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London, England: Tourists Had To Duck Out Of DUKW |
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For those of us who served in World War II, a recent incident with a DUKW brings back memories. A boatload of people had to jump into the Thames River after an engine of one of the vintage vehicles caught fire. Fortunately, there was no danger and, although wet, no one was hurt.
Several tourist transportation companies in England and elsewhere offer recreational DUKW rides in the military amphibian vehicles. The attraction is that the excursion takes customers on highways, city streets and into rivers on the same tour. Despite the recent problem in London, the DUKW safety record is at least as good as any bus or river craft.
DUKW was introduced in 1942 as a GMC utility vehicle with front-wheel drive and two powered rear axles. Some historians have insisted the letters formed an acronym, but are incorrect. However, because of the letters, the land/water troop carrier has been fondly called a duck for the past 71 years.
During WWII and the Korean War, thousands of DUKWs were used in invasions and river crossings by American GIs and Marines, as well as British, Canadian, Australian and Russian troops.
For more information, go to www.londonducktours.co.uk
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Sign Up For Last-Minute Autumn Adventures |
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This sailing season is the best for senior travelers to find attractive bargains. That includes those of us who have the luxury (and retirement income) to make quick decisions on hitting the road, sky and ocean.
From now until end-of-year holidays, seasonal business is off everywhere for hotels, cruise lines and airlines. Kids are in school and working adults back at their daily grind. Wandering seniors are now the best source of income for the travel industry. Prices are much lower than during the busy summer season, and empty seats, beds and bunks make industry executives very nervous.
Among the best bargains available now are those involving last-minute bookings. Travel beancounters realize airplanes and cruise ships must depart on schedule, even when not fully booked. This means they need to lower their prices, enticing seniors, their best source of last-minute bookers.
If you fit the image and have the free time and available funds, look into the possibilities. Check with your favorite hometown or online travel agency, as well as the many websites that offer last-minute travel. They include travelzoo.com, lastminutetravel.com and kayak.com.
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Cat Call: Hey, folks! Take Me When You Travel! |
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A travel4seniors.com reader recently sent us this photo and explanation: Although the empty suitcase is always in a corner of the bedroom, Sweetzer the cat never does this until we start packing for a trip. Again, when we return and open the suitcase to unpack, the cat sits on it while glowering this don’t-you-feel-guilty glare.
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Tucson, Arizona: Native American Autumn Festival |
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Member of Tohono O'odham Nation in traditional finery |
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Kasota MN: Re-Up For Driving Armored Memories |
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If you happen to be in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and want to drive a real combat tank, here’s your chance. It could be your first experience, or a way to relive your earlier moments aboard one of those massive vintage vehicles.
Are you a grizzled vet whose tanker time goes way back to Bastogne, Naha, Inchon, Da Nang or downtown Baghdad? Take your ride back into history in Kasota, Minnesota. The town is located about 70 miles southwest of the Twin Cities’ airport.
The facility there is called Drive a Tank, Inc., and it features armored vehicles and propelled artillery, including Russian, British, American and other still-chugging tank examples. Rates go from $310 up to $2,499, depending on how much time you need to ride your massive machine and how much destruction you choose to do.
For more information, go to http://www.driveatank.com/
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