Preliminary arrangements follow for the USS Stoddard’s
20th Reunion in Seattle. Any feedback is certainly
welcome. Internet addresses are listed in case you would like
additional information.
WEDS 17 SEPT 2008:
Arrival at the SIXTH AVENUE INN in the heart of
downtown Seattle. We will have convenient access to local
attractions with 2 different shopping centers/malls within 2-1/2
blocks, including Nordstrom’s landmark store, and Pike Place
Market a mere 6 block walk. It’s ½ block from the big Westin
twin Towers in downtown Seattle, with airport shuttles available
around the clock. There is a restaurant located in the Sixth
Avenue Inn as well as many other restaurants within walking
distance.
THURS 18 SEPT 2008:
SPACE NEEDLE: Take the elevated MONORAIL to Seattle
Center and go up 520 ft to the Space Needle Observation Deck for
a 360 degree view of Mt. Rainier to the south, the Cascade
Mountains to the east, the Olympic Mountains to the west and a
lofty view of downtown Seattle, its seaside activities including
ferries, cruise lines, cargo ships, and float planes. More info
at www.spaceneedle.com
RIDE THE DUCKS! Hilarious, Coast Guard-certified
maritime captains will take you on a musical tour of the Emerald
City via Amphibious World War II vehicles (refurbished Army
Ducks). You’ll tour downtown Seattle, historic Pioneer Square,
funky Freemont area, then Splash! Into Lake Union for a
spectacular view of the city skyline, luxurious yachts, and
Sleepless in Seattle Houseboats!
www.ridetheducksofseattle.com
PIKE PLACE MARKET: The Ducks will drop us off at this
100+ year old market for individual browsing, shopping, and
lunch. The afternoon will be free.
www.pikeplacemarket.com
FRI 19 SEPT 2008:
FERRY ride to Bremerton (1 hour each way)
USS TURNER JOY, DD951. The Turner Joy is a 4050 ton
Forrest Sherman class destroyer built at Seattle in August 1959.
We will have our MEMORIAL SERVICE on board the Turner Joy, then
tour her before lunch. After lunch, options are to continue
touring the ship or catch a ferry back to Seattle for an free
afternoon of shopping along the piers of Elliott Bay.
www.ussturnerjoy.com
SAT 20 SEPT 2008:
BUSINESS MEETING will be held at the hotel after
breakfast.
SS VIRGINIA V: Board this 85 year old steamship for an
excursion around Lakes Union and Washington. Once part of a
large fleet of "Mosquito Fleet" vessels which served waterfront
towns all over Puget Sound, she evokes the sights, sounds, and
feelings of steamship passage from another era. Her silent,
smooth steam engine (visible from 2 sides), a new boiler,
gleaming wood and white paint are an impressive sight.
www.virginiav.org
BANQUET: Gather for our final evening with dinner,
dancing, and prize drawings.
SUN 21 SEPT 2008 – OPTIONAL TOUR:
Set sail on the VICTORIA CLIPPER high-speed catamaran
traveling through Puget Sound and into the Strait of Juan de
Fuca, arriving at the Inner Harbor in VICTORIA, BC, CANADA
for an overnight stay in this delightful city steeped in British
tradition. Saturday afternoon will be free to explore on your
own around the harbor and city. Sunday will bring a tour of the
city and a visit to the Butchart Gardens, a 55-acre floral
splendor begun in 1904 as an effort to restore a worked-out
quarry site. Return to Seattle in the afternoon aboard the
Clipper.
www.clippervacations.com
Interesting activities for free time: Seattle Art Museum,
Olympic Sculpture Garden, Museum of Flight
(contains Concorde, original Air Force One, space exhibitions,
Blue Angel simulation), glass blowing, shopping, trolley car
rides, tour Seattle Mariner Safeco Field….
Your hosts John Gerten, John Laible and I are looking
forward to seeing everyone in Seattle. You can reach us at
capt01john@aol.com
or 425-483-9106.
Cricket Laible