A Sky and Sea getaway ...

Add a little nostalgia, romance or adventure to your life!

The next Weekend Getaway will be September 9th through the 11th to Long Beach, California. The locals say that September has the best weather of the year!

sky sea 2016 1

Your Friday airport destination is the Signature FBO at the Long Beach Airport (LGB), and from there you will be shuttled to the majestic Queen Mary. A transatlantic passage on an ocean liner was once the most luxurious way to travel in the world. Now you can enjoy your own stateroom and all she has to offer right at her own berth in Long Beach.

Her unique history is too extensive to write here, but easy to learn about and explore aboard ship with all of the tours and superior exhibits. Just walking her promenades and decks allows you to admire the over 60 woods and veneers in her finish work. (Six of which are now extinct.) Stand in awe at the world’s largest collection of original art deco, and I could go on and on. You’ll just have to see for yourself! There is sooooo much to do aboard ship, come just for her!

sky sea 2016 2

There will be a trip to the Aquarium of the Pacific. Grab the free shuttle from the ship for the 3 p.m. (adult only) entrance time to spend the afternoon at this famous aquarium.

Saturday, we will take a very short walk down the dock to the Catalina Express which, after an hour-and-a-half cruise, will deliver us to Avalon on the beautiful Catalina Island, for a leisurely day of shopping, restaurants, sightseeing, biking, hiking, margaritas on a sandy beach… Come and return on the ferry when you so desire, then meet up for dinner at one of the fantastic restaurants back on board the Queen Mary.

sky sea 2016 3

Sunday, the shuttle will return you back to your plane for a short flight home.

We have been able to negotiate some group rates based on a minimum of 10 rooms and 20 attendees. Based on these negotiations the estimated cost of this “bucket list” getaway will be:

~ Landing fees at the airport (are waived with minimum fuel purchases)

~ Tie down fees are $28/night-single engine and $40/night-twin engine

~ Round trip shuttle between the airport/Queen Mary is $34.40/person

~ Staterooms aboard the QM are $109/night (minimum 2 night stay)

~ Round trip cruise to Catalina is $65/person

sky sea 2016 4

April’s APA Happy Hour at Harold’s!

by Mary James & Susan Wearly

Our Spring Social at Harold’s Corral in Cave Creek on Thursday, April 28th was loaded with fun, food, and lots of stories! We hosted sixty-eight pilots, spouses, aviation enthusiasts, and honored military people. Guests came from all over the Valley and even from Tucson. It was wonderful to see old friends chatting and new friendships forming. Tables were set with red, white, and blue flowers, toy and wind-up airplanes, flags, and more. APA President, Tommy Thomason, welcomed everyone and helped announce the winners of the Question Board Raffle. Two questions were posed and Question #1 had 6 correct answers. Tommy drew from these 6 and congratulations went out to Tim Greer for correctly answering the question of who founded the Arizona Air National Guard – Barry Goldwater. Tim and his wife Lynell took home a liter and a half of Maker’s Mark Bourbon as their prize. Question #2 had 3 correct answers and kudos to Robin Gerblick for her winning answer to the question of who owns the Gray Ghost – Tommy Thomason. Robin and her husband Jim walked away with a fifth of Glenfiddich Scotch. Way to go, Tim and Robin! The party went on well past our 7 pm ending time! It was a great way to welcome in the Double Circle Ranch Fly-In scheduled for April 29-30.

Organizers Susan Wearly and Mary James wish to thank Tommy and all of the APA staff for allowing them to run with their party planning and for helping. $140 was raised toward our Scholarship Program. We had a great showing of just how impressive the APA is as a volunteer organization.

Watch for news of a Fall social later this summer – this could be habit forming!!

Please login to add a comment.