Daily Itinerary
Day One, Mon, July 19 - Board our deluxe motorcoach at one of many cities along our route through Minnesota and the upper Midwest. Pickup locales include: Elk River, Aitkin, McGregor, Cromwell, Moose Lake, Pine City, North Branch, Forest Lake, St. Paul/Minneapolis (locations to be based partly by registrations), Madison, WI, Elgin, IL and others as needed. The balance of our day is spent driving to our home in Indiana. As always, we’ll make periodic stops to break up the drive. Night West Bend, Indiana.
Day Two, Tue, July 20 - After breakfast, we’ll have a short drive to Dresden, Ohio, home of the famous Longaberger baskets. We’ll enjoy many activities, shopping, of course, and those who wish will have an opportunity to make their very own Longaberger basket! We’ll enjoy lunch at the Longaberger Homestead before departing for Pennsylvania’s Lancaster County. We’ll arrive in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country near dinner time. We’ll get settled into our home for the next three nights before dinner. For those who wish to go shopping immediately, an Amish Quilt Store is across the street from our country inn! Night Lancaster, Pennsylvania. B.
Day Three, Wed, July 21 - After breakfast at our hotel, we’ll depart for a leisurely tour of Amish Country and a number of the historic and scenic covered bridges that still exist in Lancaster County. A picnic lunch will be enjoyed by the group. During the afternoon, we’ll visit several area quilt shops on our very own Pennsylvania Dutch Quilt Shop Hop. (Don’t worry, we’ll get back in time for dinner!) A visit to the Lancaster Quilt & Textile Museum is scheduled. You’ll be astounded by the colors and patterns of the museum’s collections. The permanent exhibits represent the history and decorative arts of Lancaster County and south-central Pennsylvania from the 18th century to the present. These artworks provide a window through which we get to view quilters from a bygone era. Night Lancaster. B. L.
Day Four, Thur, July 22 - After breakfast, we’ll visit a couple more communities and shops to the west of Lancaster. This area is one that holds incredible historical significance to Americans as the Civil War Battlefield of Gettysburg is found here. We’ll tour the National Park, visiting the museums and exhibits. We’ll return in time to experience one of the hearty traditions of the area—a full fledged smorgasbord complete with regional favorites. Night Lancaster. B, D
Day Five, Fri, July 23 - After breakfast, we’ll depart Lancaster for its neighbor to the north. The “Sweetest Place on Earth!”, Hershey, Pennsylvania. Individuals who wish to register for Friday classes, lectures or workshops should insure their start time is after 12:00 noon. A private tour of Chocolate Town, complete with taste testing and diploma, and Hershey’s Chocolate World are sure to be enjoyed.
Don’t spoil your appetite too much, however. After dinner, you’ll delight in a quilting ‘dessert’ lecture. Imagine a multiple course desert menu from the chocolate capital of the world served as you listen to a quilting program. Hershey’s chocolate, desserts and quilting...what could possibly be more fun?
After our full day of enjoying the many attractions of Hershey, we’ll retire to the Lodge to rest our weary feet in the swimming pool or hot tub! Night at Hershey. B, Dessert Lecture.
Day Six, Sat, July 24 - All day participating in the many events, exhibits, merchants, displays, workshops and tutorials that make up Quilt Odyssey. Being based at Hershey Lodge, you’ll be able to come and go as you like. We will organize an optional afternoon activity for those who would like to enjoy other facets of this fascinating region. Night at Hershey.
Day Seven, Sun, July 25 - One final day in Hershey. An optional morning visit to a couple of local quilt shops is planned. You can join us, take advantage of the free shuttles to Hershey’s Chocolate Town (seconds anyone?!) or enjoy the last day of Quilt Odyssey. Tradition has been to hold a drawing near the end of the day for a significant prize, but you must be present to win. We’ll hang around for the drawing before turning our eyes toward Minnesota. We’ll depart in the late afternoon with a stop for dinner along the way. Night Elkhart, Indiana.
Day Eight, Mon, July 26 - You’ll enjoy an early breakfast before we tour northern Indiana’s famous Quilt Gardens. There is nothing else like them in the entire nation! Inspired by quilt designs and powered by imagination, the Quilt Gardens celebrate the heritage and artistry of Northern Indiana Amish Country. In precise detail, each garden recreates a traditional or contemporary quilt pattern.
The balance of our day is spent on our return to Minnesota with periodic breaks and restroom stops.
While everyone may travel sleepy-eyed, your bags will be filled with your shopping plunder and your memory will be filled with your very own Summertime Treasures!
