Seattle TravelGram

Get in on the savings while the airlines still battle it out.  Big-time airlines American and United are going head-to-head in another new fall and winter airfare war. United set it off late last week with a $59 one-way sale ($118 round-trip), and now American has announced a similar promotion. Flights are available to more than 100 cities, including Chicago, Miami, Las Vegas, and San Diego.

Book any one of the more than 1,815 routes by Thursday, August 5. Oh yes there are a load of restrictions but if you book ahead you can save on your travel.

Get in on the savings while the airlines still battle it out.  Big-time airlines American and Unitedare going head-to-head in another new fall and winter airfare war. United set it off late last week with a $59 one-way sale ($118 round-trip), and now American has announced a similar promotion. Flights are available to more than 100 cities, including Chicago, Miami, Las Vegas, and San Diego.

Book any one of the more than 1,815 routes by Thursday, August 5. Oh yes there are a load of restrictions but if you book ahead you can save on your travel.

We knew we were staying at the right hotel in Maui when we looked out our sliding glass door and could see Sea Turtles.  It just so happens the the Sheraton Maui Hotel sits right on Black Rock one of the best snorkeling areas on the island.

Every day we snorkeled we saw turtles, angle rays, hundreds of rainbow colored fish and eels and yikes - a really long water snake. The current went from north to south and curled around Black Rock so we’d walk to the sandy beach to the north on Ka’anapali Royal Golf Course and get in the warm crystal blue ocean water and basically float to the sand beach in front of the Sheraton Hotel. It was tough making decisions everyday on weather we wanted to swim in the ocean or in the amazing pool so of course we did both.

The food and drinks at the Sheraton were a bit spendy for us so we found great grocery stores close by where we could buy rum (an essential) and groceries. Our room had a small refrigerator which was so convenient. There were many restaurants with in walking distance too that had delicious food.

We all really had a fantastic time and I’m already looking forward to the next Maui trip. I’d recommend the Sheraton Maui to anyone – anytime. Everyone had the spirit of Aloha!

For Seattle’s Seafair the big weekend is almost here. The Boeing Air Show and Albert Lee Cup are the culmination of the month-long Seafair Festival and is undoubtedly the “Seafair weekend” that thousands look forward to each Summer. The action-packed three-day party includes the fastest powerboats in the world, the Unlimited Hydroplanes, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and fabulous northwest food. August 6-8th.

For many though across the Pacific Northwest, summer and Seafair reach their pinnacle as the six pilots behind the yokes of the “Blue” Boeing F/A-18 Hornets make their thunderous and spectacular appearance at the Boeing Airshow at Seafair. Look skyward, run to the window or pull the car over, the Blue Angels will be soaring above Seafair again in 2010, August 6-8.

Here are some insider secrets for viewing, look to Argosy Cruises for special times when they will take you out for the Blue Anges practices over Lake Washington. OR  The Museum of Flight on Boeing Field is where you can go to watch the planes take off and land. Bring your ear plug too because it’s amazingly loud. There are waterfront parks all around Lake Washington where you can get a birds eye view of the practice sessions too.

Apolo Anton Ohno-Grand Marshal

July 31, 2010 is one of SeaFairs favorite events so plan to grab a spot early becasue this parade get packed early all along the parade route well before the 7:30 p.m start time.

As Seattle’s jewel for 60 years, the Alaska Airlines Torchlight Parade continues to be the Northwest’s largest nighttime parade and a highly anticipated event for generations of spectators lining the parade route year after year. Precision drill teams, community floats, regional and international bands, equestrian units, giant helium balloons, comical clowns and swashbuckling pirates all come together for one magical night in downtown Seattle to celebrate true family and community entertainment.

Seafair and Alaska Airlines are pleased to honor Winter Olympic medal winner and Northwest native, Apolo Anton Ohno as the 2010 Alaska Airlines Torchlight Parade Grand Marshal. Apolo Ohno is the most decorated United States Winter Olympic athlete having captured eight Olympic Medals (two gold, two silver, four bronze). Ohno, 28, was born and raised in Federal Way, Washington.

You will feel the spirit of Aloha when you attend a luau. Really, you “must go” to one of these cultural shows to see the performances and enjoy a really great feast.

We  attended  the Sheraton Ka’anaupla Sunset Luau on Maui. As we waited in line we were handed mai tais and the evening happily progressed from there. Greeting us as we checked in were the evenings entertainers and dancers who were all just wonderful. 

Before dinner we were entertained by traditional hawaiian music and while we waited guests could participate in traditional hawaiian games. We helped ourselves to the open bar with a few more mai tia’s then the all you can eat buffet was opened.

At sunset the entertainment started.  We were treated to masterful drummers who evoked the sounds of Polynesia and we enjoyed dances from Tonga, Tahiti, Samoa, New Zealand and of course Hawaii. Whether you prefer the mesmerizing beauty of the hula or the heart pounding dances of the Maori, there is something here for everyone.

Our emcee kept the audience laughing by bring audience members up on stage to dance with the performers. Some people have no shame or talent for shaking thier hips which made the evening even funnier. I was amazed how many young children got up on stage and put thier parents to shame with thier dance moves.

Honesty the Luau was one of the highlights of my vacation and I highly recommend that if you have the opportunity, don’t miss out. Fun! Fun! Fun!

I just returned from a 10 day vacation to Maui. The weather was just perfect everyday so there was so much outdoor to do. We decided to book one of the tours out to Molokini Crater to snorkel and I’m so glad we did. We found that our tour was a unique experience not to be missed.

Molokini offers exceptionally clear water with visibility reliably in excess of 150 feet. There are only 3 volcanic calderas including Molokini in the entire world and Molokini is designated as an offshore marine sanctuary.  In the clear water you will see  hundreds of species of fish and marine animals endemic to Hawaii, and coral combinations not found anywhere else in Hawaii.

We choose to book our tour through Quicksilver Charters. The Quicksilver is a 55′ power catamaran with a waterslide and glassbottom. The 5 hour trip included breakfast, BBQ lunch, 2 snorkel sites, and a really great crew.

Our second site to dive was a coral reef they called Turtle Town. This was a location that is somewhat challenging because of the surf and how far you are off shore however the water was spectacular and some of the people on the tour saw turtles.

Our captain then took us on a tour by boat of many of the wonderful beaches, pointed out many celebratery homes, history of the islands and so much more. At one point spinner dolphins surrounded our boat and swam along side us for several minutes.

I really recommend taking a day to go here. It was well worth it.

The weather is perfect now for an outdoor adventure. Alki Kayak offers daily sea kayak tours focusing on the natural history and human history of Seattle, the Alki Peninsula, and the Duwamish River. Their tours explore the wilder side of Puget Sound and you may see curious seals and observe nesting bald eagles perched above the “birthplace of Seattle”.

Their Elliott Bay Tour leaves Seacrest Boathouse and takes you offshore to explore Elliott Bay on an adventure that changes daily.  You’ll  head on around Duwamish Head toward Alki beach. Incredible views of the city, the Cascade Mountains, and the Olympic Mountains will be the backdrop for an urban wildlife exploration and journey along a peninsula rich in history.

Alki Kayak’s Sunset Tour also offers a pallde out on Puget Sound and a way to relax and watch a beautiful sunset over the Olympic Mountains.

Alki Kayak is one of the 2010 participants in the Seattle TourSaver where there are over 100, 2-for-one coupons totalling over $8,000 savings on tours, hotels, transportation, museums and more.

Mahalo is a Hawaiian word meaning thanks, gratitude, admiration, praise, esteem, regards, and respect. In this world of cattle car airlines, poor service, bad attitudes, terrible and expensive airline food, late flights and cramped seating – I’d just like to say Mahalo Alaska Airlines for a wonderful flight experience both to Maui and back to Seattle.

I’m going to date myself by saying I can remember when flying somewhere was exciting and something to look forward too. Getting to and from your destination was a good part of the experience and not something to dread. My faith in airline travel has been restored for now, so thanks Alaska Airlines. Good for you.

Join Pacific Science Center Aug. 12-14 for the 3rd annual weekend of astronomy and natural discovery. Led by a team of enthusiastic Pacific Science Center instructors, there will be a variety of hands-on activities and programs throughout the weekend. This trip is sure to be an “out of this world” experience for the whole family!

During the day, learn about meteors, comets, our solar system, constellations and their mythology, and much more. You will enjoy star shows in our Starlab portable planetarium (photo above), build your own telescope, create your own starfinder, hear from a special guest speaker – the list goes on.

This year, our trip coincides with the peak of the annual Perseids Meteor Shower. One of the most beautiful and prolific meteor showers, the Perseids can produce up to 60 meteors per hour at their peak! In addition to observations at our campsite led by Science Center staff, we will also visit the nearby Goldendale Observatory to view the night sky through their 24.5 inch telescope.

Cost: $300 per adult; $175 per child under 14
Cost includes two nights accommodation, all meals, materials for activities, and everything else that will happen this weekend. We provide all the telescopes.

About the Location:
We will be staying at the Brooks Memorial State Park’s Environmental Learning Center, located just outside of Goldendale, WA. The facilities are rustic. You may choose to sleep in one of the Center’s dormitory-style cabins or bring your own tent. Restrooms and showers are nearby and easily accessible. Facilities also include a kitchen, meeting room, and dining area.

Contact Leah Hausman at (206)443-3642 or email travel@pacsci.org.