September 21, 2007 - Port Townsend and the Bloedel Reserve (Bainbridge Island)         

Come explore an historic, Victorian seaport and experience the tranquility and beauty of the Bloedel!   We will leave from Oxbow at 7:30. Take the Kingston ferry from Edmonds. Arrive Port Townsend at 10AM and have a guided tour until 11:30. There’s an hour & 1/2 for lunch and shopping; depart Pt Townsend at 1PM. Arrive at the Bloedel Reserve at 2PM and have two hours to enjoy the woodland walks, the bird refuge, the visitor’s center (the Bloedels’ former home), Japanese and moss gardens, the reflecting pool, and the beautiful plantings and water features.  If you wish, you can take a walk down the bluff to the Sound.  The Bloedel is a “hidden gem” of the West Coast and is unique in its concept of any garden in the U.S. Catch the 4:30 ferry to return to Seattle by 5:30.  There are eleven of us who have paid for the trip as of publication date of the newsletter.  There is room for 23 on the bus. The sign-up sheet will be out at the August meeting again.

BETC FOCAL:  Linda Bagley, 253-852-4616, linda.m.bagley@boeing.com

TOUR PROVIDER:  Beeline Tours, Seattle

COST: $95 (could be less, per # of participants) Based on the number signed up so far, the cost drops to $85.50.

October 6, 2007 - Saturday: Yakima Valley Winery Tour (12 Hour Trip)                              

Come and join us for a bus trip to Yakima for lunch and to visit the listed wineries.  We will leave at 8:00 AM from Oxbow aboard a Shuttle Express bus for this fun trip.  It will be grape crushing time and a great time to visit Yakima and surrounding wineries!
11:30:  Barrel House (for lunch), Yakima
1:00: Sagelands Vineyards *$5 tasting fee per person /fee is waived upon purchasing a bottle of wine.
2:00: Hyatt Vineyards
3:00: Silver Lake
4:00: Portteus

There is room for 25, 8 signed up at last meeting. I will have a sign up sheet at the August meeting.

BETC Focal: Marianne (Bunnie) Ballard, 253-657-5572 or  Marianne.B.Ballard@boeing.com

Tour Provider:  Shuttle Express Cost:  $60.00 (due at time of sign up) plus tip and lunch.

October/November 2007 - Tasmania/Adelaide/Kangaroo Island/Indian Pacific Train/Perth Australia with a Fiji Island Post Trip                                                                               

          Pinnacles Desert                              Cradle Mountain

The Tasmania portion starting October 9^th is a pre trip option followed by the Adelaide to Perth main trip with a post trip stop over at the Fiji Islands. In Tasmania we will tour Hobart, Stahan, Huonville Tail, take a Tahune air walk, Gordon River Cruise; visit Cradle Mountain, Smithton, the Jahadi Aboriginal Experience, and Cataract Gorge; and of course see the Tasmanian Devil.

The main trip starting at Adelaide will include a 3 day cruise of the Murray River, a tour of the Adelaide area and a 2 day visit to Kangaroo Island. We will travel 2 days from Adelaide to Perth via the Indian Pacific Train with Golden Kangaroo Service. Our Perth visit will include tours of the area and a motor coach trip up the coast to Monkey Mia and the Pinnacles Desert.

The return trip from Perth will be back to the USA or to the Fiji Islands for a 5 night stop over.

Departure briefing and trip documentation will provided at the September 20^th BETC Meeting.

 BETC Focal: Alex Henschel 425-277-4017 or alexhenschel@msn.com

Tour Agent: Qantas Vacations, Jeri Wehrle 1-800-641-8772 or jwehrle@qantasvacations.com

NOVEMBER 29 -- DECEMBER 5, 2007    BRANSON SHOW TIME!  Seven Days       

Day 1)  Fly to Kansas City; one night Harrah’s Hotel/Casino  Day 2)  Tour the Truman Library.  Dinner at Lambert’s; Shoji Tabuchi Show  Day 3)  Visit Old Town Branson and Silver Dollar City.  Dinner at McFarland’s.  Andy Williams Christmas Show  Day 4)  Drive through the campus of the College of the Ozarks.  Sunday brunch at the College.  Matinee performance of Russian Yakov Smirnoff.  Dinner at the Uptown Café and then the Jim Stafford Show.  Day 5)  Morning for the Lowe Family Show.  Dinner on the Showboat Branson Belle with entertainment.  Evening – the Pierce Arrow Show.  Day 6)  Drive to Kansas City via Carthage MO for a visit to the Precious Moments Chapel.  Then on to Kansas City where you visit the Crown Center on the way to your hotel.  Day 7)  After breakfast, fly home.  INCLUDED:  Round trip air fare, all shows as listed, all six breakfasts, one lunch, four dinners.  Space is limited.

Cost: A $200 deposit holds your place.  Total per person $1,597.

BETC Focal:  Blanche Arbogast, 253-833-0795.

Tour Agent: Lou Noess, 206-824-4682.

December 9, 2007 - LIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS                                                             

Attend a mid-afternoon Dessert Theater and indulge in gourmet desserts while you watch professional actors in a Christmas play.  After the performance you will walk into a fairyland of lights and decorations covering several acres.  Over ONE MILLION lights are used to create this outdoor Wonderland.  Several interesting dinner options include the Western BBQ Buffet accompanied by Western music, the Victorian Tea Shop with lighter fare, and the Joyland Cafe with chicken pot pie.  Another option is the outdoor Joyland Station with hot dogs and sodas.   A wagon ride and/or a train ride around the grounds will help you become oriented.  Youngsters may enjoy pony rides, toy making at Santa's workshop, a visit with Santa himself and a talking Spruce tree.  Entertainment includes musical and dancing groups performing in the Joyland Auditorium, a fascinating story-teller in Blue Mountain Lodge, the Victorian Carolers and Step 2 Theater (small additional charge) with children of all ages performing in a short production.  A not to be missed treat is a bag of fresh hot donuts accompanied by a cup of hot cider, hot chocolate or coffee/tea.  Several shops offer hand-made crafts and interesting seasonal items that make great Christmas gifts.  Transportation will be by coach with convenient pick-up and drop-off sites.

Updated Information:  Pickup places will be arranged for Auburn, Oxbow and Everett.  Prior to arriving at Warm Beach, a two hour stop at Seattle Premium Outlets in Tulalip has been arranged for shopping with discount coupons and for lunch.

Deposit Due Now:  $25 is due now to reserve the bus and space in the Dessert Theater.  Make check out to BETC and mail to Lee Ann Johnson, 320 Summit Ave N., Kent, 98030

Cost (about $70) includes transportation, Dessert Theater and entrance to Lights of Christmas.  Supper, treats and shopping will be at your own expense. 

BETC Focals: Bill and Lee Ann Johnson 253-852-3454 or balajo@comcast.net

Interested?  Let us know by putting your name on the interest sheet at the August BETC meetings.

December 20, 2007 - BETC Christmas Party                                                                   

Our party this year will have a Western theme.  Blanche has also added a “the oldest” contest to the festivities, i.e., who can come up with the oldest copy of the BETC newsletter, the oldest copy of the old Boeing News newspaper, etc.  Due to constraints on the club’s budget, decorations will be eliminated and the food served will not be as elaborate as in the past (but there will be food!).  So put on your best western duds, dust off that cowboy or straw hat, search for those old newsletter copies, and come and join in the festivities!!

Focal:  Blanche Arbogast, Hospitality Chair, 253-833-0795.

2008 BETC Trip Planning

A group of BETC ladies is planning a trip to Las Vegas for shopping, Spa treatments, entertainment and relaxation during the dreary part of winter.

BETC FOCAL: Marianne Ballard 206-824-6822 or marianne.b.ballard@boeing.com

We can hold cabins until August 30^th.  Make your reservations now since this trip will sell out quickly

 Start with an optional 3 night pre- trip cost is ($545 per person, double occupancy) to explore the city of Amsterdam. Depart Seattle on April 18, 2008.

Connect to Main trip on April 22^nd.

Main trip departs Seattle on April 21^st and ends May 2^nd. This is the peak bloom season for all the flowers in Holland and has a 7 day cruise on the M/S Rhapsody to visit Enkhiuzen, Hoorn, the Aalsmeer Flower Auction, Schoonhoven/Keukenhof Flower Park, the Kinderdijk windmills, Willemstad in Holland and 3 nights on land in Brussels. We have only 10 cabins reserved so reservations will be first come, first serve basis!

Cost: $2995 on the Prelude Deck (only 3 cabins available for our group.
          $3295 on the Cantata Deck (6 cabins available for our group)  
          $3395 on the Sonata Deck (Ask for availability when reserving this trip)
          $3645 on the Serenade Deck (Anna and I have reserved Cabin 411)
          Add to the above $300 for airline increase for Seattle departure/return and approximately $300 for taxes/fees/port taxes.
         All costs are per person double occupancy.

Deposit: $500 per person at time of reservation

BETC Focal: Alex Henschel 425-277-4017 or alexhenschel@msn.com

Tour Agent: Grand Circle Travel:

Call 1-800-597-2452 and select option 2 to make your reservation. Identify yourself as a member of the Boeing Employees’ Travel Club

 Service Code GG 83034 with Alex Henschel as the group leader.

1.   You can use Grand Circle Travel and Overseas Adventure Travel credits from past trips to reduce your trip cost. You will receive future travel credits to take future GCT/OAT trips.

2.   The group leader will receive an approximately 9% trip refund 30 days after the trip completion if we have 11 or more take this trip. This refund will be divided proportionally with the members on this trip.

3.   A further discount is provided if you pay total trip cost early.

4.   Insurance is available thru GCT or you can get insurance on your own. I use Travel Guard and get it over the internet, www.travelguard.com.

May 1-15, 2008 - Croatia Trip following the Holland/Belgium Trip

We have openings for only 20 travelers so please make your reservations by August 30^th.

This trip can be taken separately or after the Holland/Belgium trip.

If taken separately the departure from Seattle is May 1^st, 2008. If taken back to back with the Holland trip, we connect to the Croatia trip on May 2^nd. Return to Seattle on May 15^th.

Cost:   Seattle departure $2895 plus an estimated $135 in Airport taxes and fees.

            Connect from Brussels $1895 plus an estimated $250 for European Airfare.

            All costs are per person, double occupancy 

Deposit: $350 per person at time of reservation

BETC Focal: Alex Henschel 425-277-4017 or alexhenschel@msn.com

Tour Agent: Grand Circle Travel at www.gct.com

Call 1-800-597-2452 and select option 2 to make your reservation. Identify yourself as a member of the Boeing Employees’ Travel Club Service Code GG 83034 with Alex Henschel as the group leader.

      1.  You can use Grand Circle Travel and Overseas Adventure Travel Credits from past trips (not the Holland/
      Belgium) to reduce your trip cost. You will receive future Travel Credits to take future GCT/OAT trips
2.  The group leader will receive an approximate 6% trip refund 30 days after trip completion if we have
      16 or more take this trip. The refund will be divided proportionally with the members on this trip.
3.   A further discount is provided if you pay the total trip cost early.
4.   Insurance may be obtained thru GCT or obtained on your own.

 What's Included- Sightseeing Highlights:

• Salisbury: View the Cathedral.
  Stonehenge: Visit the stone circle.
  Plymouth: See the Mayflower steps
  Cornish Highlights: Excursion to view St. Michael's Mount and St. Ives.
  Glastonbury: View the Abbey.
  Wells: View its majestic Cathedral.
  Bath: Orientation including a visit to the Roman Baths.
  Cardiff: See Cardiff Castle.
  Waterford: Visit the crystal showroom (when open).
  Cork: Orientation including views of St. Anne's Shandon Church.
  Blarney: Visit the Castle.
  Killarney: Ring of Kerry drive.
  Adare: See the prettiest village in Ireland.
  Limerick: Orientation includes King John's Castle and the treaty stone.
  Cliffs of Moher: See the seascape towering above the Atlantic.
  Galway: Orientation tour.
  Kylemore: View the Abbey.
  Londonderry/Derry: Sightseeing includes the city walls.
  Giant's Causeway: Visit this geological formation of huge basalt columns.
  Belfast: Sightseeing includes the City Hall and Queen's University.
  Dublin: Sightseeing views of St. Patrick's Cathedral and visits Trinity College to see the Book of Kells.
  Conwy: View the Castle.
  Chester: Visit the historic city.
  Gretna Green: Visit this historic site for eloping couples.
  Glasgow: Orientation tour.
  Glencoe: See the Vale of Weeping.
  Isle of Skye: See the island of Bonnie Prince Charlie.
  Culloden: See the battle site.
  St. Andrews: See the golf course.
  Edinburgh: Sightseeing includes a visit to the Castle and views Holyrood House and Arthur's seat.
  Edinburgh: Tickets to the world famous Tattoo are included
   Jedburgh: See the Abbey.
  Hadrian's Wall: See the fortifications.
  York: Walking tour to the Minster for Evensong.
  Coventry: See the two Cathedrals.
  Sherwood Forest: See the Church where Robin Hood was married.
  Stratford-upon-Avon: Visit William Shakespeare's birthplace.
  Scenic drives across Salisbury Plain, Waterford coast drive, Ring of Kerry, Connemara, North Antrim Coast, Snowdonia National Park, English Lake District, the Scottish Highlands, Road to the Isles, and Borderlands and through the Cotswolds.

Cost:    Land is $4595 plus round trip air from Seattle to London estimated at $900.   
             Taxes/fees, Airport charges and security fees will be in the $250 range
             The final cost will be reduced by a group discount, and the commission BETC receives plus any airline rebates
             given.  This should be in the 15% range for land costs. Insurance is available at $144.  All costs are on a per
             person basis.

Deposit:  A deposit of $200 per person is required by September 1^st to hold your reservation.
                Currently we have only 24 spaces reserved for BETC members and guests.  
                Make your deposit checks payable to BETC and mail to Barbara Elliott our Treasurer.

Final Payments:  95 days prior to departure: $200 plus your insurance payment
                             65 days prior to departure: final payment.  Final payments can be made by check or credit card.

BETC FOCAL:  Alex Henschel 425-277-4017 or alexhenschel@msn.com

Tour Company: Trafalgar Tours, Robyn Messina 800-626-6603 option 1 ext 1 or  robyn.messina@trafalgartours.com

Fall:  Japan tour with an optional trip to Hiroshima.

BETC Focal: Mavis LaBounty 206-878-3514 or m_labounty@msn.com

Members are encouraged to contact the BETC Focals to indicate your interest in the trip idea and what you would like included in the trip.