WHAT IS THE GRAND TOUR?
The Grand Tour, organized by the Grand Tour.ORGanization is an annual event that features personal watercraft enthusiasts covering 350 miles of Michigan coastline over three days during the 'Leader Dog-days of summer'. The event's net proceeds will once again benefit Leader Dogs for the Blind, a Rochester, Michigan-based non-profit organization that provides mobility and independence to the visually impaired through the use of dog guides.

This unique endurance ride will offer personal watercraft enthusiasts an opportunity to navigate the open waters of the Great Lakes as they travel along Michigan's scenic shoreline. The "Iron Man" inspired water excursion begins in Mackinaw City on the morning of Thursday, August 6th and concludes in Holland the afternoon of Saturday, August 8th. Overnight stops along the designated route include Traverse City and Ludington.

WHO IS LEADER DOGS FOR THE BLIND?
Most people believe in the old adage,  "A man's best friend is his dog".  For the visually impaired, however, Leader Dogs are more than friends; they're partners. LeaderDogs help to provide increased mobility to the legally blind.

Leader Dogs are trained by the non-profit organization, Leader Dogs for the Blind. Based in Rochester, Mich., the school has trained over 13,000 Leader Dogs since it's founding in 1939. Graduating hundreds of dog teams each year, the school strives to minimize the challenges of blindness by providing safe and independent travel. Leader Dogs consistently provides high quality instruction absolutely free of charge to its students and operates entirely on donated funds. No government funds are accepted. The continued success of the Leader Dog program depends on the generosity of contributors and community funding sources around the world.

If you would like more information about the Leader Dog program:

Leader Dogs for the Blind
1039 S. Rochester Rd.
Rochester, MI 48307
Main Number: 248-651-9011
Toll free: 888-777-5332
Fax: 248-651-5812
TTY: 248-651-3713
www.leaderdog.org

Below you will find the documents that will help prepare you for the Grand Tour.   These documents are in Microsoft Word or PDF format.  Send a email request to mlabellesr@gmail.com if you need a different format.

(Note: After you review or print these documents, make sure to hit 'back' on your browser to return to this website!)

2011 Grand Tour Pledge Sheet - Please use this form to identify your sponsors and keep track of your pledges.  Word Format    PDF Format

2011 Registration Form - Once you've decided to join us for an adventure of a lifetime, use this form to provide us with all the information necessary to secure your spot on the Grand Tour.   Word Format    PDF Format

2011 Accommodations  - TBD

The Grand Tour family is sad to inform you of the passing of a friend of the Grand Tour and Leader Dogs, Dan Wait.  Although most of the Grand Tour family never met Dan, he was very involved with the fund raising efforts which took place in Minnesota over the last three years. Dan would help coordinate the meat raffle fund raising events with Jim Long and Lyn Story at the American Legion Post where he was a member.  Our family from Minnesota couldn't have done all they have over the years without Dan's support and involvement.  Dan will certainly be missed by all who knew him.