"Sebastian Travel , I just want you to know my trip to the Hawaiian Islands was absolutely great.  I had a marvelous time and want you to know our escorts, Richard and Ken went out of their way, beyond the call of duty to make sure each and every one of us was happy, well taken care of and if not, they would fix it.  Aloha and thanks again,....Bea Candlish

Summer greetings to all our traveling friends old and new... 

Dick and I took a month and traveled to Richmond,Virginia to our son's for graduation and birthday celebrations (and of course, Mother's Day!).  Our son RJ - the Henrico County police sergeant - graduated from the University of Richmond magna cum laude (what happened to the days of forcing him to study?).  Our oldest son, Derek, came from Georgia to help us celebrate also.  We stayed 10 days so we had a good long visit and got in lots of quality time.  RJ took Dick on a tour bus (not the front seat this time folks!) to Washington, DC on May 15th which is always the day set aside to honor police officers who have died in the line of duty.  They went to the Police Memorial and then to the Capitol for a program which included some songs by Lee Greenwood and a speech from President Bush.  There were police officers from all 50 states, Canada, Mexico and Europe.  Dick was very moved by the experience.

We left Virginia and traveled to Lake George Village in upper New York State.  We used to visit Lake George quite often when we lived in Vermont and always stayed in the "economy" motels.  This time, we treated ourselves to a suite at the head of Lake George at the Fort William Henry Resort.  We were on the 5th floor overlooking the Lake and the sternwheel boats that go out daily.  My brother and his wife and son and their two grandchildren came up from Albany to visit with us one day and we were very glad to have the suite - I always forget just how quickly "little people" can move!  Dick and I love the historic richness of the Lake George area and found a miniature soldier shop to spend some time and money in.  We found a new golf course called "The Top of the World" which was on the East side of the Lake and truly made you feel like you were at the top of the world.  Even if you don't golf, the view was spectacular and lunch at the Farmer's Kitchen unique.

From Lake George, we headed East across the mountains of Vermont, through Woodstock and Quechee Gorge, then north to Bradford, Vermont where we lived for 15 years before coming to Florida.  We stayed with friends and visited our homestead, the school where I taught, the cemetary where we said good-bye to former friends, and then had a terrific dinner with about 20 friends we haven't seen in many years.

We then headed to Hampton Beach, NH where we had rented a cottage for 10 days.  The cottage was a chalet style a short distance for the beach facing a lively salt marsh.  Besides becoming reacquainted with the many perennial flowering plants in the gardens, we were constantly entertained by the many birds inhabiting the reeds and marshes.  We also enjoyed the nightly firework displays.  Our youngest son, Adam and his girlfriend came up from Boston and spent a long weekend with us.  The four of us explored the coastal area and enjoyed a clambake in the backyard.  After their visit, my sister and her husband came for a four-day visit.  It was an important time for the four of us since my family has been dealing with some major health issues.  Being able to host them on a much-needed vacation was the highlight of our time in New England.  We took daily trips to sightsee the coasts of New Hampshire and Maine and had a spectacular time.  My brother even came to Hampton one day to visit with us all. 

June 2nd saw us packing up our goodies and heading West again.  As we drove through the beautiful Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts, Dick and I relived the wonderful days we had with family.  We saw all of our children and all of my siblings.  When we came into New Jersey, I routed us through the Delaware Water Gap so that we would go through the city of Stroutsburg where, many years ago, we came across a miniature soldier shop.  A good map and a better memory brought us right to the shop.  Oh what goodies we treated ourselves to there!!!

Our trip was a great success, 4700 miles of memories and laughter.  However, we were very glad to be back in Florida.  We love living here.  We couldn't live back in the northeast again for three reasons: 1. it is too cold -- brrrr, I was chilly most of the time   2. it is very expensive -- love those Florida restaurant prices  and 3. it is too busy -- everyone is trying to get somewhere way too fast and not taking time to enjoy the ride along the way.  We returned relaxed and ready to travel with our friends and clients of Sebastian Travel & Tours.        Dick and Marie Clark

"Our trip to Alaska, 2006 was a dream come true.  The itinerary arranged by Dick and Marie was something out of a travelogue.  Stops at the inner passage ports were fun with lots to do and great gifts to buy.  Shipboard accommodations were mostly exceptional and any problems were quickly resolved by Dick and Marie.  Off ship food was priced according to choice.  Hotels were some of the best available.

After doing everything we planned, eating all we wanted and buying gifts for the "unluckies" back home, we still had some money left over to start saving for 2008!  DON'T MISS IT!".....Pat & Jim N.