Letters: The long shadow of internment

Diane Lambdin Meyer’s article on Heart Mountain tells an important story in the history of our country [“Heart Mountain Still Chilled by the Winds of Internment,” March 31]. It is a story that many prefer to ignore. I compliment her and The Times. It would not surprise me that some readers may not have liked it when they began to read it in the Travel section on Easter Sunday. I hope it was read by them and will lead to other serious thinking about what happened to the Japanese Americans in August 1942.

H. Sacks

Playa del Rey

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I was born in January 1943 just as the internment was getting underway. National security was paramount, so the country did what it did. The camps provided an area of safety for the people. Spartan by today’s standards, medical and social needs were provided.

The important point is: Internment did end; there were no human rights violations, and the people were returned and compensated. Not perfect but far from being shameful time for the U.S.

Bill Watters

Westminster

Disputing Cambria points

I beg to differ with the March 24 letter from Ed Schoch about accommodations on Moonstone Beach in Cambria that he calls motels. We recently stayed at the newly remodeled Blue Dolphin Inn, which is a hotel. Two stories with parking in the back. The rooms are beautifully decorated. A tasty breakfast, which we preordered, was delivered to our room on time. The staff was very professional in their attire and service.

We would definitely stay there again.

Eunice Fly

Carpinteria

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If those Cambria visitors who complained about finding the market closed at 5 p.m. had asked anyone on the street they would have been gladly directed to our local supermarket, the Cookie Crock, which is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.

Elaine Evans

Cambria

In and outs of cruises

Regarding On the Spot by Catharine Hamm [“The Right Questions,” March 24] and concerns related to cruise travel with a disabled person:

Go for it. Memorable events will last a lifetime. Disabled? Yes. We’ve been there, done that. And you can too! We have enjoyed 20 years of river and sea cruises. Both will work when you carefully select the river boat, barge or ship at sea. Here are several suggestions from our cruise travel experience:

1. Fiords of Norway onboard the Hurtigruten line. Sail through the fiords to small cities and fishing villages. Incredible scenery.

2. Rhine River cruise from Basel, Switzerland, to Amsterdam. Medieval castles and cities along the river.

3. Vancouver to Alaska on the Holland American Line. Don’t miss huge glaciers and soaring bald eagles.

4. Board a riverboat and cruise rivers and canals around Holland. Beautiful at tulip time in the spring.

5. Our most recent experience, in November 2012, was from San Diego to Florida through the Panama Canal on board Holland America Line. Admiration for a man-made marvel.

6. In the planning stage, our next cruise will be on a paddlewheel riverboat on the Mississippi River.

Important suggestions for disabled travelers:

1. There is no rule that you must leave a ship in port. If a land tour is very strenuous, a person can enjoy the ship’s library, sun deck, sauna or massage and on return a partner can share the tour highlights.

2. Contact Road Scholar-Adventures Afloat at https://www.roadscholar.org. This travel nonprofit organization is ideal for retired people looking for adventure and new experiences.

3. Have you considered the use of an electric wheelchair? It takes a lot of energy to push a wheelchair over cobblestone streets. Work to strengthen muscle tone.

4. An elevator is essential on multi-level boats and ships.

5. Stay flexible and go with the flow.

Fred and Winifred Strong