All Posts in "Lifestyle, Home, Adventures"

As promised, I am back from Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point), Mexico and
ready to tell you all about it.
Before leaving, I heard all the warnings from the naysayers about the
drug cartels, don’t drive, watch what you eat, etc., etc. I realize
that we have to pay attention to these things and am certainly not
going to travel without checking them out, as I want to be able to
come back and tell you wonderful stories.
Puerto Penasco lies 90 miles south of the border at Lukeville, Ariz.
It seems as if there is never a bend in the road as you drive through
miles of cactus and desert. Traffic was very light and we didn’t stop
until just outside the city, where there was a checkpoint with
soldiers asking where we were going and wanting to see in our car. It
was nice to know that they were checking everyone into and out of the
area
Rocky Point has a population of just over 45,000 spread out over all
the sand and dirt. There did not seem to be much of a downtown area,
but we had no trouble finding shopping in the Old Port along the
waterfront. Here we found the typical souvenir stores, pharmacy, bars
and restaurants. In addition, we found the most amazing fish markets.
Can you believe $6 a pound for huge shrimp, $2 a pound for wonderful
small steamer clams, and $2 a pound for flounder caught just that
morning.
Day excursions included a side trip to Cholla Bay for JJ’s Cantina;
Bird Island to see the local birds, sea lions and dolphin; and El
Pinacate for a moonscape of volcanic fields and semi-stable and active
sand dunes.
Our residence was at the Mayan Palace, a 25-minute drive from the
center of town. Here we relaxed in comfort with a spacious two-bedroom
suite looking out over pools, beaches and sparkling blue seas. Each
day, some time was spent walking the beach, which had more shells than
I have ever seen, and no one was telling us we couldn’t bring them
home. We had everything we needed with a sports bar to watch the
Seahawks, a pool bar for happy hour, outdoor restaurant for lunch by
the water, indoor and outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Most of
all we had sun, sun, sun.
Plan to come along with me on other trips as we explore South Dakota
in June, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands in September and Cuba in
December. There are also quieter trips to the tulips, Diablo Dam,
Harrison Hot Springs and Leavenworth. For further information, contact
me at 253-926-8207 or ask to be put on the e-mail list at
linda.finch@gmail.com

Linda Finch by — February 27, 2013 in Lifestyle, Home, Adventures

This is always a hard month for me to write.  We really don’t have a lot going on during the winter months and I have a tendency to leave the country.  A I write it is still January with the rain, cold and yuk!.  I am leaving for Mexico and will tell you all about it next month.  The following month will let you in on my trip to Australia.

But, what’s in it for you?  There are plans in the works and you need to be thinking about them.  There is still time to sign up for the HARNESS RACES in Langley B.C.  This adventure across the border (passport or enhanced driers license required) is always fun.  Fraser Downs has a complete casino for down time between races, a magnificent buffet that leaves no room for complaint, and the fun of betting (either for real or for fun) on the horses.  We are scheduled for March 17 and there is still plenty of room.

Seattle is often in the news in regards to police action (but what large city isn’t).  How about a trip to the largest police museum in the western United States?  On March 14 we will make a trip to discover the history of Northwest la enforcement, policing the frontier and the “Taming” of Seattle.

Dinner Dates and Mystery Trips will start up and be a part of every month.  These are nice little trips to explore our beautiful state and get us out of the house.  Come along to see where we might go, or add your own thoughts and we might just follow your wishes.

Don’t forget about those Bucket List items we have previously mentioned.  CUBA is high on the list for international destinations; the BADLANDS and MT. RUSHMORE keep us in the U.S., and ALASKA is always a favorite.

For reservations and further information contact Linda Finch at 253 927 8207.  Ask to be added to the email list at linda.finch@gmail.com

Linda Finch by — February 7, 2013 in Lifestyle, Home, Adventures

Gazing at the Dubai skyline from the tallest building on Earth, cruising on the largest ship on the seas, visiting a yet-unexplored part of the US. Bucket list trips are often those that inspire us with their promise of the seemingly intangible. Whether we are lured to the forbidden destinations or determined to trace our ancestry, a trip of a lifetime gives us something to look forward to.

And we have just that planned in our 2013 travel calendar. Cuba, the forbidden destination, has been opened to us. We have confirmed space to travel Dec 1, 2013 for a seven-day stay in this controversial country which is so close (90 miles) but has been so far away. Reservations must be made early, as there are visas to be obtained and only limited space.  I will definitely be traveling with this group, as this is one of my main bucket list items.

Prefer to add to your U.S bucket list? Then how about Mt. Rushmore, the lure of the Black Hills and the Badlands of South Dakota? This is scheduled for June 18,

Is Alaska on your wish list? We have two opportunities to travel with groups this summer – Celebrity Cruises on Aug. 2 or Norwegian Cruises on Sept. 7. Take your choice based on your date, your choice of cruise line and/or the cost. These all vary determined by your choices.

Closer to home, we will once again take a two-night excursion to Leavenworth to take in thre of their plays; perhaps attend a performance by the Pacific Northwest Ballet; have our annual trek to LaConnor for the tulips; and take a lake cruise in the North Cascades;.

We’ll also visit the Museum of Radio; learn about law enforcement at the largest police museum in the western U.S.; experience rare treasures of 20th century military aviation; and visit four world-class gardens in one overnight visit to Portland.

For reservations and further information, call Linda Finch at 253 927 8207 or ask to be put on the e-mail list at linda.finch@gmail.com.

Linda Finch by — January 12, 2013 in Lifestyle, Home, Adventures
Adventure on the high seas

Enjoying a formal dinner on the Allure were (back row from left) Betty Passinetti, Mimi Graves, Shirley Bushnell, Stella Jones, Linda Finch and Kurt Bargmeyer, and (front row from left) Audrey Stacy, Ned Hagan, Dolly Hagan, Rachel Cassorla, Sue Campbell and Florence Bargmeyer.

What an amazing time we had in the Caribbean.  Allure, the largest cruise ship currently sailing  (225,000 gross tons, 1,187 feet long, 208 feet wide) was our home for seven nights. There were 5,672 passengers on board and a crew of 2,165. Sounds horribly crowded, but it just wasn’t. There was never a feeling of crowding, unless of course you were in the Royal Promenade  when they did a full parade down the center to celebrate the 100th sailing of this ship.  The dining room (all three floors of it) was a boisterous area, but you had an option to choose from 24 dining facilities and 37 bars and lounges.

This is a ship composed of “neighborhoods.”  Central Park is the first living park at sea.  It has 12,175 plants. Some of the trees are over 24 feet in height. There are even a few little birds that seem to have made the ship their home  (the crew keeps bird feed handy to keep them happy).

The Board Walk has a carousel to ride, a Coney Island hot dog stand, a Johnny Rocket’s restaurant, ktwo climbing walls, and at the end the Aqua Theater, the largest performance pool at sea with a depth of 17 feet.  High-divers climb the towers and propel themselves into the pool while the ship gently rocks back and forth  (they  did have to cancel the show a couple of nights because Hurricane Sandy made it just too dangerous).

On the sports deck we found the usual basketball court where often there was a soccer game being played, a beautiful putting course, two wave riders for learning to surf, and a zip line for the more adventurous.  Several of our party took advantage of the chance to try this out.

We found out that food consumption in an average week is 86,400 fresh eggs, 8,000 gallons of  milk and fresh cream. 45,000 pounds of fresh fruit, 62,000 pounds of fresh vegetables, 15,600 pounds of beef, 16,000 pounds of chicken, 1,500 pounds of coffee, 10,200 bottles of beer and 2,225 bottles of wine.  Vodka wins in the liquor category with 550 bottles.

Linda Finch by — December 11, 2012 in Lifestyle, Home, Adventures