Joann, Group Tour Planner, shares her adventures in the Wild West on a Boscov’s Travel Escorted Western Tour. Thanks, Joann!
My travel companions and I were chauffeured at a gentle pace through the picturesque, mountainous landscape, soothed by soft, sweet songs of cowboys and tickled by Cheryl’s witty re-telling of pioneer times, lesser known facts and descriptions of local culture. She even taught us a real western cheer: “HEEEE HAWWW!”
What made this experience most special was the leisurely pace, stunning scenery, delightful tour guide and seeing some of the United States’ most famous attractions; like Mount Rushmore, Old Faithful and Yellowstone National Park. Our group bonded over meals and site-seeing, sharing pictures of loved ones and a mutual love for expanding horizons.
It’s one thing to learn American history in a classroom, but quite another to see first-hand amazing sights such as the wagon wheel ruts along the Oregon Trail in Wyoming.
Thousands of men, women and children traveled the Oregon Trail in the 1840’s, many times risking their lives to reach what they hoped would be a better life. I have a greater appreciation now of the hardships they had to endure.
It was fun seeing the animals of Bear County USA, riding in a jeep into a bison herd in Custer State Park and visiting the Coors Light Brewery.
The inspiration for the iconic Coors Light mountain range logo can be seen from the brewery’s parking lot. Where else in the world but the western US could you taste a fresh brewed Coors Light and then have a bowl of delicious bison stew? The national park views and wildlife were absolutely breath-taking. What great foresight some had in preserving these areas so future generations would be able to enjoy them.
Other attractions included quaint towns, the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, a real western rodeo, a performance by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and perhaps my favorite: Deadwood, South Dakota. Deadwood is where Dances with Wolves was filmed and Kevin Costner has taken quite a strong interest in the town. He owns a local restaurant, casino, attraction and town tour all dedicated to the film and his other movies. The restaurant features costumes from Kevin Costner’s movies, as well as a guest book that had me joking to my husband and new friends I was leaving a message with my phone number and the words “Call me, Kevin”. A lady can dream, right?
Our group had bonded so much that it was difficult to say goodbye at the end of the tour. We left each other with promises to keep in touch through emails and letters, as well as lots of pictures and souvenirs.
Click here to see Boscov’s Travel Escorted Western Tours scheduled for 2012.
