The Sage Connection

Holiday plans from volunteering to traveling with grandkids as a senior

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What good is sitting all alone in your room?

Come hear the music play…

                                                            Cabaret

The holiday season is upon us. Plans, including travel and accommodations are being made. Family connections, who is bringing what dish to what celebration and seasonal decorations are dug out and put up.

Soon shopping will be completed, and gifts will be wrapped, followed by a big sigh of relief.

For families, this is one of the most important times of the year. But what if you don’t have family or family close enough to celebrate with?

For several years I shared my Christmas and Thanksgiving meals by serving those in need. I would meet my family later for our holiday meal and I enjoyed both meals.

But not everyone who is alone during the holiday season stays home. Many of us will take this opportunity to travel to new or familiar places.

South Sound Senior Services:

If you are not sure where to begin, perhaps this will help. On November 18, the Lacey Senior Center will host a Travelers Tea.

Enjoy a sip of tea and watch a video presentation about upcoming Senior Services for South Sound’s Trips & Tours trips. Designed with the senior traveler in mind, there is a diversity of offerings including concerts, hikes, festivals, plays, sporting events, cruises and more. 

They also offer group tours to places like Sedona, Arizona, New York City, Scotland, Croatia, Nova Scotia and Egypt! Their team can even help you plan YOUR bucket list trip! Attend the Tea to get a discount on day trips! Open to the Public. Time: 2:30 - 3:30 pm. Click here to learn more about South Sound Seniors.

WELCOME TO A UNIVERSITY OF THE WORLD: The Road Scholar

For grandparents raising grandchildren, here is an option to explore the world with your grandkids or, if you choose, with your partner or solo. Group tours from Cambodia to Canada to Charleston and more are available to combine travel with history lessons from all over the world.

The Road Scholar Tours bring inspiring instructors, spirited conversations, new friends and new experiences. And they offer tours for senior women traveling alone.

They also offer online classes, complete with ZOOM instructions, that can provide at-home fun for those who can’t physically go on a trip.

For more on traveling with grandkids, click here.

Clipper Ferries to Victoria:

Closer to home, you might consider a Clipper Ferry to Victoria. Departing from Seattle, you can choose a day trip or spend a few days exploring the island, gardens and history. Hopefully, High Tea is still being served at the Empress Hotel, a treat I enjoyed many years ago. Other activities available include bicycle tours, whale watching and food tours.

For more traveling Victoria information, click here.

Vacations by Rail:

The chance to travel by train is my personal  favorite method of travel. Ever since I saw the movie, The Orient Express, I have dreamed of traveling through Europe on a glamorous train, surrounded by glamorous people, minus the murder.

Vacations by Rail offers tours through the Canadian Rockies, Alaska and Scotland, among others. There are also trips through New England for the fall foliage season, Christmas and New Year trips throughout Europe and the opportunity to see the Northern Lights in the Nordic Countries.

All of which I will sign up for the minute I win the lottery.

For railroad travel information, click here.

Leavenworth Christmastown

For the moment, I am looking forward to a December trip to Leavenworth. I want to see the lights, decorations and feel the spirit of Christmas and I think this will be a great place to enjoy it all.

For those who are interested, there is also skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing and more available, along with shops, Fun Festhalle Activities- Gingerbread Houses, Photos with Santa, Crafts for Kids, Story Corner, Santa’s from Around the World, Selfie Stations, Letters to Santa and a Gift-Wrapping Station. Gazebo entertainment with choirs, bands, carolers and more! In short, fun for the whole family.

To learn more about Leavenworth’s Christmastown, click here.

Kathleen Anderson writes this column each week from her home in Olympia.  Contact her at  kathleen@theJOLTnews.com or post your comment below. 

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