RCSCW BUS TOURS

Stop by Tours and Scheduling between 8 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays in the R.H. Johnson Rec Center, 19803 R. H. Johnson Blvd. for details on these upcoming trips:

Phoenix Coyotes vs. Anaheim Ducks

Motor coach transportation, a tour guide and the game tickets will be provided for this contest between Pacific Division rivals March 19 in Jobing.com Arena. Cost is $75 per person.

Algodones, Mexico

People are friendly and prices are low in Algodones, a town located near Yuma. On March 21, tourists will stop at a fast food restaurant in Gila Bend in the morning for breakfast or coffee and again on the return trip. The motorcoach parks on the U.S. side of the border for a walk of about 100 yards to cross into Mexico. A valid passport is required. We provide transportation only; no tour guide.

In Algodones, travelers will have four hours to spend bargaining, shopping or enjoying the different culture. There is plenty of room in the coach's luggage bays to bring home purchases. There are several nice restaurants in Algodones for lunch. The motorcross will return to the Valley about 8:30 p.m. Cost is $42 per person.

Historic Resorts

Join us on our Historic Tour on March 25 to the Wigwam Resort, the Royal Palms Resort and San Carlos Hotel.

The Wigwam Resort and Spa was built in 1929 and opened its doors as a guest ranch. A behind-the-scenes tour has been arranged. The Wigwam was a guest ranch owned and operated by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co.. Today it is a renowned resort and spa.

The Royal Palms Resort and Spa, originally built as a winter home by Delos Cooke, is the next stop in the history book. Named for the regal towering trees lining each side of the entry, the Royal Palms Inn opened to guests in the winter of 1948. It became a destination of choice for many travelers from around the world, including celebrities such as Groucho Marx and Helena Rubenstein. Lunch will be at Sweet Tomatoes.

After lunch, the journey continues to the San Carlos Hotel in downtown Phoenix. Once the location of the first school house in Phoenix, it is now a proud member of the Historic Hotels of America. This Italian renaissance style hotel opened in 1928 and was considered state-of-the-art by being the first air-conditioned high-rise hotel in Phoenix with elevators. Throughout the years of 1928 to 1960, this hotel's guest list included Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, Marilyn Monroe, Spencer Tracey, Jean Harlow, Ingrid Bergman and Gary Cooper. Cost is $90 per person.

Kierland Commons & Penske Racing Museum

This trip on March 30 includes a chance to shop the stores at Kierland Commons, celebrate nearly 40 years of the winning Penske Racing tradition and enjoy lunch at McCormick Golf Club. The Penske museum showcases a world-class collection of various racing memorabilia, including 11 of the 13 Indy 500 winning cars, vintage cars and the Team Penske trophies. Lunch at McCormick Golf Club includes homemade soup, salad, fresh bread, dessert, coffee and tea. Cost is $69 per person.

Phoenix Suns vs. Houston Rockets

Motor coach transportation and game tickets will be provided for this Western Conference tussle at American West Arena on April 1. Cost is $99 per person.

Sonoran Desert Museum

The Sonoran Desert Museum has a mission to: "inspire people to live in harmony with the natural world, by fostering love, appreciation and understanding of the Sonoran Desert."

This museum is a world-renowned zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden in one place. The exhibits recreate the natural landscape of the Sonoran Region. On this tour April 3, within the museum grounds, guests will see more than 300 animal species and plants. There are almost two miles of pathways traversing 21 acres of desert. After the tour, lunch will be offered picnic-style outside the museum. Cost is $89 per person.

Desert Botanical Garden

The Desert Botanical Garden, in Papago Park, is a way to experience the beauty of the desert without leaving Phoenix. On this trip scheduled for April 7, the will include a boat ride on Tempe Town Lake.

The Desert Botanical Garden has the world's largest collection of desert flora in an outdoor setting. This is a self-guided tour through the garden trails, which includes an exhibit from Dale Chihuly's "Glass Art." Guests will have a picnic style lunch (included) prior to the boat cruise. Cost is $89 per person.

Victorian Day

Victorian Day Tour April 8 includes a docent tour of the Niels Petersen House, the Rosson House, and High Tea at the historic Teeter House.

The Petersen House Museum is considered the oldest Queen Ann brick residence in the Salt River Valley. The house was built in 1892 and consists of 13 rooms, with study, parlor, dining room, bedroom, bathroom and breezeway. After the tour the bus will head for downtown Tempe where lunch can be purchased at the many restaurants located on Mill Avenue.

The Rosson House, another Victorian home of the 1880s, stands on land that was purchased by a medical practitioner. Tourists will learn who owned the home over the years and the history behind the walls of this grand old home, owned and preserved by the city.

The final stop will at the Teeter House, which is more than 100 years old, in Heritage Square. The Teeter House serves High Tea, enabling guests to sit, relax and enjoy a true afternoon tea complete with assorted finger sandwiches, traditional scones, nuts and a slice of cake. Cost is $90 per person. 

Washington, D.C.

Spring is a beautiful time to see our nation's capital and enjoy the cherry blossoms.

This packed tour April 16-20 includes round-trip airfare and visits to Arlington National Cemetery, Mount Vernon, the White House and the National Cathedral.

Other stops are Georgetown, Fort McHenry, Ford's Theatre and Peterson House and the Newseum.

There will be time for a dinner cruise on the Potomac River and an evening performance at the Kennedy Center of Performing Arts.

Tourists can also visit to the Mall memorials: National World War II, Vietnam Veterans, Korean War, Marine Corps (Iwo Jima statue), Lincoln, Franklin and Jefferson.

The trip includes five days and four night stay at the Marriott. Cost is $1,977 per person double occupancy, and $2,247 per person single occupancy.