Postcards 2025: Had to go to Dallas for Training AGAIN

 As a purser for the airlines, I have to go to meetings in Dallas especially for the purser role on the aircraft. They don't refer to it as training, more as a conference....but it is basically more training.  

layover in San Antonio, TX too

Postcards 2025: I always layover in Seattle

 I worked trips to Madrid and Seattle and vacationed with family in Hot Springs, AR

Postcards 2025: Hike-a-thon month!

August is always Hike-a-thon month for me! There are a few more days to get in a last minute donation. Here is the link:   https://give.wta.org/fundraiser/6481756

I want to thank, Alisa, Lea, Suzi, Al and Christine for bringing me PAST my fundraising goal! Thank you so much for your support. I hiked 20 miles in August and raised over $1400!! 

You can send Cash or Check made out to WTA to  Amanda Arkebauer PO Box 16131, Seattle, WA  98116  or visit the fundraising website    https://give.wta.org/fundraiser/6481756

Hikeathon 2025: Amsterdam Hiking and Airplane Spotting

I was supposed to be in Madrid, but ended up in Amsterdam! I had plans for Retiro Park in Madrid, but I was able to pivot and did 3 miles in Amstel Park in Amsterdam instead.   

We escaped from the hedge maze!

I think this is the one of the only windmills actually in the city of Amsterdam

There was a big tour bus here and we had to wait for them to leave to get our photos. 

Canal along the border of the park

Then back home in Seattle, I did 2 miles on the Cedar River Trail in Renton. This is another trek that I do most every year as it is so easy. It is a nice paved path that starts from the southern end of Lake Washington by the Renton Boeing Factories.

The ducks hurried over to see Miles the Marmot

wildlife on the trail :-)

Airplanes getting ready for delivery

  So far I have hiked a total of 20 miles and we have raised $1010, so I have already exceeded my fund raising goal!! Thanks so much to Becky Henry, Fred and Nancy Woods (who have donated twice!!) and Christine Franke for their recent donations that put me over the top. If you send me a check or cash, it will take a few days for it to show up on the WTA website, but rest assured when I do get your donations I try to immediately send a thank you so that you know I got it. 

You can send Cash or Check made out to WTA to  Amanda Arkebauer PO Box 16131, Seattle, WA  98116  or visit the fundraising website    https://give.wta.org/fundraiser/6481756

Hikeathon 2025 Lisbon again!

Those of you who follow my hike-a-thon every year know that I often do the Portuguese Camino route through Lisbon as part of my hike-a-thon routine. This year was no exception. I did 3 miles along the Tagus River. 

getting ready to leave Philadelphia for Lisbon

I google mapped my route with stops for shopping on the way back :-) 

Follow the yellow arrows to Santiago Spain and follow the blue arrows to Fatima

Fatima is another pilgrimage route here, follow the blue arrows to get there

The Vasco de Gama Bridge is the second longest in Europe

Statue of Catherine of Braganza who was Queen of England during the late 1600's Married to Charles II She was Portuguese Royalty and spent her childhood in Lisbon. 

I love the cobblestones, but they can be treacherous, especially when wet 

On the way back looking at the Vasco de Gama Tower, It was built for the World's Fair here in Lisbon in 1998. 

Who was this Vasco de Gama that everything is named after here in Lisbon? He was a Portuguese explorer and was the first European to reach India by sea (remember that is where Columbus was headed when he landed in North America). Portugal was a maritime super power during the 1400's-1600's.  Portugal dominated the trade between Europe and South America and between different regions of Asia, such as India, Indonesia, China, and Japan.

Also what is this pilgrimage to Fatima? 

In 1917 the Virgin Mary appeared to some children in Fatima. It was during WWI and it was a message of peace. In 1930, the Vatican recognized the Virgin of Fatima as a legitimate miracle and now pilgrims make the trek (it is 80 miles from Lisbon) to celebrate the power of faith. 

So far we have raised $910 for the WTA and I have walked 15 miles. 

You can send Cash or Check made out to WTA to  Amanda Arkebauer PO Box 16131, Seattle, WA  98116  or visit the fundraising website    https://give.wta.org/fundraiser/6481756

First week of Hikeathon 2025

 On August 3rd I got up before the sun to drive out to Sol Duc Falls and Hot Springs Resort on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington. I was able to get a campsite reservation at the last minute and I took advantage to hike from the campground to the Falls using the Sul Duc Falls Trail and the Lovers Lane Trail to do a 6 mile loop. Then I was able to soak in the Hot Springs to recover! 

The next day I left Sul Duc and traveled to Lake Crescent and did 2 miles on the Spruce Railroad Trail. The trail through the forest follows an old railbed built during World War I to transport Sitka Spruce from the great forests of the Pacific Northwest to Seattle and points east. 

 

I continued onward to the Salt Creek Recreation Area to hit low tide and visit the tide pools there! I hiked another mile along the Bluff trail and trails to WWII bunkers. 

That night I had booked a "glamping spot" on AirBnB because everything was full everywhere else. The next morning, I drove out on the way home and stopped on Bainbridge Island to hike to see the Dambo Troll that is at Sakai Park.  I knew that it was 1 1/2 miles from the ferry terminal, so I did the 3 miles to the troll and back.  Pia the Peacekeeper,  is an 18-foot-tall troll made from recycled wood. I got on the Bainbridge Ferry back to Seattle and home. 

Leaving Bainbridge

I want to Thank Connie Bigelow for being my most recent Supporter for Hike-a-thon!! Next week I will be hiking in Lisbon (Portuguese Camino again!!) and Madrid.  So far we have raised $710 for hike-a-thon and I have hiked 12 miles. 

Remember, you can send Cash or Check made out to WTA to  Amanda Arkebauer PO Box 16131, Seattle, WA  98116  or visit the fundraising website    https://give.wta.org/fundraiser/6481756