DAY 1 – SATURDAY – JUNE 5 – ARRIVE DENVER/CHEYENNE - The “Rockies” welcome us today. Our tour director will meet us at the Denver airport at 12:00pm where we’ll depart for a tour of the "Mile-High City" - Denver. (*Please arrive at the Denver Airport before 12:00pm) First stop is the 16th Street Mall, Denver's unique shopping area that maintains its delightful atmosphere by outlawing all cars! There will be some free time to explore and have lunch on our own. Then explore this eastern gateway to the Rockies, beginning at the Colorado State Capitol Building. Work our way through the heart of the city to historic Larimer Square, where many buildings from Denver's colorful past are preserved. In the late afternoon, depart Denver and travel north to Wyoming’s Capital, Cheyenne. Check into the centrally located historic Plains Hotel, a beautifully restored property that will set the mood for our western adventure. Explore the Cheyenne Depot Museum located in the wonderfully renovated Union Pacific Railroad Depot and learn how the transcontinental railroad transformed the country. Explore the Plaza on our own - but don't wander too far because tonight we will rejoin our fellow passengers for a get-acquainted banquet. (D)

DAY 2 – SUNDAY – JUNE 6 – FORT LARAMIE/BLACK HILLS - Today, journey northward to historic Fort Laramie, where we will have the opportunity to see for ourselves a monument to a time gone by, fur-trading and army life in the 1800's. After a chance to explore, it's back in the saddle again! We're on our way to the famous Black Hills of South Dakota. Travel through scenic Custer State Park with its herds of free roaming buffalo before arriving in Keystone and the Mt. Rushmore White House Hotel for a two-night stay. Named after the Keystone Mine, this boomtown has seen many changes full of ups and downs over the years but has retained its 1880’s charm with wooden boardwalks, shops, historic buildings and the steam train. This evening we are free to explore Keystone on our own. (B,L)

DAY 3 – MONDAY – JUNE 7 - CRAZY HORSE/MOUNT RUSHMORE – Today we’ll tour the famous Black Hills of South Dakota. We are on our way to Mount Rushmore, stopping first at the site of the Crazy Horse carving, a colossal (but still unfinished) project begun more than 30 years ago in honor of the famous Sioux warrior. We will arrive at Mt. Rushmore National Memorial in time for lunch on our own and we will have plenty of time to walk around, photograph, and explore the monument. Next, return to Keystone for touring of the Rushmore-Borglum Story Museum and a closer look into the life of Gutzon Borglum, the artist who created the impressive monument. After some free time to relax, join the group for a unique western dinner. Following dinner, return to Mt. Rushmore and experience the Evening Lighting Ceremony. This ranger-guided presentation will stir our patriotism and is a fitting end to our day of touring in the Black Hills. Overnight in Keystone. (B,D)

DAY 4 – TUESDAY – JUNE 8 – DEADWOOD/DEVIL’S TOWER/BUFFALO - Say "howdy" to the wild and woolly mining towns of Lead and Deadwood today as we travel westward once again. Take the opportunity to explore these restored 1800’s mining boomtowns; we'll get an idea of just how rough things really were in the heyday of the "wild, wild west." Continue our travels to the nation's very first National Monument, Devil's Tower. Here we will have a chance to learn a little more of the history, geology, and folklore surrounding this spot that was so sacred to the Indians. After lunch, the vast prairielands of Wyoming open before us as we make our way to Buffalo, Wyoming. Buffalo is one of those wonderful small towns that seem to define rural America. After checking into the BW Crossroads Inn, a special treat is in store tonight as we have a catered dinner at the historic Occidental Hotel. When the current owners opened its doors, they found 90% of the things inside were original. What a delightful evening in rural America. (B,L,D)

DAY 5 – WEDNESDAY – JUNE 9 – YELLOWSTONE - This morning as we leave Buffalo, we will travel through the Powder River Pass and Ten Sleep Canyon on our way to Cody. Cody is now the home of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, and we will have time to browse through its amazing displays of old west memorabilia. Included in the collection is the Whitney Art Gallery, the Plains Indian Museum, Winchester Gun exhibit and The William Fredric Cody Wing. See many of the personal belongings of the famous buffalo hunter. After lunch on our own, depart Cody and enter Yellowstone National Park, the world's first national park. The geysers, canyons, rivers, lakes and wildlife of Yellowstone are a national treasure that sparked the national park movement and continues to be a model of conservation to the world. We’ll spend the afternoon exploring the park including Yellowstone Lake, Hayden Valley and Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone before exiting at the West entrance to overnight at the Yellowstone Park Hotel in West Yellowstone. (B)

DAY 6 – THURSDAY – JUNE 10 – YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK/JACKSON - This will be our day to explore Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone evokes a torrent of emotions in anyone with knowledge of and concern for the natural world. Here was the birthplace of the national park movement, a place so unusual that those who first wandered through were afraid to tell others lest they be labeled liars. We’ll tour the park’s most famous sights today including Mammoth Hot Springs, Fountain Paint Pots and the heart of Yellowstone, Old Faithful. Then travel south and pass through Grand Teton National Park on our way to the old west town of Jackson where we will check into the Antler Inn for a two-night stay. Tonight join the group for a great BBQ dinner and rip-roarin’ entertainment at the Bar-J Chuckwagon Cookout, in the shadow of the Grand Tetons. (B,D)

DAY 7 – FRIDAY – JUNE 11 – GRAND TETON/JACKSON – This morning we are in for a wonderful experience as we return to Grand Teton National Park for a half day scenic float trip on the Snake River with views of unparalleled scenic beauty. As we travel through the Tetons today, we'll see America's youngest and most rugged mountains piercing the clouds in majestic splendor. Enjoy amazing views of the Teton Mountains and wildlife viewing opportunities as our river guide explains the geology and history of the area. After the float trip, we can find lunch on our own in Moose Village then continue touring of the park with stops for picture postcard photos of lovely Jenny Lake. Return to Jackson in the afternoon where the rest of the day is free to explore the saloons, art galleries, restaurants and wide variety of shops and boutiques on our own. (B)

DAY 8 – SATURDAY – JUNE 12 – JACKSON/SALT LAKE CITY - We will travel in three states today: Wyoming, Idaho, and Utah, on our way to Salt Lake City. Drive through the rugged Snake River Canyon. In places, the highway hangs high over the river with only a guardrail along the edge (sometimes not even that). We’ll then pass through the pastoral Star Valley, which is a fertile farming valley that stretches across the Idaho border. We’ll make a stop at the picturesque Bear Lake, then continue on to the American West Heritage Center near Logan for touring and lunch. Here we will learn about the cultures and lifestyles of those who lived in the American West from the 1820’s to the 1920’s, which include Native Americans, mountain men, pioneers and farmers. Continue south to Antelope Island State Park on the Great Salt Lake for sightseeing. Stop at scenic Buffalo Point with spectacular views of the lake and the Wasatch Range of the Rocky Mountains. There will be the opportunity to view wildlife on the island including buffalo, deer, antelope, coyote, waterfowl and more. At the Visitors Center a park ranger will introduce us to the unique ecosystem of this inland salt sea. Arrive Salt Lake City in the late afternoon and enjoy a brief driving tour before checking into the Shilo Inn downtown. Tonight join the group for a special farewell banquet at The Roof restaurant overlooking Temple Square. (B,L,D)

DAY 9 – SUNDAY – JUNE 13 - JOURNEY HOME - This morning we’ll enjoy the “heavenly singing” of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (choir schedule permitting). Then plan on a NOON departure, as transfers will be provided to the airport. We will take not only the memories of incredible scenic attractions, but also the friendships of those who have shared these days with us. (B)