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Custer
State Park
Buffalo Roundup |
Day 1 -
Travel,
Welcome Dinner
Passengers arrive at Rapid City Regional Airport and are transported to
beautiful Palmer Gulch where we will be at home at the Lodge for the
next five nights. Situated in the shadow of the Black Hills' tallest
mountain, Harney Peak, and only minutes from Mount Rushmore, the Lodge
will provide a pleasant retreat in the heart of the Hills. (D)
Day 2 - Mount
Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial
This morning's brief drive will bring us to Crazy Horse Memorial, the
still unfinished mountain carving dedicated to Native Americans, and the
rejuvenated arts community of Hill City with its funky shops, galleries,
boutiques. We'll "dine with the Presidents" at Mount Rushmore,
the Shrine to Democracy, before attending the Buffalo Roundup Arts
Festival. This one-of-a-kind event includes a buffalo wallow chili
cook-off, buffalo chip throwing contest, cowboy poets, musical
entertainment, arts & crafts booths and much more. After a wonderful
day of exploring and sightseeing we'll return to the lodge for another
restful night in the mountain air. (B)
Day 3 - Custer
State Park Buffalo Roundup, Iron Mountain Road
We'll be up bright and early this morning to take in the exciting annual
buffalo roundup. Feel the thunder as 1,500 head of buffalo rumble by and
park personnel, cowboys and cowgirls do their best to drive the Park's
herd into the Buffalo Corrals - passing two designated viewing areas
along the way. After the herd is safely in the corrals the park staff
will sort, brand, test and select certain animals for the fall sale,
held later in November. This afternoon we'll drink in the beauty of
these forested mountains on the scenic byway, Iron Mountain Road with
its pigtail bridges, mountain switchbacks, and amazing tunnels which
perfectly frame the faces of Mount Rushmore. A train ride on the
historic 1880 Steam Train rounds out this very special day. (B)
Day 4 - Historic
Deadwood
Today we'll explore the rich and roistering gold camp of Deadwood, which
provided the setting for the last great gold rush in America. Legalized
gaming has returned to the storied gulch where the likes of Wild Bill
Hickock, Calamity Jane and Poker Alice once walked. We'll have time to
try our luck at the tables, as well as tour historic Boot Hill where the
legends now rest. We'll also tour the outstanding Black Hills Mining
Museum in the nearby mining town of Lead. (B)
Day 5 - Badlands
National Park
South Dakota's Badlands National Park is our destination today. But
before our sojourn begins we will visit another Journey - the Museum of
that name in the gate city of Rapid City. An impressive display of the
collections from four previous museums, our visit here will give us a
useful background on the area and its former inhabitants. Described by
early explorers as "hell with the fires burned out", the
Badlands offer unique geologic beauty, Native American heritage and of
course, World-famous Wall Drug. Our festive farewell dinner will round
out a memorable day and program. (B, D)
Day 6 - Departures
Sadly we bid a fond farewell to our Wild West adventure as we are
transported to the airport for return flights. (B)
Package Includes:
5 nights' lodging, deluxe motorcoach & driver, professional tour
director
5 continental breakfasts, 2 evening meals, all admission fees, park entrance fees,
group photo at Mount Rushmore,
baggage handling, airport transfers
Highlights:
· Custer State Park · Mount Rushmore · Crazy Horse
Monument
· 1880 Train ride · Badlands National Park · The
Journey Museum
· Historic Deadwood · arts festival · chuckwagon
buffalo cookout
· buffalo wallow chili cook-off · buffalo chip throwing
contest
· cowboy poets · musical entertainment
· western and Native American dancers
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