Winter lets us unwind from the holidays but yearn for the warmth of later months. We can sit in the comfort of our homes and dream of things to come that let us out and about. Here is an idea of what is to come so that you can send in deposits for registration and then relax and dream of the future.
An early day trip will be our annual trip north to Fraser Downs and the harness races. This will be on March 24 and requires a passport or enhanced license to cross the border into Canada.
In April we are holding space with Viking River Cruises on two sailings. The first is out of Basel to Amsterdam on a seven-day cruise. This can then be combined with a 10-day cruise through the Netherlands. If you don’t feel you want to go clear to Holland to see the tulips, then join us on a day trip to LaConner on the 24th to see them here at home.
May 1 brings a four-day cruise with Holland America from San Diego to Vancouver. We also have a trip to New England the end of the month.
July gives a choice of Alaska cruises — a seven-day cruise on Norwegian out of Seattle roundtrip or a 14-day cruise/tour with Princess that includes Mt. McKinley and Denali National Park.
The end of August is for a road trip through Wyoming.
October heads us down to Albuquerque and their balloon fiesta.
In November we are holding space on the American Song, the newest riverboat from American Cruise Lines.
For information and reservations, contact me at 253 927 8207 or linda.finch@gmail.com
Linda Finch, a senior travel planner, wrote this article.
Thousands of people head to warm locations like Florida, Arizona and Texas for a few months to escape the winter weather where they are from. It’s important for snowbirds to be aware of their surroundings while traveling to and from their destination, especially if they are taking a road trip, because they will be driving through various cities and there is always the risk of a car issue that can leave them stranded in an unfamiliar city. To help snowbirds stay safe while traveling, Krav Maga Worldwide, leader in self-defense and fitness, has put together a list of personal safety tips to keep in mind.
Inform family and friends of travel details. It’s important to share your travel details so that someone knows where you are and can easily call for help if something seems suspicious. Let them know where you will be staying and how they can reach you. If you are driving to your destination, make sure to also inform them of any place you spend the night along your route.
Double-check your travel necessities. Make sure you have passports, boarding pass, ID and any other travel necessities. It’s also important to make sure you have an emergency kit handy, especially if you are driving. Portable phone charger, first aid items, blankets, food, water and flashlight are all good items to stash in your kit. It also is a good idea to take your car to a mechanic to make sure there are no issues before you hit the road.
Always keep one arm and hand free of luggage and other gear. Many people travel with multiple bags, purses, lap top cases and other paraphernalia. But if your arms and hands are tied up with bags, you have no means of defending yourself from an attacker. Luggage that can stack together securely and be pulled by one handle is a safer choice than wearing and carrying numerous bags on your person. Follow this rule not only while traveling, but once you get to your destination and are exploring the area. The less items you have on you, the better.
Stay Together. Even though it can be frustrating to travel everywhere with someone else, stick to the buddy system. Even for a quick trip to the grocery store, have a travel companion go with you. You can never be too cautious, especially in areas you aren’t familiar with.
Park in well-lit areas and only visit populated places. Avoid parking in spots next to vans, trucks with camper shells, or cars with tinted windows. You want to keep your car and yourself as visible to as many people as possible, and also avoid parking next to tall shrubs or plants that could block views of your vehicle. If you are stopping for gas, a bathroom break, food or just to stretch your legs, make sure to only visit populated areas. If you can, try to schedule your pit stops beforehand so that you know you are in a safe area instead of just having to get to the nearest gas station.
Founded in 1997 to promote Krav Maga throughout the United States and around the world, Krav Maga Worldwide trains and certifies instructors and licenses over 150 authorized training centers for self-defense and fitness in the U.S., Canada, Japan, Mexico, South America and Europe, as well as over 800 law enforcement agencies and military units. Additional information is available at www.kravmaga.com.
Neither Lou Perry nor his boss knew precisely what was to come nearly four years ago when Perry agre
Lou Perry, a tour bus driver for Tacoma Metro Parks’ Fifty and Better outings, breaks up long drives by making stops along the way and giving their “five-minute histories.”
ed to drive for Metro Parks Tacoma’s Fifty and Better program.
“I thought I’d be taking older people to and from appointments,†he said recently. He was thrilled when he learned he’d actually escort tour groups to some of the Pacific Northwest’s most iconic attractions.
Janet Bissell, Fifty and Better (FAB) recreation supervisor, got Perry’s name from his sister-in-law, who is a regular in Bissell’s FAB exercise classes at Jefferson Park. Bissell figured Perry would be a reliable addition to the program, which until then had no regular driver. She had no idea that the man she’d hired would do double duty as a tour guide, a raconteur and concierge of the road.
“He’s a gift,†Bissell said. “I don’t think we would have such a successful program without the benefit of Lou.â€
Three or four times a month, and sometimes more frequently in summer, Perry drives a 28-passenger bus and squires FAB travelers – average age 75 – to and from outings and overnights at places such as Olympic National Park, Port Townsend, La Conner and Lake Chelan.
Although he wouldn’t want to drive a transit bus, he said he finds driving relaxing.
He’s a New York Times crossword puzzle addict and a lifelong history and culture buff. Before each trip, he researches each locale, paying particular attention to its history, geology and geography. Among his regular sources is historylink.org. “It’s just chockablock full of essays on history and geology,†he said.
While driving to or from an attraction, he takes breaks. “I find places to pull off,†he said. “There are always places to stop. Then I give my passengers a five-minute nutshell history.â€
Bissell says she and the passengers are always impressed.
“He tells so many great stories,†Bissell said. “I’ve learned more on trips I’ve gone on than I ever learned in state history class.
Earlier in life, Perry, 59, traveled extensively in western Europe, where he visited every major art museum and was particularly enamored with Switzerland and the Alps. But until he moved to Tacoma, which wasn’t long before he accepted the FAB job, he hadn’t seen much of Washington.
“When I saw the mountains and water and went to Mount Rainier, I said this is as close to Switzerland as I’m going to get,†he recalled.
When he’s not working for Metro Parks – he also drives participants to and from other Metro Parks recreation programs – he’s on-call as a driver for the City of Tacoma’s senior centers.
“I relate to older people. I just love them,†he said. “They’re my history books.â€
He knows most of FAB’s regular travelers by their first names.
Last summer, he began shuttling fishermen to and from the Point Defiance Marina boat launch on weekends. (Ongoing waterfront construction has temporarily curtailed parking options.) This Metro Parks gig was something of a role reversal for Perry, who loves to talk. Instead of telling stories, he enjoyed quizzing the fishermen about the ones that got away. “Just listening to fishermen talk was fun. They’re all liars,†he joked.
The marina’s Gene Anderson, who is familiar with Perry’s work, calls him a great asset: “a real team player willing to do whatever is needed to meet the needs of participants and customers.â€
Perry’s favorite routine is driving for FAB. Asked about his preferred destinations, he hesitated a bit, then said, “There’s such incredible natural beauty no matter where you’re going around here.â€
But he does find some attractions more intriguing than others, in large part because of the history behind them. For example, he is fascinated by the story of Ross Lake and the construction of its three Seattle City Light dams and the energy produced. And, if he could design a future FAB overnight, he’d retrace the route of President Franklin Roosevelt and his family who in 1937 toured the Olympic Peninsula. The following year, Roosevelt established Olympic National Park.
Perry loves exploring. If he had a choice, he’d take a FAB tour daily.
“It’s different every time and I’m learning something new every day,†he said.
I can’t believe that another year has come and is almost gone. I look out the window and know that winter is upon us, and that thought always makes me want to get away to somewhere there is sunshine. I can only take so much of the cold weather, and besides, the sun makes me smile.
On March 18, we are holding space on Norwegian Star for a seven-day Mexican Riveria cruise. It will go out of Los Angeles to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. These are wonderful ports to hit the shops and the beaches. No shore excursions are necessary to see the sights, and there is fun around every corner. Ocean-view cabins start at $12,360 per person based on double occupancy. Sign up now before space is gone. (We will need to add roundtrip airfare and an overnight hotel to the package price).
Another of my very favorite things to do is river cruising. Viking River Cruises is holding space for us on two trips. They may be taken individually or combined for a longer stay. The first is from Basel to Amsterdam to get a Rhine experience, and the second is an intense Holland experience to see the tulips and windmills. The cost to take both of the trips, including airfare out of Seattle, is $6543. This is for 17 days with your meals, sightseeing, wine/beer and all taxes. The date is April 1 (no fooling) with a return on April 18.
If all those things are too much time for you, then how about a quick little trip May 1-4 from San Diego to Vancouver with Holland America? There is one stop in Victoria, and the rest is peaceful cruising and pampering. Rates are from $344 per person based on sharing. We will have to add the airfare to San Diego and transportation back from Vancouver.
Want to just do something fun for the holiday season? How about a trip to Molbaks to see the flowers and their wonderful array of gifts? Or what about finishing up your shopping at the Pacific Outlet Mall (you could also stop at the Tulalip Casino if you are so inclined).
Linda Finch, who wrote this article, can be contacted for information and/or reservations at 253-927-8207 or linda.finch@gmail.com.
