By Nancy McDonald
I just returned from our National Parks Program and wanted to share with you the wonderful experience.
I went with a group of my friends, along with another group from Maine and believe me we had 45 very happy travelers.
The resort, the Oasis, in Mesquite Nevada was a very comfortable, clean and very friendly hotel. It had three pools, a Casino, Ice Cream parlor (which I enjoyed) Sports Bar and very helpful and friendly staff.
The food was plentiful with a full buffet each day. Complete choice for breakfast and dinner offered, soup, salad bar, carving station (Prime rib on Friday) wide variety to choose from each day.
The bus was new and comfortable and the driver was terrific. Our Escort was a retired park ranger so was very knowledgeable and willing to answer any questions we had. They both had a great sense of humor so we also had fun. I understand from the other group leaders that their driver and escort were just as good.
The itinerary was fantastic. We visited Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Lake Mead/Hoover Dam, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon and the Valley of Fire State Park
We also went over to St. George and visited Brigham Young’s’ winter residence, it was quite interesting – we had a tour through his home and also through the "meeting house" and heard a little history of his travels to southern Utah.
The parks were breathtaking, each one different and Bryce is like nothing you have ever seen. That will be in my memory for years.
We got a taste of Vegas, saw the strip with all the beautiful hotels and even visited the "Freemont Experience" which is downtown, tons of lights.
We were able to visit Hoover Dam an incredible work of engineering built in the 30’s.
We had several groups take this tour.
Louise Lanciani from the Cape, "exceptional" Harolyn Bresnick from REAM "excellent tour" Pat Scearbo from Woburn "wonderful tour", Claire Horvath from Sturbridge, "very informative", "lots of fun" and Nancy McDonald from Durgan "spectacular"
IT’S A MUST SEE.