Travelers plan big trips for 2012

Posted 1/17/12

DAPHNE,

Alabama — Retirement can mean a new world of possibilities. Some

people finally have time for grandchildren, hobbies and activities

that have been pushed aside to punch a time clock or work overtime

hours.

With

calendars …

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Travelers plan big trips for 2012

Posted

"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt">DAPHNE,

Alabama — Retirement can mean a new world of possibilities. Some

people finally have time for grandchildren, hobbies and activities

that have been pushed aside to punch a time clock or work overtime

hours.

"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt">With

calendars wiped clean and busy schedules tossed out, what is there

to do with all that time? The Daphne Senior Travelers held their

monthly meeting on Jan. 4 at The Blake retirement home and yes,

travel is on the agenda.

"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt">First,

the group marveled over their December outing to Callaway Gardens.

Travelers member Jack Wolfgang said he enjoyed the

trip.

"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt">“We took

a bus and our driver, Ryan, routed us around all that traffic,” he

said with a smile. “It was beautiful up there. It wasn’t cold at

all and it turned out great.”

"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt">President

and Tour Director Judy Jerkins was also pleased with the driver’s

professionalism.

"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt">“He made

it a pleasure,” she added.

"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt">Wolfgang

then divulged that Ryan had told him, “the only problem with us is

we ‘et’ too much.”

"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt">The group

plans to hit the road, or the Vegas Strip on Jan. 18, not to

mention daytime trips to see the Branson shows in Mobile and a

beauty pageant in Foley this month.

"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt">Jerkins

explained that the Vegas-bound individuals would have to add a

$14.95 per day resort fee, because she could not find any hotel to

waive it.

"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt">Travelers

member Ronnie Giles chimed in.

"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt">“That’s

because we’re going to come back with a million dollars,” he

shouted as others chuckled.

"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt">Jerkins

went on to explain the Cajun trip to Louisiana in

April.

"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt">“You’re

going to actually feel like you’ve been to Cajun Country,” she

spoke with excitement. “We’ll go to the bayou, eat crawfish and

rice and see an antique car

collection.

"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt">“It’s

just their way of life — they have the best attitude. Whatever

comes, comes and whatever goes, goes.”

"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt">She said

the trip will also include a Mississippi River mud sculptor and

Cajun dancers.

"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt">“You

can’t go to Cajun Country without the food and the music, and we’ve

hired dancers to come in where everybody can get up and learn,” she

explained.

"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt">Next,

Kimbla Randle of Glovas-Cosmo Travels spoke to the group about

three vacation options beyond the continental U.S. May 12-22 will

be the Journey Through the Holy Land, with stops in Tel Aviv,

Israel, the Sea of Galilee, Bethlehem and Jerusalem, to name a

few.

"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt">Jerkins

told the group, “I’ve been there and it’s just absolutely one of

the best trips I’ve ever had. If you’re a Christian, you feel

closer to the Lord after seeing all these Biblical places. My

favorite was the Sea of Galilee. You get to see where the miracle

of the loaves and the fishes happened, plus a lot of sites where

(other) miracles occurred.

"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt">“They not

only gave us the history, but gave Christian Bible verses so you

can see where it’s at. There’s just so much there. When you come

back, you feel like you know the Bible better, in greater

content.”

"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt">Randle’s

presentation showed travelers some of the famous places they’d

visit, such as Jesus’ birthplace, Church of St. John the Baptist,

the Garden Tomb, the Garden of Gethsemane and St. Joseph’s

workshop.

"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt">The next

vacation will be 13 days in Alaska and the Yukon in August. Randle

said they’d visit a recreated Indian village, see dog sleds, view

Denali National Park, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Terminal, Columbia

Glacier and witness real Alaskan wildlife aboard the “Prince

William Sound.”

"line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt">Finally,

a nine-day, British Panorama vacation will finish out the year in

December. Travelers can see England, Scotland and Wales and visit

such sites as Big Bend, Buckingham Palace, the medieval city of

York, Melrose abbey ruins, Edinburgh Castle, Stratford-upon-Avon,

Millennium Stadium and the Georgian city of

Bath.

"line-height: 115%; font-family:">The group enjoyed door-prize

drawings, then chatted about upcoming adventures as they headed for

a fried chicken, macaroni and cheese and lima bean lunch at The

Blake’s dining room.