Yellowstone

Day 1

SUNDAY, JUNE 7
We begin our travel during the 250th anniversary of our nation, to St. Louis, Missouri. The view of the Mississippi River and the grand Gateway Arch, which was built with steel from the Pittsburgh mills, is a short walk from our hotel. Our overnight accommodations will be in St. Louis, MO.

Day 2

MONDAY, JUNE 8
Traveling through Missouri, we will make our way to Kansas. In Abilene, we have a guided tour of the beautiful Seelye Mansion, which offers a glimpse into early 20th-century luxury and innovation. We then have a stop at the gravesite of Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower. Abilene is where Ike spent his boyhood years. Our accommodation for the night will be in Salina, KS

Day 3

TUESDAY, JUNE 9
Today, we will visit the beautiful Cathedral of the Plains Church, where we will learn how this church was built by hand by the congregation in the early 1900's. Then we are off to Colorado Springs to visit the Air Force Academy. The on-site chapel here is a beautiful structure, looking as if it has wings. We will have a two-night stay in Colorado Springs

Day 4

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10
Garden of the Gods beckons us this morning. This area of red rock formations was donated by the family of Charles Perkins to the city, with the stipulation that there would be no charge for enjoying this beautiful sight. We will see a movie at the Visitor Center, and a local guide will then board our motorcoach for a tour of the spectacular rock formations. In the afternoon we will board a train which takes us to the top of Pike's Peak to view the sight that inspired Kathy Bates to write "America the Beautiful." This evening, we will be at the Flying W Ranch for a bar-b-cue filled with cowboy music for our enjoyment.

Day 5

THURSDAY, JUNE 11
We motor-on this morning to Cheyenne, WY. Here we board a trolley for a tour of Cheyenne. This afternoon we continue onto Rawlins, WY where we tour the Wyoming Frontier Prison; Wyoming's first state penitentiary.

Day 6

FRIDAY, JUNE 12
Today's travels take us to Jackson, WY; often called Jackson Hole. We will have an included lunch at the National Museum of Wildlife at The Palate, and a guided tour of the museum. We check into our hotel for a two-night stay in downtown Jackson, just a couple of blocks away from the Antler Arches town square which offers lots of unique shopping.

Day 7

SATURDAY, JUNE 13
This morning, we will have a raft-float trip on the Snake River. This is a great way to see some of the sights of the Grand Tetons. Lunch will be at the Mural Room with great view of the mountains. This afternoon and evening will be free for you to enjoy Jackson, including the everyday gun fight reenactment on Town Square. It is the longest-running shoot-out in the country, over 45 years to be exact!

Day 8

SUNDAY, JUNE 14
We Travel through the Grand Tetons to Yellowstone National Park this morning. We will have lunch at the Old Faithful Lodge with the Old Faithful Geyser just outside the door. Our overnight stay will be at one of the park lodges.

Day 9

MONDAY, JUNE 15
Today a local park guide will board our coach for an all-day tour of this fantastic park with its many geysers, waterfalls, and springs. We will be looking for wild animals as we motor through this very special national park.

Day 10

TUESDAY, JUNE 16
We are off to Cody, WY. An included lunch will be served at the historical Buffalo Bill Irma Restaurant. This afternoon we will tour the Buffalo Bill Museum of the West. This museum offers many opportunities to learn of the native Americans who lived in this area, the settling of the west by European migrants, and its natural history. This evening there will be an optional trip to the Cody Rodeo - the bull rides are always a highlight.

Day 11

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17
Beginning our trip east, we will drive through some spectacular mountain scenery. Hopefully, Shell Canyon park will be open. They have been making improvements for spectators and we hope this work is complete by our trip. When we leave this mountains, we will have lunch near Buffalo, WY. Then we spend the next two nights in Keystone, SD near Mt. Rushmore. The evening we will be at Mt. Rushmore to view the lighting of the faces of four great presidents.

Day 12

THURSDAY, JUNE 18
This morning, we will visit the Crazy Horse Monument - an ongoing project dedicated to Native Americans. Our included lunch will be at the State Game Lodge in Custer State Park. When we are through with lunch we are off on a jeep ride for a tour of the park with a chance to see many animals and scenery.

Day 13

FRIDAY, JUNE 19
The Badlands will be our destination this morning. We will motor through this very dramatic and different scenery while on our way to Wall Drug Store. This huge store has much to offer and has been there for generations offering free cold water to all patrons. We will have an included lunch here and some time for shopping before we motor to Mitchell, SD to visit the world's only Corn Palace. The natural corn and other vegetation decorate this building with panoramic pictures which change every year. Overnight in Mitchell.

Day 14

SATURDAY, JUNE 20
Traveling eastward, we wind our way to Moline, IL where we visit the largest John Deere store and have the chance to climb up in the driver's seat of one of their monstrous farm vehicles. The exhibit highlights how John Deere's equipment and technology are used worldwide. Adjacent to the pavilion is the John Deere Store for you to browse or shop. Overnight in Moline, IL. Be sure to take some time to walk along the Mississippi River.

Day 15

SUNDAY, JUNE 21
Enjoy an included breakfast before we board our motorcoach departing for home. This will be a good time to recall all the fantastic sights we have seen of our country on its 250th anniversary.
GOD BLESS AMERICA!

FYI

**All McCarter Coach & Tour - Times and Itinerary Subject to Change**

B=Breakfast, C=Continental Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner