The Senior Scene

How did the year get so far along so quickly? It is more than half over? And it doesn’t seem like we have had enough summer yet.

We have instigated “Quick Trips” that just come up spur of the moment. If you are not on the e-mail list, then you won’t be seeing them, so please, get on the list and come along with us.

One such trip was to Mount Rainier. It just seems that we need to do this at least once a year. That beauty is with us always and it just calls us to get closer.  This time of the year the flowers are out and most of the snow is gone. The usual stops are there for views of waterfalls and even an occasional animal.  Of course we stop at Copper Creek for blackberry pie. I think I have been doing that for well over 50 years now and the pie is always so good.

The next Quick Trip just might be to the ocean. We are so lucky in the Pacific Northwest to be able to see real mountains, the Pacific Ocean and so much more with only a few hours of driving. It is nice to be able to get out of the house and into fresh air without the worries that other parts of the country seem to have.

Of course, we have so much more than Quick Trips. We still have space on the riverboat cruise between Paris and Prague (Sept. 21-Oct. 3) and are still looking for either a male or female roommate. And then there is Cuba, scheduled for March 19, 2017. This is on so many people’s “bucket list” that we should be able to have a great group. I just heard that Alaska Airlines has applied for routes there, and so have other airlines. Our trip will be by ship out of Miami. I want to make that hop before things start getting too out of control with the tourist trade.  I want to be able to see the real Cuba and not one that eventually will mean mega hotels and tons of tourists.  Join me and let’s see what is there now.

For reservations and further information, contact me at 253 927 8207 or linda.finch@gmail.com.

Listen to the news and check out all that is going on around the world. It makes me sometimes wonder why go through all the hoops in order to travel.

I love to travel. I love to meet new people in new places and learn about them and what they do. I have always had a curiosity about things outside my normal pattern. Now I am learning that there are ways to make my travels more comfortable.

It is only a matter of months before your Washington driver’s license will not be enough ID to get you onto an airplane. You will need either an enhanced ID or a passport in order to do this. So take care of it now.

An Enhanced ID is just a fancy driver’s license that shows proof you have a passport and/or are definitely a U.S. citizen. You will need proof of citizenship (passport, certificate of naturalization, official birth certificate), proof of identity (driver’s license, passport); proof of residence (driver’s license, homeowner insurance policy, home utility bill, mortgage documents, property tax form;.take a couple different things). The cost is an additional $30 over your regular license fee. You can use this to drive or cruise into Canada or Mexico, as well as to board a plane.

I  also applied for a TSA Pre-Check number. This lets you go through the faster line at the airport. You don’t have to take off your jacket or your shoes; and your plastic sack with creams, ointments, liquids, etc. can stay in your bag.  Things are just easier and the lines are shorter.

In order to obtain this, you must take proof of citizenship (passport, enhanced license, original birth certificate) and head out to the IdentoGOCenter. I found one in  Fife.  First, just go on line to the TSA website and complete the application and obtain an appointment time..You can walk in without an appointment, but the appointment puts you in front of those people. Take your ID and $85 or your credit card. They will ask you some very basic questions and take your fingerprints. It all takes only a few minutes of your time and is well worth it in the long run. It is good for five years.

Remember, we have some great trips coming up, including September in Europe and hopefully January in Cuba. Stay in touch. For reservations and/or questions, call me at 253-927-8207 or e-mail me at linda.finch@gmail.com.

Linda Finch writes the Senior Adventures column.

Cruise season is a really big thing for the economy in Seattle, as thousands of tourists come into the city in order to sail to Alaska, Many spend a couple of days in our area spending at hotels, restaurants and gift shops. We are so lucky. All we have to do is grab Shuttle Express and head to the Bell Street Terminal.

That is just what a small group of us did recently. We boarded Norwegian Jewel on a beautiful Saturday afternoon and headed out past Magnolia Point and into the Straights of Juan de Fuca on our way to the Inside Passage.

That first day on board as you cruise through the passage gives plenty of time to explore the ship, find the restaurants, theaters, shops, lounges, pools, gym, etc.  We made oadvance dinner reservations and booked a few favorite shore excursions. We had all previously done an Alaska cruise, but here we were again, waiting to see all the splendor that state has to offer.

The first stop was Ketchikan, the “Salmon Capitol of the World” and the City of Totems. This is home to the world’s largest collection of totem poles. There are many people who can help with the stories that the totems tell, or you can make up our own.

Juneau, the capital city, offers many adventures for those who want to take them. A helicopter ride over the glaciers is spectacular and thrilling, but we opted to head into town to the Red Dog Saloon. There is sawdust on the floor and old-time costumes on the wait staff.  Entertainment is a gentleman who I think knows every song ever written and sings and talks for hours on end.

But one of the major reasons that we take an Alaska cruise is to see the beauty of the glaciers. There is certainly something to be said about ice blue as chunks of  ice break off and spill down the face of the glacier. Rolling pieces may seem dark and dirty on the surface, but as they turn over in the sun, you see the true meaning of the color.

Sawyer Glacier is such a place. Cool weather put us in sweatshirts, but it is well worth being outside to actually hear that ice break off and roar to the sea.

The last Alaska stop was Skagway, “Gateway to the Klondike.”  It was from here that so many took their chances of finding gold in the pioneer days. The town is very picturesque, and you can easily imagine what it must have looked like so long ago. A sidetrip on the Yukon Railroad is a great way to spend the day and see more of the scenery.

And then there is everything to see and do back on the ship. We took advantage of several of the speciality restaurants, enjoyed the shows in the theater, and took a couple of chances in the casino. All the time we were reminding ourselves of how lucky we are to live in the Northwest and be close to nature like this.

A quick stop in Victoria for the mandated out-of-country stop gave us a chance to see Buchart Gardens with all the spring flowers, wander in some of the shops and of course make a little pharmacy stop.

The week went by quickly, and all too soon we were back in Seattle and headed back home. There is another Alaska cruise in July that you might want to be on.

We have added a new trip to the international schedule for 2017. It will be a tour to Scotland in April. There might still be room on the Viking River Cruise in September.

Our group keeps growing. Be sure to contact me at 253-927-8207 if you are interested.  Put yourself on the email list for last-minute adventures at linda.finch@gmail.com.