German American Heritage Center Bus Tour!

The German American Heritage Center is exciteded to announce the resumption of our popular bus trips for members and friends. Our goal is offer a variety of venues to appeal to a wide range of interests and budgets. This year our goal is to reestablish the trips and build interest for future travel. Our planning file is bursting with fascinating options both near and far! We welcome all participants from past tours and are eager to make new touring friends too!

Our first trip is a local one, combining three sites that are close at hand but often unexplored! Sign up today for a triple-header to the Rock Island Arsenal, celebrating its 150^th anniversary this year, the Old Stone Church (German Episcopal Methodist Church) in Muscatine, and ending at the Mississippi River Distilling Company in LeClaire.

Saturday, June 23, 2012 $35.00 Members / $40 Non-members

Bus Itinerary:

9:00 Loading promptly at Kimberly Center for Alternative Ed (Dav. Schools) 1002 West Kimberly, Davenport- Saturday parking permitted

9:15 Depart for Rock Island Arsenal; narrated historical highlights

A VALID PHOTO I.D. IS NECESSARY TO ACCESS THE RI ARSENAL!

10:30 Depart for Muscatine; lunch break along the River with options at Elly’s Tea and Coffee House or your choice; not included in tour price

12:00 Reboard for trip to the Old Stone Church founded in 1851, guided tour

1:30 Reboard for guided tour at Mississippi River Distilling Company in LeClaire, where the equipment and early advice was “made in Germany” - now a flourishing company producing River Baron Vodka, Cody Road Bourbon, and a coffee liquor, all with fervent fans! Stop includes street stroll in LeClaire.

4:30 Estimated arrival back in Davenport

Your tour guide is Pat Steen. Pat owned her own travel company in Davenport for many years, and still works as a step-on guide for RI Arsenal tours. She remains active as a tour organizer for corporate, church, and non-profit groups. We welcome Pat on board with GAHC – please come get to know Pat on this inaugural trip with lots to see close to home.

You may register through this page using Paypal or Call Kelly Lao at 563-322-8844 to reserve your trip by credit card or e-mail Kelly at:Kelly.Lao@gahc.org

Reservations are due by June 12th, 2012!

Travel tips and tidbits: Q and A

How was this trip designed?

We purposely chose close-to-home destinations for this trip, because we know how often people say “we really ought to go see that” but don’t make it happen. We also wanted to offer a trip that was budget-friendly.

Why is the trip not originating at GAHC?

When bus trip participants leave their cars at GAHC on a day we are open, there can be challenges for our limited parking area. We wanted to try an alternative to see if that could be improved.

Are there special instructions for parking at the Kimberly Center?

Yes! The first two rows of parking behind KFC and the Mississippi Mini-Golf are leased parking. CARS PARKED THERE ARE SUBJECT TO TOW. However, the lot is large and there is plenty of space. We have permission from the Davenport School District to use it for our bus trip on this date.

Why is lunch not included?

Lunch at your option allows you to eat what you want, where you want at the price you want. It allows you to bring you own lunch if you want, too! Two restaurants in the area have been alerted to our bus and are eager to serve you in a timely fashion. If you prefer to window shop during lunch time, you are free to do that.

Is there anything different that participants need to know?

Yes! Beginning with trips in 2012 we will have a new cancellation policy. If you decide to cancel after you have made a reservation, you are welcome to have friends take your place, but we will make no refunds. Also, your reservation is effective only upon receipt of your check or credit card information. We will not “hold” a reservation without payment. These policies allow us to keep a valid tally of paid seats to honor our contract with the bus service, and it is the most efficient practice for our limited office staffing. Thanks for your understanding.

These are common policies with other non-profits in the area, including trips sponsored by the Putnam Museum and the Figge. If there are extraordinary circumstances involving a cancellation, members are free to discuss same with the GAHC administration, which reserves the right to make final determination.

Are there other trips in the planning stages?

Yes! Our second offering this calendar year will be a holiday season trip to Chicago to see the play “The Christmas Schooner,” the heartwarming story of a sea captain who risked the treacherous winds of Lake Michigan to bring Christmas trees to German immigrant families in the Chicago region in the 1880’s. Stay tuned!