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Washington, D.C. HOP

October 14-20, 2010

Hosts: Lon and Carolyn VanOstran #52987

What draws most visitors to Washington, DC, again and again is the vibrant, accessible, and world-class city, from inspiring monuments to monumental arts and culture. Washington, DC: the best of all worlds.  You will love touring this great city. To some, Washington means white marble, verdant lawns, and the colorful, ritualistic pageantry of American politics: the Capitol dome gleaming against an azure sky; limousine processions on Inauguration Day; the mournful, somber, stately changing of the guard at Arlington National Cemetery. What does it mean to you? 

Campground

Escapees has secured full-hookup camping at Cherry Hill RV Park, tours of all the great attractions, meals, and much more for you to enjoy.  If you want to come in early or stay later, you can call Cherry Hill Campground, at 800-801-6449, for reservations and tell them you are with the Escapees.  Enjoy five days in Washington, DC, with fellow Escapees.

Tours

On Friday, get ready for a day of touring Washington, DC, with a personal tour guide to the Capitol Building, the White House/Visitors Center, Vietnam Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Iowa Jima Memorial, Air Force Memorial, Pentagon and the New Pentagon 911 Memorial.  Of course, we can’t stop at all of them, but, depending on how long is spent at each stop, the bus is ours, and we’ll see where we’ll be able to stop.

Saturday, you’ll travel through picturesque country to get to Gettysburg, PA, a town steeped in historic interest.  The day is devoted to a tour of the town and historic battlefield.  The Gettysburg Diorama, one of the largest miniature military dioramas in the United States, gives a narrated history of the battles, accompanied by sound and light effects.  The commentary of the tour guides will help you to understand more clearly than ever before the story of the largest battle ever fought on U.S. soil.  You’ll view Cemetery Ridge, where Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous Gettysburg Address, visit the restored home of George Washington Shriver, and see where Confederate sharpshooters were killed – where Civil War bullets and medical equipment were discovered 133 years later.  Lunch is at General Pickett’s Buffet, and buffet will include:

3 homemade soups

Fresh baked breads

Nachos and cheese sauce

Crisp salad greens

Assorted vegetable toppings

Amish macaroni salad

Dutch potato salad

Creamy coleslaw

Fresh fruits

Puddings and Jello

Homemade meatloaf

Salisbury steak

Veal parmesan

Baked or BBQ chicken

Deep-fried chicken nuggets

Potatoes, pastas, casseroles

Steamed vegetables

Home-baked seasonal pies

Carrot cake

Fudge brownies

Other sweets as season allows

Monday, the sacred ground of Arlington Cemetery awaits.  You’ll board the tour mobile for a narrated tour; you’ll see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and view the unforgettable Changing of the Guard ceremony.  You’ll witness the eternal flame that lights up the Kennedy gravesite.  Then on to Mount Vernon Estates w/lunch at the lovely Mount Vernon Inn.  Lunch is a choice of one of the following, followed by a slice of fresh apple or cherry pie:

1.       Colonial beef or turkey pie

2.       Valley Forge soup and sandwich

3.       Turkey and bacon Caesar salad

4.       Broccoli and Cheddar quiche served with fresh fruit

5.       Vegetarian lasagna

After touring the Mount Vernon Estates, you’ll depart for Old Town Alexandria with its historic 17^th- and 18^th-century homes and Christ Church, which was attended by George Washington.

Tuesday, you’ll spend the morning visiting the Smithsonian Museum.  You’ll take a break in the afternoon before your Spirit of DC dinner cruise.  Dinner will be a buffet with the following choices:

Salad – assorted leafy green, tomatoes, cucumbers, dried cranberries, crispy Chinese noodles, tortilla strips, shredded cheese, croutons, bacon bits with balsamic vinaigrette or ranch dressing and a chef’s selection of salad

Carving Station – roasted rosemary beef and old smokehouse carved ham

Entrées – Chicken fontina, wild alaskan salmon, pasta italiano

Sides – red smashed garlic potatoes, fresh local seasonal vegetables

Dessert – traditional New York-style cheesecake and sweet chocolate mousse truffle

Dog Walking

The RV park also has dog-walking services that you can inquire about by calling Cherry Hill directly at 800-801-6449.

Prices:

Registration includes six nights of full-hookup camping, three dinners, one farewell breakfast, three lunches, private yacht cruise, motor coach transportation to all events, all admissions to the above listed, gratuity for bus drivers, tour guides and included meals, door prizes, souvenir pins,  and HOP hosts.

Schedule Tentative - This HOP involves quite a bit of walking

How to Register

To register, please call the HOP department at 888-757-2582 or 936-237-8873 or e-mail hopinfo@escapees.com.

Minimum registration must be met for each HOP event; otherwise, the event will be subject to cancellation.  Full refunds would be given. The minimum for this event has been met. 

Cancellation Insurance

Cancellation insurance is available through Peterson Travel Services, CM #32.  If you or a family member has a pre-existing condition, it must be purchased within 21 days of your initial payment.  You can get more information about this insurance by calling John or Dorothy Peterson, SKP #81699, of Peterson Travel Services, at 800-737-6435, or e-mail them at dorothy@petersoncruises.com.

Physical Needs for HOP

Escapees Inc. will attempt to provide reasonable accommodations for disabled attendees when it is within our control to do so.  We request that you advise us of any special needs as early as possible so we can make arrangements, if possible.  Many of the HOP events include considerable walking and may not be comfortable for all attendees.

Short-term Evacuation Insurance

Short-term evacuation insurance is now available from SkyMed. For more information on this, you can call 337-263-3030 or e-mail Dick and Marilyn Rogers (SKP #61011) at rogers@skymed.com.

Please view the HOP Cancellation Policy.