This morning we are transferred to the Charlotte Airport for our flight to Seattle. Dinner is included this evening. (D)

This morning we enjoy a spectacular view of the city and surrounding area from high atop the Seattle Space Needle. Next we visit Pike Place Farmer’s Market, one of the oldest continuously operated markets in the country. This afternoon we stop at the Mount St. Helens Visitors Center to learn more about the eruption and to see a film on this geologically active area. In the spring of 1980 Mount St. Helens erupted, blowing the top 1,300 feet off the mountain. We make our way to Portland for our two night stay and an included dinner. (D)

We follow the footsteps of Lewis and Clark as we tour the Columbia River Gorge and enjoy an exciting day of touring in the Portland area. We see spectacular Multnomah Falls, tumbling some 620 feet. We visit Bonneville Dam and see its fishlocks and ladders. In the spring and fall, huge runs of salmon, steelhead, and other migratory fish use the ladders to continue upstream and spawn. Next on our agenda is the Mt. Hood Loop to the beautiful Columbia River Gorge. We see Mt. Hood, Oregon’s highest peak, dominating the horizon of the forest-covered slopes of the Cascade Mountains. Our drive takes us to the impressive Timberline Lodge. Nestled midway to the summit of Mt. Hood, this National Historic Landmark is a masterpiece of mountain lodges. Timberline Lodge, constructed of mammoth timbers and native stone in 1937, stands today as a tribute to the rugged spirit of the Pacific North-west. After our visit we return to Portland for our overnight.

This morning we travel through Salem, the capital of Oregon. After our photo stop at the Salem Capitol Building, we continue our journey south. This afternoon we visit the Oregon Sand Dunes National Recreation Area where we get on a dune buggy for a thrilling ride over miles of sand. Call it America’s answer to the grand Sahara nestled between Oregon’s Coast Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Well, not quite, but it does resemble the African wonder. The natural diversity of the Oregon Dunes NRA makes it a home to a wide range of plant and animal species. We overnight this evening in the Reedsport area.

As we travel south along the rugged Pacific coast, we will make picture stops along the way. Stops will be made in Redwood National Park, where the redwood trees are so tall they actually block out the sun from the forest floor. Redwood National Park encompasses 110,232 acres. Within its boundaries are the 34,780 combined acres of Del Norte Coast, Jedediah Smith and Prairie Creek Redwoods state parks. In addition to dense forests of coast redwoods, the park embraces marshland, beaches, rugged coastline, rivers, streams, prairies, and oak woodlands. This evening, we check into our hotel before enjoying dinner together. (D)

Today we travel south to San Francisco making photo stops at the Carson Mansion along the way. The Carson Mansion, former estate of pioneer lumberman, William Carson, is one of the most written about and photographed Victorian houses in California, and perhaps in the United States. This afternoon we drive through redwood forests traveling 33 miles on the “Avenue of the Giants.” This evening, we travel over the Golden Gate Bridge as we continue to San Francisco. Dinner is included today. (D)

The heart of a great Pacific empire, San Francisco is the true capital of the West. From the Bay Bridge and Treasure Island to the far side of the Golden Gate Bridge, the most beautiful bridge in the world, our city tour this morning will see it all. Tour highlights include Victorian homes, Civic Center area, Union Square, Alamo Square, Lombard street view, Nob Hill, Chinatown, Coit tower, the Presidio, and more. We catch a boat out to “The Rock,” Alcatraz, once home to such outlaws as Al Capone, “Machine Gun” Kelly, and public enemy #1 Robert Stroud, known as the “Birdman of Alcatraz.” This evening is free for you to enjoy time at the wharf.

Our journey this morning takes us low into the foothills of the San Joaquin Valley and high unto the awesome Sierra Nevada Mountains. This afternoon we travel to Yosemite National Park as we come into a world of towering mountains, giant sequoias, and cascading waterfalls. Dinner is included this evening as we make our way to Fresno, California. (D)

Our travels today will take us by places like Bakersfield, Edwards Air Force Base, Mojave Desert and Barstow. This afternoon we travel to Las Vegas, Nevada’s largest city. This evening is free to enjoy the lights, sights and sounds of Las Vegas.

All good things must come to an end, so this morning we are transported to the airport for our flight home.