I have been thinking about this article for a while, as I knew my travel schedule would have me here and felt it was appropriate to write this article.
 
As I write this it is September 11, 2002 and I am 30,000 feet above the Pacific Northwest on Alaska Airlines flight 480 on my way home to Southern California, after a fantastic trip to Anchorage, Wasilla, Talkeetna and Mt. McKinley.  Please see my article under “Our Travels” for a fun and interesting look at “my” Alaska.
 
We have been through a very interesting year in the U.S. and in the travel business.  Here at The Cruise Place and our sister company Travel Concepts, we have moved our offices and are preparing to move again on October 1^st.  We have had employees leave our work family and new members join our “family”.  We have lost loved ones and we have watched and celebrated, as babies are born and new lives begun.
 
On September 11, 2001 we all watched in horror as Terrorists attacked the United States, and then amazing things started to happen.  I watched as my staff, and the staffs of Travel Agencies across the U.S. jump into action to take care of stranded travelers, contact relatives and help in any way possible.  One of my friends, Lori Carstens, owner of a travel company specializing in group travel, immediately started contacting her clients in Europe and helped them contact their families back home in the US and Canada.  Then as soon as planes started flying again, she and members of her staff were immediately in the air, flying to Barcelona, Amsterdam and London to be with customers and reassure them that their concerns were important and being dealt with.
 
We learned over time of the heroes on United Flight 93 that chose to fight back and most likely saved the lives of many more people on the ground.  We watched as firefighters, policemen and others worked to save as many people as possible in the attacks and gave their own lives.
 
I have spoken to people lately about their thoughts on the year and even though we hear about how tough it has been, how the economy has suffered and our investments are down, there is an overall feeling of national pride and hopefulness that seems to fill the air.
 
For me personally I look back and realize what a great year it has been!  Its true, business was off for a while, my investments are worth less than a year ago and we had to make some changes, but what a year!  My best friend and colleague, Adele McIntosh and her husband Steve had a beautiful baby boy, Travis, in February and just last month my favorite niece and her husband had their third daughter, Kristen.  In February we shook off the fear of terrorism and attended the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics in Salt Lake City and had an incredible time!  I have been lucky enough to take advantage of many of the great travel bargains out there and have been all over the place, as you have seen in the years worth of these newsletters.
 
The most important thing I learned through all of this is that only we can change things for ourselves.  If we act to change things they will change, if we sit around wishing for change, nothing will happen. 

So whatever is important to you, do it. 
If you have wanted to read that novel, do it. 
Wanting to learn to play the piano, do it. 
Thinking about visiting your grandkids, do it.
 
I want to personally thank all of our clients and friends for your business in 2002 and promise we will continue to take care of you and your families travel needs for as long as you let us.
 
Have a great month, and let us know how we can serve you.
 
Warmly,
 
Scott Caddow
Owner, Travel Concepts & The Cruise Place