My Senior Travel Buddies Southern California

09/08/2026

Bringing your pet along? Pack a favorite blanket, toy, or other comfort item from home to help them feel safe and settled wherever your travels take you.

08/28/2026

08/27/2026

Many years ago, before the internet and e‑tickets, you could buy airline tickets at the airport, but the process was different from today and often involved more personal interaction.

In the pre‑internet era, passengers could walk to the airline’s ticket counter at the airport, tell the agent their travel details, and pay in person. This was common for both domestic and international flights, especially for business travelers or those who wanted to secure a seat on the spot.

08/21/2026

Badlands National Park Is Home to Some of the Most Endangered Species in North America

These species include the following:

1. The American Bison: The Bison once roamed freely and their population was estimated to be 30 million before the arrival of Native Americans and Indo-Europeans. In 1884, there were only 325 left in America. Today, however, they are alive and well in Badlands National Park.

2. Black Footed Ferrets: They were another endangered species. Ferrets live in abandoned prairie dog burrows to maximize their proximity to food sources, raise their young, and escape harsh weather and predators.

3. Bighorn Sheep: Their population went from 2,000,000 to just 20,000 in 1940. Today visitors will see them on the cliffs and hillsides of the Badlands.

Prairie Dogs: They are an abundant species at the Badlands. Prairie dogs tend to be around 14-17 inches in length and weigh 1-3 pounds each. They’re fun to watch and can be seen at Roberts Prairie Dog Town.

08/18/2026

Join me as we discover the legendary landscapes, rich history, and enduring spirit of the American West on this journey through South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, and Utah. Stand before the monumental faces of Mount Rushmore and xperience the powerful tribute of Crazy Horse Memorial.. Walk in the footsteps of history at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument and discover the stories of the frontier in iconic Western towns like Deadwood, Cody, and Jackson.
Venture into Yellowstone National Park, where erupting geysers, colorful hot springs, roaring waterfalls, and abundant wildlife create one of the world's most remarkable natural wonders. Continue to Grand Teton National Park, where rugged mountain peaks rise above alpine lakes and forested valleys, and enjoy time in Jackson, a gateway to the Tetons known for its Western heritage and mountain-town charm.
From historic landmarks and frontier legends to extraordinary national parks and wildlife-rich landscapes, this journey showcases the people, places, and stories that shaped the American West.
PLUS, this tour includes your choice of excursions in Jackson so you can plan your day your way.
ARRIVE IN RAPID CITY Welcome to Rapid City! At 6 pm, join your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome drink.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BLACK HILLS From the four faces carved high on the granite peak of Mount Rushmore to the rocky spires of granite, the Black Hills exemplify the American West and its native history with a rugged beauty and wild serenity you’ll not soon forget.
Click on the link for all of the details:
https://travefy.com/trip/itinerary/k5SSks4Ad3gJBJLOAInlyAXAwMDEEBT7hDNRqEuPvB1ffqhskH5o

08/18/2026

Are you packing multiple pairs of shoes? Don't let that space go to waste! Fill them with socks, chargers, or other small items. It keeps everything together and frees up a little more room. Make the most out of your bag space!

08/14/2026

Alaska’s official state sport is dog mushing

While I don’t consider myself much of an athlete, Alaska’s state sport is one I would happily participate in.

This sport is known as dog mushing, and involves sitting in a sled while a bunch of pups pull you through the snow.

08/11/2026

Pack portable chargers in your carry-on or personal item so any overheating can be noticed and addressed quickly.

08/09/2026

Our last day was a port day at Alert Bay British Columbia.

Alert Bay is situated on Cormorant Island off the northern tip of Vancouver Island and is famously known as the “Home of the Killer Whale.” Formerly a thriving fishing village on the BC coast, the community’s waterfront still speaks to its early pioneer days, with heritage buildings, old village houses, boardwalks, the ferry dock, marinas, and the history of a fish saltery established in 1870.

Alert Bay has much to offer the outdoor enthusiast. Cormorant Island is one of the stops and departure points for kayak tours and fishing in Knight Inlet, Kingcome Inlet, and the Broughton Archipelago.

For whale watching and wildlife viewing, Seasmoke Whale Watching offers small-group whale watching tours from Alert Bay and Alder Bay.

The island is also a strong destination for walking, hiking, biking, and birdwatching, with boardwalks and trails throughout the community and through Alert Bay Ecological Park, known locally as Gator Gardens. Bald eagles can be seen year-round, while late-summer sightings may include harlequin ducks, loons, marbled murrelets, mergansers, grebes, gulls, and scoters along the boardwalks and shoreline.

08/07/2026

On our 5th day of cruising we had a sea day and cruised through Whale Channel.

Whale Channel is a picturesque waterway separating Gil Island from Princess Royal Island in British Columbia’s Inside Passage. Surrounded by snow-capped mountain ranges and teeming with marine life, It is a diversion from the main shipping lane, located roughly halfway between Prince Rupert and the First Nations village of Klemtu.

There were some whale’s humpback and orcas. I barely saw the orcas unfortunately because I really wanted to see them.