The Senior Scene

We did a few fun things during spring, like the harness races, with an interesting drive home in that horrid windstorm we had in March. The races were fun, however, and we had a couple of good winners.

The tulips were scheduled for the usual middle of April, but we were smart this year and kept track of the tulip map. With our strange weather and early warmth, the tulips were at their full bloom by the end of March. A quick adjustment (it is a good things to be on the e-mail list) was made and we hit them on a perfect day of glorious sunshine and open flowers in the fields.

Shen Yun came to Seattle’s McCaw Hall with the most amazing show. All the color and dancing kept your eyes on the move constantly. We are so lucky to have such great cultural events in our area and the opportunity to participante.

Season tickets are now on sale for the 5^th Avenue 2016-17 show season. You will get all seven shows for the amazing cost of $225 for center seats on the main floor. Transportation, of course is extra, but right from Tacoma and back.  “Man of LaMancha,” “Disney’s Little Mermaid,” “The Pajama Game,” “Murder for Two,” “The Secret Garden,” “Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion” and “Fun Home” will all be on the stage. Even if you miss a couple, you will be paying far less that you would on a normal basis. We have a limited number, so call immediately.

We will have room on the July 10-17 Alaska cruise with Princess, and you might still be able to find room on our amazing trip to Europe in September (12 nights from Paris to Prague with a full-service riverboat cruise). Hurry now to grab space on these.

Stay in touch for last-minute day trips, dinner dates and mystery adventures.

Plans are in the works for a Cuba trip in January. We are waiting for final permission to be given and then will get back to everyone with notification and information. Those on the e-mail list will learn about it first.

For reservations and information, call me at 253-927 8207 or e-mail me at linda.finch@gmail.com.

What a strange first quarter we have had. First it is winter and then it is spring and almost summer on occasion. It seems that this year so far has been quite a mix.
Every year in January, I try to get away and take some time in the sun. I think I have a bit of that SADS they find so much of in Alaska. I just need the sun. So off I was to Puerto Penasco (also known as Rocky Point) just 100 miles south of the boarder at Ajo, Ariz. It is a desolate drive through desert with miles of sand and nothing to see but cactus, and then you come to the end of the road and this sleepy fishing village with a population of only 57,000. There it is on the Sea of Cortez with magnificent blue waters and sandy beaches.
There were only six of us traveling this time, and we stayed at the Grand Mayan Resort, 23 miles out of the town center. This is a beautiful, full-service resort with pools, hot tubs, restaurants and a golf course. All condos have full kitchens, and we made good use of ours running into town for fresh seafood.
This is not a heavy tourist time of the year, which left us with plenty of space and no rush to reserve a lounge by the pool. The lazy river was not crowded, and the beach was open to explore and collect shells.
We took a day trip and drove to the end of the point and the village at Cholla Bay. This seems to be inhabited mostly by Americans who have beach homes along the water or nestled into the hillside.
We made the requisite stop at JJ’s Cantina, with terraces down to the beach and views to watch the sunset. On the way back, we drove through the Sandy Beach resort area of new hotels and condos. It is here that work is progressing on the Home Port cruise ship docks. Ships such as Princess Cruises will be coming here within the next couple of years. (We will have to keep track and take one of those cruises).
Into the Old Town on another day let us shop with all “tourist” stores. So many things to see with a lot of repeats and much to bargain over. There is a pharmacy on every corner and restaurants galore with color and people all over. We explored some of the older buildings, including a hotel which was established by Al Capone in the 1920s.
Our favorite restaurant was at the top of a hill with a glorious view over the Sea of Cortez and the lights of the city. We celebrated Florence Bargmeyers 99th birthday while watching the sun set.
A picnic under a palapa at the end of a very rough, sandy road turned out to be a pleasant surprise birthday for Della Troupe. Here was an oyster farm where you placed your order and then they went out to get them. You can’t get any fresher than that.
Back home again now and working on trips for others. There is still room on the Alaska cruise for May 7 on Norwegian Cruise Lines, and we have added another on July 10 with Princess. In September, we still have a few more spaces available for the riverboat trip between Paris and Prague. A couple of day trips have been added to the schedule with the Harness Races in Langley on March 16 and our annual Tulip Trek on April 12.
For information and reservations, call me (Linda Finch) at 253-927-8207 or e-mail me at linda.finch@gmail.com.

Here we are back at the start of another year. The past one had its high points, with Audrey Stacy turning 100, and our low points, with the loss of two of our regulars, Ellen Mabie and Kurt Bargmeyer. We are now, however, looking to the future and what 2016 will have to offer.
I was recently invited to preview Teatro Zinzanni, Cirque, Comedy and Cabaret served with a multi-course feast. This is an adventure in itself, a spectacle not to be missed. The entire cast works constantly either waiting tables or performing and sometimes doing both at once. The food was nicely prepared with several options. I was so pleased that we will take groups in both February and March. Space is limited so make reservations early.
We will once again head north across the border to Langley and the Harness Races in March. This seems to be an annual event to watch the races, enjoy the sumptuous buffet and even do a little playing in the casino.
March also brings a trip to spectacular South Africa. This 14 day Collette tour includes Johannesburg, Soweto, Kruger National Park, a safari game drive, Cape Town and so much more. There are even optional extensions to Dubai and/or Victoria Falls.

April will bring us back to the Tulip Trek and the beauty that we have in our own backyard. We might even make a stop on Fir Island for ice cream.

Summer always brings a series of adventures. You will just have to stay tuned to find out what they are.

In September, we have a group which has already formed to take Viking River Cruises on a 12-day trip from France to the Czech Republic. All excursions, meals and accommodations are included. There is wine with lunch and dinner. Educational lectures and cultural entertainment abound. But then, you can also relax on the upper decks and watch the countryside slip by.(we do have a gentleman looking for a roommate if anyone is interested).

As usual, there will be other adventures added to the list as the year goes along. Join our e-mail list by contacting me at linda.finch@gmail.com or calling 253-927-8207.

Linda Finch writes the Senior Adventures column.

I have to go back a bit in what has been going on and tell you all how excited we were to be on “Good Morning America.” That is truly an experience well worth getting up early for.
The group that went back east in September rolled out of bed in New York City at 5:30 in the morning, walked five blocks to Times Square and stood around the railing waiting for the “outdoor” portion of the show which happened just before 8. There were several false starts as stars came out to build audience participation. Each time we were prompted to yell, scream and wave our arms. Thus, we did so and then waited again. Finally Robin Roberts came out and walked right to our group. What a delightful lady. I knew she was tall and slim, but was amazed at how true that really was. She was very gracious and spoke to several of our people, even allowing for photographs. It was all well worth the wait.

In October, we had an impromptu trip up Mount Rainier to Paradise for lunch and of course stopped at Copper Creek for blackberry pie on the return. They talk about the effects of global warming, and I’m afraid we saw some of those. Alder Lake was practically gone; Narada Falls was not a gushing waterfall; and our beautiful mountain was more rocks than snow.

Later in the month, we had a “mystery trip” back into the mountains for fall color, up over Stevens Pass. It is such a beautiful time of year. Lunch was in Leavenworth at the cafe we had found while visiting earlier in the year. We also got to be involved in some of the Oktoberfest activities.

Winter will be on us, and the majority will be staying inside. Stay in touch, as additions will be made to our calendar and you never know what can happen. Remember, there is South Africa in March, Alaska in May and a European riverboat cruise in September. (Looking for a male roommate on that cruise).

For further information and/or reservations, contact Linda Finch at 253-927-8207 or linda.finch@gmail.com