Archive for July, 2009

July 27, 2009 in AVAILABLE TOURS, Deluxe LDS Church History & American Heritage Tour | Comments (0)

Tags: , ,

July 5, 2010toJuly 19, 2010

 

DELUXE LDS CHURCH HISTORY AND AMERICAN HERITAGE TOUR

JULY 5 - 19, 2010

Director Clark Anderson

 

Day 1 (Mon. July 5):   GETTYSBURG / DC TEMPLE

We will meet at the BWI airport in Baltimore, Maryland and greet our bus, driver and guides and make our way over to the historic and unforgettable Gettysburg Battlefield and Visitors Center. Dinner is a pleasure at General Pickett’s Buffet in Gettysburg. Our last stop of the day will be a memorable stop at the Washington D.C. Temple. We will not only enjoy the view, but will also take in the new movie on the Prophet Joseph Smith on their large screen. We will retire early and overnight in Gaithersburg, Maryland. 

 

Day 2 (Tues. July 6):  DOWNTOWN WASHINGTON D.C. / MEMORIALS 

Today you will enjoy a full day touring our Nation’s Capital. You will be free to enjoy the Smithsonian Museums, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, the new WWII Memorial, Holocaust Museum, Washington Memorial, White House, Capital Building, Arlington Cemetery or whatever your heart desires. We have purchased a trolley pass for all of you to help you get around to the many sites. Following our downtown visits we will travel to Philadelphia and overnight. 

             

Day 3 (Wed. July 7):  LIBERTY BELL / PHILADELPHIA / BOAT INTO NYC

Today we begin our day at the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall [where the Declaration of Independence & Constitution were signed]. From here we will cross over to New Jersey where we will take our Ferry Boat into NYC. This will not only provide us with transportation into New York City, but also give us a visual of the Statue of Liberty and the NYC skyline. We will overnight at the Milford Plaza (near the Theater District of NYC). We should arrive early enough for those interested in taking in an additional Broadway Play may do so.         

 

Day 4 (Thurs. July 8):    NYC: MANHATTAN TEMPLE, BROADWAY SHOW

This morning you are free to venture out and explore the ‘Big Apple’ as your heart desires: Ground Zero, Empire State Building, Wall Street, Broadway, Times Square, Central Park, Madison Square Garden, Statue of Liberty, the LDS Manhattan Temple, etc. This evening we will enjoy the Broadway Show “Wicked” together and again overnight in the Milford Plaza.

 

Day 5 (Fri. July 9):  HARMONY, PENNS: SUSQ. RIVER / FAYETTE / PALMYRA
Today we depart NYC and travel up to Harmony, Pennsylvania/Susquehanna River where, among other things, the Priesthood was restored. Following lunch we will take a beautiful drive up to the grassroots area of the Church in upstate New York. Our first site in this area is Fayette, New York. The Church was officially organized here in 1830 at the Peter Whitmer Sr. Log House. We overnight near Palmyra, NY.

 

Day 6 (Sat. July 10):    PALMYRA: SACRED GROVE / HILL CUMORAH / PAGEANT

Today is an amazing day visiting all the sites in the Palmyra area. We begin by visiting the log house of Joseph Smith Sr. and enjoy some reflection time in the Sacred Grove. Following this experience we will visit the new Palmyra Temple and then take in the E. B. Grandin Press and Print Shop. Nearby is the grave site of Alvin Smith [brother of Joseph]. We will next visit the Hill Cumorah and then return to our hotel for a quick rest. Tonight we conclude our day with the memorable experience of the Hill Cumorah Pageant. We again overnight near Palmyra.

 

Day 7 (Sun. July 11):   NIAGARA FALLS / BOAT TO FALLS / KIRTLAND

This morning as we travel to the majestic Niagara Falls we will enjoy a Sacrament service. We will then stop for a memorable photo opportunity as well as a voyage on one of the ‘Maid of the Mist’ boats that take you right under the falls. From here we travel south to Kirtland, Ohio. This area is amazing as we visit four different sites where the Father and Son appeared. Our first stop is the new Historic Kirtland Visitors Center near the Newel K. Whitney Store. We spend some time in the ‘School of the Prophets’ room and conclude our day with a stop at the Morley Farm. This will be a fantastic Sabbath as we will visit two places where the Father & Son have appeared. We overnight in Mentor, Ohio at the Holiday Inn Express LaMalfa Center.

 

Day 8 (Mon July 12):  KIRTLAND, OHIO: TEMPLE / QUARY / HIRAM

Today we begin with a visit the John Johnson Home [D&C 76] in Hiram, Ohio. Next we visit the Temple Quarry before going into the Kirtland Temple, which was the first Temple built in this dispensation [D&C 109 & 110]. We will also visit the Temple Quarry. Following lunch we will make our way to Freemont, Ohio where we will overnight.     

 

Day 9 (Tues July 13):  AMISH COUNTRY / NOTRE DAME / CHICAGO

Today we are traveling through Amish country and cross Ohio into Indiana. We have an incredible experience as we stop in Shipshewana, Indiana for an Amish cooked meal. We first enjoy a tour of the MENNO-HOF (Mennonite-Amish) Visitors Center and Museum. This museum shares a great presentation of the history of this very fascinating people as well as many other religions throughout the Dark Ages. Following our home-cooked Amish meal we leave Amish country and enjoy a brief stop in South Bend, Indiana, where we take a tour of Notre Dame University. We spend the night near Chicago following dinner at the famous Navy Pier.  

 

Day 10 (Wed. July 14):   CARTHAGE JAIL / NAUVOO

Today we will make our way across the State of Illinois. When we arrive in Carthage we will reflect on the Martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith at the Carthage Jail. Following this sobering experience we will venture over to Nauvoo and re-experience history as we view the newly rebuilt Nauvoo Temple! Time permitting we will visit the LDS Visitors Center where we will see the model of 1846 Nauvoo and the magnificent sculpture garden that features the Monument to Women. This evening those interested may enjoy “Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo”, a production put on by the local Missionary Couples. We overnight in Nauvoo.

 

Day 11 (Thur. July 15):   MORE OF HISTORIC NAUVOO / NEW PAGEANT!!!

Today we spend our day soaking in the sites and sounds of Historic Nauvoo. For those able and interested the day will begin with a Temple Session at the newly constructed Nauvoo Temple.  In Historic Nauvoo there are over 30 sites to see and choose from; several Historical Homes and sites, Community of Christ (RLDS) Visitors Center, a horse and carriage ride, a good local fudge factory, etc. For those interested in the Missionary Productions [“High Hopes and Riverboats”, “Anna Amanda”, etc] will also be able to attend those. These sites should keep us all busy for the day. Dinner is a pleasure at the buffet in the Hotel Nauvoo. Our evening will be a memorable one as we experience the new Pageant, “Nauvoo”. We again overnight in Nauvoo.

 

Day 12 (Fri. July 16):  ADAM-ONDI-AHMAN / FAR WEST / LIBERTY JAIL

Today we make our way down to Missouri and pass through Hannibal, which is home to the famous writer Samuel Clements [Mark Twain]. Our historical sites begin today where the human race began at Adam-Ondi-Ahman. We will then venture over to Far West where, among other things, the cornerstones for a temple were laid. Following our stop there we will enjoy the Temple Prison; Liberty Jail (D&C 121-122). Following dinner we will explore the Independence, Missouri area with a visit to the Community of Christ Temple and Headquarters (formerly RLDS) as well at the ‘Temple Lot’ and the newly remodeled LDS Visitors Center. We overnight in Liberty, Missouri.

 

Day 13 (Sat. July 17):   KAINSVILLE / WINTER QUARTERS

Today we make our way to the Kainsville Tabernacle where the Church has constructed a beautiful new Visitors Center. We then make our way to Omaha, Nebraska to visit the Mormon Trail Center at Historic Winter Quarters. It was here where the Saints who fled Nauvoo ended for the winter of 1846-47. Here we will also see the Pioneer Cemetery and the new Winter Quarters Temple. We will then make our way over to Grand Island, Nebraska and spend the night. 

 

Day 14 (Sun. July 18):  PIONEER TRAIL / NEBRASKA & WYOMING

Today we see a good portion of the Pioneer trail as we make our way across Nebraska and into Wyoming. We will first enjoy a Sacrament Service and then as we venture across the ‘Trail’ we will enjoy and share stories of our Pioneer heritage. One of our stops today will include the Guernsey Ruts where you can still see the grooves in the rocks made by the Pioneer wagons. We will also admire Signature Cliffs, where hundreds of immigrants signed their names to the rock. In Casper, Wyoming we will visit the newly constructed Trails Center where we will learn about the five trails used by the early settlers as they migrated west. We overnight in Casper.

 

Day 15 (Mon. July 19):  INDEP. ROCK / MARTIN’S COVE / S.L. VALLEY

What better way to anticipate the celebration of Pioneer Day than traveling the actual trail and arriving in the Salt Lake Valley? Today we travel the last leg of the Pioneer Trail. On our way to Martin’s Cove we will see more of the Mormon Trail when we pass Devil’s Gate and Independence Rock. At Martins Cove we will attend Sacrament Meeting with the Missionaries serving in the area and then reflect on the unforgettable events that occurred there. It was here where the Martin & Willie Handcart Companies were stuck in the early snow storms of 1847. Following this sobering experience we will continue to follow the trail until we eventually reach Immigration Canyon and enter the Salt Lake Valley! Our Tour concludes at the “This is the Place” monument. We should arrive around 6pm.  

 

TOUR COST AND DETAILS

COST PER PERSON:

Double Occupancy: $2885

Single Occupancy: $3635

DEPOSIT REQUIRED: $500 per person.

ROOMMATES: Single people may sign up for accommodations on a share basis and will be assigned roommates as circumstances permit.  If a roommate is unavailable, the participant will be notified of the adjusted price prior to departure.

CANCELLATION FEES: A $25 fee will be charged by Anderson Tours, LLC for all cancellations until 60 days prior to departure, at which time the fee will be $100.  In addition, all cancellation charges imposed by airlines, hotels, vendors, operators, etc., will be passed on to the participant.

TOUR INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:

  • First-class, top quality tour with experienced tour directors
  • Private, deluxe air-conditioned motor coach
  • Hotel Accommodations
  • Two meals daily (breakfast and lunch or dinner) as indicated in the detailed itinerary.
  • All admission fees to sites specified in the itinerary (group tours only)
  • Anderson Tours flight bag, t-shirt, visor or hat

AIRFARE

Because our tour participants are coming on to the tour from different states and even countries, we do not include the price of the airfare. We are more than happy to help you arrange for your flights but the price is not reflected in the price of the tour. If you are arranging your flights we need everyone at the BWI Baltimore airport on July 5th by 10am. At the end of the tour we will arrive and finish our tour in Salt Lake City around 6pm. The bus driver will be available to take those that need a ride to the airport. Please do not book flights that depart before 8pm, July 19th.

 

REGISTRATION, DEPOSIT, PAYMENT, AND CANCELLATION:
Early reservations are strongly recommended, and a deposit of $500 per person is required at the time of booking, with the remaining balance due 60 days prior to departure.  Applications received after this date should include full payment.  Any payments made after this date should also include also include full payment.  Any payments made 30 days prior to departure must be in the form of a money order.  Checks should be made payable to Anderson Tours.  All cancellation penalties are the responsibility of the participant.

Please send check payment and names of participants to:

Anderson Tours LLC
3155 S. Hidden Valley Dr. #302
St. George, UT  84790

ITEMS NOT INCLUDED IN TOUR PRICE:
Airfare travel to BWI Baltimore Airport, and departure home from tour from SLC Salt Lake City International Airport. Items of a personal nature, such as souvenirs; excess baggage or portage charges; personal, trip, or baggage insurance; room service; laundry; phone charges; food or beverages not part of the group menu; tips; gratuities for special services; expenses incurred on personal activities not included where group participation is not specified in the itinerary.

 


Ron Anderson

July 25, 2009 in TOUR DIRECTORS | Comments (0)

Tags:

Ron Anderson has a Ph.D. in Middle Eastern Studies/Biblical Hebrew from the University of Utah. He has Bachelors and Masters degrees from Brigham Young University as well. His Masters degree is in Ancient Near Eastern Studies. He has taught in the Church Educational System for 24 years, including two years at BYU and Utah Valley State College. He is currently teaching at BYU Idaho as a member of the Religion faculty. Ron has had many rare and unique teaching opportunities during his career, including spending the summer term of 1998 as an Instructor at the BYU Jerusalem Center in Israel.

Ron has extensive knowledge and experience in touring and travel. He has directed several Church History/American Heritage Tours with BYU Travel Study and has spent considerable time researching the Mormon Trail.

Ron has also had the opportunity to direct many tours to Israel, Sinai, and Egypt. He has done so with BYU Travel Study, BYU Semester Abroad Program, Shalom Tours, and Murdock Travel. In 1995 Ron, his wife Jill, and their five children had the opportunity to live in Israel for a year and a half while Ron enrolled in the Ulpan where he studied the Hebrew language extensively. His touring experience combined with his teaching experience is a tremendous resource to us all as we visit and discover these rich sites together.


Clark Anderson

in TOUR DIRECTORS | Comments (0)

Tags:

Clark served his mission in the Netherlands/Belgium Mission. He received Bachelors and Masters degrees from BYU. He is currently working on a PhD. He has taught in the Church Educational System for 15 years now and is currently the Institute Director at the Laramie Institute. Clark is a speaker and Session Director for the CES Youth & Family Programs at EFY [Especially For Youth]. He and his wife Sheri are the happy parents of six children.

Clark has over twenty years of travel experience and expertise. He has spent the majority of his life traveling to the Holy Land and Church History sites. He has extensive experience in the Holy Land. He has been to Israel on eleven different occasions, including three with BYU Travel Study–one as a student and seven as a Director and host of Shalom Tours and Anderson Tours. Clark spent the summer of 2000 in Israel as a student at an Ulpan learning Hebrew.

Clark has extensive experience with Church History sites and Tours as well. On two occasions Clark has been an ‘Assistant Director’ for the Church History/American Heritage Tours for BYU Travel Study. In the past eight years he has organized and been involved in eleven Church History/American Heritage Tours. The last nine he organized, hosted and directed. On top of teaching and touring experience Clark adds a unique touch of music and fun to the Tour that helps make the experience both personal and memorable.


John Williams

in TOUR DIRECTORS | Comments (0)

Tags:

John served a mission to London England from 1987-89. While there, he participated in the sesquicentennial celebration of the church in the British Isles, spear-headed by his mission president, Wendell Ashton. This experience combined with his service in Britain has given John a unique and profound appreciation for church history in this part of the world. After returning from his mission, John married his lovely wife Ruth who was born and raised in England. They are the parents of six children, including two sets of twins!

John has been teaching in the Church Educational System now for 13 years and is currently an instructor at the Laramie Institute where he is also working on a PhD. He has participated in American church history tours with his family and church and loves visiting these sacred sites. Because of his mission experiences and his visits to England with his family, John wanted to tour the church history sites in Great Britain as well. Consequently, he has planned, organized and directed two tours to this ancestral country so rich in heritage and tradition. His knowledge of the people, culture, language (yes they do speak a wee bit differently!) and church history helps him provide a meaningful and unforgettable tour to this awe-inspiring land.


LDS Church History Tour – Past Tour Photos & Videos

July 24, 2009 in Other | Comments (0)

Tags: , ,


Holy Land Tours – Past Tour Photos & Videos

in Other | Comments (0)

Tags: , ,


Brent Poulsen

in TOUR DIRECTORS | Comments (0)

Tags:

Brent Poulsen was born in Salt Lake City, Utah where he lived until he was 10 years old. He then moved with his family to Highland, Utah. There he attended American Fork High School and graduated in 1986. He served in the England Coventry Mission from 1987-1989. He received Bachelors and Masters Degrees from Brigham Young University in Sociology and Math Education respectively. However, do not expect him to solve any complicated math problems—see Clark Anderson for those! He married Molly Despain in 1991 and they are the parents of six children.

Brent has been employed in the Church Educational System since 1994 and has been and is currently teaching Seminary in Richfield, Utah. He has been involved in organizing and conducting two church history tours to The British Isles over the past several years and enjoys studying and teaching church history. He will be happy to carry your bag and umbrella as he has done for his fellow tour guide Johnny Williams these past several years!


Kristy Dimmick

in TOUR DIRECTORS | Comments (0)

Tags:

Kristy is originally from Simi Valley, CA, but recently purchased a new home in Provo, Utah. Kristy has a Masters Degree from the University of Phoenix in Education and a Bachelors Degree from Brigham Young University in Marriage, Family, Human Development. She is in her seventh year with the Church Educational System teaching seminary and is currently teaching in Orem, Utah.

Kristy’s hobbies and interests include: decorating her new house, reading, cooking, camping, hiking, running, all sports, photography, video editing, teaching, and hanging out with her two favorite people, her best friend Erica and her niece, Vanessa. Kristy loves the youth and traveling! And the youth love traveling with Kristy! She makes every moment fun and memorable. She puts her heart and soul into every trip and strives to make each trip the best trip ever!

Kristy has led youth and families on trips to Europe for 3 summers in a row and has taken a group to Central America as well. She has loved every minute of it and has helped make it possible for hundreds of people to see more of this beautiful world we live in. She is especially thrilled to lead the Patriots and Pioneers trip for a second time this summer!


Erica Brown

in TOUR DIRECTORS | Comments (0)

Tags:

Erica was born and raised in Utah Valley. She attended Snow College, and graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelors degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences and Business. She has a Masters of Education degree from the University of Phoenix, and currently teaches full time seminary in Pleasant Grove, Utah. She served in the Norway, Oslo mission from 1998-2000.

Erica enjoys traveling and has had many opportunities to visit fascinating places around the world. She loves working with the youth of the church, and has recently combined both loves by helping direct tours for the youth to Europe, Central America and the American & Church History sites. She is excited for her second summer with the Patriots and Pioneers tour.

Hiking, camping, running, and laughing with her family and friends are at the top of Erica’s list of hobbies. She’s hilarious (or at least thinks she is) and is fun to have along on any trip! Erica is involved in much of the behind-the-scenes clerical work with Anderson Tours, and she’s grateful to be included as a tour director.