Enjoying Alaska in all its glory and a busy October

AVIVA GOELMAN

There is a certain degree of excitement tied to the unpredictable. I

know this, because when I signed up to join 34 other seniors from the

Costa Mesa Senior Center on an Alaskan cruise, I had no inkling of

the journey that lay ahead of me. And so I was very excited with the

anticipation of the unknown.

What transpired was the trip of a lifetime. There are some people

who don’t enjoy “organized” group trips. But I must say our journey

was well organized, thanks to the Senior Center’s travel department,

and I came away from our trip convinced that this is the only way to

travel.

We winged our way to Seattle from Orange County. Upon our arrival,

we were met by a friendly and doting travel coordinator who made sure

our luggage -- and all of us -- were safely aboard a bus to beautiful

Vancouver. It was there where we boarded our ship, the Norwegian Sun.

From the moment we set foot on our ship until the moment we

returned, I experienced one unforgettable adventure after another.

Our first stop was Ketchikan, where I was treated to a fishing trip.

It was my first angling adventure of my life, and I dove in with

gusto, donning a fisherman’s outfit. A trio of us -- including our

guide Larry -- piled into a small fishing boat and off we went,

hoping to catch a good number of rockfish. To our delight, we

immediately began catching one fish after another. So many, in fact,

that we had to release a few back into the cold Canadian water.

Then, with our boat full of fish, it began raining heavily. We

were taken to a small island, where a campfire was waiting for us. We

cleaned our catches and cooked a delicious bouillabaisse. Even though

it was raining and cold, the adrenaline was flowing. Rarely had I

been as content as I was then.

The next day was just as laden with adventure. As we entered

Juneau, Alaska’s beautiful capital, a few of us hopped aboard a

helicopter for a breathtaking aerial view of the Mendenhall glacier.

We set down and hiked for three hours. Picture it: A handful of

senior citizens dressed like astronauts. I felt as if I was

experiencing a floating sensation.

On the third day, we all took a train ride in Skagway over the

Canadian border and got to see the peaks. One thinks of Alaska as

being snow and ice, igloos and Eskimos, but the scenery was an eye

opener for me. The mountains are gorgeous and full of vegetation,

though these scenes are occasionally interrupted by majestic

glaciers.

By the fourth day, I had every intention of experiencing yet

another adventure. I fulfilled that expectation with a spellbinding

jet boat ride to the massive base of the glacier. Never have I seen

such huge pieces of ice, or seen quite that tint of blue. I never

could have imagined that I would be so close to one of nature’s great

creations.

Departing Alaska brought mixed emotions. I felt as if I was

leaving God’s country.

I want to thank the Senior Center for giving me this experience,

and I look forward to traveling with them again. I know they are

planning many fun trips; everything from a day trip to the casinos, a

journey to the theater and a cruise to Hawaii.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

October is a very busy month at the Costa Mesa Senior Center. This

year we have something for all tastes and interests -- some dancing,

good food, a lot of laughs, an opportunity to volunteer and, best of

all, time to get together with others. So make the time and join in.

We have something for everyone at our center.

* Candidate’s Forum: Oct. 7, from noon to 1:30 p.m. Please join

the candidates who are running for City Council at the center for

lunch. Call ahead for lunch reservations.

* Country Hoedown: Oct. 15 from 4 to 7 p.m. For the third straight

year, we’ll have a down-home barbecue, and we will be kicking up our

heels with line dancing and square dancing. Come decked out in your

Western attire and saunter in, pardner. The cost is $5 for members

and $11 for nonmembers.

* Flea Market: Oct. 16 in our parking lot. This is the best time

of year to clean out closets and garages in preparation for the

holidays. We can use any item with a value of 25 cents and up.

This year, as part of our ongoing fundraising campaign, we are

proud to present a benefit performance of the new “Late Nite

Catechism II.” Just when you thought it was safe to go into the

classroom, Sister is back bigger and badder than ever.

This new, hilarious, interactive sequel by Vicki Quade and Mary

Pat Donovan will be held on Oct. 23 at 8 p.m. in the Robert B. Moore

Theatre on the Orange Coast College campus. This is possible thanks

to the generosity of the Orange Coast College Foundation and the

wonderful cooperation of the foundation’s director, Doug Bennett. VIP

reserved seating tickets are $75 each. Reserved seating tickets are

$35 each.

For further information, please contact Laraine at (949) 645-2356,

ext. 16.

The Rock Harbor Church is fortunate to have acquired its own

facility as of November 2004 and will no longer be renting space at

the Senior Center. Hence, we are looking for new renters for Sundays.

We welcome any organization needing space on Sundays to contact us

(949) 645-2356, ext. 11 and ask for Jessie Ibatuan.

* AVIVA GOELMAN is the executive director of the Costa Mesa Senior

Center and will write occasional columns about the center, its

members and senior issues.