[Key: Memoir in Times New Roman, Travel Journal in Arial]
Because it is Bert's birthday, I'll highlight our events with the 8th Combat Cargo Group [Squadron]. I'm not going to write about every reunion we have had with them because you can read about them in the diary.
9-10-99 Pensacola – Seattle
Our cab arrived on time at 11:30 and we boarded the MD-11 at 12:50 for Atlanta on a full flight. It was very smooth sailing + we went by cart to our departure for Seattle using the escalator + train amid masses of people. The plane was waiting for us + we left at 4:00 on the 757. That’s 3:00 our time, so we set our watches back two hours for Pacific time, arriving at approx. 7 pm – another good flight with very accommodating attendants – even made me a glass of iced tea! The meal was delicious – I had steak + Bert had chicken. Good fare for Delta.
We caught the Express bus to the Best Western Executive Inn + got a birds-eye view of the city on our half hour ride to the hotel.
We had a message from Bill W to come to the hospitality room + there we greeted the Cs, Van Hs, and had a nice visit + a night cap before retiring in our room across the hall for a good night’s sleep.
Glad to be here!
9/11/1999
Happy Birthday, Bert! What a beautiful day to celebrate. We were up early to catch the Victoria Clipper to Victoria at 8:30. It was a smooth two hour trip on a fast moving catamaran which is the fastest ship of its kind in the country – North America. We had a tour of this incredibly beautiful city with the highlight of the trip to the lovely Butchart Gardens. Our bus driver was a knowledgeable young guy with a great sense of humor. We had several hours to tour the gardens, then we boarded the bus for another hour’s tour + then had some time to take in the sights. We were pretty tired at this point, so found a comfortable restaurant where the eight of us enjoyed a light meal at the Spaghetti House Factory. Our return trip to Seattle was smooth sailing + we arrived back at the hotel about 8:30. We left the Cs + Van Hs + walked to McDonalds for a snack, then retired after another full day. What fun!!!
9-12-99 Seattle
Had breakfast downstairs in the dining room + then took a cab to the First Presbyterian Church with Peg Van H, Doris W, + Frank P. The title of the sermon was "Faith Is a Calling" [as in the prophetic call to Samuel in 1 Samuel 3:1-18] + the minister, Rev. H made us write this message "A disciple is a person moving from belief to faith." When God speaks, then faith begins, and the scriptures are from 1 Sam 3:1-18, Mark 3:13-19, John 7:37-38, + 1 Pet. 2:9-10.
We had such a large breakfast, we skipped lunch, then practiced our skit for Tues. night. The Hospitality Room was open at 4 o’clock + most of the people were there to greet each other. Our buffet meal was outstanding with every imaginable choice of fruit, vegetables, cheeses – crackers, chicken, ham + breads. The bar was open + everyone was happy seeing each other + no one in the group was “over indulged”!
The gals – all 12 of us – gathered round the table to play cards. The cost is 15¢ to play + we played at least an hr. + a half – fun!
Retired after another full day to get ready for a city tour tomorrow.
The kids sent Bert E-mail birthday messages - cute!
9-13-99 Seattle
Our morning began at 9 am for a 3 hour tour of the city. Well first we had a delicious breakfast at 7 am in the hotel, so we were all set for the complete tour of beautiful scenic Seattle today. The highlight was the Pike Place Market. We also enjoyed seeing the Magnolia + Queen Anne Hill areas of gorgeous homes complete with manicured lawns, gorgeous flowers and sculptured plants/shrubs. These areas had a variety of deciduous trees as well as an abundance of Douglas firs. We crossed the floating bridge into the Bellevue area + back across another bridge.
In the afternoon, Bert and I took the monorail to the shopping area then on down the hill to see the rest of the city + the market. It comprises acres of fresh produce, flowers, bakeries, boutiques, galleries, arts + craft booths. We had grilled tuna salad sandwiches that were delicious at Cutters Bayhouse along the waterfront – lovely.
Cards in the evening with the gals completed another complete day!
9-14-99 Seattle
We packed as much into this final day as possible. We kept our eyes on the weather channel tracking as Hurricane Floyd is threatening the east coast of Fl. + we wanted to make sure Kents are okay.
We spent the morning at the aquarium with the Van Hs. We enjoyed that + it was a special treat seeing the divers go into the tanks to feed the fresh + salt water fish.
In the afternoon we went to the Science Museum what a treat. The Butterfly House was outstanding. The cocoons are shipped from Malaysia, Philippines, + Cost Rica + they cost $3 each in shipments of 500 every two weeks.
We spent the evening bidding farewell to all our 8th Combat buddies after dinner as the festivities are over! We surprised the guests with our performance by the 8th Combat Song – Doris W + her daughter, Nancy, Jan C, + Peg Van H. I accompanied them on the melodien. Fun evening. Full day! Good-bye! Farewell!!
9-15-99 Seattle - Pensacola
The Shuttle Express picked us up at 7:00 + got us to the airport at 7:30 for our flight home.
We boarded the huge 767 at 8:25 + were airborn at 8:35. Had a good warm breakfast, made great time to Atlanta in beautiful weather, and arrived in Atlanta at 4:05 Eastern Time. The train got us over to Gate B in time for a 15 min. breather before boarding our flight to Pensacola at 5:30 + we landed in Pensacola at 5:35 (Central Time).
That dear friend Dick L surprised is by meeting us as we’d planned to call Jim Y because this is choir practice night. Dick + Shirley made it on time for church [for choir practice]. Great friends!
We called Mike + Kent + everyone is at home safe + sound from Hurricane Floyd. Gracias!
Retired early after a wonderful trip!!
