Experienced travel consultant, John Unger recounts his first national parks tour, and shares in depth details and photos. Follow along his Cosmos Tours National Parks and Canyon Country Review.
We have never taken a Budget Tour from any tour provider and although we have sold Cosmos for nearly 30 years, we truly were surprised. The product exceeded our expectations in every way.
The hotels were very well located throughout the tour. They were as promised; clean, up to date, with comfortable beds and even offered amenities i.e. shampoo, conditioner, lotion and hair dryers. We weren’t sure these amenities would be included. In fact a few hotels offered ironing boards and irons.
The Motor Coach was new, very comfortable and spotless as was the WC (which was used by many during the trip). Our driver, Andrea, new to the route, was as professional an operator as if she were a 20 year veteran. She was very helpful to everyone. a true credit to Arrow Stage Lines and Cosmos.
Our Tour Director, Chris Hamilton, previously the Motor Coach Driver for Arrow on this tour, was EXCELLENT in every way. He facilitated the tour in every aspect. You would not know that he was recently promoted and his professionalism shone in every aspect of the job. Chris kept us well informed on the history, culture and what to focus upon while we were traveling or in the parks. He helped as to where our rooms were, what to do in the evenings and when to be ready for the next day. He was entertaining, fun, kept us well motivated and involved, particularly on the long travel days. We had relevant videos and CDs to make the time go by and even some games that were eagerly enjoyed by all. He was always there for any reason for any one of us. To our knowledge, all the passengers loved him. Laura and I agree he is the best TD we have ever had in all our travels and was a big part of the success of the journey.
Day 1:
Our flight to Denver on Frontier was uneventful, but comfortable and the Frontier Staff was happy and very helpful.
We took the Super Shuttle Transfer to the Comfort Inn in the heart of Downtown. The service was excellent. To our surprise our hotel is directly across from the famous Brown Palace Hotel. In fact they are adjoined by an enclosed walkway.
So we did what we do best…lunch! The Ship Tavern at the Palace was perfect. A short walk and great food. The décor is very nautical so we couldn’t resist taking a photo of some of the mode ships.
Tonight we meet our Tour Director to ask any questions and tomorrow it’s off to see Crazy Horse.
Day 2:
Today is a travel day with a lot of ground to cover. We left Denver and got a short City Tour by our Tour Director on the way out to Cheyenne, Wyoming’s capital. We stopped at the capital and our Tour Director Chris asked his friend a State Legislator to address the group about the state’s history which was very interesting.
We were famished and our next stop was in Torrington for Lunch on own. Chris was very helpful in suggesting restaurant choices.
The afternoon drive to Crazy Horse began with light rain and as we climbed the elevation rain turned into snow. For the two of us it was very exciting since we had not seen snow in 28 years.
The Black Hills of SD were beautiful in their white blanket of snow against the dark trees.
We arrived at the Crazy Horse Monument which was commissioned by Henry Standing Bear the Lakota Leader. The monument has been under construction since 1947 by private donations only. No government funds have been accepted. We could hardly see the sculpture due to the weather.
The Visitor Center is very interesting and worth walking through. We were also treated to some authentic Lakota dances.
We left the park to go to Keystone and our hotel the White House Resort. On the way down the mountain we caught a glance of tomorrow’s experience…Mt. Rushmore.
The White House Resort is a lovely 3 star property located in Keystone a western style town. The hotel is very clean and the staff is very cordial and helpful. There is even an indoor pool and a restaurant.
We are becoming friendly with most of the people on the coach. Everyone seems nice and eager to chat.
We are having such a wonderful time.
Day 3:
Mt. Rushmore – Wow! Our patriotic hearts were beating fast. To see it in a video or a picture is nice but to be standing right in front of the sculpture is an unbelievable experience. The park is beautiful with a salute to every state, its flag and when it entered the Union and what number state it is.
The facilities were more than clean and modern. Lunch was station style with lots of choices and a great view. Fortunately the snow had come and gone and it was a glorious and great day to be an American.
From there our journey took us down the mountain to Deadwood. Before we visited the town we stopped at Kevin Costner’s “Tatanka” a tribute to the Lakota-Sioux tribe of the Black Hills. Costner fell in love with the culture while making the famed movie “Dances with Wolves”. He commissioned a sculptor to make sculptures of Bison and Lakota Men interacting on the Plains.
When the “Tatanka” program was over we had arranged through our Tour Director for an Optional Deadwood city tour. The tour takes place on a 30 year old school bus also purportedly owned by Kevin Costner. The tour as promised was an hour of delight and laughs.
Deadwood could be a movie set if it were not real to start with.
Our hotel was changed at the last moment and we were upgraded to a Casino Hotel. We were treated to $5.00 per person Player’s Club money. The evening was very enjoyable.
Tomorrow on to “Buffalo Bill’s” Cody, the entrance to Yellowstone’s North Loop.
Day 4:
Today our sights are set on Yellowstone National Park. In order to get there we have to traverse the state of Wyoming. It’s a big state. As we drive we begin to see the Big Horn Mountains that we must negotiate in order to get to today’s destination, Cody. Driving can be boring, but our Tour Director Chris fills the time with history of the area, related videos and music that is good listening for all generations.
The Big Horn Mountains that at first loom in the distance almost like clouds touching the horizon become closer and larger until we are actually at the mountains’ foot. Once we begin climbing the mountains we are on watch for all the different animals that roam them. The views are so spectacular that the clicking of the cameras drown out the music.
Near the top of Big Horn we are surprised by Chris, who invites us to join him for a piece of the best homemade pie ever.
The descent was beautiful and the cameras continued to click. We arrived in Cody and stayed at Buffalo Bill Village. Quaint log cabins. Tomorrow morning we enter Yellowstone.
Day 5:
This morning, some took an optional tour to the Buffalo Bill Cody Museum of the West. We opted to sleep in but those who went said that two hours at the Museum wasn’t even enough. It was so interesting I’m sorry we missed it.
We left Cody which is a cute western style town and headed for Yellowstone. Due to road construction in the park after Labor Day, we took the Chief Joseph Highway to the Montana entrance, It was about 2 1/2 hours and I think it would have been shorter using the Wyoming entrance had we been able to. However, the scenery was spectacular.
Yellowstone is divided into two loops – North and South. We did the North Loop as that is where we came in. This the wildlife area and not only do you see wildlife but the scenery takes your breath away. Hollywood couldn’t replicate such grandeur and unbelievable beauty. Majestic mountains, pine trees and bison grazing in packs or alone. What photo ops. Looked for moose and elk, haven’t seen them today.
We stayed at the Grant Village Lodge. Really nice accommodations surrounded by verdant forests.
Dinner was at the Lake View Lodge as we didn’t want to be beholden to a reservation at the Main Dining Room. Mistake. Service and food just mediocre at the Lodge.
Tomorrow Old faithful and the thermal areas of the Southern Loop where the Lodge is. Still hoping to see some other wildlife. Bison by now is such old hat…
Day 6:
Today we see the South Loop, home of Old Faithful and many thermal springs emitting sulphuric vapors combined with heated water. Some were quite spectacular but there were many other really awesome sights to see. The elusive Moose were never found but we did see some elk and bison galore. After a while we stopped snapping pictures of the bison.
Yellowstone is 2/3 the size of Connecticut. It is just vast. Everyone you turn there is a stunning vista, mountains, Yellowstone River and then Yellowstone Lake which is very grand.
We stopped at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Words cannot describe the magnificent beauty
that nature has created over the millennias. It took our breath away. Can’t wait to see the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
We headed for Old Faithful for a 3:46PM eruption. There is a 10 minute window going either way
and it took a long wait from 3:36PM to 4:48PM but there it was! Absolutely thrilling.
After Old Faithful a few of us decided it was time to relax so we headed next door to the Old Faithful Inn for a celebratory libation.
Tomorrow we see the Grand Tetons…
Day 7:
OMG. The Grand Tetons! First we were wowed by the Bighorn Mountains, then Yellowstone.
We were unprepared for the majestic beauty of the Tetons. Every stop for photo ops was a WOW.
The ride to the Tetons from Yellowstone is thankfully very short. We stopped at Jackson Lodge on Jenny Lake, We had a great lunch and a chance to sit and drink in the glorious views of the Lake. Absolute paradise…could turn us into fisherman. On the way to Jackson, a charming log cabin church called the Church of the Transfiguration. It is very primitive and in an area of sagebrush and wooden western fencing. Real untouched Old West out of a 50s b/w cowboy movie,
Arrived in Jackson Hole. Our hotel is a typical two story motor court and is one of many. It’s comfortable and clean and the best feature is that it’s 3 blocks from downtown Jackson Hole
We found out from our excellent Tour Director, Chris, that a “hole” is a western term for a valley. The town is Jackson and is surrounded by mountains and the valley where shops and restaurants are located is Jackson Hole.
We all took the optional Bar-T-5 Chuckwagon dinner and show. What a kick! We are taken out of the town for a short ride. Covered wagons await and we climb into the wagons pulled by a couple of Draft Horses for about 10 minutes up the mountain If the weather is cold, all of us would have been covered with blankets. No need, it was about 70 out. On the way up the mountain, we are “attacked” by wild Indians. However, we survived the challenge and found ourselves at the Bar-T-5
pavilion for a cowboy buffet. After dinner, we were entertained by singing cowboys and a bit of comedy as well. Great fun.
Tomorrow we have a free day of leisure. Yay. We can all sleep in. Some of us will take
a raft ride down the river to see wildlife. Some will not.
Day 8:
‘Sleep glorious sleep’
Enjoyed waking up to the sounds of the day rather than the iPhone’s tactless get your bum out of bed sound, which I hate. I’ve never put that emotion into writing.
After a complimentary continental breakfast, we planned our day at leisure. We wanted to use the hotel’s pool, but we never thought about packing any water wear. So back to our plans…
We had some work to do in the AM and after that we headed for downtown on the free bus shuttle right by our hotel. We had some wardrobe issues as we had planned for the weather being cooler but there has been a real heat wave and every day is in the 80s. So our goal was T-shirts and shorts for the rest of the warm days ahead. Downtown is about 5-6 blocks by 3 blocks of shops. Most are costly art galleries and jewelry stores, Shorts were almost non existent at this date but T-shirts were everywhere. We checked out the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and Steakhouse. Great bar with saddles as seats…didn’t look too comfortable but was fun. Lots of choices of restaurants to meet everybody’s budget, Great Day. Tomorrow off to Salt Lake City,…
Day 9:
This is a long travel day. We left Jackson, heading South, and within 10 minutes we were all thrilled to see beautiful fall foliage. We had no idea that the scenery from Wyoming through a little bit of Idaho and on to Utah could be so beautiful. The sides of the roads were covered with riotous oranges and yellows and reds and it was just gorgeous. We had forgotten how amazing fall foliage is since we moved to Florida many years ago.
Our tour director made sure that the long ride was not boring. He always has fun CDs and relevant DVD’s to entertain us. We made our first rest stop at a chocolate factory. Yes, that put a smile on everyone’s face. Next was a lunch stop and in the afternoon we arrived in Salt Lake City.
First stop was the gorgeous state capital and then we saw Temple Square, We viewed The Lion House which was Brigham Young’s home for his 26 brides. We ate dinner there – it was an optional. Others chose to dine atop the Temple Square Roof restaurant.
Our hotel, The Red Lion Inn, was only blocks away and it was a modern, sleek tower overlooking downtown Salt Lake City which was lit up like a jewel.
Tomorrow Canyon Country….
Day 10:
We departed Salt Lake City early this morning and arrived at Ruby’s Inn, in time for lunch. This is a Best Western Plus hotel with a great souvenir, gift shop and grocery as well as a good restaurant and diner. soft red sandstone
Before arriving, we saw Red Canyon as a “preview of things to come” which has the great photo op of the Salt and Pepper “Hoodoos” as a welcome. The Hoodoos are a natural sculpture of soft reds stone and at some point in time, in the future the elements will make them topple.
Upon arrival, we couldn’t see Bryce Canyon until we were parked. Unbelievable! The vistas cannot be captured in photos. You must experience it first hand to understand the majesty. The “hoodoos” are sculpted by nature over millions of years and then there are white canyons, deep green valleys, blue mountains, blue skies and it seems to go forever. One of the most awesome sights ever – and more to come…there is more to come.
Tomorrow next door to Zion National Park.
Day 11:
Thankfully, Zion National Park is not too far from Ruby’s Inn and we arrive midmorning. Our tour director, Chris, said that he felt that Zion was the most “masculine” of the parks. We didn’t understand until we saw for ourselves. Zion is a massive display of monoliths and giant stone sculptures that have formed as in other parks for millions of years. It doesn’t have the colors and flora of the other parks but it does offer stunning greenery juxtaposed against the monochrome mountains. We saw stone sculptures with signs that date them back to 500 million years ago! Who knew? Zion has a tram that makes several stops so you can get on and off to capture the beauty of the sculpted mountains from different angles. The last stop has a doable walk before taking the tram back down to Zion Park Lodge. Those who took the walk got some really amazing photos.
We then crossed from Utah into Arizona and set our clocks back. Nice to have that extra hour.
We stopped at Lake Powell Resort for an optional Antelope Canyon cruise.
Our hotel is in Page Az. It’s a Quality Inn near several restaurant choices. Lobby and entrance not too impressive but lovely rooms and, as always, very comfortable beds.
Tomorrow is the one we’ve all been waiting for; the Grand Daddy of them all- Grand Canyon!
Day 12:
We are in Page, AZ today and after almost a dozen days of sun, it is pouring. Two optional were cancelled; one a Monument Valley flight and the other an Antelope Canyon Slot Tour. Everyone was disappointed but the good news is that just as we are departing Page it stopped raining and the sun is shining for our trip to the Grand Canyon. On the way is the Painted Desert. We’re pretty high up and for miles and miles around, there is absolutely nothing but desert. It looks “painted” because there are horizontal stripes on the mountains that are so alike they could be painted. The colors are rather bland, mostly shades of brown. We had hoped for more colors like red or orange. Oh well, still impressive.
We stop for an early lunch at the Cameron Trading Post. This is an enormous Navajo Indian shopping bazaar with all types of artifacts, more Navajo made jewelry than anywhere else, handmade rugs (one large one on display took two years to make and costs $25,000. Whoa! It was very nice…
Lunch was delicious and more reasonable that a lot of other meals we have had. We are now almost at the Canyon. After riding on a tree lined highway where nothing is visible, all of a sudden, there it is!
Wow! OMG! Just the first glimpse is enough to take your breath away. The tour bus parks and we go to a viewing point that allows us to see as far as our eyes can take us. There is simply nothing else we’ve ever seen that can compare. You can see it on TV, in the movies, in glorious color photos and even from the air but nothing prepares you for the scope and depth and brilliance of the Canyons. As we walk along this viewing point, every view is completely different. We then went to another viewing point for more exceptional photo ops. There are no words to describe this “unworldly” beauty that has inspired every patriotic song.
One of our British friends on the tour said “it’s not God Bless America, it’s God Blessed America.” What a thrill to be an American. We were so proud of our majestic heritage.
Tomorrow is the last full day of the trip. We will depart our cute Maswick South Grand Canyon Hotel in the morning. Very cozy western style rooms, nice choice of foods for all three meals.
Las Vegas here we come!
Day 13:
This is our last full day of the tour. Tomorrow is check out. We’ll miss our new friends from Britain and Australia.
This morning, we have a choice of a helicopter tour of the Canyon or a nice, quiet seat at an IMAX theater to see more of the Canyon and its history. We opted for the theatre but dropped off and picked up the braver passengers who were thrilled with their helicopter tour.
On the road again – destination – Las Vegas.
We stop at a Route 66 town called Seligman. It is a lot of fun seeing cars, buildings and tons of memorabilia from the ‘Good Old Days’. Even an old Edsel taxi! Everyone enjoyed a famed milkshake from the Snow Cap Diner before hitting the road again.
Right before Las Vegas, we went over a new highway that had a great vista of Lake Mead and Hoover Dam. We had taken a tour of the Dam facility many years ago but it is still a great feat and marvel to see.
We arrive in Las Vegas to hit bumper to bumper traffic. We knew that a lot of hotels had been added since we were there but as we moved along Las Vegas Blvd, we couldn’t believe the throngs of people everywhere it looked like 42nd St and Broadway! There are now two levels of shops on most blocks and the newer hotels are crammed in like sausages. Evidently no one minds but us as the place was wall to wall people.
We are staying at Harrahs. It is right on the Strip directly across from Caesar’s Palace (which has morphed into a gigantic monster of a property about 3 blocks long. Caesar’s now owns Harrahs which would explain the upgrading of the hotels public areas and rooms (all quite nice) and the rather high prices of the food. There is no such thing as a cheap buffet as in the past.
As this is our last blog, we would like to express our surprise at the quality of our Cosmos tour. We have never taken a budget tour but there is nothing budget about this tour. For the entire trip, we found the hotels to be closer to First Class than Superior Tourist class. They all had very comfortable bedding, amenities in the bathroom as well as hair dryers. Location was also excellent and we did stay in the Park itself in Yellowstone and Grand Canyon. Who could ask for more? Our coach was new, very comfortable, and had a spotless bathroom. Before we all said ‘auf wiedersehen’, our Tour Director gave us a Transfer Voucher for our trip to the airport.
Our driver and Tour Director were absolutely the best.
All in all, this was a very memorable trip that we will keep in our hearts forever.
