The Gospel Road

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AN INCREDIBLE INSPIRATIONAL JOURNEY

Includes TWO EXTRA DAYS this Year!!

Day 1 – Home to Le Roy, IL

This is primarily a travel day today, striving to get as many miles under our belt as we can so we can begin our Gospel Adventure tomorrow. The journey will be very pleasing as we travel through the fall colors of beautiful Wisconsin and into northern Illinois to the small village of Le Roy. We enjoy a welcome dinner tonight at ‘Woody’s 50’s Diner’ with a nostalgic atmosphere.

Included Meals: Dinner 

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express 

Day 2 – Le Roy to Anderson, IN

Today we make our way to Anderson, the home of Anderson University, proudly claimed by owner Ralph Engel (R&J) as his alma mater. Other distinguished alumni include Sandi Patty, Steven Curtis Chapman, Bill & Gloria Gaither, Doug Oldham, Steve Green and former Dodger’s pitcher Carl Erskine. After lunch on own in Anderson, we head to join the Fall Gaither Fest on the grounds of Gaither Resources a few miles away. This afternoon we are warmly welcomed & are fortunate to have an inside tour of the headquarters of Gaither Music. Well-known Bill & Gloria Gaither have been named Christian Songwriters of the Century and we will have a fascinating guided tour of Alexandria, Bill & Gloria’s hometown, complete with stories of Bill’s boyhood days. We return to the grounds to enjoy ‘Break-Out’ Concerts in the studio or theatre as well as begin to experience our ‘Gold Package’ events. We will enjoy an included dinner at the Center. The featured Gospel Concert will be held at the Madison Park Church in Anderson. This unforgettable evening will be headlined by the Gaither Vocal Band, plus other gospel artists. We sleep well-blessed on our two nights Hampton Inn stay.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Hotel: Hampton Inn (2 Nights) 

Day 3 – Anderson

We enjoy a great hot breakfast before returning to the Gaither Fest for a full day celebrating Gospel Music during this harvest season. There are over 70 vendors with crafts & gospel music on the grounds. ‘Break-Out’ Concerts begin at 9:00 AM with time in-between to explore the amazing gift shop with the largest collection of gospel music CDs & DVDs you’ve ever seen. R&J has arranged for us to have Brunch in the comfortable warehouse where we will be joined by Bill & Gloria in a question & answer opportunity. This afternoon, another extraordinary ‘second’ concert featuring The Gaither Vocal Band plus other gospel artists perform at the Madison Park Church of God in Anderson. After the concert, we return to our hotel with nearby dinner choices on your own.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Brunch 

Day 4 – Anderson to Dry Ridge, KY

Following breakfast we go back to Anderson University and the Warner Sallman Collection of original images of Christ including: “Head of Christ;” “Praying in Gethsemane;” “The Lord is my Shepherd;” “Christ at Hearts Door” among many others. A special blessing to be in the presence of these familiar, beloved paintings. We are back on the road again for a couple of hours, making our way to the famous Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky. Prepare to believe! This incredible 70,000 sq ft facility brings the pages of the Bible to life. You will be on your own for lunch at the museum’s very own Noah’s Café. We will have ample time to explore this one-of-a-kind faith experience. One never fails by going to a Bob Evans, so we enjoy an included dinner together there this evening.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Hotel: Hampton Inn 

Day 5 – Dry Ridge to London, KY

We are off first thing this morning for a very adventuresome day. The Ark Encounter is a new project of The Creation Museum. Located near Williamstown, Kentucky, “Encounter” is the fitting name for this incredible experience. A recreation of Noah’s Ark, it is almost one and a half football fields long and taller than a 4 story building. Be prepared to be blown away by this reconstruction of the Ark to its exact size and detail according to the Bible. We have dedicated over five hours for you to carefully explore what is now a world destination. (Reservations are required almost a year in advance!) Your faith will be reinforced! Lunch will be on your own at restaurants right at the location. Leaving The Ark we travel across the pastoral rolling hills of Kentucky famously known as “horse country,” to London, KY, our resting place for the night. Dinner is again included this evening at Golden Corral, with great choices to please all tastes.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express 

Day 6 – London to Pigeon Forge, TN

Enjoy a great hot breakfast at our hotel before heading off to our wonderful “packed full of events” day. What an amazingly gorgeous drive through the Appalachian Mountains! We enjoy a delicious included lunch at the unique Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant in Sevierville, Tennessee. Then it’s on to Pigeon Forge where we are part of the National Quartet Convention (NQC) at the wonderful LeConte Center, located on the banks of the Little Pigeon River. The NQC was started in 1957, founded by JD Sumner and James Blackwood of the Blackwood Brothers. The Convention features American Gospel Quartets and Southern Gospel artists that perform non-stop concerts at the Center. Tonight we will enjoy our beautiful rooms at The Music Road Resort Inn.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Hotel: Music Road Inn 

Day 7 – Pigeon Forge to Charlotte, NC

After breakfast we journey across eastern Tennessee, through the Great Smoky Mountains, to the famous Billy Graham Library in Charlotte…what is in store for us today can only be imagined! Before our tour, included lunch is provided right in the Library at the Graham Bros. Dairy Bar. Now for what will likely be the highlight of the trip, The Billy Graham Library and Museum. The Billy Graham Library tops the all time high for spiritual blessings! Retrace Billy Graham’s dynamic journey through stunning multi media presentations, interactive kiosks, photos and memorabilia all done with state-of-the-art technology. When you are finished, you will absolutely realize it’s not about the man “Billy Graham” but about his “God fearing dedication to his Lord & Savior.” Included on the site is Billy’s boyhood home and Ruth’s (his dear wife) gravesite. People, by the tens of thousands, have been making pilgrimages from all over the world to witness this presentation of the Ministry of Billy Graham, his wife Ruth, and his team and associates. For many, this is a life altering experience. You will truly love the rich heritage and deep spiritual impact of this “God Spot.” Our hotel this evening is at a fully renovated Hampton Inn. Dinner, on your own, is close by at a Cracker Barrel.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Hotel: Hampton Inn 

Day 8 – Charlotte to Washington D.C.

Our Gospel Road journey takes us northward to Arlington, VA where we spend two nights at the Sheraton, Pentagon City just blocks from Washington DC. There will be singing, sharing, videos, and probably games to take us through the eastern historical highways of the USA to our lovely hotel property. There will be breaks during the day and we will find places near our hotel for an evening meal on your own.

Included Meals: Breakfast 

Hotel: Sheraton Pentagon City (2 Nights) 

Day 9 – Washington D.C.

Today is devoted to the brand-new ‘Museum of the Bible’ and touring Washington DC. This unique museum tells the story of the Bible and was actually founded in 2009 and opened to the public in November 2017. The museum is eight floors with amazing features: from the 40 ft. tall bronze doors at the entrance, to a roof-top garden, to one of the largest assemblies of Biblical artifacts. We explore the history and impact of the Bible through amazing technology. After grabbing a bite of lunch at the museum, we board the motorcoach to pick up our expert Washington DC step-on guide for a four hour ‘look’ at the famous sites of D.C. We end at the famous Union Station for time to explore and have dinner on your own before returning to our hotel.

Included Meals: Breakfast 

Day 10 – Washington D.C. to Lancaster, PA

Today the Gospel Road takes us to Lancaster, PA. We enjoy an included lunch at Miller’s Restaurant before attending the powerful production of “Jesus” at the Sight & Sound Theatre at Ronks, PA. Later, we will share a meal at Plain & Fancy Restaurant in Bird-in-Hand, PA. This night we check into the Comfort Suites Amish Country for a good night’s rest.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Hotel: Comfort Suites Amish Country

Day 11 – Lancaster to Bird-in-Hand, PA

We experience a leisurely day with a morning option to attend a church service. Lunch is at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, followed by a hilarious stage production of “Sister Act,” an award-winning musical billed as ‘Divinely Jubilant,’ that has played in theatres for many years. Our resting spot is the Amish View Inn in Bird-in-Hand, with dinner & evening on your own.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Hotel: Amish View Inn 

Day 12 – Bird-in-Hand to Sugar Creek, OH

The motorcoach travels westward today. We see some beautiful country over the majestic Appalachians and rolling hills to Sugar Creek, OH. Our hotel property reveals outstanding Dutchman hospitality, overlooking the farmland of Amish country from our balcony or porch view.

Included Meals: Breakfast 

Hotel: Carlisle Inn (2 Nights) 

Day 13 – Sugar Creek

After a satisfying Amish-style breakfast, we take a step-back with a full time of leisure this morning. We will walk across the grounds to the Ohio Star Theatre for a 1:00 PM performance of the new musical, “Stolen,” based on the Amish book. It is a unique mystery full of intrigue & humor, which is sure to captivate us. This evening we enjoy a fantastic Amish meal at the Dutch Valley Restaurant, experience Amish hospitality and service right on the hotel property.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 14 – Sugar Creek to Elgin, IL

Another great Amish breakfast satisfies as we conclude our stay. Boarding the motorcoach to travel to St. John, Indiana, the home of The Shrine of Christ’s Passion. The Shrine is a multi-media interactive, half-mile winding trail that depicts the last days of Jesus’ life. Forty life-sized bronze sculptures in a tranquil setting, complete with beautiful music and amazingly sculptured gardens, allow visitors to experience the story of the crucifixion and resurrection as never before. Dinner is served early at Teibel’s Restaurant in Schereville, IN. It is a family-owned restaurant, serving homestyle fish & chicken plates since 1929. After dinner, we make our way to Elgin, IL for our last overnight.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Hotel: Hampton Inn

Day 15 – Elgin to Home

We finish the last leg home today. There will be reminiscing our Gospel Road memories all the way back!

Included Meals: Breakfast