JET BOATS, GLACIERS & MORE

08/31/2010 - 09/09/2010

 

HIGHLIGHTS:  Salt Lake City, Bear Lake, Jackson Hole, Grand Tetons, Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, "Going To The Sun Highway", Jet Boat Ride, Space Needle, and lots more...16 Meals.

AUG 31... We meet at the airport for the flight to Salt Lake City and upon arrival in Utah, enjoy an orientation to Utah's largest and most sacred city.  Settled by Mormons in the 1800's, Temple Square is the center of Salt Lake City.  Our Welcome Dinner highlights this first evening. (D)

SEPT 1 ... Breakfast, and we motorcoach up the Great Salt Lake Valley to Logan and cross the Wasatch Mountains into Idaho. What a great place for a lunch stop as we come down to the green waters of Bear Lake. Following the winding path of the highway as it clings to the Snake River, we drive into Wyoming and the resort town of Jackson Hole for a 2 night stay.  This western village is built around the central park in town and the streets are lined with gift shops, art and photo galleries, cafes, and saloons. (B)

SEPT 2 ... Jackson is shadowed by the Grand Tetons, some of the most spectacular mountains in America...rising straight up out of the valley floor. Today we drive to various lookouts to view the magnificent scenery,  and take a float trip on the winding Snake River.  And if that is not enough adventure for one day, then tonight a Covered Wagon Cookout is planned as we ride in wagons to a camp and open fire for a tasty western meal. (B,D)

SEPT 3 ... Less than an hour away is Yellowstone National Park where a ranger boards our motorcoach to provide narration on all the sights that we will see in America's oldest National Park...Yellowstone Falls and Canyon, the Lower Geyser Basin, and of course, Old Faithful. We will enjoy lunch in the park and continue further into Montana with our overnight in Bozeman, completely surrounded by mountains. (B,L)

SEPT 4...Traveling in one of America's most beautiful states, the mountains of Montana serve as our backdrop. Taking backroads through ranches, farmlands, forests, and rocky terrain, we skirt Flathead Lake, (the largest fresh water lake west of the Mississippi) and arrive in Big Fork.  This small artist community is quite a surprise ..a tourist haven with small shops, cafes, galleries situated at the lakeside. Later we check into our hotel in Kalispell for a 2 night stay at the foot of the majestic mountain peaks known as the "Alps of America"...Glacier National Park. (B)

SEPT 5 ... A spectacular highlight is in store today as we board Glacier National Park vehicles and travel up and over Logan Pass along the famed "Going To The Sun" Highway, one of the most scenic mountain roads in the world. Be on the watch for deer, elk, moose, grizzlies, mountain goats, and wolves!  The vistas will astound you...sky-scraping craggy peaks, lush alpine meadows, pristine lakes, more than 50 glaciers, a narrow winding road, and the thrill of a lifetime. Lunch at Lake McDonald Lodge and we return to Kalispell after an unforgettable day. (B,L)

SEPT 6 ... We follow Scenic Hy 2 west into Idaho, and the beauty of the area is breathtaking...the lakes, mountains, and valleys.  With a lunch stop at Coeur D'Alene, we continue south to Lewiston and check into our hotel for the next two nights. (B,L)

SEPT 7 ... Hold on to your hats, as we take a thrilling jet boat ride on the Snake River 70 miles downstream to Hell's Canyon. We will shoot rapids at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour and enjoy lunch along the banks of the river.  Later we return to Lewiston after a day of spectacular sights and thrills. Dinner will be included on our return. (B,L,D)

SEPT 8 ... Just across the river is Washington State, as we enter the apple country and a chance to try some of this juicy fruit. Our trail leads us into Seattle, the key city of the Northwest. We marvel at the views atop the famous Space Needle and bustling waterfront, in our hotel, celebrate this grand and exciting trip with our Farewell Dinner.   (B,D)

SEP 9 ... An early flight awaits, as we jet away across country to our homes back east.

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