Christmas on a cruise ship...

It's New Years Eve. We've been on a cruise ship for the past 7 days, getting back to the trailer late last night after dropping Kath and Dave off at the airport. Seeing the kids after 3 months was wonderful. You really don't know how much you miss the constant nattering between them until it's not there .... after we dropped them off we missed them even more.

The cruise ship was pretty nice.
- Total number of passengers: 2786.
- Number of kids: 500.
- Number of people with more disposable income than me: 2782.
- Our "incidental" tab for the week: $1076.00.
- Fuel used on the ship: 65,000 gallons/day. 23.3 gallons/day/person.
- Guilt I felt for being on this floating example of Western excess: enormous.
- Guilt I felt for reading a book in 80 degree heat by a pool on Christmas Day: none.

It was pretty surreal to spend the holidays on a cruise ship. We visited Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas, and spent 3 full days at sea (only one of which was rough - 12 foot swells). The food was good, the accommodations were great, and the weather was fantastic (except for the above mentioned 12-foot-swell-with-gale-force-winds on the last full day).

We got on the boat at 1pm on Saturday the 23rd, and got off at 8:45am on Saturday the 30th. We had seven dinners and six breakfasts with our kids. We sat by the pool with them for about 30 hours. It was worth every penny....

PS: Photos on Flickr

Merry Christmas, Los Angeles, and the Blood Diamond movie...

We headed north from San Diego on Tuesday this week, getting to Dana Point that night. We had dinner with new friends we met in Napa in October – Tom and Karen H who live in San Juan Capistrano (where the swallows return to every spring). They invited us for a home-cooked meal when we eventually got to the LA area, and we had a great time. On Wednesday, we drove through greater LA and now are camped out in Valencia. I’m very happy to have the San Diego – Los Angeles section of trailer towing done with!

Laura and I took this afternoon off to go see a movie – “Blood Diamond”. Although it’s received mixed reviews, we thought it was very well done – although quite violent. Perhaps we’re more interested in the troubles of Africa after John D’s trip there. I’d encourage you to see the picture – reinforces the unintended consequences of our (mostly Western) behavior…

We pick up Kathryn and David at LAX tomorrow morning, and then we’ll spend the afternoon at 6-Flags Magic Mountain (basically a big roller-coaster theme park) – it’s about a mile from where we are. We board the cruise ship on Saturday morning and will have Christmas at sea – our first stop will be Puerta Vallarta on December 26^th. We’ll then visit Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas before heading back to Los Angeles.

Since we’ll be out of contact while on the cruise ship, I’d like to wish everybody a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Platonic love to many of you …. “real” love to the rest – you know who you are ;-)

Peace!

PS: Flickr is now up to date with all our photos...

San Diego - the Zoo, the Wild Animal Park, and SeaWorld

Laura and I have been in San Diego since Thursday (Dec 14). We bought a 3-park pass and went to the Wild Animal Park on Friday, the Zoo on Saturday, and SeaWorld yesterday. Both the Wild Animal Park (actually a part of the San Diego Zoo) and the Zoo were fantastic. Absolutely world class … probably the best two “zoos” we’ve ever been to. The San Diego Zoo is a non-profit organization, so all the money spent in the parks stays in the park.

SeaWorld, on the other hand, is owned by Annheiser-Busch. I had never been to SeaWorld before, and was (naively), expecting a wet version of the zoo. What I saw, though, was a theme park (think 6-Flags or Disneyland) that exploited animals. During the “Shamu” show, it was all I could do to not leave. Having seen Killer Whales off the coast of BC, it’s painful to see them (about 6 of them – all named “Shamu”) in a pool much, much smaller pool than Snug Cove on Bowen Island (all you Vancouverites will know where this is). You can also “feed the dolphins” or “play with the Beluga’s”. At least with Disneyland, you know what to expect – entertainment. I’m not going back to SeaWorld – ever.  

Doug's Christmas 2006 Blog

There are many people receiving this message that will be relieved that 2006 is almost over. Her Majesty (that’d be The Queen, not Oprah) said some ten years ago that this has truly been “Annis Horribilis”. I’d like to add “It’s darkest just before it goes completely black”, and “Inside every silver lining there’s a dark cloud”. There were moments when our year was looking that way as well – but things are going much better now, and 2007 will mark a new beginning for many of us. (How cliché)

Everybody that’s receiving this letter has likely been kept up to date with all that’s happened this year through my email messages. So, for a change, I’m going to let Laura, Kathryn and David fill in the blanks.

I would like to say – before I give them their turn – that I’ve come to some hard-won realizations this year. Next to your health, family and friends are the most important things you have. Stuff is just that – stuff. It’s amazing how well you can get along without very much stuff (like how little you can stuff into a 25’ trailer).

Also, Laura and I must truly be meant for each other – we’ve spent most every hour of the last six months together, and I don’t have any stitches.

Also, we miss the kids, and we believe they miss our money. Maybe us they miss us too.

Anyways, please have a wonderful Christmas – enjoy your friends and your families, ignore the stuff, and if you can breathe deep – breathe!!

Platonically (or maybe not) …. Doug

PS: Many of the photos we've taken over the last few months are here.

PPS: Although I say that Christmas is not about stuff, there is some stuff I’d like … I’d like peace in the Middle East, I’d like GM to bring back the electric car, I’d like heavy taxation of the petrochemical industry, I’d like a cure for diabetes, AIDS, heart disease, cancer and malaria, and I’d like an offshore sailboat that Laura will live on…

PPPS: Please make sure you check out the blogs from Dave, Kath, Laura and Bo

Dave's Christmas 2006 Blog

"It feels like just yesterday that the flickering lights of Jack O' Lanterns dotted my block, and now it’s Christmas". That’s how I started my section of the Christmas letter LAST time, which explains why my dad has refused to let me write one for the past 4 years, but I’m back, and more flamboyant than ever.

On the topic of flamboyancy, I decided to make the switch from the University of Victoria to a pure art school, Emily Carr Institute of Art & Design (on Granville Island in Vancouver). I figured at UVic they could teach you to drink like Jackson Pollock, but not paint like him. I’m having an alright time at Emily Carr (it's very tough), and I still keep in touch with friends from Victoria.

As you may or may not know, my parents skipped town about three months ago, and sold my childhood house away. When they come back I am going to make amends by living with them until I make it as an artist (about 55). My current accommodations are a bit shady; I live in a Polish family's basement suite in Kerrisdale with my sister. Our floor slopes into a corner, and we can hear our landlords argue over money through the heating vents – it’s juicier than Desperate Housewives – or so I’m told.

In addition to living in a dingy basement suite, having a 3 zone bus pass, and going to Art school, I also work at...Starbucks. People have told me this company is a cult and I can tell you that it’s all lies spread by Tim Horton’s and Folgers. Starbucks is seeking to become the world’s finest purveyor of coffee, while connecting with its customers in a meaningful way everyday. Come on in and try our new Holiday Favorites, the Peppermint Mocha, Gingerbread Latte, and the Eggnog Latte. Make it a Venti for under $6.00. Wow! What a deal!

On a less sarcastic note, I think this year has been a real challenge for me and my family. As the tin man said as he entered the dark forest in the Wizard of Oz, "It’s going to get a lot darker before it gets brighter again". I think it’s starting to get lighter, and I am looking forward to leaving the dark forest of 2006 - let’s just hope those evil flying monkeys don’t follow us into 2007.

Merry Christmas! … Dave

Kathryn's Christmas 2006 Blog

”Don’t try to be funny, chicks aren’t funny.” This was the answer I got when I asked “what should I write in the Christmas letter, Dave?”

2006 was quite the year...on my side of things I’m set to graduate this coming May from UBC with a BA in History and English. I’m not worried about the future; MacLean’s said that the economy is so hot that if you have a pulse and a watch you can have a job! I’ve got a pulse, a watch and a BA! I’m definitely a shoo-in for middle management!

My plan as it stands is to take a year off to travel, teach some English in Asia and figure out what to do with the next decade of my life.

The apartment is not a sketchy dump (as per Dave) although the people upstairs yell a lot and there is a family of raccoons that live outside and eat our garbage. We also had that stray cat through the kitchen window problem during the summer. Otherwise the place is great; we live close to grocery stores, school and
downtown.

Well, as I’m not supposed to even try to be funny, I’ll border on corny … Kath’s final comments for 2006; live, laugh, love, reduce, reuse, recycle and go to www.saveourclimate.ca!

Peace!
Kath

Laura's Christmas 2006 Blog

In January of 2006, I never expected that I would be rock climbing at Joshua Tree National Park in December. But it has been a year where too many unbelievable things have happened to our family.

But in the end, as this year finally comes to a close, I feel grateful. Grateful that Doug is well on the road to being back to his old competitive, hockey playing self. Grateful for my kids who were troopers through all the tough days this year and are growing into amazing young adults. Grateful for our extended family and amazing friends who cooked for us, packed up our house, gave us a place to stay, made me laugh, and most importantly, were there when I needed a shoulder to lean on.

There are some details I would like to add about our trip:

We spent the first night of our trip in beautiful Lake Tapps Washington, at the home of Don and Wendy Swanson. (Doug reported that our trip started on the Oregon Coast).

Do you know that only approximately 5% of all people go below the rim of the Grand Canyon and less than 1% hike to the bottom?

In Death Valley, the main well in the middle of the valley kept getting covered over with sand, so they used stove pipe to mark the well for travelers. Stove Pipe Wells is where I spent my 46th birthday. It was pretty cool. We had dinner at Furnace Creek Inn which was built in the ‘30’s and has been lovingly cared for ever since. It is an oasis in the desert.

I haven’t brought out the knives or scissors yet, but I have looked seriously at the cast iron fry pan a few times when I have been angry at Doug. Seriously though, for all the togetherness, there have been few angry words. I am looking forward to hanging out with all my girls when I get home- I miss you lots.

Finally, I have seen some amazing things and had some wonderful experiences over the last 4 months but in keeping with the Wizard of Oz theme, “There’s No Place like Home”.

I wish you Peace and Joy this Holiday Season.

Laura
xoxo

Bo TPD's Christmas 2006 Blog

I live in a 25’ long dog kennel. Every time I go outside I have to figure out where to pee … the trees keep changing. For two months, I had cactus burrs and sand in my fur, but now that we’re back near the ocean I feel more at home. This is a picture of me at the Grand Canyon before my hair cut. Now I look like Mr. Bigglesworth …

Merry Christmas!!

5-month update

Hi Folks:

Five months since July 6th, and I'm still writing this ridiculous update. If only I had something productive to do with my time. But your loss is my gain, so here I go …

So far on our trip, Laura and I have been to the Oregon Coast, San Francisco, Reno, Carson City, Death Valley, Pahrump, Laughlin, The Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Quartzsite, Yuma, Palm Springs and Joshua Tree. We're getting a little "travel weary", and plan on slowing down soon. We're going to stay here in Palm Springs for two weeks, then a week in San Diego, and then the Christmas Cruise with the kids (out of LA). When we get back from the cruise, we'll decide what we're going to do in Jan-Feb-Mar 2007.

Health-wise, I've reached a plateau. I have good days (lots of energy, feeling pretty normal) and not-so-good days (low energy, sore). Mostly it's related to the previous day – did I lift something heavy, did I over-do the exercise, did I have more than two bottles of wine with dinner? In order to improve, I think we'll need to find a place where I can really get into a program of regular, aerobic exercise and some weight-training. Perhaps two months at the Westin Maui Resort & Spa? Anybody have a gift voucher?

Some additional observations from the road:

The most disturbing thing we've seen so far is being passed on the shoulder of a 2-lane highway by a pair of ATV's. Two wheels on pavement, two wheels on gravel, going about 75mph (I had no idea they could move that fast). This happened outside Las Vegas. Cool, huh? Laura's comment was "what would their mothers think?" My comment was "fortunately, they're wearing helmets so their heads will be identifiable after the crash".

I now know why cars in the southwest last so long. Car washes are cheap, and they are very good. For about $10, you can get an excellent inside-outside wash that takes about half an hour - so I can get the truck washed about 20 times/day and still have (a) time for dinner and (b) money left over because I haven't gone to Costco. There are also businesses that come to the RV parks to wash your trailer/motorhome/5th wheel. They'll also change your oil (in your truck, not you personally – although you probably can get that in Nevada), and top up your propane. The Schwan ice-cream truck drove through the park in Yuma every afternoon. These are but a few of the advantages to living in a trailer…

Laura and I were the youngest people in the state of Arizona. We left.

I bought a bike. I'm kicking myself (and that's very hard to do since the surgery) that we didn't bring the bikes on this trip. They're great for exploring in and around the places we've stayed – which are often hard to walk out of (no sidewalks). I was looking for something used, but we got sold on one of the new "cruiser" models. Mine is an Electra Towney 3. I have to say it's a whole different experience for me … I know I looked cool on a mountain bike – but you should see me now! Renaissance man???

We've decided that the desert is very interesting to spend time in. We've also decided that the desert is full of sand – most of which is now in the trailer or on the dog. We've also confirmed that the higher you are (ie: Grand Canyon at 7000ft), the colder it is at night (10F). Sea level is good. Where we are now (Palm Springs) is at 40 ft elevation, is paved, and has grass all around. We can drive into the desert for day trips, and then stop by the car wash and the take-out sushi place for dinner.

The next update I plan to send will be our Christmas Email. As you've all be kept up-to-date with what's happened the last 6 months, I'll spare a re-cap. I've asked Laura, Kathryn and David to submit their comments – and I'll then ruthlessly edit them and twist their words into my own. I know you can't wait.

Be well. Stay safe. Don't buy green bananas.

Platonically,
Doug