| The trail leads first to Fort Laramie, the | | | | |
| best-known milepost on the Oregon Trail. | | | | Kevin Costner's Tatanka ("buffalo" in the |
| Wagon wheel ruts are still visible in nearby | | | | Lakota language), and historic Deadwood. The |
| Guernsey, mute testimony to the thousands of | | | | Black Hills were the sacred Paha Sapa of the |
| emigrants who carried their hopes and | | | | Sioux, the last Native tribe to submit to the |
| ambitions westward over a hundred years ago. | | | | United States government in the late 19th |
| The living history exhibits and interpretive | | | | century. The tribes were completely dependent |
| tour of the fort provide a deeper | | | | on the buffalo for subsistence, and with it's |
| understanding of both the westward expansion | | | | demise came their own. Fortunately, the |
| movement and the Native Americans who staked | | | | buffalo (scientific name: Bison Bison) |
| their lives on preventing it. Tonight enjoy | | | | survived, and are today no longer endangered. |
| an authentic Oregon Trail cookout served in | | | | The Sioux have also recovered and attendees |
| the shadow of one of the trail's most | | | | will learn about their buffalo culture at |
| distinguished landmarks, Chimney Rock. | | | | Tatanka: Story of the Bison near Deadwood. |
| Following dinner participants sing songs | | | | Centerpiece of the attraction is a |
| around the campfire and reflect on the spirit | | | | larger-than-life bronze sculpture featuring |
| of the pioneers who passed this way on their | | | | 14 bison being pursued by 3 Native American |
| westward journey. | | | | riders. An Educational Center depicts the |
| | | | story of bison and man through interactive |
| On the way to the Black Hills, the sacred | | | | exhibits. Visitors will visit authentic tipis |
| Paha Sapa of the Sioux, visit Fort Robinson, | | | | interpreted by a Lakota Native and gain a |
| a strategically located military and Indian | | | | unique snapshot of Indian life as it was |
| agency during the final Indian Wars, where | | | | during the height of the Buffalo Culture |
| Crazy Horse breathed his last. After lunch in | | | | around the year 1840. |
| the "commissary" (your first opportunity to | | | | |
| savor buffalo burgers), explore the fort's | | | | Like all Vanishing Trails Expeditions, the |
| historic points of interest. Next visit the | | | | Old West Trail features living history, |
| outstanding Museum of the Fur Trade which | | | | special speakers and events, authentic meals, |
| explains the importance and influence of this | | | | interpretive centers, historic sites and |
| trade on the area. After settling in to your | | | | other activities specifically related to the |
| home for the next two nights in Rapid City, | | | | theme of the tour. These programs allow |
| attend the awe-inspiring evening lighting | | | | participants to experience first-hand the |
| ceremony at Mount Rushmore, the Shrine of | | | | sites where the pivotal events of the history |
| Democracy. | | | | of the West actually took place. |
| | | | |
| On the second day in Rapid City, visit the | | | | Shebby Lee Tours' Vanishing Trails |
| Stav Kirke, an exact replica of an | | | | Expeditions honoring America's westward |
| 800-year-old church in Borgund, Norway, | | | | expansion movement were introduced in 1993 |
| before entering the Black Hills National | | | | with the Oregon Trail, and have grown to |
| Forest (which encompasses over 1.2 million | | | | include the Lewis & Clark Trail, Teddy |
| acres of western South Dakota). Pay a second | | | | Roosevelt's Dakota, Custer's Trail, Santa Fe |
| visit to Mount Rushmore for daytime photos, | | | | Trail, American Legacy, Nez Perce Trail, |
| and "dine with the Presidents" in the new | | | | Nevada's Living Ghost Towns, Siouxland: the |
| Buffalo Cafeteria. In the afternoon visit | | | | Dakota Conflict, and Bleeding Kansas: Where |
| nearby Crazy Horse Monument, the | | | | the Civil War Began. |
| still-unfinished mountain carving dedicated | | | | |
| to Native Americans, and Custer State Park, | | | | All programs are led by tour directors |
| one of the largest state parks in the | | | | carefully trained not only in the nuts and |
| country, where something special awaits you: | | | | bolts of leading a group tour, but in the |
| an open-air jeep ride through scenic Custer | | | | historical background for every tour. They |
| State Park in search of the buffalo and other | | | | conduct the onboard discussions, provide |
| wildlife that roam free in the Hills. Dinner | | | | necessary information for every stop and |
| tonight is at the State Game Lodge, summer | | | | activity, and are there to augment the |
| White House to two US Presidents - where | | | | primary interpreters and re-enactors who make |
| you'll dine appropriately on buffalo steak! | | | | the subject come alive. |