IT'S TIME!!

This week we have been busy getting our March edition of the newsletter ready for print. For those of you that receive it via email....Thursday, Feb 16th is the day, so check your inbox. Those who are keeping their mail carriers busy, check your mail box around the 23rd.

Lots of new things added and I look forward to a busy spring. Just to squash the rumors......I AM NOT COMING OFF THE ROAD COMPLETELY! Gloria is the one that is semi retiring not me - I have a LONG way to go. We have hired a new girl, Brenda Kunkel to help me out with the trips and I know you will love her - we do!

So yes, you will be stuck with me quite a bit in 2012 and also blessed with Brenda. We have several tours that overlap and both Shirley Theis and Barb Hilbert have retired (again) from taking out our one day trips so I definitely needed the help. This will allow me to be more flexible with scheduling and get out there on an occasional one day and casino trip.

Well back to work and be sure to read your newsletter thoroughly.....


Yours in travel,

Tracy

ANOTHER MONDAY...

It seems the weekends always go by so fast but especially when you spend Saturday "working". LOL Not sure most people would consider spending a great day at the Fireside Theater in Fort Atkinson working, but since that is what I do...I technically was "working". The Fireside's group leader appreciation day was last Saturday and Joy, Gloria, Jim and I had the privilege of a marvelous time dining and previewing "Viva Vegas". WOW!! It was fabulous. The band was spectacular as usual and the songs a great trip down memory lane. So if you haven't booked Feb 9th will us yet, do so quickly. Time and space are running out!

Back to work and this time I don't mean dining and entertainment.

Tracy

IT'S FRIGHTFUL OUTSIDE!

Brrr, I am chilled to the bone. I guess our "winter" has finally arrived! Not that I missed it, but did we really think we'd get through January as nicely as we did December? Not in Wisconsin. It's a day like today that working on a Palm Springs or a New Orleans tour is somewhat comforting:) Well I guess I'll turn up the heat and be thankful I don't have a job outside. Doesn't the warmth and comfort of the inside of a motorcoach sound tempting right now....we can change your scenery with just a call.

Stay warm -

Tracy

ABA - AMERCIAN BUS ASSOCIATION

Gloria and I are back from Dallas, TX and our annual ABA convention. The month of January in this industry can be just like January in the private world - dreary, gloomy, and depressing. With the help of ABA and the 3500 members that attended this year, its a helpful tool in regrouping after a busy year and making new acquaintances for hopefully a successful upcoming year. With the economy still very sluggish in tour and travel, we gather with other tour companies, businesses, and destinations feeding off each other's positive outlook and hopeful attitude. We had a great time and look forward to a wonderful 2012 with new destinations, better venues, and improved products.

Now I must get busy putting all the ideas together and developing the perfect tour that is "planned with YOU in mind". Working on Palm Springs won't be hard as we are predicted to get 4-6" of snow today...

Tracy

HAPPY 2012!

Hello everyone!! Yes I am still plugging away here in Waldo, WI. I know some of you have expressed concern due to the lengthy absence of my blogs, but that is just "me being me". In the course of any given day the order of importance is highly recommended in this industry and blogging comes in near or at the bottom along with taking time for lunch...but I am back thanks to my wonderful "technical" soulmate!

Hope everyone had a Very Merry Christmas and a great time ringing in the New Year...with all the hustle and bustle of the holidays over, we are now settling down into our office routine of planning some fantastic destinations so watch our website for details.

I am excited to be heading to Grapevine, Texas for our annual American Bus Association (ABA) convention. New ideas and a great way to get enthused about the tour and travel industry. As my favorite quote reads, "The world is a book, and those who do not travel only read a page" - St Augustine. If I do my job well, we will be creating alot of travel memories together in the future.

Back to work for me...

Tracy

440 GETS A FACELIFT!

The newest addition to our fleet #440 (which is a used coach that we purchased in September, 2010) is getting a whole new interior today. New fabric and foam on all the seats. The crew from Sardo's Bus Upholstery out of Florida came rolling in around noon today and the four guys have been busy ever since. I love the smell of new vehicles...boy does it look nice...ready to roll by the weekend.

Tracy

HOME SWEET HOME!

Our group arrived home safely Thursday, February 3rd after approximately 30 hours of travel...but we all agreed it was worth every minute and every penny! I don't even know how or where to begin to describe our Plains of Africa tour. As Judy A said, "you have to see it to believe it" and I must agree totally. I will be posting my photos soon (after I take time to go through them, since I have over 1000 total). We saw every animal possible, the weather was fabulous, and NO ONE GOT SICK (including me!). Now that is a successful 16 day tour!

We will be offering another African Safari next January so if you are interested in learning more please stop in and see me...you will be glad you added it to your bucket list. And this one you need to do while you are able to enjoy a very adventurous jeep safari...

Tracy