Let’s Travel Members Enjoy Historical Tour

Discover Historical Greenbrier tour began in Washington, D.C. The Greenbrier was next on the list of the historical tour followed by time in Richmond and a day at Historical Williamsburg.
The travelers chose to go to Washington one day early to enjoy the Museum of the Bible. The museum did not disappoint. The museum uses state of the art techniques to depict the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament through videos. There is even a first-century Nazareth to experience. An area is also available to watch scenes of Jesus’ ministry from The Chosen in a theater setting.
The history of the Bible in written form is available for viewing including Dead Sea Scrolls and translations that have been made since its first writing. There is an entire floor dedicated to the impact of the Bible on the world.
The official Collette tour began with visits to several of the monuments and memorials. The World War II monument was the first visited, followed by Vietnam, Korea, and Lincoln. As we drove by the Washington Monument, we learned that when it was completed in 1888 it was the tallest structure in the world. It is still the tallest stone structure.
These visits were followed by time spent at the Smithsonian Institute. Each traveler had their choice of what museum/area they visited during the time allowed.
Following a delicious Welcome Dinner at New Heights Restaurant, there was a night tour of the Jefferson Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and a return to the Lincoln Memorial.
The first day of the tour was long and very busy, but all the travelers appreciated the time to visit and pay their respects to each monument and memorial visited.
The group left D.C. the next morning to spend time at the Arlington National Cemetery. A tram carried visitors to the site of John Kennedy’s Eternal Flame. Then, it continued to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Time was spent witnessing the laying of a wreath and the changing of the guards. Each is a solemn and memorable experience. There was also time to visit the once home of Robert E. Lee.
As the group continued on their way to the Greenbrier Resort, they were able to enjoy a ride through the George Washington and Thomas Jefferson National Forest. They also watched the film “Hidden Figures.” The women who worked at NASA during WWII and the Cold War were all from the area in and around White Sulphur Springs.
Once everyone reached The Greenbrier, America’s Resort, there was just enough time to dress for dinner. The Greenbrier has dress codes for breakfast and dinner. The food and service were both wonderful.
After breakfast at the full buffet, including an omelet station, the travelers met at 9:00 for a tour of the historical hotel. This tour was followed by a tour of the Bunker.
In the late 1950s and early 1960s the world felt a threat of nuclear war. The Bunker (a U.S. Government Relocation Facility) was built to house all members of both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives. Fortunately, the Bunker has never been used for its original purpose. The secret of the Bunker was exposed in 1992 when an article appeared in the Washington Post telling the world of the then “best kept secret.”
The first stop after leaving the Greenbrier was a visit to Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson. The bus traveled through the Allegheny Mountains as the outside temperature was 64 degrees. Nice.
A step-on guide introduced us to Richmond, Virginia. Time was spent viewing the capitol and learning some of its history.
Most of the next day was spent in Historical Williamsburg. Travelers had time to visit the Governor’s Mansion, the Capitol, the home of Peyton Randolph, shops, and other historical landmarks.
The Farewell Dinner was in the evening at the Henley on Grace Restaurant.
Time had come to leave Richmond and return to D.C. for flights home. But, before reaching Washington, there were two more stops. First was lunch in Alexandria, then a tour of Mt. Vernon, home of George Washington.
Those enjoying this historical tour were: Ray and Sherry Kent from Tyler; Karen Smith from The Woodlands; Jerri McBay from Fairfield.
Let’s Travel has several more tours on the calendar for 2024. June 30 began Canadian Rockies and Glacier National Park. Landscapes and Lighthouses of Coastal Maine will begin September 14. A tour to Mackinac Island and Niagara Falls begins October 4. The final tour of 2024 is Nashville and the Smoky Mountains Holiday. This tour is Nov. 30 – Dec. 7. It begins in Nashville at the Gaylord Hotel. Gatlinburg, Asheville, and the Biltmore are also on the itinerary. Just imagine all the Christmas lights and decorations a traveler will enjoy on this tour.
2025 finds a Let’s Travel visit to New York City in February. Then in April several travelers will enjoy the Holland and Belgium River Cruise. More 2025 tours will be added to the calendar soon.
For more information about any of these tours contact Jerri McBay at 903-388-2243.