Thankful…

Yes, the last couple of years have been challenging, but Circumnavigators have much to be thankful for. We wish all of our members, family and friends a Happy Thanksgiving and a great holiday season.

Dinner at the House of Lords in London will be held on December 9^th and there are spots open for this fantastic event. UK Chapter President Helen Jenkins reports that this will be the eleventh dinner hosted by the Circumnavigators. The speaker will be travel journalist Andrew Eames with his many stories from around the world. If you would like to make the trip to London for this event, please contact Helen through Club headquarters at club@circumnavigators.org.

Photographers Ahoy

As reported earlier, our photo exhibit is underway. This year photos will feature food and/or dining. The emphasis will be showing images of interest, not necessarily artful photos. The deadline is November 15. The exhibit supports the Circumnavigators Club Foundation. Please make donations are made to the Foundation, not the Club link.

All Over the Map

Circumnavigator Larry Glick (At Large, Texas) is known for his spectacular wildlife photos, especially birds. He just returned from a remarkable trip to an area of Brazil called the Pantanal.  It is the largest tropical wetland in the world.  There was also a side trip to the Amazon.  Larry added almost 500 new bird species, saw 16 Jaguars, Tapirs, Aint River Otters, Ocelots, a Tamandua, Giant Anteaters., Caiman, Capybaras, and many more. The next issue of the LOG will feature Larry’s adventure along with many of his stunning photos. 

Circumnavigators Norm and Susan Dailey (Washington DC Chapter) have completed their trip to Saudi Arabia which they will recount in the next LOG.

During the visit, they climbed what passed for a road high into the mountain under Shada Al Asfal monument. There they had a traditional lunch in an abandoned village. It isn’t hard to pick out the Daileys in this photo!

Circumnavigators Sue Murphy and Suzanne Frye (New York Metro) kept the club cap moving through various parts of Italy. Here is the Circumnavigators cap at Ponte Santa Trinita in Florence.

Circumnavigators Howard and Amy Matson (New York Metro) prove that a travel adventure doesn’t have to be far from home. The Matsons took a round trip excursion from New York City to Albany aboard some 1947 equipment of America’s most famous train, the 20th Century Limited.  Cocktails in the Tavern-Lounge and then lunch in the dining car. Even the red carpet was rolled out.

Circumnavigator Michael Puldy (Pacific SW Chapter) made a recent trip to Germany where he participated in a vintage Porsche event. He said the trip went well without any hassles. As an aside, we congratulate Michael, a journalist and travel writer, for agreeing to take on new responsibilities for the Circumnavigators communication committee. Additionally, Michael did an interview for another Circumnavigator Regin Reyno who had a podcast program. Regin lives in the Philippines. Here is a link to the interview.

The Last Shot

Do you have a good photo for The Last Shot? Please send to club@circumnavigators.org.

Luck to you!

David A. Mink
International President
davidamink@me.com

Welcome to September

It’s further proof that time flies! We hope all our members, family and friends had a great summer. It looks like the pandemic is far from over, but we have seen that Circumnavigators have ramped up their travel plans. Some of their travels are listed below. Please keep us informed about your travel experiences.

All Over the Map

Even though a trip to Alaska is technically domestic (for Americans) it still feels like a foreign trip. Circumnavigators Russ Bredholt (Palm Beach Chapter) and his wife Chris went there last month on an anniversary trip that included a train trip to Denali National Park.

Circumnavigator Katie Koontz (New York Metro) is in Paris right now, before heading off to the French Alps and Amsterdam. She reports a great time despite some necessary Covid testing.

Circumnavigators Paul & Patricia Buescher (Pacific Northwest Chapter) ventured off to Iceland.They said it was great to be traveling again and taking some terrific photos, including this Icelandic horse.

Circumnavigators Melody & Jon Dill (Naples Chapter) took an amazing cruise in Greece, sailing on the Silver Moon, the newest vessel in the SilverSea fleet. Aside from the site seeing, they were most impressed by SilverSea’s debut of its revolutionary new culinary program, Sea and Land Taste or S.A.L.T. Guests are invited to delve deeper into each region’s cuisine and culture with regionally-inspired dishes, drinks, and demonstrations. Special S.A.L.T. shore excursions enable travelers to experience the food and drink cultures of each destination.

Did you read The LOG?

Did you read The LOG?…We hope you have enjoyed the latest issue of our venerable publication. We appreciate your feedback! Reminder: please share your travels with us for The LOG and Circumbits. Here are a couple of corrections in the LOG. Kathy Sinclair, whose ‘fridge magnets’ were featured, was listed a member of the Chicago Chapter. She is a member of the Michigan Chapter. 

It was really cold…Chasing the Lights, Ann Swinford’s account of her quest to see the Northern Lights in Alaska mentioned the chilly 25 F temps. Ann wants readers to know it was actually minus 25 degrees. She would never complain about a mere 25 F.

Scuttlebutt  

Hurricane takes toll

Circumnavigators Janet & Henry Restarick live in Louisiana near New Orleans and weathered the devastating hurricane Ida. We are happy to report that the Restaricks are safe although their house suffered some damage.

The Last Shot

Do you have a good photo for The Last Shot? Please send to club@circumnavigators.org.

Luck to you!

David A. Mink
International President
davidamink@me.com

Celebrating Freedom

The challenging days of the pandemic have made Circumnavigators reflect on the value of freedom—speech, worship, travel. Most members live in places where these values are cherished. As we get back to international travel, let’s remember the importance of freedom.

Over the Horizon

Circum Legend Alfred (Al) Morasso, Jr. passed away in June at the age of 94 in Somerset, NJ. Al was a member of the Circumnavigators Club for a remarkable 70 years. His father, who was the sole survivor of a tragic ship sinking in Scandinavia, was President of the Circumnavigators and sponsored his son at an early age. Al later became President of the Club from 2004 to 2006. Al’s son (third generation Alfred Morasso) is also a member of the Club for 18 years and is a Life Member. 

Always a colorful individual with a fascinating history, including service in the Korean War, he will be missed. The Club offers its sympathy to wife Betty and the whole Morasso clan.

A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Saturday, July 10, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 414 East Broad Street, Westfield, NJ with internment in The Garth. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the United States Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association and Foundation, Inc., Kings Point, NY or to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Friends of Music, Westfield, NJ in his memory would be appreciated.

Honorary President

The Board of Governors has bestowed a special honor to long-time Circumnavigator Lois Kahan. Lois, who joined the Club in 1994, was named Honorary President of which she remarked, “I’ll tell my family to make sure it is on my gravestone.” Lois has a great sense of humor and is adored by all. She has served the Club in many capacities and rarely misses an event in New York. Congratulations to our Honorary President!

Scuttlebutt

Circumnavigator Sir Clive Banfield, who lives in Saint Thomas, called our attention to the recent recognition by the National Geographic Society of a fifth ocean. The Southern Ocean now joins the Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic and Indian Oceans. Clive has sailed all five oceans; how many other Circumnavigators have accomplished this?

The Last Shot

Do you have a good photo for The Last Shot? Please send to club@circumnavigators.org.

Luck to you!

David A. Mink
International President
davidamink@me.com