Concluding a summer filled with exciting events, travels and the inexorable garden work, was a most memorable 9-day alumni cruise to Mexico aboard the Celebrity Cruise Line ship Mercury.

        Sponsored by the class of 1958, the cruise was initiated as a fund raiser to help provide Lincoln with needed revenue to aid programs not funded by the San Francisco Unified School District budget.

        Giannini Junior High and 1958 Washington High School graduate Larry Oppenheim, of Bel Mateo Travel Agency acting on behalf of the Lincoln class of ‘58, channeled all bonuses back to Lincoln High School through the Alumni Association.

        Response to the cruise, originally a class of ‘58 reunion, was underwhelming. When the opportunity was offered to the entire alumni, over 40 cabins were required to accommodate the requests

        Preparation for travel of any kind is hectic at best. The usual last minute quadruple check of necessities, tickets and passports. Take the dog to the relatives, check the kids into the kennel....wait! ..reverse that, they refused the kids last time. Got the keys?  Doors locked? Neighbors notified? Luggage all packed? Let’s go!

        After the initial mandatory “ohhhs” and “ahhhs” aptly vocalizing our awe at this huge “city-on-water,” we started our trek around the ship to deliver the memorabilia t-shirts which were designed specifically for this cruise. This took more than an hour and used up all the calories we would consume during the entire first meal because the cabin choices for our group were spread about the ship from stem to stern, deck to deck.

        Nine days of being pampered, fed, escorted and entertained is not hard to take at all. Couple that with shore excursions in Catalina, Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallerta and you have a cruise to remember, as 70 alumni, spouses and friends can attest.

        Day three was highlighted by a tour of Santa Catalina, “26 Miles Across the Sea” from Los Angeles. Avalon is the only city on the island and is four square miles of mostly golf carts, bicycles and tourist concessions. Our tour guide waited 21 years for a vehicle permit as they are limited on the island. William Wrigley Jr., of chewing gum fame, was instrumental in founding  and promoting the island. Bringing improvements and building the Botanical Gardens within which is the Wrigley Memorial. “Wrigley Field West,” located inside the city of Avalon, is where the Cincinnati Reds conducted Spring training.

        Days four through eight were entertainment ashore and at sea. From shuffleboard to swimming, from satellite TV to live entertaiment in the theater, there was always something to do. Taking a leisurely stroll around the deck, a power walk or jog on the marked track, a workout in the gymnasium,  or just kicking back on the fantail watching the ships wake; there was something for everyone, including the enthusiastic shopper, whose appetite could be satiated in the myriad shops located aboard. Tours and casual sightseeing abounded at each port and stories were plentiful at the conclusion of each in-port day.

        Almost to a person, it was agreed that this was one of the most fantastic vacations they had ever had, and looked forward to the next voyage tentively scheduled for 2006 to Alaska.

        Although the majority of participants were from the 40’s and 50’s, the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s were amply represented.

        Let us know if you are interested in the next voyage. LincAlum@aol.com.