The Macaluso/Simmons 2012 Christmas Letter
| Season's greetings
from Kingwood, Texas. I hope this newsletter finds you and yours in good
health and spirits for this holiday season. With all the fluff of the
Presidential election behind us it is now time to get down to business
and make this country work harmoniously again. For us, this year has once again been full of events to share. In summary, I guess we can call this the year of travel as we made a resolution to get out of town every month if at all possible. In February Robert and Sandra jumped on an airplane and headed for Honolulu on Super Bowl Sunday. It was somewhat of an impulsive trip but everything worked out well. We stayed in the Waikiki Beach area and visited all the area shops and attractions. The weather was fantastic and the ocean beautiful. In fact we had such a good experience that we agreed to do this every year. Hotel reservations have already been made at the Hale Koa for this February. We look forward to the trip. In April Robert attended the semi-annual Antique Outboard Motor Club lakeside meeting in Austin, TX where he and Brenden ran their motors and swapped parts. This group has been getting together twice a year for the past 20 years. May brought a 7 day Carnival cruise to Alaska's Inland Passage with a Vancouver, BC departure and a Seattle recovery. Once north of Vancouver the weather was predictably cool but it only rained on one or two days. This area is notoriously "wet." The ship was spotless and the food and entertainment excellent. We even got to pull up next to a rapidly moving glacier in Glacier Bay National Park to watch the ice break off into the sea. It was a memorable experience. June took is to Hot Springs, Arkansas for a weekend gathering with the Southwest Bonanza Society aircraft owners' group. The tour of the old hot mineral springs bath houses is something everybody should experience. Hotel, ground transportation, and entertainment were all prearranged and the weather was wonderful. We would go back in a minute. In July we jumped in the Bonanza and flew to Oshkosh to attend the Experimental Aircraft Association's annual air show. This is a world renowned event in central Wisconsin. Robert wanted to look for some airplane parts and talk to some vendors so we beat feet throughout the exhibits for two days. Again the weather was most cooperative. In August we were watching the London Olympics on TV when Robert realized that after the closing ceremony the city's hotels would most probably be quite empty. He was correct. We jumped on a nonstop flight to London and spent 4 days downtown. We got to see most of the sights and ride the buses and trains without overcrowding. We also took full advantage of the London Theater District and attended two Broadway Plays which were within walking distance to our Hotel. It was a great visit and again the weather cooperated. The only downside was the $152 per person airline departure tax which is levied to pay for increased airport security. In September we flew to Branson, MO to attend the national gathering of the Antique and Classic Boat Society on Table Rock Lake. There was a particular boat that Robert wanted to see which is similar to the one he is restoring so we went and actually got to drive it one morning. This was motivation to get back working on the one we have in the shed. It was certainly worth the trip. If I haven't lost you yet, October was a particularly busy month. Robert wanted to attend the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association convention in Palm Springs, CA for two reasons. First to again obtain information from some selected vendors and also because neither of us had ever been to Palm Springs. It is a lovely high desert town within driving distance to Los Angeles. We connected through Las Vegas and spent the weekend with Sandra's son who is based at Nellis, AFB. He arranged for us to get close and personal with a new F-22 fighter and it was exciting to run your hands along the sleek craft that will represent air superiority for this country for many future years. Had enough? Well between trips, Robert finished the restoration of his 1959 Beechcraft Twin Bonanza aircraft. The result has been spectacular. We are very pleased. Now, I guess we will again turn our attention to finishing the restoration of one of his prized Chris Craft boats. Thanks for listening and by all means, please keep in touch. We enjoy sharing our activities with you as we all continue to lead active and rewarding careers and retirements. HAPPY HOLIDAYS ROBERT MACALUSO
SANDRA SIMMONS |