Badlands, Buffalo and Black Hills

Badlands, Buffalo and Black Hills

September 22 – 29, 2011

Discover the rugged beauty of the Badlands!  The same land that is home to one of the world’s richest fossil beds is also habitat for deer, Bighorn Sheep, Black-footed Ferrets and bison.  Glide over the rugged landscape aboard a vintage steam train, like those that helped settle the Great American West.  Take in the awe-inspiring view of America’s “Shrine to Democracy” and it’s surrounding sky-piercing granite peaks and lush forest.  All this and much more awaits you on this fabulous tour.  Pack your bags, board our deluxe motorcoach and leave the rest to us as we travel through American beauty, history and heritage.  Highlights include:

• Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore Monument

• 1880 Train-Ride Excursion

• A Genuine Buffalo Roundup

$899 Double Occupancy • $1,229 Single Occupancy • $829 Triple Occupancy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 1 Departing Cassville, MO, today’s destination is Kearney, NE. We will arrive in Kearney at approximately 5:15 p.m. where we will check into our deluxe hotel.

Lodging: Hampton Inn (or similar)

 

Day 2 A short drive to Mindon brings us to our first stop, the Harold Warp Pioneer Village. The largest private collection of Americana anywhere, Pioneer Village complex comprises 28 buildings on 20 acres housing over 50,000 irreplaceable items of historical value, restored to operating order, arranged in groups and also in the chronological order of their development. Following our 3 and a half hour tour of the village we will return to Kearney for lunch then continue on to Chandron, NE, where we will enjoy dinner, check into our hotel and bring a close to our day.

Lodging: Best Western West Hills Inn

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 Departing Chadron, we travel to Custer, SD, the oldest established town and “mother city” of the Black Hills. Here we will enjoy a tour of the in-progress Crazy Horse Memorial and Museum, followed by our Nation’s most notable stone “portrait”, Mount Rushmore.  We’ll then visit the Rapid City Black Hills Gold Jewelry Factory to see and learn how this historic jewelry is made. We will learn the history of the jewelry, discover the ancient process of lost wax casting, and see diamonds set in molten gold. Next, we check into our hotel, the stylish and charming K Bar S Lodge. As evening approaches, we will return to Mount Rushmore for the inspirational Lighting Ceremony.

Lodging: K Bar S Lodge

Meals: Breakfast

 

Day 4 This morning we leave Keystone and take a short drive to Hill City, SD where we will board the famous 1880 Train. At a consistent 4 to 6 percent grade at elevations varying from 3542 to 7242 feet above sea-level, this two-hour and fifteen minute ride offers and experience and view like no other. After our train tour, we will be joined by our step-on tour guide and travel to the historic cities of Lead. We will make a stop in at the “Chubby Chipmunk” to drool over their famous truffles. Satiated with adequate amounts of chocolate, we’ll enjoy the incredible views as we travel along the Spearfish Canyon byway. We will then return to Keystone where we will experience dinner and a show at the famous (or infamous) Red Garter Saloon. With its classic entertainment and live “gunfights” the evening is sure to be unique and amusing!

Lodging: K Bar S Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

 

Day 5 Leaving bright and early, we have an awesome and unique day ahead as we view a genuine “Buffalo Roundup” at Custer State Park.  This 71,000-acre park is also home to one of the world’s largest publicly-owned bison herds, nearly 1,300 strong. The ground rumbles and the dust flies as cowboys, cowgirls and park crews saddle up to bring in the thundering herd. As the dust settles, we will depart, traveling to Rapid City, SD where we will break for lunch. Continuing, we travel to Wall, SD. In case you missed the many road signs…this tiny town of only 818 residents is home to Wall Drug, a Depression Era pharmacy that has morphed into one of the most recognized tourist stops in the nation. Feel free to enjoy the area and all its novelty then relax as we end our day.

Lodging: Best Western Plains

Meals: Breakfast

 

Day 6 Departing Wall, SD today’s destination is Sioux City, IA. Have your cameras ready as we enter the Badlands National Park and view its incredible red-orange landscape of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires . Continuing, we travel to Oacoma, SD and Al’s Oasis for lunch and one of their famous 5 cent cups of coffee. We will arrive in Sioux City, IA at approximately 5:15 PM this evening and check into our deluxe hotel.

Lodging: Hampton Inn (or similar)

Meals: Breakfast

 

Day 7 Today, as we travel home, we hope that you have enjoyed travelling with us. With your suitcases laden with gifts for family and friends, pictures to pass around and memores to ponder and share for many years to come, we are honored to have travelled with you. We will arrive in Cassville at approximately 5:30 p.m.

Meals: Breakfast

 

Your package includes deluxe transportation and accommodations, all listed tour fees and seven meals.