I am 69 years old and still working full-time as a buyer for an aerospace company. Aside from vowing never to draw Social Security or be subject to Medicare (as a reason for keeping working), I couldn’t think of what I would do with myself if I retired. I play violin, but there’s not much …
Continue reading I found my retirement “calling” on the Hillsdale cruise to Hawaii
Wednesday, July 25 through Monday, July 30, we were again at sea, and you know what that means... Lectures! The weather wasn't conducive to much deck-walking, but I did get a few ocean and cloud pictures. This was the last picture of Hawaiian waters. July 25 speakers were Roger Kimball on "Trump vs The Elites"; …
Continue reading Last Half of the Journey-Hawaii Cruise Travelog-Leaving Hawaii for Mexico…And Home
After the thrilling volcano-viewing session, a nice dinner, and a good night's sleep, we arrived at our last Hawaii stop, the town of Kailua-Kona. Again, the Crystal Symphony had to "anchor out" in the harbor, and we were ferried in on the ship's tenders. It was only a 15-minute ride, and we got a good …
Continue reading Vacation Travelogue-Last Hawaii Stop-Kailua-Kona
We arrived in Hilo just before noon, and the skies were hazy with what had been described to us as "vog", or "volcano fog", caused by the still-erupting volcano on the other side of the island. About which more later. Above is the view from the port side of the ship. Below is the view …
Continue reading Vacation Travelogue, Hillsdale Hawaii Cruise, Days 9 and 10-Hilo and beyond
We normally got up around 8:00AM, so we were able to stand at the rail and watch the island of Maui appear. As usual, it was a beautiful, sunny day. We saw many of these kite-surfers all around the Hawaiian Islands. Lahaina Harbor had a few, with their colorful kites. The Crystal Symphony had to …
Continue reading Vacation Travelogue-Hillsdale College Cruise to Hawaii-Day 9-Maui
The Crystal Symphony is a beautiful ship, and my readers and followers know my penchant for taking "artsy" pictures when I am aboard ship. Following is a group of pictures I took aboard ship, at various times on the 15-day cruise. These lockers hold life jackets and other safety gear. The bow of the ship …
Continue reading Vacation Travelogue-Hillsdale College Cruise to Hawaii-Interlude, Aboard Ship
Finally, on our sixth day out, we spotted signs of nearing land. I love transportation, and was thrilled to see a container ship on the horizon. We finally saw signs of land. Finally, we rounded the last headland and got our first glimpses of Honolulu. The famous Diamond Head, an extinct volcano that almost stands …
By Day Four, we had gotten well into the routine of morning and afternoon lectures, broken up by an awesome breakfast buffet, walks on the deck when the weather permitted, lunch by the window, and just relaxing in the stateroom. Most of the time, it was too windy and cold on the deck to sit …
Continue reading Vacation Travelogue-Hillsdale Cruise to Hawaii, Days Four and Five
Sea days were lecture days on the Hillsdale Cruise, and the first two helped get us into the standard daily routine of morning lectures, lunch, afternoon lecture, and free time. Monday the 16th of July introduced us to the lecture hall, known aboard ship as the Galaxy Lounge. Here we all are that first morning …
Continue reading Vacation Travelogue-Hillsdale Cruise to Hawaii-Days Two and Three
Last month, Hubby and I took a 16-day cruise to Hawaii on the Crystal Symphony, with Hillsdale College. We left from San Francisco for the round trip on Sunday, July 15. We had four days at sea going each way, which were filled with lectures by a variety of conservative speakers. I'll be chronicling our …
Continue reading Vacation Travelogue-Hillsdale Cruise to Hawaii, Day One
Calling-all-RushBabes 