| Imagine a region where mountains seem to | | | | the mouth of Hellgate Canyon and on the banks |
| touch the sky, where sweeping plains seem to | | | | of the Clark River. While in Missoula, visit |
| reach to the horizon, where clear rivers flow | | | | the hand-carved Carousel for Missoula. |
| over polished rocks, and where an abundance | | | | Crafted by volunteers, it is one of the first |
| of wildlife frolic and play. This region is | | | | fully hand-carved carousels to be built in |
| the Mountain West, USA. And Imagine … | | | | the United States since the Great Depression. |
| a train running through it. | | | | The carousel revolves to the sound of the |
| | | | largest band organ in continuous use in the |
| A restored streamliner train, complete with | | | | United States. |
| refurbished cars from the 1880's, travels on | | | | |
| the original Northern Pacific route. This | | | | The rail portion of the journey concludes the |
| route, completed in 1883, was America's | | | | following afternoon in Livingston, Mont., |
| second transcontinental rail line and is the | | | | located just 50 miles north of Yellowstone |
| most scenic route through the American West. | | | | National Park. In the 1880's, soon after the |
| Operated by Montana Rockies Rail Tours from | | | | railroad arrived, Livingston was the original |
| June to September, the Montana Daylight Train | | | | entrance to Yellowstone. The historic |
| travels through the Rocky Mountains along a | | | | Northern Pacific traindepot has been restored |
| 478-mile route between Sandpoint, Idaho and | | | | to its original grandeur and houses |
| Livingston, Montana. | | | | exhibitions of Western history, railroad |
| | | | history and art of the region. |
| This signature rail tour lasts three days and | | | | |
| two nights. Add to this, scenic, mildly | | | | In Livingston, guests board a comfortable |
| adventurous, and historical extensions by | | | | motorcoach and travel to Gardiner, the new |
| deluxe motorcoach for tour itineraries that | | | | northern entrance to Yellowstone, for the |
| explore the entire region. Spokane, Wash. is | | | | evening. President Theodore Roosevelt visited |
| the gateway for most of the eastbound | | | | Gardiner in 1903 to dedicate the arch made of |
| departures. All guests arrive in Spokane and | | | | basaltic rock, which marks the entrance to |
| spend the night in a comfortable hotel. Early | | | | the "Yellowstone Wonderland." This arch is |
| the next morning, the journey begins by | | | | inscribed with the words "For the Benefit and |
| boarding a motorcoach and traveling 90 miles | | | | Enjoyment of All People." The next three days |
| to Sandpoint Idaho. | | | | are spent discovering Yellowstone National |
| | | | Park and the Grand Tetons National Park. |
| Surrounded by the Selkirk and Cabinet | | | | |
| mountain ranges, Sandpoint is a world-class | | | | Powerful natural forces, including furious |
| ski and summer resort area. Idaho's largest | | | | volcanic explosions, crashing waves, grinding |
| lake, Lake Pend Oreille, lies on one side of | | | | glaciers, shuddering earthquakes, and strong |
| the town and the lazy Pend Oreille River on | | | | winds, created the diverse landscape that |
| the other. Talented artists, actors, and | | | | became Yellowstone National Park in 1872. |
| musicians live in town and offer year-round | | | | Many uncommon sites are contained in the |
| shows and festivals, making Sandpoint Idaho's | | | | 3,472 square miles of Yellowstone. Old |
| largest arts community. Soon the call is | | | | Faithful Geyser is the most famous and the |
| heard, "All Aboard" and the Montana Daylight | | | | most consistent of Yellowstone's 10,000 |
| Train departs Sandpoint. All travel is during | | | | hydrothermal features. It erupts 18- 21 times |
| daylight hours, so nothing is missed along | | | | each day, normally reaching maximum heights |
| the way, beginning with the bald eagles, | | | | averaging 130 feet for about 20 seconds. The |
| which can be seen along the shores of Lake | | | | eruption then ends with a few puffs of steam. |
| Pend Oreille. | | | | Other highlights in Yellowstone include the |
| | | | Norris Geyser Basin and the Mammoth Hot |
| Comfortable hotels are utilized each evening. | | | | Springs area. |
| The first stop is Missoula, Mont., located at | | | | |