It seems a little late to be writing about getting out of the winter weather but that is exactly what a nice group of us did in March.  For two weeks we explored the island of Oahu while those of you at home were in snow and rain.  We rented two houses on the North Shore of the island, with sand and surf just steps away from the front doors.  This is the windward side of the island and we did have winds but certainly nothing like those of you who stayed home.  We had some rain but, unlike yours, it was warm and left as quickly as it came.

Our days were spent in exploration.  We went to the Dole Pineapple Plantation, Turtle Bay, all the wonderful and exciting surfing beaches (Sunset, Waimea and Pipeline), the Arizona Memorial, Punchbowl Memorial Cemetery, Makaha, the new Disney resort, Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay, Pali Lookout, Boydo-In Temple in the Valley of the Temples, the swap meet at Aloha Stadium, Waikiki Beach and Chinatown, Bellows Air Force Base and many other nooks and crannies.

Food was as varied as the locations we found it in.  Shrimp farms abounded; fresh fruit was sold by the roadside; pineapple ice cream at the Dole Plantation, shave ice from a quaint little store, local food from hole-in-the-wall drive-ins; burgers from Teddy’s Bigger Burgers; fish tacos from just up the street, Mai Tais at the Royal Hawaiian and an abundance of home cooking at our own houses.

Now it is time to think about more local travel.  Summer is just around the corner and with it more day tours. We always have the mystery trips and dinner dates.  Add to those the Museum of Communication. Georgetown Trailer Park Mall, a day at Long Beach and other exciting things as they may come up.  Reservations are being made for Leavenworth to see the summer shows and perhaps even to Ashland if there is enough interest.

A nice group is developing for travel on the largest passenger ship on the seas, ALLURE.  We will depart on Oct. 20 to Ft. Lauderdale and then sail for 7 days in the Caribbean.  Make reservations now to explore Central Park, Boardwalk, a skating rink, carousel, climbing wall, and wave rider pools; enjoy Broadway shows and the aqua theater.  Call now to hold a spot.  Space goes quickly.

Also in October is the American Music Cities tour covering New Orleans, Memphis and Nashville.  Learn how to cook Cajun-style, stroll Beale Street and take a backstage tour of the Grand Ole Opry.

Reservations and questions to Linda Finch 253 927 8207 or email to linda.finch@gmail.com