Ladew Topiary Gardens were designed and developed by Harvey S. Ladew to provide an array of color, texture and form for each season. Mr. Ladew planned 15 flower gardens, each on a different theme, ranging from a formal Rose Garden and perennial borders, to a Cottage Garden, Water Garden and Berry Garden. The crowning glory of the 22 acres is the topiary -- trees and shrubs trained and trimmed into ornamental shapes. The Garden Club of America called Ladew's garden "the most outstanding garden in America." The historic Manor House was constructed over three centuries and is filled with English antiques and paintings and the Oval Library is included in the book "100 Most Beautiful Rooms in America." We will enjoy lunch in the garden's café before continuing to the Fiore Winery. Here we will discover the flavors of Maryland's Harford County grapes grown to perfection in their La Felicetta Vineyard and bottled with nearly twenty generations of Italian winemaking tradition. In the tasting room you will find many gifts that can be purchased. Meet the staff as we are taken on an informative tour to learn about the wine making process and then taste for ourselves the award winning wines of Fiore along with an array of cheeses to enjoy with our wine. The gardens and arbors invite leisurely strolling amid flower beds or just simply enjoy the breeze on the classical arched portico. We will depart Davis Ford Shopping Center at 7:15 a.m. and Featherstone Shopping Center at 8:00 a.m. We will arrive back at Davis Ford at approximately 7:00 p.m. and Featherstone at 7:45 p.m.

Take Me Out! To the ball game of course! What is summer without a visit to the ballpark to cheer on our local team? In the National League East the Washington Nationals are in fourth place. Who knows how far they will advance by the time we see them in July. Remember, no coolers in the stadium. If you are going to carry in bottled water and a sandwich or snacks, be sure and put them in a tote purse. Our seats will be in the shade in Section 140 overlooking right field and near the restrooms. Bring your grandchildren for a day they will never forget! We will depart the Davis Ford Shopping Center at 10:45 a.m. and the Featherstone Shopping Center at 11:30 a.m. We will arrive back at Davis Ford at approximately 5:00 p.m. and Featherstone at 5:45 p.m. We are making this a special grandparent's day!

Valley Forge National Historical Park is nationally significant as the site of the 1777-78 winter encampment of the Continental Army under General George Washington. Few places evoke the spirit of patriotism and independence, represent individual and collective sacrifice, or demonstrate the resolve, tenacity and determination of the people of the United States to be free as does Valley Forge. The historic landscapes, structures, objects, and archeological and natural resources at Valley Forge are tangible links to one of the most defining events in our nation's history. Here the Continental Army under Washington's leadership emerged as a cohesive and disciplined fighting force. The Valley Forge experience remains a source of inspiration for Americans and the world. The park commemorates the sacrifices and perseverance of the Revolutionary War generation and honors the ability of citizens to pull together and overcome adversity during extraordinary times. As an added bonus our guide will be "Living Biographer" Carl Closs who will provide the narrative thru the words of George Washington describing the events of that winter as we visit the battlefield encampment. We will also enjoy lunch at the General Warren Inne [Choices: House or Caesar Salad; Chicken, Flounder Françoise or Vegetarian Penne Pasta; Cheesecake, Chocolate Cake or Fresh Fruit]. We will depart Davis for Shopping Center at 5:30 a.m. and Featherstone Shopping Center at 6:15 a.m. We will arrive back at Davis Ford at approximately 6:30 p.m. and Featherstone at 7:15 p.m.

In the summer of 1608 John Smith started out on an exploration trip of the Chesapeake Bay. He traveled from Cape Charles and went up the bay to the Potomac River and went up as far as present day Washington D. C. and back down to Jamestown. It was actually two trips for at one point he was very badly hurt by a stingray and had to return to Jamestown to be treated. It was during these two voyages, while looking for fresh water, that he came across a group of islands in the middle of the bay. This group is today what is known as Smiths, Tangier and Watts Islands. Commercial fishing and crabbing for the Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab is physical and demanding, but it is the love for the Chesapeake Bay, its wildlife, and its beauty that makes it worth all the aches and pains the Tangier Island watermen live with each day. The tour includes the luncheon spread put on at Hilda Crockett's Chesapeake House Restaurant served family-style. We also hope you enjoy the buggy tour of the island that is included. We will depart from the western shores of the Chesapeake Bay at Reedville, VA aboard the Chesapeake Breeze for a delightful crossing to and from Tangier Island. We will depart Davis Ford Shopping Center at 5:45 a.m. and Featherstone Shopping Center at 6:15 a.m. We will arrive back at Davis Ford at approximately 7:45 p.m. and Featherstone at 8:00 p.m.

Captain William Powell, a prominent colonial gentleman, received a grant for 550 acres of river frontage on Chippokes Creek in 1619. This is the first record of ownership for this land. Under the ownership of Colonel Henry Bishop in 1646, the plantation was expanded to its present boundaries encompassing 1,403 acres. In 1854, Albert Carroll Jones built the present Chippokes Mansion. The brick mansion overlooking the James River was stuccoed and painted white on the river side to serve as a landmark for passing boating traffic. Chippokes was once the site of one of the few legal distilleries in the Commonwealth. Local legend has it that the mansion survived the Civil War because Albert Jones sold his brandies to both sides during the war. The mansion was restored and donated to the Commonwealth by V.W. Stewart with the hope that the plantation would be made into a park and preserved as a working farm to interpret day-to-day farm life through the centuries. Continuing to the historic town of Smithfield, we will enjoy lunch that is included at the historic Smithfield Inn. What follows is a guided tour of the town with stops at the 1889 "Mansion on Main," home of Smithfield's Victorian era historian, R. S. (Richard Samuel) Thomas and the Historic Saint Luke's Church, circa 1632. It is the surviving original brick Gothic church with original 17th century silver altar fittings, baptismal font and communion table and chairs. It also houses the nation's oldest, intact organ. The last stop before departing for home will be Darden's Country Store where curing hams and smoking 'em is done the old fashioned way by personally salting and staking them until they are just right. We will depart Davis Ford Shopping Center at 6:00 a.m. and Featherstone Shopping Center at 6:45 a.m. We will arrive back at Featherstone at approximately 7:45 p.m. and Davis Ford at 8:30 p.m.

The Lion King is a musical based on the 1994 Disney animated film of the same name with music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice. The musical features actors in animal costumes as well as giant, hollow puppets. This show is a fascinating journey of a lion cub who eventually takes his place as King of the Jungle as he battles great pride, betrayal by a family member and the loss of his father. You will never forget the costuming and the technological marvels. Lunch is included prior to the performance at Sabatino's Italian Restaurant. We will depart the Davis Ford Shopping Center at 8:15 a.m. and the Featherstone Shopping Center at 9:30 a.m. We will arrive back at Davis Ford at approximately 6:00 p.m. and Featherstone at 6:45 p.m.
**Price subsidized by Bluebird Committee

Voted by the Southeast Tourism Society in 2011 as "One of the Top 20 Festivals In The Southeast", LakeFest (as it is known locally) attracted nearly 100,000 visitors in 2010 to view hundreds of attractions including hot air balloons, arts and crafts, live entertainment including music and dancing, great local and ethnic food, and the traditional 'Gathering Of The Boats' and fireworks show! Features include: Antique Auto Show, 20+ Food Vendors, Juried Arts & Crafts Show, Helicopter Rides and Sand Sculptors. We will relax at Cooper's Landing Inn for dinner [Please choose with reservation, Praline Chicken or Beef Medallions with homemade cheesecake or Godiva chocolate fudge brownie with vanilla ice cream]. The home was originally built in 1830 and is surrounded by beautiful grounds and original outbuildings including a working smokehouse. Following the fantastic fireworks' display we will proceed to our overnight lodging an hour away at the Hampton Inn in Gretna, VA. Next day we will enjoy a luncheon cruise on Smith Mountain Lake, lunch at Mariner's Landing and a visit at Poplar Forest, Thomas Jefferson's other home. Tour includes dinner, breakfast and lunch. We will depart the parking lot adjacent to the Manassas Senior Center at 8:15 a.m. and the Ferlazzo Building at 9:00 a.m. We will arrive back at Davis Ford at approximately 6:15 p.m. and Featherstone at approximately 7:00 p.m. Be sure to take a folding chair for the evening.
Single $233 pp;
Double: $185 pp

A feast for those with a sweet tooth and for snack food lovers, this trail of treats leads you through Pennsylvania Dutch Country's quaint towns and villages. Our first stop is the Central Market where produce direct from the Amish garden to you is in abundance. Bring coolers if you are buying summer sausage or other meats. You might want to buy a sandwich or snack to eat aboard the bus as we proceed to the first commercial pretzel factory in the United States, Julius Sturgis Pretzels. We will taste savory samples, take a guided museum tour and learn to twist a pretzel. This is not a factory tour. It is time for something sweet and a tour of the Wilbur Chocolate Candy Museum will do nicely. Here you will enjoy a taste of chocolate history and nostalgia and watch the tasty confections being made in the Candy Kitchen. Of course we will enjoy sampling them as well! It is only a short ride to the Family Cupboard for our included outstanding Amish buffet dinner. We will depart Davis Ford Shopping Center at 6:15 a.m. and Featherstone Shopping Center at 7:00 a.m. We will arrive back at Davis Ford at approximately 9:30 p.m. and Featherstone at 10:15 p.m.

Over 12,000 re-enactors will take the field of battle to bring to life the 150th anniversary of the Battle of First Manassas that officially kicks-off Virginia's sesquicentennial commemoration. It will be held at Pageland farm adjacent to the battlefield. We will have reserved bleacher seats for the event and free time to visit the encampments and the Suttler's Village. Vendors will be plentiful for food and drink. No coolers are permitted. Port-O-Potties will be available. We will also visit the Manassas Battlefield Park Headquarters to see the movie entitled End of Innocence. Various encampments will be in this area also. We will depart Featherstone at 7:15 a.m. and Davis Ford at 8:00 a.m. We will arrive back at Davis Ford at 3:45 p.m. and Featherstone at 4:30 p.m. NOTE: It will be a half-mile walk from the bus to the seating area.

On July 24th enjoy dinner at Concord's Colonial Inn built in 1716 and arrive at the Fairfield Inn by Marriott in Woburn where we will spend four nights. On July 25th visit Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox's, tour the Sam Adams Brewery and drink a little history, go to the top of the Prudential Building and "dare" to go out on the Skywalk, tour Harvard University, have dinner and return to the motel. On July 26th take a complete guided tour of the city of Boston, enjoy a luncheon cruise aboard the Spirit of Boston, shop, explore Faneuil Hall and dine at Quincy Market. On July 27th enjoy a guided tour of Boston's North Shore including Salem and Gloucester, tour the House of Seven Gables and enjoy a New England Lobster dinner with a Storyteller. On July 28th depart for home. A deluxe hot continental breakfast is included each morning. We will depart the parking lot adjacent to the Manassas Senior Center at 6:15 a.m. and the Ferlazzo Building at 7:00 a.m. We will arrive back at Woodbridge at approximately 6:15 p.m. and Manassas at approximately 7:00 p.m.
$802 pp single; Double: $622 pp

Our first stop will be for lunch on your own at the Golden Corral in Winchester featuring their famous all you can eat buffet. Following lunch we will proceed to the Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre for the matinee performance of Oliver. When Oliver, one of the boys in a London workhouse, asks for a second helping of gruel, he finds himself soon "sold" to the undertaker. Running away the next morning, he is picked up by the Artful Dodger and is taken to meet this colorful character's friends. Based on the classic by Charles Dickens, the musical score includes such numbers as "Food, Glorious Food," Where Is Love?" and "As Long as He Needs Me." We will depart the Featherstone Shopping at 10:15 a.m. and the Davis Ford Shopping Center at 11:00 a.m. We will arrive back at Davis Ford at 5:30 p.m. and Featherstone at 6:15 p.m.