Railroads & Hot Air Balloons

Welcome aboard! Join Rustad Tours for an “Adventure in Transportation” specifically highlighting railroads and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta! Our journey begins by traveling west across the Great Plains of South Dakota with an included lunch in Mitchell, SD, at the historic Depot Bar & Grill. Mitchell is the home of the “World’s Only Corn Palace” established in 1892. We’ll take a short photo stop and view the new design being created for the coming year. The Corn Palace is redecorated each year with naturally colored corn and other native grasses to make it the “Agriculture Showplace of the World.” Later this afternoon, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the Missouri River Valley at a rest stop to view the statue “Dignity,” a tribute to Native Americans of the Great Plains. The nearby interpretive center features exhibits about the Lewis & Clark Expedition of the 1800s. Wall Drug, one of the world’s most well-known tourist attractions got its start from the promise of free ice water! We’ll stop for an afternoon break to shop and enjoy an included evening meal before we continue to our hotel in Rapid City. (L) (D)

Mount Rushmore National Memorial is known as the Shrine of Democracy. Before leaving Rapid City, we’ll pay tribute to four of our past presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abe Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt. It took Gutzon Borglum 14 years and a million dollars to carve the faces, but today it’s a priceless tribute. Our drive through the Black Hills takes us through old mining towns that have been turned into tourist attractions. By midday, we enter Wyoming, known for its untamed spirit of the West and majestic beauty. Our included lunch is in Lusk, WY, a rural ranching community. Traveling south across prairie lands, we’re bound to see the striking and graceful Pronghorn Antelope that are abundant here and are known for being one of the fastest animals in the world. Late this afternoon we check into the Drury Inn in Denver, CO. (B) (L)

Rise and shine for an early breakfast! We arrive in the heart of downtown Denver at the historic Denver Union Station as we embark on a memorable AMTRAK journey through the Rocky Mountains to Grand Junction, CO. We’ll climb aboard the California Zephyr and travel through the heart of the Rockies. Operating between Chicago and the San Francisco Bay area, this is Amtrak’s longest route, traveling 2,438 miles, and is known as one of the most beautiful cross-country train routes in all of North America. You’ll have ringside seats to view spectacular sites past mountain valleys, crystal clear rivers and streams, wildlife, and cities. You might like to treat yourself to lunch in their comfy dining car. This evening dinner is included at our hotel. (B) (D)

Get ready for a full day of adventure as we travel the scenic highways and byways to Silverton, CO, on one of the most spectacular drives in the U.S., the Million Dollar Highway. It has been reported that it cost a million dollars a mile to build. The road winds around switchback turns, clinging to the mountain and providing dramatic mountain, valley, and gorge views at every turn. Silverton is a silver mining town and is a National Historic Landmark located in the high country of the San Juan Mountains. A noon lunch will be included in Silverton before boarding a vintage train car on the Narrow-Gauge Railroad to travel to Durango, CO. This historic train takes you on an unforgettable journey providing a view of Colorado’s Mountain Splendor that is inaccessible by highway. (B) (L)

This morning, we’ll travel back more than 900 years to the time when ancestral people lived in this region of New Mexico. The Aztec Ruins National Monument consists of preserved structures constructed by the Pueblo Indians. You’ll explore an archeological site on a self-guided trail that includes over two acres of land. Talented masons once laid out sandstone blocks and woodworkers carried heavy log beams from 10 miles away. They built a three-story Great House longer than a football field. The Pueblos describe this site as part of an ancient migration journey. After an included lunch, we travel through the “Land of Enchantment,” the nickname for New Mexico because of its scenic beauty and rich history. Its landscape varies with mountains, plains, and deserts. We arrive at our hotel in Albuquerque by early evening to settle in for a three-night stay. You might want to make it “early to bed” tonight because it will be “early to rise” tomorrow morning. (B) (L)

Clear skies, calm winds, and mild temps are hoped for as we arrive at the early morning Mass Ascension at the Balloon Fiesta! You’ll be awe-struck as a myriad of colorful balloons soar up into the clear blue morning sky. In October, Albuquerque is the place to be! People from all over the world come to celebrate ballooning. It all started in 1972 when 13 balloons were launched from a shopping mall parking lot. Today over 500 balloons are launched from a 365-acre park. Join in on the festive mood as you wander among the hot air balloons as they lift off and rise gently above us, “creating a colorfully painted sky.” By mid-morning we depart the Fiesta Grounds to travel to Santa Fe. After an included lunch, we meet our local guide who will share fascinating information about the oldest capital city in the United States. You’ll hear about Santa Fe’s rich history, including the Santa Fe Trail, view the miraculous staircase at the Loretto Chapel, and learn about some of the oldest churches in the U.S. After our tour, you’ll have free time to explore the historic central plaza, various museums, galleries and boutiques before heading back to our hotel in Albuquerque. (B) (L)

This morning, we’ll discover the vibrant city of Albuquerque with our local guide. Centuries of history have shaped this unique city with diverse cultures, authentic art, and dynamic traditions. People have lived here as far back as 2000 BC. Today, it is a leading high-tech research center. As you arrive in the historic Old Town, the pace slows down while people relax and listen to festive music playing in the plaza encircled by unique shops and cozy restaurants in charming adobe buildings. After our included noon lunch in Old Town, you’ll have free time to check out San Felipe de Neri Church, the oldest building in the city, or visit the former settlers’ homes that have been converted into shops and galleries. It looks very much as it did when it was built in 1706, 70 years before the American Revolution. Returning to our hotel, there will be time to freshen up and rest a bit before returning to the Balloon Fiesta where our evening meal is included. The evening Balloon Glow event is a spectacular site when the balloons fire up their burners, creating a magnificent twinkling glow all around the Fiesta Park as we celebrate Albuquerque’s International Balloon Fiesta with breathtaking fireworks! (B) (L) (D)

We bid farewell to Albuquerque this morning while catching our last views of hot air balloons in flight along our route traveling north. We’ll enjoy the sights along the way during this travel day with time to relax. Lunch is included in Raton, NM. This evening, we arrive at the Drury Inn in Colorado Springs for a two-night stay. (B) (L)

This morning we’ll explore Colorado Spring’s paradise all in one magical stop at the Garden of the Gods. This national natural landmark has amazing and dramatic views, including 300 feet of towering red sandstone rock formations against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks and brilliant blue skies. A local guide joins us for a drive through beautiful views and gorgeous rock formations. See if you can pick out the Three Graces, Gateway Rock, Hole in the Rock, the Llamas Heads, and Kissing Camels. By mid-day, we climb aboard the Royal Gorge Heritage Train, where we’ll have an included meal on board and enjoy a memorable train ride with gorgeous scenery and fascinating commentary along the way. This experience takes us to the bottom of the Grand Canyon of the Arkansas River, the “Royal Gorge.” By late afternoon we’ll be at our Drury Inn in time for the “Kickback” manager’s special. (B) (L)

Today we follow the Platte River and travel east along I-80 following the trail of the pioneers. Lunch is included in Ogallala, NE, before visiting the Golden Spike Tower, offering guests a bird’s eye view of the world’s largest classification yard. There are more trains here than you can keep track of! We’ll take the elevator to the observation deck, which is 95 feet above the ground, for a 360-degree view of the Platte River Valley and Bailys Yard. This is the world’s largest rail yard, and the visitor center houses exhibits on the Union Pacific Railroad and Nebraska memorabilia. Tonight, your hotel is in Kearney, NE, where we’ll have an included meal with beverages provided. (B) (L) (D)

On our final day of this tour, we enjoy sharing “Memory Making Moments.” Today passes quickly as we visit with new friends and make our regular stops along the way. Rustad’s will welcome you back with coffee and cookies. Your cars will be lined up and waiting for you in the parking lot. (B)