Afternoon: Hotel check-in after 3:00 PM. Program registration between 4:30 - 5:15 PM

Dinner: Dine at the Golden Goose Restaurant, adjacent to the hotel. Rotating nightly entrées to include: grilled fish over rice with vegetables; Chicken Marsala; Baked Ham; meat loaf; eggplant or chicken parmesan; portobello mushrooms, vegetarian selections always available.

Evening: Your Northern Arizona University coordinator will lead Introductions and orientation in the motel meeting room following dinner. Get to know your fellow participants and get prepared for the action packed adventure you are about to embark on.

Lodging: Sedona Super 8 Hotel

Meals Included: Dinner

Montezuma Castle National Monument/ Ride the scenic Verde Canyon Railroad

Note: 1/2 to 1 mile walking on flat surfaces while visiting Montezuma National Monument.

Breakfast: Breakfast at the Golden Goose Restaurant. Full plated breakfast to include multiple options such as bacon/avocado scrambled eggs, spinach/feta scrambled eggs, pancakes, french toast, fresh fruit, yogurt, oatmeal, etc.

Morning: Depart on a field trip to Montezuma Castle National Monument (cliff dwellings). Montezuma Castle is a 5-story, 20-room cliff dwelling nestled in a limestone recess high above the flood plain of Beaver Creek in the Verde Valley. It is one of the best preserved cliff dwellings in North America, constructed 700 years ago by the Sinagua Indians. Enjoy a walk amongst beautiful sycamore trees and spring-fed Beaver Creek, one of only a few perennial streams in Arizona.

Lunch: Stop at Vintages Grille for lunch with a selection of a Burger, Chicken Sandwich or Portabello Sandwich; OR a Lunch Buffet.

Afternoon: Ride the Verde Canyon Railroad! The Verde Canyon Railroad is often referred to as the finest train ride in Arizona and acclaimed as Arizona’s longest-running nature show. The remote wilderness of the Verde Canyon, located west of Sedona and below Jerome, is renowned for its towering red rock pinnacles and clean, green waters. The train rolls past Indian ruins, through a 680-foot man-made tunnel, over old-fashioned trestles and under clear azure skies. This picturesque setting is further enhanced by the variety of indigenous flora and fauna and many migrating waterfowl. Over thirty bald and golden eagles winter in this riparian respite each year. The 40 mile trip travels very slowly (10-15 mph) and mostly near the canyon bottom. Passengers enjoy this four-hour scenic train ride in style aboard renovated passenger coaches and open-air viewing cars pulled by vintage locomotives. Participants have inside seats and access to outdoor observation cars.

Dinner: Dine at the Golden Goose Restaurant, adjacent to the hotel. Rotating nightly entrées to include: grilled fish over rice with vegetables; Chicken Marsala; Baked Ham; meat loaf; eggplant or chicken parmesan; portobello mushrooms, vegetarian selections always available.

Evening: Enjoy "Movies and Magic," a presentation about the film industry and its history in Sedona. Did you know that Elvis Presley made a movie in Sedona? Remember Jeff Chandler as Cochise in Broken Arrow with Jimmy Stewart? Reminisce, laugh, and learn how the movie industry played an important role in the discovery and shaping of Sedona

Lodging: Sedona Super 8 Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: While on the afternoon field trip of Sedona, optional hiking excursion of over one mile on rocky, dirt trail with 200' elevation change.

Breakfast: Breakfast at the Golden Goose Restaurant. Full plated breakfast to include multiple options such as bacon/avocado scrambled eggs, spinach/feta scrambled eggs, pancakes, french toast, fresh fruit, yogurt, oatmeal, etc.

Morning: Learn about the fascinating geology of the Sedona area and the Grand Canyon through a presentation by a geologist. Learn what makes those rocks so darn red and why the Grand Canyon is called "The greatest open book of earth's history".

Lunch: Lunch at the Golden Goose Restaurant. Multiple entrees to choose from including hot and cold sandwiches (vegetarian option daily), 1/2 sandwich and soup, chef or spinach salad, etc.

Afternoon: Our afternoon field trip will take us on a journey to see and visit a few of Sedona's most majestic sights. Visit Airport Mesa for a geographic overview of the region, Travel through Oak Creek Canyon and see other scenic vistas in and around Sedona; Enjoy either an optional visit to the Mexican inspired galleries at Tlaquepaque or to Uptown Sedona; OR a short hike in Sedona's red rock country. Discover why Sedona is referred to as "the most scenic city in America!"

Dinner: Dinner at the Thai Spices Restaurant. Known for its "Healthy Asian Cuisine" cuisine, the Thai Spices serves up delicious, perfectly flavored rice, noodle and mixed veggie and meat dishes in a friendly atmosphere.

Evening: Free Evening: rest up for tomorrow's big day.

Lodging: Sedona Super 8 Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Depart Sedona/Oak Creek Canyon/Lunch on Canyon Rim/Grand Canyon N.P. South Rim

Note: Several short walks to Grand Canyon viewpoints and along the rim. Optional longer walks if you choose to view sunset or go to the NPS evening program.

Breakfast: Breakfast at the Golden Goose Restaurant. Full plated breakfast to include multiple options such as bacon/avocado scrambled eggs, spinach/feta scrambled eggs, pancakes, french toast, fresh fruit, yogurt, oatmeal, etc.

Morning: After early breakfast, learn about famous Oak Creek Canyon as you travel Hwy 89A, one of Arizona's most scenic highways, and up the famous switchbacks on a coach trip to the Grand Canyon's South Rim. En route, visit the southwestern corner of the Navajo Reservation and Cameron, site of the Cameron Trading Post. Stop at Desert View with its expansive view of the eastern Grand Canyon; and the Watchtower, designed by renowned architect Mary Jane Colter. A naturalist will accompany you on your journey, revealing the Grand Canyon's unique geologic, biologic and historic features while you have the opportunity to visit the Canyon's rim.

Lunch: Enjoy your sack lunch of a sandwich, chips, fruit and cookie while devouring incomparable views of Grand Canyon!

Afternoon: After lunch, you'll stop at a few more amazing view points, have the opportunity to walk along the rim, and visit Grand Canyon Village. Keep your eyes out for the endangered California condor soaring overhead as you gaze into the Canyon's depths below. Afternoon check-in to your south rim Grand Canyon Lodge. Option to ride the park's shuttle to a view point to view a Grand Canyon Sunset.

Dinner: Dinner in the Canyon Cafe at Grand Canyon National Park. The offerings in this cafeteria-style eatery range from salads to tacos, grilled fish, pasta dishes, and a phyllo-topped chicken pot pie. The dessert selection is plentiful, and includes cakes, pies, a serve-yourself ice cream machine, and fresh fruit and yogurt.

Evening: Option to watch a National Park Ranger evening program.

Lodging: Grand Canyon South Rim Lodges

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Options for more hiking on free time, but can keep it to less a 1/2 mile if that is your preference.

Breakfast: The Canyon Cafe offers a full breakfast, cafeteria-style, with traditional choices such as bacon & eggs, pancakes, toast, potatoes, and fruit, as well as cereal, pastries, and a Mexican breakfast burrito.

Morning: Before breakfast, option to ride the park's shuttle to a view point to view a Grand Canyon Sunrise. After breakfast, we will check out of our hotel and load our vehicles with luggage. Then, spend the morning exploring historic Grand Canyon Village, or, walking rim trails to viewpoints, or walk part way into the canyon on the famous Bright Angel trail. Your trip leaders will lay out the options for your choosing after the vehicles have been loaded. Options will include both guided exploration or opportunities to strike out on your own for self discovery time.

Lunch: Lunch in the Maswik or Yavapai Cafe includes a wide selection of lunchtime favorites, such as burgers & fries, fresh salads, sandwiches, several hot entrees, and more.

Afternoon: Depart the Grand Canyon National Park for Peach Springs and the Hualapai Nation. Enroute, stop at a classic location of Route 66 nostalgia, Seligman, with its focus on American road touring in the 1950's. After Seligman, check into our hotel by 4:30 PM. The Hualapai Lodge is a modern tribal run lodge offering comfortable accommodations and access to the more remote and wild western end of the Grand Canyon.

Dinner: Dinner at the Hualapai Lodge restaurant will be served buffet style with salad and a different entree each night. Vegetarian options will be available.

Evening: Evening program on Hualapai Indian culture and traditions presented by Sylvia Jackson. Sylvia grew up with her Hualapai grandparents who influenced and fostered her love of her Hualapai culture and traditions. She enjoys sharing her firsthand experiences, knowledge of stories — such as the Creation Story of the Hualapai Tribe — and traditional dances with learners of all ages.

Lodging: Hualapai Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Peach Springs Canyon to Bottom of Grand Canyon/Picnic Lunch Riverside in the Canyon/View Diamond Creek Rapid/Evening Program

Note: 20 mile bumpy gravel road to bottom of Grand Canyon. Optional 3/4 mile walk to Colorado River

Breakfast: Breakfast at the Hualapai Lodge restaurant. Meals are served buffet style and include typical entree selections such as scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, oatmeal, cereals, muffins, yogurt, etc

Morning: Depart after breakfast for a field trip down Peach Springs Canyon on the Diamond Creek Road to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River. Stops will be made along the way at various points of interest. This is a true "Journey to the Center of the Earth" as the walls of the Grand Canyon rise higher and higher as you drive towards the Colorado River. Pass through hundreds of millions of years of geologic history culminating in the arrival to the 1.8 billion year old rock of the Granite Gorge. A 3/4-mile walk along Diamond Creek to the river will be offered.

Lunch: Picnic lunch at the Colorado River in the bottom of Grand Canyon.

Afternoon: Field trip continues in the bottom of the Grand Canyon after lunch. View Diamond Creek Rapids, look for desert bighorn sheep, and watch for river runners along the shores of the Colorado River. Interesting history, facts and management issues regarding the Colorado River will be shared with the group on the beach. Return in late afternoon to the lodge.

Dinner: Dinner in Grand Canyon Caverns Inn restaurant is served buffet-style and includes a salad bar, several entree choices, and dessert.

Evening: Evening program on the history of ranching in northern Arizona. This highly informative and entertaining talk will be presented by Karin Landis. Karen's front door has opened up onto Route 66 for the past 38 years and she has been actively ranching for 25 years. Karen's independent spirit and ropin' and ridin' skills have opened a new world to Road Scholar adventurers year after year.

Lodging: Hualapai Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast in the Grand Canyon Caverns Inn restaurant is a buffet with something for everyone. Choices include fruit, yogurt, and granola, eggs and breakfast meats, and selection of cereals, including oatmeal.

Morning: Farewells. Departures after breakfast. Road Scholar van will return to Sedona for no charge. Sedona arrival by 11:45 AM for connection with commercial van to Phoenix airport departing on their schedule. Travel time to Phoenix appx. 2.5 hours; airport arrival appx 2:30- 3:00 PM. Van Go (commercial) Shuttle meets the Road Scholar van half way for express return to Phoenix Sky Harbor - arrives at Phoenix airport by noon.

Meals Included: Breakfast