The southwestern United States is a place of subtle beauty and constantly changing landscapes. Experience the majesty for yourself as we board our Christian Tours motorcoach for a two-week tour of America’s southwest. Today we cross the state of Tennessee by way of Knoxville and Nashville en route to Memphis, on the banks of the mighty Mississippi, for our first night’s stay.

This morning we immediately cross the muddy waters of the Mississippi and continue into Arkansas. Just past Little Rock we encounter the rolling hills of the southern Ozarks. We stop for an included lunch before continuing to our overnight accommodations near Dallas. (L)

This morning begins with a short tour of downtown Dallas. We visit the JFK Memorial Plaza, the site of the Nov. 22, 1963, assassination of President John F. Kennedy. In Fort Worth we’ll drive by the Water Garden and the Stockyards. This afternoon we make our way west through Judge Roy Bean territory and the Pecos Valley. Overnight accommodations are near Carlsbad.

Today we take a walking tour of magnificent Carlsbad Caverns National Park, one of the world’s largest caves. Cowboy Jim White first explored and guided people through the caverns in the early 1900’s. You’ll be amazed by what you see! We overnight in Willcox, Arizona.

Our first stop today is in Tombstone, “The Town Too Tough To Die.” We’ll see a short multimedia presentation offering us a look at Tombstone’s history. We’ll also see the O.K. Corral where the Earps and the Clanton gang had their famous gunfight. Three-fourths of the land in Arizona is controlled by the Federal Government, giving assurance that America’s natural wonders are protected for us to enjoy. We arrive in Tucson this afternoon, where we take a tour of Pima Air & Space Museum. You’ll be amazed at one of the world’s largest aircraft collections including World War II planes, supersonic spy planes, and unique private, military, and commercial aircraft. Next, we tour Saguaro National Park. We’ll drive the loop roads and walk the trails that take us past hundreds of the huge Saguaro Cactus, which grows only in the Sonora Desert. We return to Tucson for dinner and our night’s lodging. (D)

This morning’s drive takes us north through Phoenix, Arizona’s state capital. We see the Capitol Building, which is built of native stone and situated in a landscape area that includes a large variety of native trees, shrubs, and cacti. North of Phoenix we peer in awe at Montezuma Castle National Monument, the major cliff dwellings in Arizona. More than 800 years old, these are probably the best preserved cliff dwellings in the southwest. Mid-afternoon finds us in Sedona, the beautiful artist resort town at the southern mouth of Oak Creek Canyon. You will have time to relax and view the beautiful red rock mountains and shop in the assorted shops that line Main Street. Dinner is included this evening. (D)

On our way North to Flagstaff, we enter a spectacular gorge that may look somewhat familiar to you. For years, Oak Creek Canyon has been a favorite filming location for motion picture makers. Soon we ascend 2,000 feet up the most beautiful red cliffs to a picturesque lookout point. It’s just a short drive to the Grand Canyon, a spectacle so impressive that words just can’t describe it. It’s hard to grasp the reality of a cut that’s a mile deep and as much as 18 miles across and more than 200 miles long. At the IMAX Theater we’ll experience “Grand Canyon, the Hidden Secrets,” a film of the Grand Canyon that would take a lifetime to experience. (L)

Today we’ll set our sights on a wonder of a different type: Las Vegas, Nevada. This evening you have the option to add an exciting 3 hour “Bright Lights Jeep Tour” of Las Vegas. This tour cruises the iconic Las Vegas strip with a chance to take in many of the city’s most well-known landmarks. It includes several picture stops and “Vegas Experiences,” including a ride on the High Roller Observation Wheel overlooking the Vegas strip and the volcano show at The Mirage. (Optional: Approx. $145 per person.) We’ll spend the next two nights in the city that by its name alone summons images of neon lights and elaborate hotels and casinos!

This morning we travel to Boulder City, Nevada, where we tour Hoover Dam. Take an elevator deep into the heart of the dam to learn about the process of construction and to see the massive turbines that provide power for millions of people. It is truly one of the world’s great engineering wonders. The remainder of the day you are on your own to explore and experience Las Vegas, Nevada’s largest city, at your leisure. Walk or ride down the famous “Strip,” lined from one end to the other with glittering hotels, night clubs, and casinos. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, darkness falls and it becomes a whole new place.

The 93,493 acres of the Petrified Forest include the most spectacular display of petrified wood in the world! You are looking at tree trunks of solid stone that range in age up to 160 million years old. The Rainbow Forest Museum depicts the process in detail. We also traverse a portion of the Painted Desert, located within the Park. Tonight’s lodging is in Gallup, New Mexico.

Spread out before the dramatic Sandia Mountains, Albuquerque is the metropolis of New Mexico. Past and present mingle here. Old Town, the original Albuquerque founded in 1706, clusters around a plaza and San Felipe de Meri Church. The warmth of aged adobe adds a special charm to its shops, galleries, restaurants and hidden patios. Discover bargains on silver and turquoise jewelry. Then we’re off for an exciting ride on the Sandia Peak Tramway, an aerial tram which lofts passengers to the top of 10,000-foot Sandia Peak. The 2.7 mile ride is the longest clear and unsupported span in North America. The view, both east and west, is spectacular!

This morning we cross the Texas panhandle by way of Amarillo, continuing on to Oklahoma City, where we visit the fascinating National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Here we find the world’s largest exhibition of Western lore. See famous western art, including many Remingtons, and the John Wayne collection of guns, knives, and personal items along with part of his collection of Kachinas dolls, valued at over one million dollars. We’ll also see the portrait gallery of western film stars before checking into our hotel. This evening dinner is included. (D)

Today we travel through Little Rock, Arkansas, and back through Memphis on our way to Jackson, Tennessee, the home of Casey Jones. Dinner with all of our new friends is included this evening. (D)

It’s hard to believe that our wonderful Southwest Adventure has come to an end. Exchange addresses with your new friends and make plans to travel with us again.