September 2018 Trips & Tours

Bonnie & Clyde  – Candlelight Theatre

Sept. 15 Sat 10:00 am – 5:00 pm  $96.00  per person
Hosted lunch. While the story of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow’s deadly relationship is a part of Americana, this musical explores a more romantic perspective than the usual shoot-‘em up. Bonnie & Clyde is a thrilling and sexy musical with a non-traditional score, combining blues, gospel and rockabilly music.. This Tony-nominated musical from the legendary Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll & Hyde, Dracula, Civil War) is surely not one to be missed.

Taste of America Route 66 featuring:  Missouri,  Oklahoma Branson & much more.

Sept. 18 – 30 $2695 per person (double) – $3245 per person (single)
We depart Hemet by motorcoach to the airport & fly non- stop to St. Louis, Missouri. Visit many of Route 66 highlights. With some side steps like Branson for music show & attractions.  Onto Oklahoma’s Cowboys, Indians, Oil Barons & Route 66. We fly home from Oklahoma City.

Day 1 Tuesday September 18 [BB] [LB] [D]
We depart Hemet by motorcoach to the airport and fly non stop to St. Louis, Missouri. After we land, you’ll board your spacious, video & restroom equipped motorcoach as we head to our Rolla area hotel located on one of the alignments of old Route 66. Build in 1926 it connected Chicago to Los Angeles crossing more than 2400 miles in eight state. Missouri is home to more than 280 miles of the “Mother Road,” & features some of the Route’s most historic tourist attractions. We will stop in route to our hotel for a hosted dinner. Now Route 66 connects its travelers to the past. Those that travel the famous road can catch a glimpse of the culture & history it once celebrated. [we will follow some of it to Oklahoma City.

Day 2: Wednesday September 19 [ECB] [D]
This morning sit back and relax as we learn about Rolla, Missouri – The Middle of Everywhere. Nestled in the south central Ozarks Highland region, the City of Rolla is home to Missouri University of Science and Technology. Their students build a partial replica of the original Stonehenge monument which is located 75 miles southwest of London… Approximately 160 tons of granite were used in the monument. We will next make a stop at the world’s first Vacuum Cleaner Museum & Factory Outlet! It is located along historic Route 66 in St. James, MO or as they like to call it Small Town, USA. We hope you GET SUCKED IN to learn about the history of vacuum cleaners! Onto to St. Roberts, Mo. Where we will tour Fort Leonard Wood. Home to the U.S.
Army Maneuver Support Center (MANSCEN) and Fort Leonard Wood, where all chemical, engineer, military police, transportation Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, Sailors and international students from allied nations receive training. Stop for dinner at Lambert’s Café “Home of the Throwed Rolls”. Their Motto –“We hope you come hungry, leave full, & hopefully have a laugh or two!” After Dinner, you’ll arrive at the Grand Victorian Hotel our home for the next 4 days.

Day 3: Thursday September 20 [ECB] [D]
Ride through the scenic Ozarks. Climb to the top of the Mountain (aboard our Duck, of course). Discover the history behind some of America’s unique military vehicles. Splashdown and Cruise Table Rock Lake. Drive the duck, if you want. Quack along with the captain and the music aboard this 70-minute Ozark adventure. Yep, Ride The Ducks is an amphibian – this thing really does go from land right into the river. This excursion gives patrons a unique tour of the city. At the College of the Ozarks beautiful 1000 acre Campus tour, You are welcomed at Hard Work U, find out about this different kind of college with a chance to see William’s Memorial Chapel built by the students. The college refers to itself as “Hard Work U.” and places emphasis in “character” education. The Shepherd of the Hills has been welcoming groups to Branson for over 50 years, Your tour guide will take you to beautiful Old Matt’s Cabin, which stands in its original location, and is on the National Historic Registry. Take a glass elevator to the spacious, enclosed observation deck. An audio tour directs visitors to landmarks and points of interest on the horizon. The panoramic views are absolutely phenomenal in any season. On a clear day, you can see over 90 miles. Enjoy a cowboy dinner and show with the SONS OF THE PIONEERS featuring Dusty Rogers, son of Roy & Dale. Onto Branson’s Famous Baldknobbers show, featuring the Mabe family, is a country music & comedy variety show in Branson.  The Mabe family began the Branson family entertainment phenomenon 59 years ago in 1959.

Day 4: Friday September 21 [ECB] [D]
We will head back toward Springfield, Mo. with stories about the history of things along why 65. Fantastic Caverns is a show cave located in Springfield, Fantastic Caverns is where visits can see thousands of speleothems – cave formations that include stalactites and stalagmites, tiny soda straws, cave pearls, massive columns and flowstones, each one like no other, and all created by water a drop at a time, take us back through the ages to a day when no human footstep was heard here & it is the only cave in North America to offer a completely ride-through tour and is held in a Jeep-drawn tram. Then onto The original Bass Pro Shop the granddaddy of them all. The National Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium is a gift from Bass Pro Founder and CEO Johnny Morris. Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium consists of an all-new 1.5-million-gallon aquarium adventure showcasing 35000 live fish, mammals, reptiles and birds, and immersive wildlife galleries that bring visitors eye-to-eye with the greatest collection of record-setting game animals ever assembled …  Back to Branson for dinner and a show :The group Six. Everything you are about to heard comes from six human voices. You won’t believe what comes out of their mouths! Drums, bass, instruments & unbeatable harmonies–and that’s just in the first thirty seconds!”

Day 5: Saturday September 22 [ECB][D]
Downtown Branson is a destination of its own, encompassing the Historic Downtown district, Branson Landing & the surrounding areas. Explore shopping, dining & entertainment in Downtown & the Branson Landing. Sparky is the Historic Downtown Branson Trolley, providing free transportation throughout downtown Branson, including the Branson Landing.  Time for a show. The Sons of Britches — SOBs deliver music that includes (but isn’t limited to) Country, Cajun, Zydeco, Bluegrass and Ol’ Time Rock ‘n Roll. In the quaint, intimate Little Opry Theatre get up close & personal with boys…sportin’ a unique combination of bib overalls and classy white dress shirts with bow ties. It’s a special “Hillbilly Chic” that will have you in “Stitches in your Britches!!!” Following dinner at McFarlain’s Family Restaurant it’s off to see Jim Stafford Show. You’ll feel like a kid again as Jim performs incredible guitar pickin’ and creates hilarious antics from everyday life – out of his mind…And in to your heart!

Day 6: Sunday September 23 [ECB][D]
We start our day a Silver Dollar City. The park is an 1880s-themed experience that fits Branson’s vision as a family-friendly vacation destination. Live music, thrilling rides, demonstrating craftsmen, incredible food, exceptional shopping, followed by the show the AMAZING Acrobats of Shanghai takes audiences on an enchanting journey through the Orient with beautiful costumes, scenery, and the unbelievable art of acrobatics. Following dinner Mickey Gilley & Johnny Lee – The Urban Cowboy Reunion These two country music legends will give you an experience to remember as they bring back some of their chart topping songs completed with memories of the 1980 hit movie, Urban Cowboy.  Oklahoma’s Cowboys, Indians, Oil Barons and Route 66.  We will whisk you away to the Great State of Oklahoma where you will learn of the incredible cowboy culture that started in years past and still thrives today. Learn about the cowboy city within a city. Experience a sampling of the 39 tribes that call Oklahoma home. This state boasts the largest concentration of American Indians in the country that are preserving their history and celebrating their culture. Hear of the stories of oil barons that created lifestyles that brought new wealth to this region of the US. Drive along America’s longest stretch of original miles along the Mother Road – Route 66. Oklahoma … Come See for Yourself!

Day 7: Monday September 24 [ECB] [D]
Carthage, Mo. is a unique crossroad of architecture, history, art, & inspiration. Our local step on guide with show us the highlights.. The PRECIOUS MOMENTS Chapel was created by Samuel J. Butcher as his gift of Thanksgiving to the Lord. One of the major artistic creations of the 20th century, the Chapel murals share a child’s view of God’s Word. In the Chapel you’ll find, 52 murals covering 5,000 square feet, touching stories of faith in Hallelujah Square, 30 exquisite stained glass windows, magnificent wood carvings and bronze works, elaborate new gardens and grounds After our tour there we will continue on into Oklahoma admiring some the route 66 icons.

Day 8: Tuesday September 25 [ECB] [L] [D]
Today we will take a guided tour with local step on guide in the heart of the Cherokee Nation. in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. This package includes a guided tour of the Cherokee Heritage Center, Cherokee National Prison Museum, Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum and the Murrell Home. Home-style buffet lunch at Restaurant of the Cherokees. Before returning to our hotel we enjoy a Amish Buffet.

Day 9: Wednesday September 26 [ECB] [D]
First stop this morning we head to Bartleville & the Phillips 66 Museum devoted to the history, heritage & innovations of the Phillips Petroleum Company. Then onto Woolaroc Ranch a museum & wildlife preserve located in the Osage Hills as was the Frank Phillips ranch. This afternoon it to the Dog Iron Ranch in Oologah, OK • Will Rogers birth home and Amish barn. Then we visit . the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, OK. It has a Theatre, museum and gift shop & the Will Rogers family gravesite.

Day 10: Thursday September 27 [ECB] [D]
Today we head out on RT 66 again. The Tulsa Port of Catoosa is a multi-modal shipping complex and 2,000-acre industrial park resulting in an economic impact of $300 million to Oklahoma. Located at the head of navigation for the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System in Northeast Oklahoma, it is one of the largest, most inland river-ports in the United States. We tour this facility. We will view many more route 66 highlights on our way to Oklahoma City.

Day 11: Friday September 28 [ECB] [D]
The National Weather Center (NWC), on the campus of the University of Oklahoma, is a confederation of federal, state & academic organizations that work together to better understand events that take place in Earth’s atmosphere over a wide range of time and space scales. During our tour we will see how they are able to advise us on our weather. The Oklahoma City National Memorial is a memorial in the United States that honors the victims, survivors, rescuers, and all who were affected by the Oklahoma City bombing on April 19, 1995. We will have a Ranger lead tour before we visit the museum. Then to the American Banjo Museum, with it’s exhibits on the history of the banjo with hundreds on display, plus memorabilia, recordings & more. Welcome aboard Water Taxi on the Bricktown Canal!. This is a entertaining and historically-themed narrated cruises through the heart of downtown Oklahoma City’s Bricktown entertainment district.

Day 12: Saturday September 29 [ECB][D]
Today we will have a local step on guide. Her tour of OKC will cover the history of Oklahoma from 1803 to present. She give the history of the state to show it’s heritage combining the Native Americans and the settlers who were responsible for building our state During the driving tour she will point out many of the highlights and make serial stops for pictures. WE will stop to visit some locations like the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum which is a museum with more than 28,000 Western and American Indian art works and artifacts. Explore The American West, with its unique blend of cultures, open terrain, and awesome vistas, is a source of inspiration around the world. We invite you to come and experience the West with us as we explore it through its people, places, and history. The dramatic story of the West led to the establishment this Museum.

Day 13: Sunday September 30 [ECB] [L] [DB]
The Historic Fort Reno Campus includes twenty-five buildings of historic significance and the Post Cemetery. It has also has a long rich history from its use as Remount station and POW Camp as well as its ties with the Darlington Agency and the Oklahoma Land run. We will visit the museum and the chapel and take a driving tour with our step on guide. This is a gateway to the past and very interesting. After a lunch stop we will depart for the airport… We have a direct flight to return to Southern California, where our bus awaits to take to Hemet.  Now is a perfect time to chat with your friends about all the fun things you’ve done, the great sights you’ve seen, and where your next group trip will take you! Now that you have experienced this part of America on a fun-filled vacation we head west back to Hemet.

HOME SWEET HOME …
Tonight you sleep in your bed … Good Night…

 

 

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