the New England tour to reconnect with people they had traveled with on other tours. As we drove to the Quad Cities today, there was a lot of visiting, some game playing, comparison of dates of birth, and this afternoon we even sang in harmony.
The day went quickly! - Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Cranberry Festival

2009-09-23T07:55:00.000-05:00

Day 1- Thursday, September 24, 2009: Our Cranberry Festival tour group of 39 gathered together to make our way to La Crosse, WI, and the Cranberry Festival in Warrens, WI. Morning travel took us to Mantorville, MN, a city rich in history. The Dodge County Courthouse, located in Mantorville, is the oldest working courthouse in MN, used continuously since its completion in 1871. Hubbell House, opened as a hotel in 1857 and now still in use as a world famous restaurant, is where we dined amidst a charming Civil War Era atmosphere. Both buildings are examples of local structures made of locally mined limestone. After a mouth-watering Swiss steak dinner with all the trimmings, we enjoyed a brief drive by several other historic places, including the Restoration House (1856), log cabin (late 1850's), the "Grand Old Mansion" (1899), Stone Barn Carriage House (1860's), and the Victorian Severance House (1860's) - childhood home of U.S. Senator Cordenio Arnold Severance.

The drive along the Mississippi River into La Crosse took us past Lock and Dam #7. The La Crosse Convention and Visitors Center at Riverside Park was our first stop. A brief video and a walk through Riverside Museum and the peaceful gardens dedicated to La Crosse's sister cities in Europe and Asia highlighted this stop.

Our day concluded with check-in at Best Western Midway, a quiet evening on our own, and a good night's rest in anticipation of our day at Cranberry Festival tomorrow.

Day 2 - Friday, September 25: The clouds in the sky were threatening when we left our hotel for Warrens and the 850+ venders of the craft fair and a tour of the cranberry marshes at the 37th Annual Warrens Cranberry Festival. Upon arriving in Warrens, we were met by Gene and Aleda Moseley, who guided us through a most informative tour of the marshes. One member of our group commented later, "I'm going to enjoy cranberries all the more now that I know
what all goes into producing them." So far, so good - the rain had held off, and everyone was ready to hit the pavement and find out what all the craft booths had to offer. Did we want lawn ornaments, sweatshirts, fall arrangement, flea market items, food - all these and much more were there.

The Cranberry Discovery Center was another fun stop. A museum of the history of the cranberry industry included some interesting items, among them very unusual wooden horseshoes the horses wore in the flooded marshes so they would not sink into the wet marsh beds. And then there were the items made out of the cranberries to be bought. Wine seemed to be our bus's favorite.

After five hours of walking, looking and buying, all were ready to fall into their seats and relax for the hour ride to Fort McCoy. But those five hours had been fun - and just a little rain came from time to time - not enough to spoil what we were doing.

Fort McCoy was founded in 1909 and sits on approximately 60,000 acres minutes west of the city of Tomah, WI. It remains an active base for training for National Guard units and Reserves, according to our step-on guide Theresa. A large part of what is done is preparing units being deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. We visited a commemorative area, which included a typical barracks and mess hall, uniforms and gear from a history of the U.S. military. There was also a large outdoor display of armor - jeeps, tanks, helicopters, etc.

Our day continued by motoring on to Norskedalen outside of Coon Valley, WI. (We wondered a little if our driver and escort really knew where we were going as we ventured along the hilly, winding country roads, but they did get us there.) Norskedalen, which means "Norwegian Valley," is a nature and heritage center encompassing about 400 acres and dedicated to preserving, interpreting and sharing the natural environment and cultural heritage of the area. It began in 1977 and preserves a collection of the original log and stone buildings crafted by the immigrants (mostly Norwegian) to this area in the second half of the 1800's. Good food and enjoyable ethnic music from a trio of accordion, fiddle and piano players completed our day's activities.

Day 3 - Saturday. September 26: We went "Down a Country Road" this morning. Actually we traveled a number of country roads near Cashton, WI with Kathy Kuderer, who was able to help us "experience the intriguing lifestyle" (of the Amish community) through her eyes. But before doing this, we enjoyed shopping the Amish shop on the Kuderer's farm. One of our favorite items was collapsible wooden decorative baskets. And even more special was meeting the young Amish gentleman - Aidan - who makes these baskets and who signed them for those who bought. While traveling the countryside, we also were able to stop at two Amish homes, enjoy their hospitality and buy additional quilted items and freshly-made baked goods.

It was then back to La Crosse for a relaxing cruise and luncheon on the Mississippi River with Island Girl Cruises. It was the perfect day - sun out in full with just a hint of a breeze.

After getting our land legs back, it was back across the city to be greeted by the Sisters of St. Rose Convent and a tour of their chapels dedicated in 1906. The Romanesque chapels are on the list of historical sites in La Crosse. Our final stop today was at Granddad Bluff, the tallest bluff in the area at 600 feet. The bluff allows a full overview of La Crosse and the whole Mississippi Valley. The evening was open to relax or maybe even catch the shuttle to Oktoberfest activities underway in La Crosse at this time.

Day 4 - Sunday, September 27: Several of the group did go to Oktoberfest last night and enjoyed the evening. A couple of them even bought the sweatshirt to prove they'd been there.

It was finally time we had to repack and have suitcases out this morning as it was time to start for home. But not before a stop at Preston (MN) Apple and Berry Farm. There were yummy pastries awaiting us and a large number of apple varieties from which to choose. We now had a coach bay full of cranberries, wine and apples!

After lunch at River Hills Mall Food Court in Mankato, it was close to time to separate from new friends made in the course of four short days and return home to organize the wonderful memories of our adventures surrounding Cranberry Festival 2009. - Sandy Moose, Tour Director

Door County - Day 5

2009-08-21T21:55:00.000-05:00

Our hotel stay last night was more interesting than usual as they had a Topless Convention at the hotel. We saw quite a bit of evidence of that this morning as we were getting ready to leave, because the parking lot was full of convertibles. After admiring some of them, we began our drive towards home. Before leaving Wisconsin, however, we stopped at a cheese factory that specializes in Colby longhorn cheese. Through large viewing windows, we saw the operation of this modern facility and its computerized equipment. Their gift shop did a brisk business, selling a variety of cheeses besides the Colby. Crossing the St. Croix River back into Minnesota, we realized that our tour was soon coming to a close. It has been a great five-day get away and a chance to make new friends. - Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Door County - Day 4

2009-08-20T19:38:00.001-05:00

We drove off the peninsula of Door County this morning and continued west. We had traveled the same highway before, so although the scenery was beautiful, it was not particularly unique. Which was a very good thing because today it rained. And sometimes it poured. We had a break, however, and were kept dry at our lunch stop. That weather break continued until we were inside the Van Der Geest Dairy, west of Wausau. What an amazing operation. Their freestall barn is 1/3 mile long. Milking is done 24/7 with each of the 3,000 cows getting milked three times in each 24-hour period. We were able to walk on an elevated walkway overlooking the entire operation. From there we traveled back roads, very hilly and scenic, sometimes in pouring rain, until we got to a country store run by local Mennonites. Once again the weather allowed us to stay dry as we went in to buy bulk foods and excellent ice cream cones. It poured again as we continued west, then stopped for us to enjoy our late afternoon at Cabin Ridge Rides. We rode in a large wagon behind Percheron horses on a quiet wooded trail back to a hand-built cabin. The setting was lovely, the food was delicious and the story telling was a bonus. Tonight we are staying at a hotel in Eau Claire.- Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Door County - Day 3

2009-08-19T19:40:00.001-05:00

The weather today was perfect: not too hot, not too cold, and bright sunshine. We started the day with breakfast of Swedish pancakes and lingonberries at Al Johnson's Restaurant in Sister Bay. By the time we had finished our meal, the goats had been allowed up on the sod roof and were almost posing for pictures.

We met Kathleen our tour guide again for another day of sightseeing, this time on the mainland of Door County. A country market was our first stop, where we stocked up on chocolate-covered cherries, cherry wine, cherry jam, and a variety of other taste treats. From there we drove to Bjorklunden near Bailey's Harbor, where a local family has built a peace chapel in the woods along Lake Michigan. Beautiful murals and wood carving inside this small chapel are impressive, as is the view of the lake. An area supper club opened just to serve us a wonderful noon lunch. It felt good to walk off a bit of our lunch as we toured Peninsula State Park and the historic lighthouse. Many climbed all the way to the top. We had driven past so many shops and galleries on our tour, so finally we got to do some shopping in Fish Creek. When it was time to leave, people came with both packages and ice cream cones!

After a short rest at the hotel, we drove to Ellison Bay. The barbecued ribs at Mink River Basin were a delicious end to this full day.- Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Door County - Day 2

2009-08-18T21:41:00.002-05:00

An early morning start got us headed up the thumb of Wisconsin (or the spout of the teapot) into Door County. Scenery included small fields of corn and soybeans as well as cherry orchards. Several of the communities we passed had a Belgian heritage. At the end of the road, the tip of the thumb, we had time for a coffee break before meeting our step-on guide and boarding the ferry for Washington Island. The six-mile strip of water was treacherous enough before modern navigational equipment that it was called "the door of death," giving Door County its name. Washington Island is just one of many islands that are part of Door County. The island has a strong Scandinavian heritage, and our first stop was at a stave church in the woods. Our lunch (we got to take dessert first!) featured open-faced Scandinavian-style sandwiches. Our afternoon on the island included a stop at a maritime museum right on the edge of the water. With a clear, warm, sunny day, it was a perfect spot to enjoy both the fishing history of the area as well as the peaceful view. We shopped at their version of a shopping center (one building combining hardware and gifts and clothing and a bookstore with a sod roof and resident goats) and drove the rural roads. The island is heavily forested, so individual homes are nestled in the trees, and traffic is very light. We took the ferry back to the mainland and checked into our hotel in Sister Bay. The evening meal was exciting as we went to a Door County fish boil, started by early Scandinavian settlers. Potatoes, onions and fresh whitefish from Lake Michigan are boiled together over an open fire. Diesel fuel is thrown on the fire at the last minute to create a whoosh of flame and a blast of heat, causing the pot to boil over. Oils from the fish flow out, leaving a great tasting meal. Cherry pie for dessert, of course!-Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Door County - Day 1

2009-08-17T19:42:00.002-05:00

We had great traveling weather all day as we headed east towards Wisconsin. By noon we had crossed the St. Croix River and were ready for our authentic German-style meal in Hudson. It was tasty, the atmosphere was attractive, and our only regret was that we didn't have a couple of hours for shopping as well. We continued driving east, noting the great number of silos and dairy farms. In fact, we made our afternoon coffee stop close to Colby, WI where the unique cheese was developed. By the time we got to Wausau, we were moving from fields of corn, soybeans and alfalfa to mainly trees. At Green Bay we stopped at Lambeau Field and did not find one purple item for sale in the gift shop! Our stay is in Packer town tonight.- Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Wisconsin at its Best - Day 2

2009-08-08T20:39:00.001-05:00

We were on the road this morning, driving on curving roads through beautiful Wisconsin hills and valleys, getting an early start to make sure that we could see cheese-making in progress. At Carr Valley Cheese the cheese is made by hand. We were able to see how curds are separated from the whey, pressed into rounds of Cheddar, then dipped three times in wax before going through the aging process. Sixty or seventy different kinds of cheese, some of them totally unique, are made by Carr Valley, and we were able to taste and purchase cheese to take home, thanks to a cooler and dry ice. We continued south, driving between fields of corn and dairy farms, enjoying the contour and strip farming as well as all of the trees. By the time we got to House on the Rock, it was raining, so it was great that today was an inside day. We're not sure how to describe our visit to House on the Rock. Certainly a creative mind had to design both the house itself and the maze of collections that are part of the visit. There was the carousel with over 200 animals, none of them horses. The doll carousel and doll houses. The circus exhibit. Music machines. The Streets of Yesterday. The organ room. Those of us who walked the entire route went a leisurely 2 1/2 miles, so we were not only entertained but also got our exercise for the day. It was a wonderful experience. Another scenic rural Wisconsin drive brought us to the city of LaCrosse, located on the Mississippi River. Tonight a dinner cruise on the LaCrosse Queen provided good food and great entertainment by "The Journeymen," who performed Neil Diamond, Elvis, John Denver and other familiar favorites. The Mississippi River scenery was relaxing and peaceful, a perfect end to our day. - Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Wisconsin at its Best - Day 1

2009-08-06T19:44:00.003-05:00

We spent the morning getting acquainted on the way to Rochester where we stopped for lunch. There were lots of naps taken on our drive to the Dells, and that was good because once we arrived, we kept moving! The resort where we are staying gave us a delicious punch and cookie reception. The natural beauty of the Dells and the Wisconsin River was all around us as we rode the Ducks. We raveled through the woods, on the river, through canyons of sandstone rock formations,on the water of Lake Delton and through a fern canyon, with our driver giving commentary that was a combination of comedy and natural or local history. We laughed, some of us screamed when we went really fast down steep hills, and all of were pretty startled with the "big splash," hitting the lake at a pretty good clip resulting in water spraying and running down the center of the Duck. Next we enjoyed a family style meal at Paul Bunyan's Cookhouse, a very popular restaurant with a constant line-up waiting to get in. The last stop for the day was at the Rick Wilcox Theater. He and his wife performed a very entertaining show of magic and illusion that left us talking all the way back to the motel, asking ourselves how they did the sleight of hand and where did the doves come from and how did she change clothes so quickly. There was audience involvement (Burt did get his $20 bill back!) and all of us left smiling. It will feel good to rest tonight.-Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Alaska Fly/Fly Day 11

2009-07-20T22:16:00.001-05:00

A 5:15 AM departure got us to the Anchorage airport in plenty of time. We discovered that many other people were also up early, creating long lines at the counters. All of our souvenirs had been packed, and although no one had to pay extra charges for overweight bags, it was obvious that there were some new carryons filled with purchases. We had done our part for the Alaska economy.

Our flights were smooth, we had time in Seattle for lunch, and our arrival in Minneapolis was earlier than originally scheduled. The Southwest Coaches driver was at the baggage claim to meet us, and we started our drive home. As it got later, many were delighted to see stars and the night sky for the first time since leaving home. Others said that they were looking forward to sleeping with total darkness outside instead of having it light all night long.

Having traveled together for 11 days, it was hard saying goodbye to new friends. We have had so many experiences together and have learned so much. Perhaps the saying is true, that once you’ve been to Alaska, you never come all the way back home. -Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Alaska Fly/Fly Day 10

2009-07-20T07:42:00.001-05:00

We had a beautiful drive south of Anchorage, with the Chugach Mountains to the left and the water of Turnagain Arm to the right. In the area of Girdwood, AK, we made two stops at the Alyeska Ski Resort. The first was at Kobuk Jade where we watched the ongoing sawing of a huge jade rock, admired the collection of Eskimo artifacts that the owners have collected and shopped for jewelry and souvenirs. We also were impressed with the hanging baskets of flowers outside the building. We walked uphill to the bakery where large, delicious rolls were probably the most popular item, although the giant cookies weren't far behind. Just sitting outside looking at many more hanging flower baskets and pots of flowers with the backdrop of the steep glaciated mountains was a thrill. We continued south to the area of Portage Glacier where we found the 2.5 mile tunnel to Whittier. Traffic going into Whittier goes on the half hour, while traffic coming out of town goes on the hour. And because you drive on railroad tracks, the train uses the same tunnel and has right of way. It started to rain before we got to the tunnel and continued raining the entire time we were in the Whittier area. Because this is a rain forest, rain is not unexpected. It did dampen our sightseeing a bit. Our cruise boat had huge viewing windows, but when we would step out on deck to hear the waterfalls or hear the glacier calving or take pictures without raindrops on the windows, we got slightly wet. It was interesting comparing how wet our pants had gotten! The blow dryers in the onboard restrooms might have helped a few, but most of us just dried naturally. As we cruised, we saw sea otters, many glaciers, countless waterfalls, bald eagles and thousands of kittiwakes. The all-you-can-eat buffet of prime rib and salmon was delicious, and by the time they served dessert on the return, we were ready to eat again. Our drive back to Anchorage was without rain and in the low 60s. Tonight we are repacking, trying to get souvenirs safely home with us.-Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Alaska Fly/Fly Day 9

2009-07-19T19:37:00.002-05:00

Today we explored Anchorage. We walked through the flower gardens in a city park, drove past buildings including the sod-roofed visitor center with its hanging baskets and flower gardens and saw salmon in Ship Creek. One man pulled in two while we were there. The view from Resolution Park included the mountain known as Sleeping Lady, the port of Anchorage and
the tidal flats of Knik Arm. We spent time in the Alaska History section of the Anchorage Museum, looking at artifacts from the different native groups and displays about gold mining, homesteading and the pipeline. We had a bit of excitement on our way to the viewpoint at Earthquake Park when a young bull moose came out of the ditch and crossed the street right in front of our bus. We got great pictures! Our last stop before lunch was at Lake Hood and Lake Spenard, the largest seaplane base in the world. We watched several landings and takeoffs, impressive with the sunny skies and mountains as a backdrop. Lunch was at a quaint restaurant with mining memorabilia, after which we walked across the road to a business that makes candies and sells an amazing amount of souvenirs. They also have reindeer that we could pet. People at home should prepare to see pictures of that! The rest of the afternoon was on our own, with the Anchorage Weekend Market getting the most attention. This huge event is just two blocks from our hotel, so we could come and go as we wished. The day was in the mid-70s so it felt great to enjoy being outdoors.-Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Alaska Fly/Fly Day 8

2009-07-18T19:21:00.001-05:00

It was an early start this morning as we boarded the bus for a short trip across the Alaska Highway. There we got on a park service bus for a Natural History Tour into Denali National Park. Our first stop was at a former visitor center to see a movie on the history of the park. Early guests slept in tents (a far cry from our lovely motel last night) and rode in carriages behind horses to see the park. We continued into the park, stopping to watch a moose on a hillside. Our next stop was at an old ranger cabin, where an interpreter talked to us about earlier years. With the sun shining brightly and no clouds in the sky, we still were not confident that we would be seeing Mt. McKinley. But the driver kept assuring us that it looked promising. Sure enough. A perfect view of "the great one" with not a cloud to hide either peak. It was very impressive. Our last stop was at another mountain viewpoint to listen to an Athabaskan woman from Minto, AK tell about native life and beliefs about the land. A golden eagle and snowshoe hare were also sighted on our memorable visit to Denali.

By then we were hungry, so lunch as we drove towards Anchorage tasted great. But within 15 minutes of leaving the park area, it started misting and the clouds rolled in, bringing a total change to the weather. It was a quiet group after that, until we arrived at a Denali Viewpoint State Park. Marvelous reader boards showed us what we would have been seeing if the weather hadn't changed.

Still farther south, we stopped at the Iditarod Sled Dog Race Headquarters in Wasilla. We were able to hold (and fall in love with) puppies, plus watch an Iditarod movie and look at displays.

By late afternoon we were driving in four lane divided traffic which brought us into Anchorage, largest city in Alaska and home to almost half of its population. We are eager to rest, but looking forward to sightseeing here tomorrow.-Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Alaska Day 7 Fly/Fly

2009-07-17T07:33:00.002-05:00

This morning none of us got up before the sun. It was already quite aways from the horizon at 4:30. With temperatures in the mid-40s, jackets felt good, but we so appreciated having a dry, clear day for our riverboat cruise in Fairbanks. The boat had three decks, almost solid walls of
windows for those who chose the comfortable inside seating, and video monitors for everyone to watch, just in case a closer look was needed. We cruised past beautiful riverfront homes, some with their own boat and/or plane parked in front. A pilot put on a demonstration of takeoffs and
landings with a float plane. He was able to talk back and forth to the boat captain, so we also learned a little bit about the plane and Alaska flying. We watched a fish wheel in action; saw reindeer (which we learned are domesticated caribou); were introduced to the late Susan Buttcher's Trailbreaker Kennels, watching puppies playing and a team of sled dogs pulling a four wheeler; and compared the clear water of the Chena River with the gray, silty water of the Tanana River. The Tanana is now too shallow for the riverboat to use, so we turned around where the two rivers meet. The highlight of our cruise was an hour stop at Chena Indian
Village. Young native women explained the Athabascan lifestyle. They showed homes that they would live in, furs that would be trapped and beautiful handmade parkas made from the furs and skins. After a deli lunch stop, we drove 120 miles along the Tanana River to Denali National
Park. Everyone saw the movie and then either looked at the displays or walked one of the trails. The weather was just perfect all day. Tonight we are staying in beautiful rooms right alongside the Tanana River.-Laural Johnson, Tour Director

Alaska Day 6 Fly/Fly

2009-07-17T07:18:00.002-05:00

This morning we woke up to the sound of thunder, combined with the smoky haze of something like 69 fires burning in the state. We left Tok and the rain began. It poured all morning, making it difficult to see the agricultural fields by Delta Junction. The rain stopped so that we could

find the pig (from the pipeline) at our Delta Junction visitor center stop. It rained throughout our time at Rika's Roadhouse, but the old roadhouse, garden and outbuildings along the Tanana River was still a lovely stop. Then the rain quit, the sun came out and the rest of the day
was perfect. We saw the Alaska pipeline, a snowshoe hare, stopped to take pictures of a moose eating in the middle of a pond and had the chance to either shop for gifts or sit on Santa Claus' lap in North Pole. Just outside of Fairbanks we learned about gold mining from a couple who operate a nearby mine, and then had the opportunity to pan for gold. It takes awhile to get the right dip and swirl action! Fortunately, help is available. Some of us are wearing the results of our work. The evening was spent at Pioneer Park and the Alaska Salmon Bake. What great food, with a prime rib, Alaska salmon, cod and halibut buffet. Tonight is a chance to see daylight at midnight.-Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Alaska Day 5 Fly/Fly

2009-07-17T07:11:00.002-05:00

Today's drive was entirely on the Alaska Highway as we traveled between Whitehorse and Tok. We got to experience long sweeping curves of smooth highway, surrounded by beautiful mountains. There were also a number of miles where the highway wasn't so smooth! It's difficult to build highways over ground that is not solid and permafrost. Miles of wilderness, forest and the Yukon scenery were a good glimpse of the north country. Special stops were at a national park visitor center and a wonderful bakery in Haines Junction, the visitor center at Sheep Mountain where the ranger gave us a great talk on the Dall sheep, and the Tetlin
National Wildlife Refuge. We saw a porcupine with its quills all extended because the bus was too close, and then after it went into the ditch we noticed that the quills were relaxed again. We also stopped for a view of a wilderness pond with a trumpeter swan nest. Both adults and several babies were there, and we watched the mom and the little ones slip into the water and start swimming. After checking into our motel, we had a great meal together. The evening gave us time for gift shops and enjoying this unusual junction town. Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Alaska - Day 4 Fly/Fly

2009-07-13T19:08:00.002-05:00

Today was another day of adventure. It has been clear, sunny and dry with temperatures in the high 70s. We checked out of the Skagway hotel this morning and by 8:00 were beginning our sightseeing ride on the White Pass and Yukon Railroad. This narrow gauge railroad was built in 1898 and today gives passengers a thrilling ride parallel to the walking trail used by the early gold miners. Unfortunately we didn't get very far before the train stopped. The announcement was made that we were having electrical problems with the engine, and all three are needed to get the train back down from the White Pass (at almost 3,000 feet elevation)to Skagway's sea
level. Consequently, the engineer backed up the train until we got to the repair yard. We got new engines and eventually took off on our scenic uphill ride. There were glaciers, waterfalls, steep valleys, mountains, wild flowers, and scenery all around us. We were also surrounded by
stories of the gold rush.

At the end of the ride, we again boarded our bus and drove on the Klondike Highway towards Whitehorse. Before long, we noticed that several vehicles were stopped in the opposite driving lane. That almost always means someone has spotted an animal. So we stopped too, but didn't see anything. Finally the driver and one of the passengers noticed a baby black bear way up in an evergreen tree! Looking carefully, someone else spotted the mother bear in the brush, quite close to the tree. The baby climbed down, and the two sauntered away. But before we drove off, people saw two more baby bears in the tree! We watched them grab at pine cones and eventually make their way to the ground. Then out into the clearing came the mom and all three bears. We were able to get good pictures and just had the best time watching. Not too many minutes later, the driver spotted another black bear in the ditch. He backed up, but by the time we got close, the bear had crossed the highway and gone into the trees, so we didn't get pictures. Regardless, it was very exciting.

We made stops for turquoise-colored lakes, remnants of an early silver mine, the smallest desert in the world and a view of the Yukon River as it flows through Miles Canyon.

Our afternoon tour of the SS Klondike, a riverboat retired in 1955 from working on the Yukon between Whitehorse and Dawson City, was very interesting.

Tonight we are going to be entertained with vaudeville-style music and stories at the Frantic Follies, making this a full, fun day in Canada. - Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Alaska - Day 3 Fly/Fly

2009-07-12T19:13:00.000-05:00

What a gift to wake up this morning to a clear, sunny day in Juneau with temperatures up to 68 degrees by mid-morning. A late departure gave us time to sleep in or walk about the area. Our city tour included a drive past the state capitol (one of the few capitols without a dome, but the
only one with jade pillars in front), government buildings and the governor's mansion. Our first stop was at the McCauley Fish Hatchery. The holding area and the long fish ladder were filled with very active chum salmon. Our visit there included a fine talk about the process of hatching new salmon and how they need to "imprint" on the Juneau waters in order to return there after becoming adults and ready to spawn. Inside the building we were able to taste smoked salmon, look at a number of aquariums filled with Alaskan sea creatures and admire the mounts of bald
eagles and bear. Even better, we saw a number of bald eagles on the tour. Our second stop was at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. The impressive glacier, nearby waterfall, walking trails (some saw a porcupine up in a tree eating leaves) and visitor center displays were a highlight.
Our final stop was at the Alaska Marine Highway terminal. We learned it used to be called the Alaska State Ferry System, but then it was difficult to get money to help with funding. By changing the name, they could get federal highway funds! Everyone who worked at the terminal was so helpful. Our tickets were printed and waiting, they loaded our luggage for us on the baggage carts, and they passed us through without asking to see our photo I.D.'s. It was so pleasant. The "fast ferry," officially named the Fairweather, has been out of commission for 3 1/2 weeks while they waited for parts from Germany. Now back in operation, today was its
only day of making the Juneau - Skagway run for all the summer months. That meant that we got to Skagway in 2 1/2 hours, arriving by 4:00. Our bus driver for the rest of our time in Alaska was at the terminal to meet us, our bags were brought up almost right to the bus, and after checking into the hotel, we had the rest of the afternoon and evening for local sightseeing. The National Park Visitor Center is a real highlight with all the displays and movies about the Klondike Gold Rush. Three cruise ships in town mean that gift shops will be open until the ships depart, so shoppers are beaming!

Alaska - Day 1 & 2 Fly/Fly

2009-07-12T07:09:00.000-05:00

Blog, Day 1 and 2

We left home Friday afternoon and got acquainted with the rest of our fellow travelers. A stay overnight in Eden Prairie made it a lot easier to get to the airport by 5:20 am. We checked luggage all the way through to Juneau, made it successfully through the security checkpoint (only two or three had the honor of being personally wanded and examined) and found the plane to Seattle. It was a smooth flight with nearly clear views all the way. The major mountains close to Seattle were particularly impressive as were the green forests and the water of Puget Sound. With our pre-printed boarding passes in hand, we had time for a quick early lunch before boarding the Alaska Air flight to Juneau. Again, a smooth ride and entertaining flight attendants made the time pass quickly. We arrived to find that it was mild and partly sunny in Juneau, rather rare for this rainforest community. Our hotel is right downtown, and with an
entire free afternoon, we have been taking advantage of the warm sunshine. We have walked up hills and down hills and found the only flat land in Juneau which is parallel to the water where a cruise ship is docked. There are flowers all over, most noticeably the fireweed which is growing
wild all over. It is a beautiful capital city and the only one to which you cannot drive.
Laurel Johnson-Tour Director

Niagara Falls/Makinac Island tour - Day 4

2009-06-15T20:40:00.001-05:00

We are on our third day out on the Niagara Falls/Mackinac Island tour. We basically were in a travel mode (cloudy and somewhat rainy) Friday and Saturday. However, the sun came out in its full array for us to arrive at Niagara Falls today. We got the cameras out and took full advantage of our first photo opportunities and stood in awe of the spectacular scene we were viewing - most of us for the first time. After marveling the sight from the top of the falls, we made our way to the Maid of the Mist ride to view both the American and Canadian Falls from below. Wow! What power you realize is in force as those millions of gallons of water per minute fall to the Niagara River below.
After checking into the Imperial Hotel/Suites, there was time to rest and do a little power shopping before once again boarding the coach for an evening of spectacular color reflecting on the falls, live music - somewhat too loud for our taste but enjoyed by most of the spectators, it appeared - and then fireworks that led to many "oh's" and "ah's." We were all now ready for a good night's rest so we could be ready for new adventures again tomorrow.

Monday, June 15: Today we began our day by taking one last drive past the falls before making our way to the Botanical Gardens, Butterfly Conservatory, and Floral Clock. We learned what ornamental onions were as be began our walk of the gardens. Approaching the rose gardens, the scents seem to float through the air and lure us in to what seemed like an artist's rendition of a rose covered with dew.
Another wonder of nature awaited us as we moved into the nearby Butterfly Conservatory and were surrounded by the vast variety of butterfly types and colors. Congratulations to several of our shutter bugs who were able to capture great pictures of the elusive blue variety of butterfly with its wings unfurled.
Our timing was perfect for arriving at the Floral Clock as the Westminster chimes were pealing.
It was now time to bid a final farewell to the Niagara area and be on our way to chicken dinner served family style in the Bavarian community of Frankenmuth, MI. Driving into a community like Frankenmuth takes one back to old Bavaria with its architectural detail and live German music playing near the Bavarian Inn. Zehnder's knows how to prepare a feast. After courses of soup and salad, our eyes opened wide to the bowls and plates of chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, dressing, corn, and buttered (homemade) noodles. Our meal was completed with a very smooth frozen dessert. Several of the group chose to walk back to the hotel after feasting on Frankenmuth's famous choice of dining.
We will lay our heads down on the pillow tonight and dream of Bronner's and all the thousands of Christmas items waiting for us tomorrow. - Sandy Moose, Tour Director

New York City Stay - Day 2-6

2009-06-14T20:31:00.003-05:00

Day 2

We were headed to the airport, breakfast bags in hand, by 5 AM this morning! Group check in was painless, we easily found our departure gate, and the flight was smooth. By mid-morning we had landed in New York City, where it was so foggy we could not see beyond the sides of the runway. We were met by our step-on guide, Mike, and our driver, Oscar. We drove from Queens across the Queensboro Bridge on to Manhattan Island. By the time we got to Rockefeller Center, the visibility was just fine. We went up 70 floors to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck and had a good view of Central Park, the Hudson River, New Jersey, the Statue of Liberty, the East River, Brooklyn and Queens. With some free time afterwards, we explored the Channel Gardens and the area around the skating rink, now turned into an outdoor restaurant. By mid-afternoon we checked into our hotel, located right around the corner from Times Square. Our rooms were larger than we had expected, and we were able to explore both the hotel and Times Square. This evening we walked to Broadway Joe’s Steakhouse where we had a delicious dinner including some delicious New York style cheesecake. Some of us got tickets for a play tonight, giving us a wonderful first day in New York City.

Day 3

This morning we took a bus to CBS Studios and stood around the Plaza to watch filming of the CBS Morning Show. We were able to see the weather reports, a cooking segment and a gardening segment. We were standing behind the garden setting, so while people at home learned how to grow roses, they were seeing Southwest Tours people at the same time! When filming ended, the morning crew were willing to have pictures taken with us. We also got a brief tour inside the studio. There was a little free time before our driver and guide met us, so we were able to go into the Apple Store (open 24 hours/day) and the Plaza Hotel across the street, besides admiring the horses and carriages at the edge of Central Park. Once we began touring for the day, we explored two areas of the park, including Tavern on the Green restaurant and the beautiful formal gardens of the Central Park Conservatory. We drove past apartment houses on both sides of Central Park. Our guide would list the various rich and famous residents as we passed by. We went into Grand Central Terminal, admiring the beautiful building and seeing the one piece of tile that was left to show how dirty it had become before its restoration. After lunch there, we continued our sightseeing through Midtown Manhattan. At Lincoln Center, it was tempting to linger at the special craft market. The rest of our afternoon and evening were free. Some of us took a carriage ride in Central Park. Quite a few of us got tickets for the theater tonight.

Day 4

Today was our free day, and we found that cabs were the easiest and fastest way to get around the city. Some of us started the day by attending a service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on 5th Avenue. Some went to Tavern on the Green for Sunday brunch, only to discover that they were seated in the Crystal Room where the buffet was being served. Stories of this adventure entertained the rest of us later! Some of us people-watched in the pedestrian-only area of Times Square. The sight of about 15 naked people riding bikes in the area was quite unexpected, and again, stories were told to the rest of the group. Some of us went to the Museum of Natural History, some took the Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise around the island and some went shopping. Purchases included a big variety: a new outfit from J Crew, jewelry from Diamond Row, sweatshirts, shoes and purses. The big Puerto Rican parade was held on 5th Avenue today, and some of us watched that. The streets were lined with enthusiastic crowds waving flags as they saw New York City’s mayor, governors of both New York and New Jersey and Miss Puerto Rico start the parade. Some of us enjoyed visits with family or friends who live in the city. Some saw “the naked cowgirl,” others saw Susan Sarandon and still others ran into one of the stars of Jersey Boys. There were people who went to matinees this afternoon. It was a full day.

Day 5

We had a full day of sightseeing starting at 8:00, just after the rain quit. The rest of the day we were able to be dry and comfortable which made our morning visit to the Statue of Liberty just perfect. Ellis Island was a highlight, with an excellent movie, displays and information from our very knowledgeable guide, Mike. The rest of the day was spent in Lower Manhattan. We drove through the tiny tree-lined streets of Greenwich Village and past the boutiques in SoHo. We saw South Street Seaport, the Brooklyn Bridge and spent some time shopping in Chinatown. We rode the subway, walked on Wall Street, and visited two churches. Trinity Church where Alexander Hamilton is buried and St. Paul’s Chapel where we saw George Washington’s pew and the very moving displays dedicated to the volunteers during 9/11. Our last stop was at the Winter Garden where we could look into Ground Zero. As we drove away, the rain started. It poured for almost 30 minutes until we got to Little Italy where we had a dinner scheduled. Then the rain quit, we were able to get off the bus without getting wet, and the rest of the evening was lovely. We enjoyed a glass of wine with our Italian food which was delicious. The rest of the evening was spent with last minute looks at the hotel gift shop or again people-watching in Times Square.

Day 6

Now that we have seen how people live in Manhattan, as we crossed into Queens this morning, we could immediately see the difference. Buildings were not as tall, houses were detached and people owned cars. Then this afternoon when we were leaving the airport in Minneapolis, we noticed even more differences, with all the space between buildings, all the areas of grass and lakes and no one out walking. We have been able to see and learn so much on this tour. Our highlights have been the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, the 9/11 Memorial at St. Paul’s Chapel, Central Park, Wall Street and the statue of the bull, the action in Times Square with Armenian dancers one night and hundreds of people blowing bubbles another, and the great food at the two dinners. We have gone to as many as three theater performances, and we have felt so comfortable exploring the big city. We really would recommend this tour! Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

New York City Stay - Day 1

2009-06-11T20:13:00.001-05:00

Our afternoon drive to Eden Prairie was spent getting acquainted, celebrating a birthday, accumulating new information about New York City and reviewing what we need to know for tomorrow. Although not all of us are first-timers to the city, we are all excited about seeing the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Broadway and all the possibilities waiting for us for the next few days.- Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Pella Tulip Festival - Day 4

2009-05-08T20:05:00.001-05:00

As we left West Des Moines this morning, we enjoyed seeing an entire row of blossoming Bradford pear trees right next to the hotel. We noticed the land got flatter the farther north we drove. In West Bend, we toured the Grotto of the Redemption and heard the story of Father Dobberstein. Near death from pneumonia while in seminary, he prayed and promised that if he
recovered, he would build a shrine to Mary. He did recover and was sent to the parish at West Bend. Here he began a lifelong work of telling a story in stone. The grotto is built out of petrified wood and an incredible variety of rocks - malachite, azurite, agates, geodes, jasper, quartz, topaz, calcite, stalactites and stalagmites - collected over many years. Father Dobberstein worked without a blueprint, often late at night. When people would notice that his hands were bloodied from the hard work, he would say that there was no redemption without a little blood. Most of our group had seen the Grotto before but enjoyed hearing again the story of God's redemption and seeing the beautiful varieties of rocks. Before leaving we had an included meal with homemade rhubarb torte for dessert. Then it was homeward bound, ready to enjoy tulips and other spring flowers in our own back yards. -Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Pella Tulip Festival - Day 3

2009-05-07T21:00:00.002-05:00

Leaving Coralville early this morning, we had a beautiful drive to Pella. Many of us from the prairies were "shocked" by the rolling hills and trees in Iowa. Once we got to Pella, we discovered that the tulips were at their peak, as were lilacs, flower crab and other blossoming trees. With a costumed step-on guide, we toured Pella, driving past its college, Pella Corporation, the city park with its plantings of tulips, health care and senior living facilities plus the neighborhoods and some of the 20 churches in this Dutch community. We ended our tour at the Pella Historical Village. Here we could tour the large Vermeer windmill, watch wooden shoes being made, walk through a flower show, listen to a calliope play, sample a Dutch letter with coffee and explore some of the early buildings of the community that have been moved to the village. We also had enough time to stroll downtown to shop or taste some of the Dutch
foods sold at stands set up along the side streets.

After an early lunch at one of the churches, we found our reserved seats for the afternoon. Unfortunately, the predicted light rain also found us, and for the coronation of the queen, presentation of costumes from the regions of the Netherlands and Dutch dances, we sat under umbrellas. But soon the sun came out, the umbrellas disappeared, and the rest of the day was sunny and actually very warm. The streets had been washed already by the rain, but by a vote (that included the audience) it was decided that the streets needed washing again. That was the signal for men, women, boys and girls, even toddlers, all in traditional Dutch costumes, to walk
down the main street. Some of the men and boys had buckets to fill with water and spill out on the street. Everyone else had brooms, and the street got thoroughly swept clean. Then followed the parade. The queen and her court. Officials in convertibles. Many marching bands. The
local school children, all in costume. One Dutch family with their 16 children. Pretty girls, the local Garden Club, school children and even a baby bear rode on floats of all descriptions. It was colorful, and it was fun.

Immediately after the parade we went out to Vermeer Corporation. This local family-owned business has a complex of about seven manufacturing buildings where they make farm machinery, trenching equipment, boring units and a long list of other products. Their visitor center had some very unique architecture, and our visit was so informative. We even enjoyed looking at their list of "White Elephants," ideas for equipment that were never successful.

Tonight we are on the west side of Des Moines, in a beautiful new hotel in a new development. A social hour gave us time to reflect on this full and exciting day.-Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Pella Tulip Festival - Day 2

2009-05-06T20:48:00.001-05:00

We are back in Coralville after a full, full day of sightseeing. Our morning was spent in the Amana Colonies. A step-on guide introduced us to the seven villages that were started as a communal lifestyle by the Society of True Inspirationalists back in the mid-1850s. Everyone had
work to do, either farming the 26,000 acres that the Colony owned or in some of the crafts that sustained their lifestyle. Meals were prepared and eaten communally and everyone shared in the economy of the colony. Every inch of yards around the homes were used for gardens or fruit trees, with trellises for grapes on the sides of the stately brick homes. Within the homes, each family had a two room apartment. The church was the core of their lives with 11 services weekly and the leadership making decisions for everyone. But in 1932, the colony made the Great Change. The communal lifestyle ended. Shares in the Amana Corporation were distributed to the people, individual families lived in their own homes, and the church no longer directed the economy of the people. Today the Amana Colonies carry on the craftsmanship for which they have been known. We visited a winery, a furniture factory, a bakery, the woolen mill, a brewery and a museum with so much information about the Amanas. Our last stop was at the Ox Yoke Inn for a delicious meal.

Our afternoon was spent in Kalona, IA, home of the largest Amish-Mennonite settlement west of the Mississippi River. These people, like those of the Amana Colonies, also came from German roots, but their breakaway in religious beliefs took place in the 1500s, about 200 years earlier. The various Amish and Mennonite groups in the area live their lifestyle based on the Bible as they interpret it. We saw horses and buggies on the roads and at various businesses around town. We also saw tractors with steel wheels working the fields. After an introduction to the Kalona area, we visited a bakery, watched noodles being made (a great way to use the egg yolks left after baking many, many angel food cakes), went to a cheese factory and a woodworking shop. We spent a good bit of time at the Kalona Historical Village because it had displays of old quilts, collections of everything from dishes to rocks, as well as an entire village: school, depot, homes, a Grandpa's house and barns filled with tools, machinery and automobiles. With our step-on guide we continued to a Beachy Mennonite home for dinner. The home looked as modern as any of ours with electricity and a dishwasher, but the women preparing and serving the meal wore simple dresses (some in pastel colors) and head coverings. We were introduced to the delights of Amish peanut butter (mixed with marshmallow cream and a little bit of corn syrup), tapioca salad, homemade noodles, mashed potatoes with browned butter and a choice of pies for dessert. We did not go away hungry!-Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Pella Tulip Festival - Day 1

2009-05-05T19:56:00.001-05:00

Today we had sunshine almost all day, and it got up to the mid-70s. Tulips, daffodils, ornamental crab apple trees and plum bushes are in bloom, so the Iowa springtime drive has been just glorious. Shortly after lunch we drove out into the country by Shellsburg, IA to a farm home called Villa Comagena. Inge Schminke hosted all of us in various rooms throughout the main floor, all beautifully decorated with Austrian treasures. We were served English tea or Austrian coffee or cold beverages plus a plate of tiny fruit kabobs and a variety of delicious cakes. It was definitely a taste treat. Afterwards, we listened to Inge tell us how she had come to America. She had grown up during WW II, and commented that when childhood is taken away, it can never be replaced. Eventually her family came to Canada, adjusting to a totally different way of life and learning how to speak English. Inge worked at a resort close to International Falls during the summers of her college years and met a single man from Iowa. They knew each other 12 days, spent the next year in a long distance relationship, and after one year were married. At that point she moved to a farm Iowa. Her openness about how hard that adjustment was and how she sees life in America was very sobering. Ah, but Inge also has a sense of humor that had us roaring in laughter between the serious parts of her talk. Our time there was such a good experience. She also had a gift shop in her home that was visited by many. We are staying in Coralville at the AmericInn tonight.

Mystery Tour - Day 2 & 3

2009-04-19T20:09:00.001-05:00

Saturday

After an early start we arrived at the Hoffman Estates Public Library where we had a private reception and introduction to Hoffman Estates by Mark and Wendy Battaglia before the big treat. We had private bleachers for the Hoffman Estates 50th Anniversary Parade. I felt like a little child again picking up candy from the street. There were fire engines blasting, polices cars wailing and lots more fun things to see.

We had time after the parade so Dale, our great driver, took us on a side trip to South Barrington to see the fantastic mansions in the area. We each picked out the one we wanted. We then stopped at Goebert's Farm Market to smell all their beautiful flowers.

We had a wonderful lunch at the Hoffman Estates City Hall. They had a new car show and cash door prizes. One of our companions won first prize. What fun!

After a short stop at our hotel to get rested up for our night's activities we were off again for more surprises. Out evening meal was on our own at the new Arboretum Shopping Center.

Our final treat for the evening was the 2009 Heartland International Tattoo. No, I don't have a new tattoo. This is a gathering of Pipe and Drum Groups. The Pipes are actually bagpipes. There were many interesting groups from The Thistle and Heather Highland Dancers to the U.S. Air Force Academy Drum and Bugle Corps. It ended with a spectacular rendition of "Amazing Grace" which started our with the Irish American Heritage Singers melding into each participating group coming into the center and ending with a solo piper. The lights had been dimmed with a spotlight on the piper. It was quite moving.

What a busy day. It's now time for bed.

Sunday

What a better way to start the Sunday with going to church. We went to the Willow Creek Community Church, which has the 2nd largest church in the US. The auditorium seats 7,095 on three levels. It was a cultural experience as this denominational church is very casual with singers and instruments playing contemporary songs. It has a book store, an activity center and a Coffee Bar. There are large screens all through the church so you can watch the service from wherever you are in the facilities.

Our lunch was at the Apple Villa Pancake House and Restaurant. We had good service and plenty of food.

Our afternoon stop was at the Billy Graham Center and Museum. It was very interesting to see how the Evangelical ministries were started and how they have progressed through time.

After a brief rest we were out for our last evening entertainment. We went to the Skokie Theatre and were entertained by Jeanne Scherkenback who performed "Kate the Great" a musical anthology and history of Kate Smith. It was a wonderful performance.

North, South, East or West Where we're going is anyone's guess Traveling "Southwest" is the Best

Maybe south, maybe east Where we're going will be a treat Traveling "Southwest" can't be beat

Have a great day.
Linda Balk

Mystery Tour - Day 1

2009-04-17T20:05:00.000-05:00

Because this is a mystery tour, we know where we have been, we know where we are, but we do not know where we are going! Today we headed east on I-90. We stopped in Blue Earth to take a close look at the Jolly Green Giant statue. Quite a few of us didn't even know he existed in all his green glory with his 48" smile.

After a lunch stop in Rochester, we stopped in Sparta, WI to take a close look at the 32' Ben Bikin' statue, built to mark Sparta's claim as Bicycling Capital of America. We continued north of town and discovered that our planned stop was at F.A.S.T. Corporation, the company that built both of these larger-than-life statues. Fiberglass Animals, Statues and Trademarks (F.A.S.T.) gave us a talk on the whole process. We watched a giant smiling frog under construction, and then we were free to walk through the 5 acre field of molds. Much of their work lately has been slides for use at water parks and pools, but we also saw giant horses,
elephants, fish, and a most interesting assortment of other animals from past projects. Again, most of us did not know that such a business existed.

We drove a two lane road past Fort McCoy and into Tomah, WI where we had coffee and a few minutes of shopping time at Burnstad's. Quite a few packages of cashew crunch candy are now in overheads.

We had some music with a singalong on our way to our overnight stay in Janesville, WI. Because Janesville manufactures Simmons mattresses, the hotel manager guarantees that tonight is the best bed we will ever have.-Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Cherry Blossom - Day 14

2009-04-05T17:37:00.000-05:00

What a joy to find that except a short drive in snowy conditions, we had dry roads and even sunshine for our last day of the tour. We played Wheel of Fortune on the drive, we watched a movie and we compared notes on our tour highlights. We have learned so much U.S. History. We have seen in person so many sites that we had seen before only on television or in movies. We noshed and schlepped and learned new words! We have souvenirs and bragging rights. And most importantly, we have formed rich friendships during these two weeks together. -Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Cherry Blossom - Day 13

2009-04-05T08:10:00.001-05:00

It was crisp out this morning but clear and dry. The hotel sent us on our way with "provisions for the journey," a snack pack that had been thoughtfully put together. On our drive we noticed an immediate change of scenery. There were no mountains, the trees were only a fraction of yesterday's and the flat farm fields reminded us of home. After we came into Indiana, we drove through Amish country. One man was plowing his field using six horses. The farther west we drove, the wetter the fields were, and no one was out working. By the time we got to Chicago, there wasn't a cloud in the sky and we were enjoying the sunshine. The 104th floor observation deck of the Sears Tower is undergoing some reconstruction, so our view was from the 99th floor. We could see Lake Michigan, sports stadiums, busy interstates and all of Chicago. In fact, they say that on a clear day like today, the view covers 50 miles and the states of Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. It really was spectacular. But we also noticed how much smaller Chicago is than New York City. Tonight we are staying in Janesville, WI, having driven in four states today.

Laurel Johnson- Tour Director

Cherry Blossom - Day 12

2009-04-03T20:05:00.003-05:00

This morning it was so foggy when we left New York City that we could not even look up to see the Empire State Building. And once we came out of the Lincoln Tunnel on the New Jersey side, we couldn't even see that Manhattan existed. We were so blessed to have good weather for all of our
touring. Today we drove west, through New Jersey and Pennsylvania. It rained almost all day and was so windy that the driver had a real workout. Despite that, we enjoyed the scenery of forests, Appalachian Mountains and picturesque farms in valleys. It was quite a change from the busy
city. Tonight we are in Ohio and thinking that it almost feels like it could snow.-Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Cherry Blossom - Day 11

2009-04-02T20:02:00.001-05:00

This morning Robert took us to the waiting line for the Statue of Liberty ferry. It was so foggy we couldn't see across the river. But by the time we started going through security, the fog began lifting. By the time we got on board the ferry, we had great views of Manhattan and the Statue of
Liberty. We got off on Liberty Island and were able to walk up close to the statue. The sun was out by then, and the whole day was just perfect. Another ferry ride brought us to Ellis Island. Robert's grandmother had come over from Italy, so he could relate stories of her arrival as well as so much information about the processing of immigrants. Some of us found the names of relatives on the memorial wall, and all of us found that the exhibits were so very interesting. The last part of the afternoon was free, so we all had different experiences: shopping, walking, trying New York cheesecake, people watching (one couple saw Liza Minelli) and just soaking up the New York City excitement and energy. More went to the theater this evening.- Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Cherry Blossom - Day 10

2009-04-02T07:58:00.001-05:00

Robert, today's step on guide, was born and raised in New York City. As a result, he gave us not only factual information about things that we saw and places we went but also personal experiences from his life. Our first stop was at the Empire State Building. The weather was so cooperative, there was no waiting line and the view from the top was impressive. We drove all around the city, looking at the tall buildings, the small shops, the crowds of people and all the hustle and bustle. The pace changed as we got off to walk through Central Park. What a peaceful haven with grass, some spring flowers, hills, rocks, benches, a fountain and a lake.
We had a long lunch break close to Rockefeller Center, giving us a chance to explore 5th Avenue after we had eaten. We continued to lower Manhattan where we walked a few blocks in Chinatown and tried cannoli and other treats at an Italian pastry shop. We stopped at Ground Zero and spent time in beautiful Grand Central Station. Our energy and muscles gave out
before we could see it all. Some of us went to a Broadway play last night, and others went tonight.-Laurel Johnson, Tour Escort

Cherry Blossom - Day 9

2009-03-31T19:54:00.001-05:00

After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, we met our step-on guide for the Philadelphia city tour. She was dressed in period costume, was funny and full of information. We went to Independence Hall, saw the Liberty Bell, went to Christ Church, walked up and down the narrow stairways in Betsy Ross' house, had lunch at Reading Terminal Market (people reported that the Philly cheesesteak sandwiches were great), went up the Rocky steps at the Art Museum, had pictures taken with the Rocky statue and learned so much about Ben Franklin, William Penn and our country's birthplace. From Philadelphia, we drove the New Jersey Turnpike to New York City. Our hotel is just around the corner from Times Square, so we are able to go out tonight and start getting the feel of this exciting city. All of the neon lights and the crowds of people are quite a change from our hometowns.- Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Cherry Blossom - Day 8

2009-03-30T19:42:00.001-05:00

As we left Washington DC this morning, we got our last look at places we had visited. We also enjoyed a final glimpse of cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin. After that, we had a very quiet ride to York, PA. With outside temperatures in the low 40s and a brisk wind, it felt good to be inside, and the majority of the people used the drive time to take a long nap. After our coffee break, we continued into Amish country in Lancaster County. At the Amish Farm and Home, we learned so much about Amish lifestyle. We also were able to tour the out buildings, including the barn where there were 11 new baby goats. They were the hit of the farm tour. By then we were ready for lunch. At the restaurant, Good 'n Plenty, we found they took their name seriously. From the homemade bread and apple butter, to crisp fried chicken and mashed potatoes, to the five desserts, the food was good and there was plenty of it. Local specialties
served included chow chow relish, buttered noodles and shoo fly pie. Many seemed interested in the recipe which was handed out on the bus. Then we drove through the picturesque Amish countryside. All the farms, 50-75 acres in size (and valued at $1 million), gave an impression of a patchwork quilt. There were many buggies on the road with us, and almost every farm had laundry hung out on lines strung way up in the air. One man was using about 8 horses and mules to plow his field. We stopped in a tourist spot to look at quilts, crafts and bulk food items. Our final drive for the day took us along the Schuylkill River into Philadelphia. With the hotel in the heart of the city, people are able to walk just a couple blocks to City Hall with the statue of William Penn on top.-Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Cherry Blossom - Day 7

2009-03-29T20:00:00.003-05:00

There were a few groans as stiff and tired bodies got out of bus seats for the last time tonight. But the common statement was, "Thanks for a great day." We certainly had a busy one!

By 8:30 this morning we were at the Basilica of the Shrine of Immaculate Conception, the largest Roman Catholic church in the US. After a look at some of the chapels in the lower level and the beautiful crypt church, the upper church, which seats 6,000, was still more impressive. There were mosaics in several round domes above us, mosaics in side chapels on either side of us, the organ was full and strong and the whole experience was very worthwhile.

On the way to our next stop, we found a cluster of cherry trees so beautiful in full bloom that we had to stop and take pictures.

The Smithsonian occupied the next few hours. The Museum of American History had highlights of the recently restored flag that flew over Fort McHenry, First Ladies' gowns, Julia Child's kitchen, Dorothy's ruby slippers, and a special display on Abraham Lincoln. The Museum of Natural History had the impressive Hope diamond, fossils and the new ocean gallery. There was some frustration because we just couldn't see it all - the mind went on overload and the body got weary.

When we came out of the Smithsonian, the weather had changed from misty and foggy to warm, bright sun. That was appreciated because our next stop was Arlington National Cemetery where we saw the Kennedy grave sites and the changing of the guard ceremony including three wreath layings. Our guide as we drove through the cemetery grounds was a highlight. She was dressed in red/white/blue from her socks to the crown on her head, with a big bow and ribbons on her microphone. Plus every once in awhile she would grab a flag and wave that as she got excited about some aspect of her commentary. She was unforgettable! We continued to Iwo Jima, largest bronze statue in the world.

Then it was down to the Potomac shore for a seafood buffet where almost everyone tried new foods from choices of mussels, crawfish, crab soup, jambalaya, crab legs and steamed shrimp. Besides that there were salads, other entrees, vegetables and desserts. It was so good.

Our final activity was a lighted drive through the city, looking at some of the memorials, the Capitol and White House after dark. - Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Cherry Blossom - Day 6

2009-03-28T19:51:00.002-05:00

Today it was gray, cloudy and what one called "refreshingly misty." The mist, however, was perfectly timed so that we really never got wet.

At our first stop, Mount Vernon, we joined countless students and a few other adult groups. We were the only group that took time to see the excellent introductory movie on both the grounds and George Washington himself. The line to get into the mansion was lengthy, but it kept
moving. Along the way we saw trees that George Washington had planted, now protected by lightning rods. The mansion with its brilliant colors of paint, especially in the dining room, had a marvelous view of the Potomac from the long front porch. The exhibits in the education center and museum were also interesting and informative. We learned about George Washington's life, saw one of his eight sets of false teeth and discovered some of the many contributions he made to the new United States and to the office of the Presidency. Those who walked down to the tomb where Martha and George were buried found it to be an impressive sight.

We drove back through historic Alexandria, VA along the Potomac River and into Washington DC. The Holocaust Museum was our next stop. The stark architecture of brick and stone seemed to set the mood. There was respectful silence inside the museum. Visitors absorbed how easy it was to have rights taken away and were sobered by exhibits of women's hair and the many shoes from victims of the Holocaust. A final movie with survivor stories was especially moving.

Even though it was very foggy, we rode to the top of the Washington Monument. The view was surprisingly enjoyable, with the fog moving in and out long enough for us to see the major landmarks.

Our final stop was the World War II Memorial, the active fountains making it a gorgeous spot.

We continue to enjoy watching the cherry blossoms getting fuller every day.- Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Cherry Blossom - Day 5

2009-03-27T19:46:00.000-05:00

What a joy to wake up to a clear sky this morning. The sunshine was so welcome.

We had a full day! Someone should have worn a pedometer so that we would know how far we walked. Our first stop was in Arlington at the new Pentagon Memorial, rich with symbolism. Spending time there also got us very close to the Pentagon itself. We continued up the hill to the Air Force Memorial. Besides the stainless steel structure itself, there were bronze statues and quotes from Air Force personnel regarding their commitment and service. One of the most gripping was, "Tell them that we gave our today's for their tomorrows."

We continued into Washington DC with our first stop at the Jefferson Memorial at the edge of the Tidal Basin. The cherry trees (they do not produce fruit) are ready to come into full bloom any hour and are so pretty. From there we were dropped at the west side of the Capitol. We
saw where President Obama was inaugurated and then walked all the way uphill to the east side of the Capitol. The new Capitol Visitor Center was very impressive. Our visit started with an excellent movie, followed by a guided tour of the rotunda, Statuary Hall (each state is invited to
contribute two statues of people it wants to honor, and some of those are in the Hall) and the Crypt where George Washington was to be buried. After our tour, we had lunch at the visitor center and had time to look at the displays or go to the gift shop.

Across the street from the Capitol we saw the Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court buildings. We then drove on Pennsylvania Avenue, past the Canadian Embassy, to the Navy Memorial. After a stop there, we had a wonderful guided tour of the Vietnam Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial and the Korean Memorial. We ended our sightseeing with a tour of the FDR Memorial, built along the Tidal Basin with red South Dakota granite. Our return walk to the bus was under the cherry blossoms.

We ate tonight at Union Station, a lively place with many choices for both food and shopping. The benefits of Advil, Tylenol and Aleve will probably be discussed tomorrow after this busy day!

Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Cherry Blossom - Day 4

2009-03-27T07:46:00.003-05:00

It was very chilly but nearly dry as we walked to the motel's charming Breakfast Cottage this morning. Then it was off to the new visitor center at the Gettysburg National Park. What an absolutely gorgeous, huge facility. We watched a movie narrated by Morgan Freeman that was very moving. Then we went up escalators to the Cyclorama, a 360-foot painting done in the 1880s by one man. When it was unveiled, it depicted the battle of Pickett's Charge so vividly that veterans of the battle wept. We stood in the center of the painting, seemingly part of the battle. Then, with a step-on guide, we drove through the national park, reliving the three days of fighting. People were very, very impressed with our Gettysburg stop.

We got lunch to go and agreed that we much preferred eating as we drove rather than using valuable time in the cafeteria. Besides, the sandwiches were huge and delicious.

It was very gray when we arrived in Washington DC and met George, our step-on guide. But even though he said that the spring has been unusually cool, we had a great walking tour that included Lafayette Park, the White House and Blair House. The deciduous magnolia trees were spectacular with large pink blossoms, and the cherry blossoms are beginning to bloom. At first no one had an umbrella up. Slowly the mist started, and by the time we got back to the bus, it was sprinkling. But some toughed it out and just had their sweaters or jackets. We were so grateful we were able to be outside for so long. The beauty of the White House itself is
impressive, but we also saw sharpshooters on the roof and the Marine standing guard outside the Oval Office in the West Wing, indicating that President Obama was inside working.

We drove up Embassy Row and saw not only embassies and chanceries but also the US Naval Observatory where the vice president lives. We continued past the Watergate Complex to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Gifts from various countries of the world contribute to its beauty. Most of the group followed George to the roof for a good look
at the city below.

Our last stop was at the Air and Space Museum where we saw the Spirit of St. Louis, the Wright Brothers' plane, moon rocks, space shuttles, a display on planets and so much more.

As we drove to the hotel, we crossed the Potomac River where rowing crews were out practicing in the mist. We, however, checked into our rooms, ate at the food court of the Pentagon City Mall, and then came back to the hotel and socialized over coffee in the lobby. It was a great day.
Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Cherry Blossom - Day 3

2009-03-25T19:43:00.001-05:00

We woke up this morning to rain and 48 degrees. It kept raining all day, although at all of our breaks we stayed dry (partly because the driver got really close to entrances). Another change we immediately noticed was that we no longer had prairie views. Ohio had beautiful rolling hills, lots of trees and small fields. We crossed the Ohio River into Wheeling, W VA and saw the suspension bridge, the most significant pre-Civil War bridge in the country. After only 12 miles in W VA, we drove the rest of the day in Pennsylvania. These Appalachian Mountains are forested, and the highest summit was just over 2,100 feet.

We saw snowbirds on many homes, little metal pieces along edges of roofs that hold the snow back, allowing it to melt without coming down on people below. We also saw two covered bridges on small side roads.

Our day ended in Gettysburg where we stopped at the Peace Monument. The eternal flame was dedicated 75 years after the end of the three day battle, and 2,000 veterans attended.

We are praying for an end to the rain and warmer temperatures tomorrow.-Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Cherry Blossom - Day 2

2009-03-24T19:38:00.001-05:00

During the night we had lots of rain and thunder. It was dry for putting bags on and leaving this morning, but then we drove through very heavy rains. After maybe an hour, it began to clear, and by our morning break it was 60 degrees and just windy. The farther we drove today, the more spring-like our surroundings became. Farmers were out in the field, there were fields of bright green, the leaves are beginning to come out, and spring flowers were blooming: crocus, daffodils and hyacinth.

By the time we got to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, it was 73 degrees and sunny. We all took an exciting and informative ride around the 2 1/2 mile track and then spent time in the museum. The cars on display included race cars from the early years, collector cars and one recent race car that people could crawl in and have a picture taken. Even people not interested in racing enjoyed the varied and interesting displays. Our stay tonight is in Springfield, OH.
Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Cherry Blossom - Day 1

2009-03-23T19:45:00.000-05:00

Despite soggy weather, we had a great first day. The rain came down all morning and the wind buffeted us all day, but by the time we arrived at our hotel in Galesburg, IL, we actually saw sun. We spent a good bit of the day getting acquainted and comparing what we are hoping to see in
Washington DC. The group is exceptionally jovial, and after a sing along, we can also report that it is an above-average singing group. As we headed south, we were seeing increasing signs of spring with more green grass. The cherry blossom progress report looks hopeful, so that would be
still another spring treat.-Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

California - Day 18

2009-03-22T22:11:00.000-05:00

On our drive home today, we compared highlights and memories of the California tour. There were so many, because as some said, "there was something every day." The sea lions and the whales. The Santa Barbara wharf. The sand hill cranes. The Spanish missions, especially the one at San Juan Capistrano. The Crystal Cathedral and Temple Square, especially the Conference Center and the thrill of hearing the Mormon Tabernacle Choir rehearse. The Reagan Library and Museum. The jelly bean factory. The Golden Gate Bridge. And mentioned several times were the sounds of the ocean and all the flowers. The closer we got to home, the less green it got. But we all agreed that seeing the palm trees, grass, pansies in bloom and the flowering trees made spring seem very, very close. And as always, the friendships formed during these 18 days have enriched our lives.- Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

California - Day 17

2009-03-21T20:10:00.001-05:00

Because Cheyenne is the state capitol, we made a photo stop at the capital building this morning. Heading east, we found open land as far as the eye could see. Not one tree. Eventually, as always, that changed. There were some winter wheat fields that were green, and after we crossed into Nebraska, we found center pivot irrigation systems and regular fields. By early afternoon we had crossed back into Central Time Zone and arrived at Kearney, NE where it was 75 degrees. It felt so good. We spent time at the Archway Monument that goes over I-80. We had headphones to listen to a very informative commentary about all the immigrants that followed the Platte River west to Oregon or California. It's a wonderful stop. Then we drove out into the countryside with a step-on guide, looking at thousands of sand hill cranes. We also made a stop at Fort Kearney with
displays and a video on bird migration. Our stay tonight is in Kearney. -Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

California - Day 16

2009-03-20T20:05:00.001-05:00

Our first stop this morning was just outside Salt Lake City at the Utah Olympic Site. At the 2002 Winter Olympics, this was the venue for ski jumping, luge, the skeleton and bobsledding. Our guided tour took us to the top of the bobsled run and farther up to the top of the ski jump. It
was a long way to the bottom. We learned about how the track is maintained and about all the year-round events held at the park. Our guide was a champion in the luge and is currently the senior champion. He was the announcer in the 2002 Olympics and will announce again in the 2010 Olympics.

Driving today was through high desert country, with most elevations at 6,000 feet or more. There was a variety of scenery with canyons and rock formations, but most of the day was miles of treeless sagebrush. We did see a large flock of sheep being moved, herded by a man on horseback and two Border Collies. We also saw many pronghorn antelope along the way.

Even though the desert looks totally unproductive, we saw several wind farms, an area of oil production and a very large BP natural gas field.
We are staying in Cheyenne, WY tonight. - Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

California- Day 15

2009-03-19T20:04:00.003-05:00

Our drive today was through high desert country. With limited scenery, we watched a movie and kept entertained on the bus with a sing along and games. By mid afternoon we were in the state of Utah and driving through the Salt Lake Desert. We stopped to look at the vast expanse and walk right up to the salt. We drove past a Morton Salt business and the Great Salt Lake on the way to our hotel in Salt Lake City. This evening we had a walking tour of Temple Square including the beautiful Conference Center. We ended in the Mormon Tabernacle where we were able to sit in on a rehearsal of the famous choir. -Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

California - Day 14

2009-03-18T20:00:00.000-05:00

Leaving San Francisco this morning, we crossed the Bay Bridge. It was so foggy that we couldn't even see that a city existed. How blessed we were to enjoy San Francisco yesterday. We stopped in Fairfield, CA at the Jelly Belly factory. Our tour included samples of these gourmet jelly beans. Driving past almond groves, we continued to Sacramento. We had a walking tour through the state capitol and had a chance to learn about almonds at Blue Diamond. After probably the best hamburgers ever for lunch, we drove through the Sierra Nevada Mountains. We found huge trees,
lots of snow, a beautiful view of Donner Lake, ran into the City Engineer from Marshall at the one scenic viewpoint and continued to Reno, NV. After a photo stop of the famous arch downtown, we continued to the neighboring town of Sparks for our overnight stay.-Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

California- Day 13

2009-03-17T19:58:00.000-05:00

A step-on guide gave us a great introduction to San Francisco this morning. We had a nice walk through Chinatown, got into City Hall, the DeYoung Museum and its tower view and drove over the Golden Gate Bridge. It was a beautiful, mostly sunny day, and our free a afternoon gave us time to explore on our own. Quite a few took a tour of Alcatraz, others did a Bay Cruise, and others shopped along Fisherman's Wharf.-Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

California - Day 12

2009-03-16T19:53:00.002-05:00

This morning we drove past artichoke fields before stopping to try french fried artichokes, a first for everyone. We continued on to the redwoods. They require lots of fog and moisture, so appropriately it was a little misty and foggy for our visit. However, we enjoyed a guided walking tour through a state park, allowing us to stand at the base of these giants. Then we all rode a sightseeing train into the redwood forest, providing a different way of viewing them. After lunch in Santa Cruz, we had a beautiful, sunny drive along California's coastline on #1. We stopped at
a lighthouse, watched whales spouting off shore, made a beach stop where the waves were huge. With temperatures of 65 degrees, we would have liked to have spent the afternoon there. We continued on to San Francisco and our hotel at Fisherman's Wharf. - Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

California - Day 11

2009-03-15T20:21:00.007-05:00

After a great rest at our "boutique hotel" we drove just a short distance up the coast to the Hearst Castle. The day was clear and sunny, so the ocean views on one side and coastal mountain views on the other were just stunning.

The Hearst Castle itself is impossible to describe. Building the 156-room main home and three large guest houses around the tapestries, art works, centuries-old furniture, and even entire rooms brought from Europe made at least one of us think that some people have too much money! However, the view from the top of the mountain is spectacular, and the tiles of the indoor pool (empty for the first time in many years) were very impressive.

We intended to have a picnic lunch at a rest area in the Salinas Valley, but because it was closed for re-construction, we had a rolling picnic on the bus. The afternoon drive was past miles of vineyards and through a salad bowl. With irrigation, the Salinas Valley produces 80% of all of
our lettuce plus dozens of other vegetables. We passed an open double semi full of carrots, and colorful signs in a few of the fields identified what was growing.

Once we got to the Monterey Peninsula, we drove along the Pacific Ocean on the 17 Mile Drive. Photo stops included ocean views, breaking waves, cypress trees shaped by the wind, cormorants and other ocean birds, many, many harbor seals, and even spouting whales. We also spent some time in Cannery Row shops before checking into our hotel for the evening.-Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

California - Day 10

2009-03-15T18:00:00.002-05:00

We had a hot buffet breakfast for a good start this morning. A short drive brought us to Santa Barbara where we enjoyed the Pacific coast, walking on the long wharf, talking to local fishermen and even seeing whale and porpoise offshore.

We continued north past horse farms and an ostrich farm to the Danish town of Solvang. The architecture makes the whole town look like Denmark, complete with a windmill and storks on roofs. There were lots of shops and plenty of restaurants selling abelskivers which most of us tried. But if anyone had wanted to find a bar, they would have been in trouble. We found out that there was only one in town, and it was in the basement, under a Mexican restaurant.

Our sun disappeared while we were shopping, and with temperatures in the mid 50s plus a good breeze, one couple bought fleece jackets as a Solvang souvenir.

Our afternoon drive was through the coastal mountains. Some of them were left grass covered for pasture, while others had been planted into vineyards. Then we passed through a valley with fields of strawberries and vegetables.

We stay tonight just south of the Hearst Castle, within walking distance of the Pacific.-Laurel Johnson,Tour Director

California - Day 9

2009-03-13T21:55:00.000-05:00

We all went to Hollywood today. We stayed long enough to look at the footprints, hand prints and signatures in front of Graumann's Chinese Theater, the stars on the Walk of Fame and the Kodak Theater, almost next door, where the Oscar ceremonies are held.

We continued to Warner Brothers Studio where we had a VIP tour. We had the most charming man to welcome us and very good guides for our tram tour of the back lot and sound stages. We were amazed at the fact that there are 10,000 people who work at the studio, building sets, painting, working with props, etc. They don't seem to throw anything away, as sets from the 1920s-30s are still around. Things just get recycled and used again. We were on the set of 2 1/2 Men where they were repainting a floor for use as another room. We were on the set from Friends, the one from ER, we visited a museum with clothes that John Wayne and other stars had worn in different movies, and we walked through a prop area full of furniture, paintings and smaller items that could be used for different movies or TV shows. Even lunch at the cafe was fun because so many employees also ate there. Sadly, we saw no one that we recognized as
being famous.

Our afternoon was spent at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. The setting at the top of a high hill was impressive with green valleys and avocado groves surrounding the 100 acres. The museum had excellent displays on both President Reagan and Nancy. We were able to walk through a retired Air Force One plane which was a thrill. After having seen President Reagan's funeral on television, it was meaningful to view his burial site on the grounds.

Friday afternoon traffic was again five lanes as we drove to Ventura for the evening. But the valley drive brought us miles of strawberry fields. Also grown in the area is celery, nursery stock, lemons, oranges and walnuts. Our hotel tonight is within walking distance of the ocean.

Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

California - Day 8

2009-03-13T19:51:00.000-05:00

This morning we were able to eat breakfast at tables by the pool if we wanted. That plus the big mosquito that landed on one man's plate meant we were not in the Midwest in March!

We started our day with a visit to the Crystal Cathedral. The entire campus was beautiful with trees, flowers, a variety of architectural styles for their buildings and towers plus the beautiful statuary with a Biblical theme. On our tour we were in the original church, the church
that we see on the Hour of Power, made of 10,000 panes of glass, the prayer tower with its beautiful laser art of Jesus, and the place where people can be buried. We were also able to spend time in the museum and gift shop building plus admire the ladies' restroom, done in marble.

The rest of the day was spent at either Disneyland or California Adventure, both of them Disney creations. Both parks have beautiful landscaping with flowering trees and flowers. Crowds of people made the visit a little overwhelming at first, but then even just people-watching became an entertaining activity. Those that explored the California Adventure park had a Soaring Over California ride where a big screen movie gave the impression that they were flying over the entire state. Live shows and other rides (including the Tower of Horror for one couple!) made for an entertaining day. Disneyland, which opened in 1955, still entertained the majority of us with the train ride around the park, the enchanting Small, Small World ride, the Haunted House, boat cruise and even the old silent movies like "Steamboat Willie." All of us, whether in the park or at the hotel, could enjoy at least some of the fireworks. Besides the usual displays, Disney had some that looked like hearts and others that looked like a space ship or the planet Saturn with rings. It was a great ending to the day.-Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

California - Day 7

2009-03-13T07:48:00.003-05:00

It was a little cloudy this morning as we drove back down to the San Diego Harbor for our tour of the aircraft carrier, USS Midway. An audio tour had us learning as we walked around this massive ship. Planes are still being restored to put on display here, but there were many planes on the flight deck. We really appreciated the on board elevator to get up there, because its size made for a good amount of morning exercise. It was so interesting learning how the planes were launched and landed. We did not envy their sleeping quarters, however!

Our lunch was at Seaport Village, also along the waterfront. We could choose indoor restaurants or eating at a variety of walk up stands. We thought it was wonderful to sit outside with palm trees, birds, planters of flowers and sun on the 11th of March. Although jackets felt best in the shade, the sky had cleared, the sun was out, and that felt great.

On our drive north along the coast on I-5, there were 5-6 lanes of traffic in each direction. Along the way, we saw some military training activity at Camp Pendleton. South and north of that, the hillsides were filled with rows of stucco homes and red tile roofs.

Our afternoon stop was at San Juan Capistrano. The swallows won't come back until March 19, but we saw some of their mud nests with just a round hole for the birds to fly into. The mission, known as the Queen of the string of 21 missions started by Father Junipero Serra, had original
buildings and courtyards of flowering plants and trees. Our guide was so interesting and informative, giving all kinds of California history along with mission history. We stopped in a church built in the 1980s in the exact style of the early mission church. The gold front of the church (called a "retablo") was most impressive.

Our sleeping quarters for tonight, much larger than those on the USS Midway, are across from Disney. That's our goal for tomorrow.-Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

California - Day 6

2009-03-11T11:05:00.005-05:00

Bright sun, not a cloud in the sky - a perfect day for going to the San
Diego Zoo. Jackets felt good with the again lower than normal
temperatures. Our zoo visit started with a double-decker narrated bus
tour. The driver stopped many times, giving us good looks at the hundreds of varieties of animals in this famous place. The four-month old baby giraffe was a real hit. After the bus tour, we were able to walk on our own into more secluded areas where the bus couldn't go. There were also shows to see and a Skyfari overhead tram to ride from one end of the zoo to the other. The pandas were busy eating and the monkeys and apes were so entertaining.

Driving through downtown San Diego brought us to San Diego Bay where we had a harbor cruise. The first hour took us to the north, past US Navy and Marine facilities including a submarine in dry dock. We passed harbor seals being trained by the Navy to detect underwater mines. An unexpected treat was seeing a grey whale that had wandered out of the ocean
into the bay. The south half of the excursion took us under the Coronado Bridge, past high rise condominiums, homes on Coronado Island and more of the Navy's Pacific Fleet including a hospital ship. It was a relaxing and very informative end to a full day of sightseeing.-Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

California- Day 5

2009-03-10T22:32:00.000-05:00

Another sunny day greeted us as we left Las Vegas this morning. Our drive west was through more high desert country. We had a nice change from the sagebrush when we got to the right elevation for the Joshua trees to thrive. One last cluster of casinos marked the end of Nevada and our arrival into California. By lunch we were looking at lots more green as grasses covered the hillsides and trees included cypress and eucalyptus. Flowers in bloom also were pleasant to look at.

After lunch we drove off the interstate into the Temecula wine country. Hillsides were covered with vineyards, and 20-30 wineries all offer wine tastings. We stopped at the Wilson Creek Winery and were able to enjoy their specialties.

We continued into San Diego, driving on interstates with seven lanes of traffic in each direction. Although it is still cooler than normal, the palm trees and tropical vegetation, including a nice hedge of colorful bougainvillea and bird of paradise flowers at our hotel, make us very happy

that we are here.-Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

California - Day 4

2009-03-10T10:17:00.003-05:00

Temperatures have been cooler than normal, but this morning leaving Beaver, UT it was only 21 degrees. Our drive was through more sagebrush and desert vegetation. We saw some sheep and cattle grazing, even though Midwest farmers thought there wasn't anything there for them to eat. There was some irrigation in the valley between the mountains, and then crops or alfalfa could be grown.

Our scenery has been so varied. There was a beautiful stretch of interstate along the Virgin River through a narrow canyon with steep rock walls on either side.

There have been entertaining discussions about when to change watches as we try to keep up with time zone changes and the start of daylight saving time. This morning, as we crossed into Nevada, we made the last change for some time as we switched to Pacific time.

We arrived in Las Vegas before noon. A drive through downtown and the Strip introduced us to this interesting place. After checking into the hotel, everyone headed out for a free afternoon. People explored some of the huge resorts along the Strip, tried their luck at machines and
people-watched. This evening, some went to a show while the rest of the group downtown for the Fremont Street Experience. The computerized sound and light show was entertaining, but so was all of the activity along the pedestrian-only street. Driving the Strip after dark gave us a look at the water show at the Bellagio and all of the neon lights for which Las Vegas is famous.-Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

California - Day 3

2009-03-09T20:14:00.002-05:00

Our day started with a rain/snow mixture. We didn't travel too far before we turned off on a scenic byway in Utah, and by then the skies were starting to clear so we could see the tops of the mountains. Our drive took us along the Colorado River in a narrow canyon with spectacular red rocks on both sides. At the end of the byway, we drove into Arches National Park. By the time we had spent time at the Visitor Center, it had begun to snow. On our drive through the park, the higher the elevation, the more it snowed. We could just barely make out the rock formations! Eventually we were at 5,000 feet elevation, the temperature was steadily dropping and slush was building up on the road. We decided to head for safer elevations.

On our afternoon drive, we had no snow, the sun was shining, the skies were cloudless, and the scenic stops along the San Rafael Swell were very impressive. Reader boards told us about the canyon where Butch Cassidy and cowboys had spent time. We wondered how anyone had gotten down into the canyon.

We noted that there were no homes visible along today's entire interstate route until we got almost to Beaver, UT, our destination for the night. - Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

California - Day 2

2009-03-09T07:56:00.003-05:00

Today we followed the South Fork of the Platte River into the Mountain Time Zone and out of Nebraska. We steadily got into higher elevations and watched the scenery change frequently. We saw the "wasteland" (as one farmer put it) of tumbleweeds, sagebrush and yellows and browns of non-irrigated land change to acres of irrigated fields, and then change again on the other side of Denver to forests of Ponderosa Pine and the Rocky Mountains. We also saw a variety of birds and animals. There were more snow geese and blue geese, two huge dairy operations, a magpie, some mule deer and about six Bighorn Sheep, two with large curls. We drove through the scenic Glenwood Canyon with the Colorado River, the railroad and four lanes of interstate traffic packed into the narrow space between the high walls. We drove past miles of vacation homes and condominiums in Vail and other Colorado ski areas. Just east of Fruita, where we are staying tonight, we drove through a huge recently developed natural gas field. With sunshine all day, temperatures varying from 29 - 53 depending on the elevation (Vail Pass at 11,000 feet was the highest), we had a mighty fine day of travel. Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Happy Anniversary Laurel!!!!

2009-03-08T07:57:00.000-05:00

Laurel has reached a MAJOR milestone with Southwest Tour & Travel, she had her 30th Anniversary with our company in March.

Laurel, you have risen in value with our company over these thirty years by setting the standards for our tours that our customers have come to expect.

The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.” Vince Lombardi 1913-1970

Laurel wishing you a wonderful life because you are excellent at what you do!

Thanks for 30 years Laurel!!!-Southwest Tour & Travel, Southwest Coaches, Inc.

California Day 1

2009-03-06T07:45:00.005-06:00

Our first day of the California tour gave us more than enough variety in weather. We drove in really heavy fog to Sioux Falls, it was sunny and in the 60s by lunch in Norfolk, NE, 76 degrees by mid-afternoon (absolutely gorgeous), and then by the time we got to the hotel there was a fierce wind and dropping temperatures.

On our Nebraska I-80 drive, we saw flock after flock of snow geese. Ponds would be so full of them in the water that it looked as if there was not enough room for one more bird. Then the next pond would be totally empty. And another one across the road would again be wing to wing. Perhaps they love socializing more than personal space. We also saw a number of fields with large flocks of sandhill cranes.

A man was fishing in one of the borrow ponds along I-80, a truck was spreading fertilizer in a field and at least one tractor was out in a field.

We have paralleled the Platte River and compared our progress with that of the Oregon Trail pioneers who sometimes walked the 2,000 miles, taking up to 6 months at a speed of 2 mph and in the evenings gathered 3 1/2 bushels of buffalo chips in their aprons to make a bonfire before cooking supper. It really made us appreciate our luxury motorcoach and ease of travel
today.- Laurel Johnson, Tour Director

Arizona Day 13-16

2009-03-03T23:20:00.003-06:00

March 6, 2009
Today was the last leg of our journey. Even though a 'flu bug' hitched a ride with our crew, people were fondly recalling all that we had seen and experienced. Our Tour Director and Driver kept us on track all the while taking excellent care of us!! Thanks Sandy and Larry!!!

March 5, 2009
Leaving Amarillo behind, we arrived in Oklahoma City. Prior to entering the building, a park ranger explained the meaning of the structures outside. Members of our group proceeded on a self-guided tour through the Oklahoma Memorial, which was quite an emotional trip down memory lane. Lunch is always a treat at Markie's Deli, which followed the tour.

From Oklahoma City we headed to Topeka, KS.

March 4, 2009
Traveling from one point to another was our main objective today, highlighted by lunch at Feldman's Wrong Way diner in Amarillo, TX. Great food.

March 3, 2009
Our first stop today was at the Stahmann Farm, a family owned farm since 1926. When the Stahmanns arrived here they raised cotton and then, for no apparent reason, Mr. Stahmann switched to pecan trees. Several forms of pecan products were sampled and traveled back with us aboard the bus.

Arizona - Day 13

2009-03-03T08:19:00.005-06:00

Monday March 2nd
We boarded the bus and headed for Boothill Cemetery, Tombstone, AZ. This cemetery was only used for a very short time because of the all the killings and hangings it filled very quickly. After leaving the cemetery, our guided tour took us to downtown Tombstone. We stopped at a Pioneer home with the original furnishings inside and a blacksmith shop out back. We then stopped at the Bird Cage Theater , a popular stage for well known performers and the gamblers (along with access with ladies of the evening) and had an extensive tour of the two floors. Lunch was on our own before heading to the Historama and the OK Corral Gunfighter show. After leaving Tombstone going east to Deming, NM, there was quite a difference in the terrain.

Arizona - Day 11 & 12

2009-03-03T08:14:00.003-06:00

Day 11 and 12
Sunday, March 1st
Anita, (Nat Park Ranger) gave us an excellent tour of Tumacacori Nat Historical Park. It was the site of one of the first missions in the area settled by the O'odham. The people were led by a Jesuit Priest Father Kino. This church is not used and has three architectural designs as three priests were at this settlement during the early years. In 1920, restoring of the adobe church after weather and souvenir hunters . The interior and original contents and a new roof are still visible today.

Nogales AZ/Mexico was the next stop of the day. Several walked across to shop in Nogales, Mexico , while others shopped on the Arizona side. It took those going into Mexico only 10 to 15 minutes to come back across. Two hours was spent shopping at Tubac - meaning" sinking water" - a Pima Village when Fr. Kino visited the area in 1691. This was the first military base in Arizona established in 1752.

San Xavier (ha-vere' ) Del Bac Mission was our next and last adventure of the day. This mission was established in 1700 by Jesuit Priest Fr. Kino. The complex as seen today was completed in 1797 by Franciscian missionaries. The church is considered the finest example of Spanish Misson Architecture in the United States There is continuing restoration going on the outside of the church as weather elements change. This is the only Kino mission in the nation that is still active in preaching to Tohono O'odham. There were several people making what they call pop flops and are served with honey or sugar. The high today in Tucson was 92 degrees.
Submitted by Rose Marie Wingert and Sandy Moose

Arizona Day 8, 9 10

2009-03-02T07:45:00.002-06:00

Feb. 28, 2009

Saturday began with a tour of Shamrock Farms' dairy operation, including all the 'farm fragrances'. Founded in the 1920's by an Irish Immigrant, they now milk 10,000 cows per day. In the process, the milk is never touched by human hands! Milk and wonderful ice cream samples were enjoyed by our group.
The afternoon found us touring the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. We toured at our own pace and had lunch at some point along the walk. People observed numerous plants, animals, and minerals found in a desert setting. Marvelous weather has befriended us along our journey.

Feb. 27, 2009

Another bright sunny day in Arizona!! Our first stop today was at the Orange Patch orange grove where we enjoyed fresh squeezed orange juice as we learned about orange farming. Many oranges hitched a ride back to the Midwest at the close of the presentation!!!
Our next stop was Tortilla Flat, an old camping spot frequented by travelers during the 1800's, because of readily available grass and water for horses. Now a restaurant, small shopping area, and, best of all, prickly pear ice cream!
At Canyon Lake our group enjoyed a relaxing boat ride while eating our lunch. The scenery was spectacular!!

Feb.26, 2009

Sun-up arrives quickly in Arizona and the sky is azure with about three wispy, white clouds floating around. Step-on guide, Howard, informs us there are about 320 days of sun per year.
Also he tells us Arizona was once covered with water, so when walking in the desert, sea shells can be found. Arizona has more mountains than Switzerland. Just under 30% of Arizona is reservation land with 22 different tribes.
His tour took us to visit the capitol, Old Town Scottsdale, the Heard Art Museum, and many sights along the way.Our day culminated with dinner and a show at the Arizona Opry.

Arizona Days 5 - 7

2009-02-25T19:48:00.001-06:00

We started our day by visiting Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and learning about the 19 Pueblo Tribes of New Mexico. This was followed by a drive around Old Albuquerque. We headed west on I40/Route 66. At one point there was snow up to the road on the driver's side. Riders on the door side saw mesas and hills and no snow before arriving at our noon break. Everyone enjoyed the tour through Painted Desert and Petrified Forest with photo stops along the way.

We did a quarter mile walk over the lava flow formed by Sunset Crater which is the youngest, least eroded cinder cone in the San Francisco volcanic field. After stopping at Cameron Trading Post, over 1/2 of the 21 people climbed to the top of the tower at Desert View, our first stop at Grand Canyon, and had their first spectacular views of the Canyon. The weather was perfect for
Canyon viewing. We continued to enjoy the breathtaking views with stops that included Canyon View. To conclude our enjoyment of the Canyon, we attended the IMAX presentation on the Canyon..

It was another beautiful day for a drive down Oak Creek Canyon Road into Sedona. After shopping time in Sedona, we boarded Pink Jeeps and got a closeup view of the Red Rock surrounding Sedona. If you have traveled on an old gravel road , that was smooth in comparison to what we were on today. On to visit the Montezuma Well a limestone sink hole thought to have formed by the collapse of a cavern. The 55 foot deep and perhaps twice that across well provided irrigation water for Indians more than 1,000 years ago. Nearby Montezuma Castle , as cliff dwelling structure built into the recess of a white stone cliff 70 feet from the ground is the best remaining example of a cliff dwelling in this area. Tonight we are settled in in Phoenix, AZ and look forward to a city tour tomorrow. Note: Written by Rose Marie Wingert and Sandy Moose

Arizona - Day 1-4

2009-02-23T09:00:00.003-06:00

Feb.19, 2009
Cold temps urged participants in the "Arizona-Heart of Route 66" tour to arrive promptly and we were ready to travel. Snow amounts diminished quickly as the bus headed South. The KC Masterpiece restaurant was a popular dinner choice upon our arrival in Overland Park, KS.- Margaret Greig, Arizona Guest

Feb. 20, 2009
Closely following Route 66 to Carthage, MO, Dixie- the step-on guide- was quite entertaining with her tales of the city. Sailing over the fabled Route 66 bridge in Carthage, Larry did manage to retain the SW tour bus' transmission! (Not to worry, Jim!)
A visit to the Will Rogers Memorial Museum proved to be inspirational to all. His comments on politics and life in general ring as true today as they did when he uttered them. Will Rogers on travel, "There ought to be a law against anybody going to Europe till they had seen the things we have in this country." Go Southwest Tours!!! Margaret Greig, Arizona Guest

Feb 21,2009
Woke up to a cool morning of 30 degrees and wind blowing from the North at 30 mile per hour. Our first stop was at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Hall of Fame. Many things to see and photos to be taken Several people braved the elements and went outside to take the big statute of Buffalo Bill. After leaving there we went to Ann's Country Fried chicken for lunch . It was started as a gas station in 1948 along Route 66. Up the road was the Oklahoma Route 66 museum. Here many found history of Route 66. Before arriving at the motel, we had two photo stops. After a good nights rest, we will be ready for another exciting day along Route 66.-Rose Marie Wingert, Arizona Guest

Feb. 22, 2009

There was some ice along road as we left Amarillo on Old Route 66. Sandy read a story about Kurtis Herb Warner. The Kix at 66 cafe served a a variety of good food. This cafe is located in Tucomcari,OK.
As we traveled west today, the terrain was very varied, flat with bushes, hilly and was different from one side of the bus to the other. Sandia tram ride was enjoyed by all. The 66 Diner was the topping off of a great day with Southwest tours . Rose Marie Wingert, Arizona Guest

Texas Comment

2009-02-21T08:37:00.000-06:00

Dear SWtour and travel, my parents (Tom and Margaret thomson) just returned from their trip to Texas. I just wanted to tell you they had a GREAT time. Thank you for offering such an opportunity to visit so many things. I was on the phone over an hour and a half just listening to all the planned activities they did. Thank you to the driver and Laurel for getting them there safely and keeping everyone on track. You did a great job organizing this trip, I heard the hotels were excellent, everyone was very friendly, food good and the sights-amazing!!! sincerely, Donna
Hendrickson