But the news just got better today: United Airlines announced plans to extend its Chicago-Rapid City service to year-round, after running only seasonally in the past.

Rapid City Regional Airport is one of the fastest-growing airports in the nation, and one of the few that’s growing at all. Rapid City serves western South Dakota and eastern Wyoming as well as large portions of western Nebraska and North Dakota – an area which includes some of the nation’s best vacation playgrounds. Topping the list are the Black Hills, home to Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse mountain carvings, Custer State Park, Badlands National Park, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, and historic Deadwood. The surrounding areas include important Oregon Trail Sites such as Fort Laramie, Scotts Bluff and Chimney Rock, the Little Big Horn Historic Battlefield, Lewis and Clark Trail sites, and Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

The added flights are good news for Black Hills travelers. Increased flight capacity is bound to increase visitation even more, a promising sign in any economy, but with other segments of the economy showing only sluggish growth the Black Hills are bucking the trend.

For travel packages to the Black Hills and western United States contact:

Shebby Lee Tours
Rapid City, SD

800-888-8306

Atlantic Maritimes - Weekly Departures in September 

Get a taste of the Maritimes on this delightful tour of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.   Highlights include Peggy’s Cove, Lunenburg – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hopewell Rocks — Highest Tides in the World, Anne of Green Gables, World Famous Cabot Trail, Whale Watching Boat Tour.   Begins and ends in Halifax, NS.

Wine, Rail & Redwoods – September 19-24, 2010

Experience California’s fabled wine country and unpack just once on this hub-and-spoke program based at the beautiful Doubletree Sonoma Wine Country Resort. Highlights include numerous wine tastings, the spectacular Pacific Coast drive, Culinary Institute demo, tours of the Luther Burbank Home & Gardens, Charles Schultz Museum, Filoli Mansion & Gardens, and of course, the famous Napa Valley Wine Train.

Begins and ends in San Jose.

Majestic Sierra Parks by Train – October 3-9, 2010

This seven-day fall travel suggestion includes a full day on a vintage dome car and features tours of Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Also includes the Monterrey Aquarium, Cannery Row, 17 miles Coastal Drive, Pebble Veach, Carmel, and the John Steinbeck museum. Begins and ends in Los Angeles.

Journey Through Hallowed Ground – October 19-22, 2010

Immerse yourself in the Battle of Gettysburg, the greatest battle of the Civil War, and explore the enduring relevance for the 21st century. Also includes Monocacy National Battlefield, Dobbin House Tavern, National Museum of Civil War Medicine, Gettysburg Museum, David Wills House, Antietam, Sherpherdstown, Harpers Ferry, Red Fox Inn and the Lincoln Cottage. Begins and ends in Washington, DC.

More fall travel suggestions

American Eagle will fly the 50-passenger Embraer ERJ-145 to both Chicago and Dallas.

The expansion into South Dakota is part of American’s “cornerstone” strategy to build up its five major hubs in Los Angeles, Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago, Miami and New York, an American Airlines representative said. The Sioux Falls Airport also welcomed flights to Chicago and Dallas on Tuesday.

For visitors to the Black Hills, this new direct service increases the choices of air service to six airlines.

The increased service will provide more options and hopefully, lower airfares, for people booking on Shebby Lee Tours programs which originate in Rapid City, including this fall’s unique Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup (Sept. 25-30).

During the next five years Shebby Lee Tours is partnering with several top-notch tour operators to offer a variety of learning opportunities for Civil War buffs and casual observers alike. From Bleeding Kansas to Donelson, Shiloh and Vicksburg, Sherman’s March to the Sea, and Virginia Battlefields your hunger for Civil War history will be satisfied! During the multi-year commemoration we will be developing new programs and adding departure dates so check our website often for the latest updates.

All programs include living history re-enactments, lively discussions, special programs and speakers which bring the subject to life. Perfect for Civil War buffs, historical societies and grandparent-grandchild learning vacations.

Two Soldiers and the Gathering Storm - June 18-24, 2010
Join historian John C. Waugh in Washington, DC at the historic Willard Hotel to study the careers of opposing Civil War Generals, George B. McClellan and Stonewall Jackson.

Confederacy Gains A Foothold – October 17-24, 2010
Meet in the first capital of the Confederacy, Montgomery, AL, travel to Mobile, site of the dramatic sea battle and end in New Orleans.

Journey Through Hallowed Ground – October 19-22, 2010
Immerse yourself in the Battle of Gettysburg and tour the surrounding sites which reveal the history of America’s greatest national crisis.

Coming soon:

Bleeding Kansas – Where the Civil War Began
Territorial Kansas was where the Missouri Compromise came unraveled, and the seeds of civil war took root. Meet historians and re-enactors who bring the era to life and deepend you understanding of American History as no textbook can.

Civil War on the Border
Civil War Missouri stood at the crossroads of America. It was the only slave state north of the Mason-Dixon line and plagued by guerrilla violence on its western border. Explore the issues and the battles which took place in the most controversial state in the Union.

Early arrivals in the storied gulch, found it so clogged with dead wood (the remains of perennial cycles of fires and floods) that they were forced to put prospecting on hold until they could clear enough debris for hastily pitched tents or lean-tos. The wild and wooly gold rush town, illegally located on Indian land, sprouted overnight into the largest town in Dakota, and was home to Wild Bill Hickock, Calamity Jane, Poker Alice and scores of lesser names. Prosperity came with consolidation of several area mines into one mega-business owned by the Hearst Corporation of California. The Homestake Mine, located in nearby Lead, operated continuously for 125 years, and was for most of that time the second largest gold mine in the world.

But even before the mine closed (there is still plenty of gold in them thar hills; it’s just more expensive to dig it out of the ground than it can be sold for today) the town was slowly losing its prominence. The establishment of Rapid City Army Air Base in 1941 (now Ellsworth Air Force Base) near the foothills town of Rapid City, started that town on a growth spurt which hasn’t stopped yet, and soon eclipsed Deadwood’s population and status.

The final blow to Deadwood’s pride was the closing of its famous brothels – which even the good church ladies of Deadwood picketed to save – in 1980. With only one claim to fame remaining (Wild Bill Hickock died here) revenues dwindled, the neglected streets became pocked with potholes and the outmigration increased.

But Deadwood’s Old West spirit lives in its intrepid citizens, who put their heads together and decided that the one thing that could save their precious town was gambling. Or rather “legalized gaming”. The terms, “gambling” and “casino” are specifically prohibited on signage in the historic Gulch by law. The story of how Deadwood managed to convince the conservative citizens of South Dakota to actually change the constitution to allow “gaming” in just this one town, could fill a book. A book which hasn’t been written because Deadwood is too busy coping with success.

Deadwood may be an Old West town, but it’s 21st century citizens did not inherit the single-minded gold fever of those early residents. The number one priority after gaming was enacted (with 85% of the profits going toward historic preservation) was to replace all the ancient infrastructure. An example of how long routine maintenance had been postponed was found under Deadwood’s Main Street, where 100+ year-old wooden water pipes were uncovered while replacing the sewer, water, gas, electric and telephone utilities.

The Forbes Magazine honor recognizes not just Deadwood’s beauty (virtually every building in town has been restored) but also for its rich history, the heart of the last great gold rush in America.

To learn more, or to visit Deadwood with an expert:

 Anticipation of your upcoming journey can be half the fun.  In addition to reading the suggested reading list which accompanies many tour programs and checking out your itinerary, follow Shebby Lee’s suggestions on what to pack, how to protect your valuables, and how to maximize your travel experience.

WHAT TO PACK:

• Don’t over pack. Leave room for souvenirs that you plan to take back home. You might want to include an affordable carry-on bag.
• Bring a camera, film, and batteries. Be sure to bring enough photography supplies for your entire trip. If you have a video camera, bring along an extra battery, plus proper recharging equipment.
• Bring a notebook or trip diary and pen.
• Remember sunglasses, tissues, aspirin, toiletries, cosmetics.
• Bring a travel alarm clock, a sewing kit, travel iron and a hair dryer. (Most hotels have ironing facilities and hair dryers in the room.)
• Remember any medications you may need (enough for entire trip and a few additional days) and an extra prescription in original containers. Pack items that may leak in plastic bags. Never pack medications in “checked” baggage.
• Place your business card or extra luggage tag with identification inside your checked bag in case your luggage tag is torn off. 

MONEY:

• Traveler’s Checks have seen their day and many business and even banks no longer accept them. Bring a debit or credit card plus cash. ATM machines can be found in even the most remote areas these days.
• Advise your friends and family of your itinerary. Take a list of phone numbers from home that you may need to contact in case of an emergency.
• Make copies of your passport or ID, travel itinerary and plane tickets and leave them with a friend or relative back home.
• Trip interruption and cancellation insurance is highly recommended and will protect your investment.  Be sure that pre-existing conditions are not excluded.

ON THE TRAIL:

• Travel in comfortable clothing and shoes.  Dressing in layers and having walking shoes is always good planning. Drink plenty of water and juice on the long-haul segments of your trip. Shebby Lee Tours provides refreshments onboard as a part of our service.
• Pack your meds, glasses, umbrella, sweater or jacket – the things you will need during the day – in your carry-on. You will not have access to your large bag between hotels.
• It is safe to leave valuables on the bus during rest stops, venues or attractions. The coach is either locked during such times, or the driver is present to insure security. However, don’t forget your wallet or purse if there is a chance that you may wish to purchase a memento.
• Do not place valuables, including jewelry, cameras, car keys, medicines, etc., in any suitcase or bag that will not be kept with you at your seat.
• Listen carefully to all tour director’s instructions. They may contain information that could be important to enjoying your trip. Write or jot down any information given to you by the tour director about where and when you are going to be picked up.

Now, where do you want to go?  Check out these tour destinations offered by Shebby Lee Tours.

But now that they have found the golden goose, they may just lose it because of poor public relations in their overzealous implementation of add-on fees. Simply raising their rates would have met with much less resistance.

One airline – Spirit – has even gone so far as to claim that it has lowered its regular fees in order to charge for carry-on bags. The brouhaha over this public relations debacle will have far-reaching effects when it becomes generally known that the reason they did this was to save money on taxes. Yes, TAXES. It seems that the federal government (plus any number of other quasi-governmental entities, including airport authorities) charge taxes on tickets but not on baggage handling, food, drink, pillows, bathroom use, and whatever else the airlines can think up. By unbundling these fees, and at least in this one case, by lowering actual flight fees, the airlines are saving enormous amounts of money on taxes.

Airlines currently pay a 7.5-cent tax to the federal government for every dollar they collect in fares, but no tax is imposed on fees collected for so-called “non-essential services”, which the Treasury Department has deemed carry-on bags to be. I for one, think the members of the Treasury Department need to get out more.

At least two bills have been introduced in Congress designed to stop this practice, but neither addresses the real problem. Senator Chuck Schumer’s bill would exempt only the carry-on bag rule, leaving all other add-ons fair game. His largely pollyanna approach relies on pledges from the airlines not to charge fees for carry-on bags because they are a necessity. The other bill, sponsored by six Democratic Senators including Schumer, would tax the fees charged for carry-on bags, thus negating the rationale of the airlines of using these fees to avoid taxes. But again, it only addresses the carry-on bag charges and none of the others.

You’d think the Treasury Department would perk up its ears when it learns how much un-taxed revenue is flowing to the airlines. Until it does, we had better become accustomed to schlepping our own meals, and being nickled and dimed at every step of the air travel process.

But as a travel industry professional, I have done a one-eighty on this subject. I have seen a vacation saved for a passenger who broke an ankle, had surgery, and was able to rejoin the group a few days later, and I have also seen much-anticipated travel experiences ruined because of the lack of insurance. The ongoing volcano eruption in Iceland, which shut down air travel to and within Europe for days, underscored the value of travel insurance for big and little purchases alike. We all saw the news reports showing skies filled with volcanic ash and exhausted passengers stranded in airports around the world.  Many had expended their travel budget already and were unable to afford food or lodging – even it had been available. Nobody wants to risk that nightmare.

So the next step is finding the right insurance company. Ed Perkins of Smarter Travel and the former editor of Consumer Reports Travel Letter, recommends a policy that covers cancellation for any reason, and so do I. Shebby Lee Tours offers Trip Cancellation Insurance for all of our tour departures. Our company, Trip Mate, has a reputation for its superior service and is among the most recognized and well respected organizations in the travel industry. Through our partnership in Travel Alliance Partners, we are able to offer trip interruption and cancellation policies at a reduced rate to our clients and it includes that all-important “cancellation for any reason” clause. Best of all, your investment is protected from the day your tour deposit is received in our office.

Many companies charge more for pre-existing conditions or have fees based on age. Trip Mate has none of that nonsense. Our comprehensive travel insurance includes accident, hospitalization / medical expense, baggage loss or delay, trip delay, medical evacuation, and trip cancellation / interruption coverage.

For more information or to request a copy of Trip Mate’s travel insurance policy, write to Shebby Lee Tours, or call toll free 800-888-8306.

If  this is the one state remaining on your “ bucket list”,  Shebby Lee Tours can take you there.

We offer a variety of North Dakota itineraries including “Teddy Roosevelt’s Dakota”, “East Dakota”, “West Dakota”-  July 22-28, 2010, “American Legacy”, “Custer’s Trail”, and an All-North Dakota itinerary.  As a small, specialized tour company, we don’t run all itineraries every year, so check the departure schedule to see what’s running this year.  

North Dakota’s “legendary” slogan is no idle boast: The fortieth state has been home to Sacagawea, Teddy Roosevelt, George Armstrong Custer, and Lewis and Clark. More recent natives include Lawrence Welk, Roger Maris, Angie Dickinson, Peggy Lee, Eric Sevareid, and Louis L’Amour.

Among North Dakota’s many attractions you’ll find: a replica of the fort that Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery built to brave the cold winter of 1804-05, the site of Sacagawea’s Hidatsa village, Custer’s final posting at Fort Abraham Lincoln, the world’s largest Sons of Norway Lodge (with authentic cuisine and entertainment), plus three genuine white buffalo, Louis L’Amour’s original writing desk & cabin, an authentic Viking sailing ship and Teddy Roosevelt’s old stompin’ grounds in Medora, which has transformed itself into a rousing tribute to the “Bully” president with a one-man show, pitchfork fondue, the outdoor Medora Musical, plus Theodore Roosevelt National Park in the old roughrider’s beloved Badlands. In fact, TR often stated that he would have never become president if it weren’t for his experiences in Dakota prior to his political career.

See for yourself why North Dakota has been such a transformative place for so many people, visitors and residents alike. Book your tour to North Dakota this year!

Research studies condcuted by the Union of Concerned Scientists, DePaul University, and MJ Bradley & Associates all confirm what the American Bus Association has been saying all along: motorcoaches are the greenest way to travel by virtue of drastically lower carbon emissions compared to airlines, trains, and personal automobile. In other words, motorcoaches are the most fuel-efficient and least energy intensive mode of commercial passenger transportation.

I won’t bore you with the statistics, but if you want details, the data is listed at the bottom of this message.

And going green isn’t the only benefit of traveling together:

motorcoach travel provides safety, comfort and convenience in a spacious environment featuring roomy seats, ample leg room, video monitors and onboard lavatory.

• travel with people who have similar interests
• learn about places & cultures
• enjoy the cost-savings of group travel
• minimize uncertainty, and enjoy the pampering of a hosted vacation

Motorcoaches are part of America’s energy solution. Join us in reducing your carbon imprint and enjoy a memorable and deeply refreshing trip. Take a group tour this year.

Need destination ideas? We have hundreds of suggestions:  www.shebbyleetours.com/tour-schedule

• Motorcoaches = 184 passenger mpg
• Single-occupant automobiles = 28 passenger mpg
• Carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by an average of 85% per passenger mile for every person who chooses motorcoach travel over driving alone

 Happy Trails!