Chapel of the Cross
We’re glad you are interested in the 2013
MLC Alumni Tour to the beautiful
Southwest region of our country. The MLC
Alumni Association is proud to sponsor
the tour and is committed to providing
affordable, enjoyable, and educational
tours for alumni and WELS members.
Roger Sievert has twice
traveled with the group.
California Sea Lions
You’ll be in close quarters with some
wonderful folks for nearly two weeks.
Together, we’ll grow in our knowledge of
the world God created, our appreciation for
the grace and goodness He’s shown us in
His Son, and our love for the faith family
He’s provided. Daily devotions, inclusion
of local WELS pastors, and ample
opportunities to share encouragement are
key elements of this tour.
Vicar Chris Ewings shares a
devotion at Arlington Cemetery
We’re blessed to have MLC Geography
professor Earl Heidtke as our guide. As
such, he’ll provide expert insight into
the various places we visit and give
you opportunity to reflect on what
you’ve seen. Steve Balza will once
again serve as tour manager with the
goal of ensuring your safety, comfort,
and enjoyment.
Prof. Earl Heidtke
Sun Country MSP-SAN
Steve Balza
San Diego International
All Aboard America Coach
Southwest PHX-MSP
We’re happy to offer round-trip air
from Minneapolis for just $350.
Those who wish can provide their
own transportation to our San
Diego start point and from our
Phoenix return location. Comfort
is king with All Aboard America,
one of the Southwest’s premier
motor-coach providers. Complete
with on-board restroom, portable
microphone, DVD player, reclining
seats, and reading lights, you’ll
travel in safety and in style.
Destination – San Diego
June 10-12
Hotel del Coronado
We’ll spend 2.5 days touring “America’s Finest
City”. With a year-round moderate climate,
gorgeous coastal and mountain scenery, 18th
century Spanish settlement history, a massive
military presence, and major attractions, it’s easy
to see how San Diego gets its nickname.
Significant sites on our itinerary include:
* Coronado Bridge
* Hotel del Coronado
* USS Midway Museum * Old Town
* Point Loma (Cabrillo Monument, Ft Rosecrans)
* La Jolla / Mt Soledad * Torrey Pines
* Balboa Park
* San Diego Zoo
* Petco Park
* Seaport Village
Mt. Soledad
San Diego Zoo
USS Midway Museum
Coronado Bridge
Point Loma Lighthouse
Destination – Solvang
June 13-14
El Matador Beach
From San Diego, we’ll head up the Pacific coast
making visits to various sites along the route
before arriving at the lovely Danish village of
Solvang. After a quiet night, we’ll enjoy a
leisurely morning before heading down to the
“City of Angels”. Planned stops include:
* Santa Monica Pier
* Getty Villa
* Point Dume
* Santa Barbara
* Solvang
* Mission Santa Ines
* Rideau Vineyard
* Quicksilver Ranch
* El Matador Beach
* Getty Center
Quicksilver Ranch
Mission Santa Ines
Rideau Vineyard
Getty Villa
Destination – Los Angeles
June 15-16
Walk of Fame
We’re fortunate to have local step-on guides
joining us in both San Diego and Los Angeles.
Our LA guide will lead us through the “2nd
City” highlighting the following destinations:
* Downtown
* Griffith Observatory
* Hollywood Sign View * Grauman’s Theatre
* Walk of Fame
* Farmer’s Market
* Beverly Hills
* Venice Canals
In addition, we’ll enjoy worshipping with our
WELS family before we head out for Las Vegas.
Griffith Park & Observatory
Downtown – Disney Concert Hall
Grauman Theatre
Hollywood
Beverly Hills
Destination – Las Vegas
June 17-18
Venetian Gondolas
Our time in Vegas will offer travelers the option
to simply relax at our resort (which includes a
fabulous pool, ten+ restaurants, a movie theatre,
bowling alley, and a casino) or run out with the
guides to visit local attractions such as:
* Hoover Dam
* Mt. Charleston
* Bellagio Fountains
* New York, New York
* The Mirage Volcano * The Venetian Gondolas
* Fremont Street
* Paris Hotel
Some may choose to take in a show or use the
resort’s free shuttle to explore on their own. All
will enjoy one trip down “the strip” to see the
lights and sights of America’s brightest street.
Mirage Volcano
New York Hotel
Paris Hotel
Hoover Dam
Mt. Charleston
Destination – Arizona Grandeur
June 19-21
Our final days will be spent marveling at the
beautiful canyons and rock formations God
has formed for us in Arizona.
* Sunset Crater Volcano * Grand Canyon
* Oak Creek Canyon
* Sedona Airport Mesa
* Cathedral Rock
* Chapel of the Cross
* Montezuma’s Castle * The Fountain
Our final night will be a relaxing evening in
Scottsdale. An optional morning run-out tour
of some Phoenix area highlights will be offered
before our afternoon return flight.
Fountain Hills
Cathedral Rock, Sedona
Sunset Crater Volcano
Grand Canyon Sunset
Montezuma’s Castle
We’ll be staying in nice, high-quality
2-3 star hotels that receive excellent
consumer ratings and offer value,
safety, convenience, and comfortable
accommodation. Breakfast is also
included for nine of eleven nights.
San Diego, CA
June 10, 11, 12 –
Kings Inn, San Diego
June 13 –
Svendsgaard Lodge, Solvang
June 14, 15 –
Comfort Inn, Hawthorne/LA
June 16, 17 –
The Orleans, Las Vegas
June 18, 19 –
Days Hotel, Flagstaff
June 20 –
Hospitality Suites, Scottsdale
Click on the hotel name to see
more info and read reviews.
Solvang, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Las Vegas, NV
Scottsdale, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
Costs, Deposit, and Payment Information
Space is limited and the tour is expected to sell out. Rates are
based on occupancy (single means one person in a room,
double is two, etc.) Those electing triple or quad occupancy
must identify their roommates upon registration. Those
traveling as a single but interested in having a same gender
roommate assigned to them may indicate that on the
registration form. Prices include all admission fees, guide fees,
gratuities, hotels, daily motor coach transport, and taxes. Nine
breakfasts are also provided. “With flight” includes non-stop
air from Minneapolis to San Diego and back from Phoenix. It
also includes up to two checked bags and a Park ‘n Ride service
from a Twin Cities area WELS church.
Regular Rates (Feb 1 or later)
With Flight
No Flight
Single $1700
$1350
Double $1300
$950
Triple $1225
$875
Quad
$1150
$800
Early birds who register
prior to Feb 1 receive $25 off!
A $200/person deposit is due at
time of registration. The fee is
refundable until Feb 15. Final
payment is due Mar 15. Contact
Steve Balza at 507-217-1731 or
alumni@mlc-wels.edu if you have
questions or click here to register.
2013 MLC Alumni Tour Registration Form
Instructions. Please fill out one copy of this form for each attendee. Since
many of you will be flying with us, we need to collect personal information
such as your full name, gender, and date of birth exactly as it is found on your
photo identification. Only your name, city, and state will be shared with fellow
travelers unless you elect to provide additional information.
Contact Info (please fill in as found on your photo identification)
Title: ____ First: __________ Middle: _________ Last: ___________
Mailing Address : _________________________________________
City: ________________________ State: ________ Zip: __________
Cell Phone: __________________ Other Phone: _________________
Email Address: _____________________________________________
Date of Birth (mm/dd/yy): ______________ Gender: ____________
MLC Affiliation (please check all that apply)
___ Alumni (MLC, DMLC, NWC) ___ WELS Member
___ Current MLC student
___ OWLS Member
___ Other: _________________________
Flight Preference (please check Yes or No)
Will you be joining us on the group flights from Minneapolis to San
Diego on June 10 and Phoenix to Minneapolis on June 21? Non-stop
flight times are subject to change but currently are scheduled for :
June 10…2:45 pm to 4:27 pm June 21...12:00 Noon to 5:05 pm
All times are local. $350 cost includes park & shuttle option in
Minneapolis, two checked bags, and one carry-on for each flight.
___ Yes, book me on the flight. ___ No, I will find my own transportation.
Frequent Flier Information (Optional. If you are a flying with us and
would like mileage credit for our Sun Country or Southwest flights,
please add your frequent flier number below.)
Sun Country __________________ Southwest ____________________
Rooming Preference (please select one)
___ A) Single. I would like my own room. Base cost = $1350.
___ B) Double. I would like to share my room with another traveler
and will name that person in the next question. Base cost = $950.
___ C) Double. I am travelling alone and would like to be assigned a
roommate of the same gender. Base cost = $950.
___ D) Triple. I would like to share my room with two other travelers
and will name them in the next question. Base cost = $875.
___ E) Quad. I would like to share my room with three other travelers
and will name them in the next question. Base cost = $800.
Please list names of other travelers you wish to room with (if applicable).
____________ _____________ ___________
For those selecting option B above, please note whether you prefer one or two
beds in your room. Those selecting C, D, or E will have two beds.
___ We prefer one bed. ___ We prefer two beds. ___ Either is fine.
All room assignments will be non-smoking. Several of the hotels also
have in-room refrigerators and microwaves . If you have special needs
(accessibility, dietary, etc.) that you’d like us to share with the hotels or
restaurants where we stop, please advise below.
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Submit
Please sign, detach, and send this form, along with a $200/person
deposit check made out to MLCAA, to
MLC Alumni Tour
c/o Steve Balza
1995 Luther Court
New Ulm, MN 56073
Once we have received your form, we will contact you to collect
additional information and share further details including optional
activities. None require additional payment but some do require
advance reservation.
Signature: _________________________ Date: ___________________