The Road Less Travelled

2011-11-04T21:46:00.001-07:00

Here we are back home in Caracas, after a shopping spree in Quito, Ecuador. We're trying out a new app for updating our blog. It would be nice to this without a computer, but the iPad doesn't replace a laptop for even simple tasks, like updating this blog.

This is a test...

Quito

2011-10-13T17:27:00.003-07:00

After a short drive to the airport on the coast, just outside of Caracas, we board a 777 and less than two hours later we are in Quito. Our host is Clemencia Pinto who lives in the Bellavista district of Quito and we have their place for a week. Her brother Javier picks us up at the airport and whisks us away to Clemencia's beautiful apartment. The next morning reveals how beautiful Quito is!

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Quito

2011-10-13T17:27:00.001-07:00

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Caracas, Venezuela

2011-09-25T20:05:00.000-07:00

We are now in Caracas, Venezuela. Kelly is a 3rd Grade teacher and Jim is an elementary Science specialist at an amazing school called, Escuela Campo Alegre. Our school is obsessed with pictures and you can see some here. The school is located in a suburb of Caracas, called Las Mercedes. Despite the news reports, the only dangers we face in Las Mercedes is the danger of excessive weight gain. There are so many really nice restaurants within walking distance of our apartment, we could probably go to a different one each night and not have to repeat a visit until next year! You can take your pick of Venezuelan, Colombian, French, Cuban, Thai, Mexican, Italian, Chinese, or any other cuisine that you can imagine, and it is all fabulously prepared! We just got home from dinner at a brand new Peruvian restaurant called, Piska. Desire was our hostess, who is typical of many women here, including like Jim's classroom assistant, Victoria... beautiful, young, smart, and speaks four languages.

We have actually moved to Caracas, twice. When we first arrived, our first apartment left a lot to be desired and we actually never unpacked. There wasn't any place to put our stuff, the kitchen could not fit two people and Kelly couldn't reach what little storage there was. We couldn't run a microwave with anything on in the living room or else the power would fail. These and other issues resulted in the school finding us a better place. So, after two months, we moved, again, into a new place. What a difference! We were able to unpack and have a place for everything, Kelly can reach all of the storage, and we can run anything electrical anywhere in the apartment with no problems. We don't have the fabulous views of this amazing city that other teachers have, but we have space, style, quality and fresh air. We feel like we had not really arrived until now, and the new place has transformed our life in just a few hours.

On the other hand, our experience at school has been nothing but good, so far. Though professionally challenged (we are putting in five nights a week in addition to our regular school hours) we are really enjoying the camaraderie of a fabulous staff and great kids. Rather than tell you what you can't do, our school actually helps you do new things that may have not been done before. Jim's back-to-school-night presentation for Science was done outside, next to the pool, projecting the curriculum and the Milky Way Galaxy on the ceiling of the aptly named, Star Plaza! Resources are no problem and classrooms are stocked with materials that can be found in any of the newest supply catalogs. Some of us are in temporary spaces as the school completes a $15M addition that should be done by December. Even with temporary space, the school tries to make sure we have what we need to help our students learn. When we move into the addition, there will a huge shuffle that returns everyone to some of the best facilities you could ask for. A feature of the facility that we are enjoying is how you can move from inside to outside and hardly notice. There are so many plants, windows, and openness inside and the weather is so nice outside (every day!) that it is often hard to tell you have moved from on space to the other. We couldn't do that in Mongolia!

We will include pictures of the school and some of favorite restaurants and our new place, soon. Until then, please know that we are well and quite happy! Until next time...

Grease in Mongolia!

2011-04-29T22:30:00.000-07:00

ISU produced it's first ever Broadway Musical, yesterday, with our production of Grease! The audience seemed quite pleased and well entertained, despite the lightest rehearsal schedule I've ever seen for a high school musical! A couple of months was all we had, with only one music rehearsal and two stage rehearsals per week. Somehow, the kids pulled it off! Many students worked hard, but my Music Director hat goes off to students Namuun, Ashley, and Amy, from Mongolia, the US, and China. They were note-perfect in solos and harmonies, worked hard on stage, and took technical issues in stride like pros! With a total 35 students on stage and back stage, it was truly an international cast with students from another 15 countries. Many of our school's students who were in the audience, came up to me at intermission and said they intended to audition next year. So, "Mission Accomplished!" Here are a couple pages from last night's student-produced program...

Spring Break in Japan

2011-04-28T08:25:00.000-07:00

Despite all of the bad news, my university admissions contacts said that we were certainly invited to visit Japan, so we went ahead with our plans. Many parts of Japan are beautiful this time of year (cherry blossom time), especially Kyoto, south of Tokyo. While we were there, we got to experience the largest after shock, yet, to hit since the big one, and a couple of smaller ones. They may have rattled us, but they didn't seem to bother anyone else! Here are a few pictures from Tokyo and Kyoto...

Winter Break in Laos

2011-04-27T01:12:00.000-07:00

A little before break (like a month and a half!) we surprised Kelly with a little birthday bash and a creative cake...

9 countries represented in this pic!

A few weeks later we escape the bitter cold. First, a little stop in Beijing (still cold, but a lot less, so) where you can stay without a visa for up to 24 hours. Just enough time to take the subway from the airport into town, sight see, and then check-in for the next flight.

Anna buys some pearls at the Pearl Market...

A short walk to...

Mmmmmm, lunch! And so many choices...

Now that we're full, its back to the airport, we stuff our heavy clothes deep into our bags, and we are off to Laos. We arrive to a delightful 80 F degrees, check in to our "room" and then, a little biking around Vientiane...

Then a short flight, north to Luang Prabang. This was our base (click to see Kelly wave) for two weeks of blissful exploration...

Our transport and breakfast patio, out front, perched on the banks of a little river...

...well, the mighty Mekong...

A full moon lights our way along the riverfront cafes...

An interesting situation develops, here, when a motor vehicle wants to cross...

I don't know what Kelly is pointing at, I'm looking down and seeing the river through(!) the rickety roadbed...

...and back across. This pedestrian part is even more rickety than than middle part...

One of many, many, wats...

They don't take their dragons too lightly, here...

Evening falls on the lovely town of Luang Prabang...

Fall Break in Korea

2010-10-24T22:00:00.000-07:00

We thought maybe it would be a good idea to leave the below freezing temps of Mongolia for the warmer climes of Korea. We arrive at Incheon and took the super convenient subway to Seoul. We stayed in the Insadong District, where just walking the streets, day or night, is a treat...

We walked over to the sprawling Changdeok Palace, just the biggest palace in Korea.

Then we subwayed over to the Express Bus Terminal and, after an hour at the nearby TechnoMart, we boarded our luxury bus to Sokcho, on the coast, where Typhoon Chaba was stirring things up. This is the view down the pier at Sockcho, on Monday. The bronze sculpture is called the Love Tree. Believe it or not, the night before we were sitting quietly at the base of the Love Tree, but this morning things were a little different! There actually is a rather large island somewhere behind those waves smashing into the pier...

more to come...

Hiking above UB

2010-09-01T23:09:00.000-07:00

We decided to go hiking up a valley that overlooks the city, Ulaanbaatar (UB). This is where Kelly plans on taking one of her classes for an intergrated eco/science/nature/art session. But first, we have to get there. Climbing onto our bikes, we only have to ride a few miles up hill...

...until we get to the entrance to Bogdkhan "Resort!" Well, you can call it a resort, if you want, we call it a campground...

We lock up our bikes, walk around a couple of busy sports fields, and we are transported into a whole different Mongolia than the one we find in UB...

Wow, trees! Water, nature, fall colors, and a little snow (no sign of this in town). No sign of any of this in the tree-less, dirty, rubble-strewn streets of UB!

As we walked through wonderfully familiar fir, birch, and oak trees, we find that Mongolia suprises, yet again. Most of the fir trees...aren't! They are larch. They are quite unique for conifers and another example of how you can expect the unexpected in Mongolia; your learning never stops. For example, last year we learned, first hand, that the Celsius and Fahrenheit temperature scales converge at -40 degrees. This week we learned that the larch is not only coniferous, but it is also deciduous... the needles change color in the fall and drop off for winter. Much of what looks to be fir in these pictures are actually larch...

Having escaped UB, we start our walk into an alternate Mongolia...

Soon, the trail begins to follow a lovely little creek...

The creek almost feels Zen-like in some places...

A glimpse, through the trees, of our objective...

This looks like a good place for a lunch...and it was!

Playing peek-a-boo with a couple of Birch trees...

Playing peek-a-boo with the city, over the tree tops...

We get to watch as a dark snow clouds descend the northern hills of UB, while ominous shadows also cover the south, leaving only the central ger district in sunlight.

Coming down the hill, a different peek-a-boo view of the far northeast side of the city...

Next, you can just see the blue, glass-walled Sail building downtown (click to enlarge the picture). It is the first architecturally interesting building that has been built since the Russians left. Completed last year, one corner is sinking due to shortcuts taken during construction of the foundation. It has been declared unsafe and now must be destroyed! We say, "TIM" - That is Mongolia

This is nature...

Still farther down the hill, the city comes more into view. In fact, in the foreground (in shadow), you can make out our school... a low, orange and blue building just in front of a large, cream-colored apartment complex. The apartment complex is where most of the teachers live, including us. Home sweet home...

Back on our bikes, we are nearly home before we stop to look back at the valley we have just been hiking in. At the valley entrance, Chinggis Khan watches over all...

His presence must be a powerful one. Since the death of Chinggis, Mongolia has been invaded by Chinese, Japanese, and Russians. But, since his return to this hillside, there have been absolutely no invasions! All is well!

Tears of Joy!

2010-07-25T23:58:00.000-07:00

We are back in in God's Country, but after a year in Mongolia, we realize it is no joke to call the Pacific Northwest, God's Country... it really is! Between the natural beauty and the friendships we share, no one could ask for more.

It took a few days, but we finally got Trust Me back in the water. Will, Cynthia, Robin, and Lainie, "forced" us out on a surprise shakedown cruise to Eagle Harbor, Cypress Island. Thanks guys, what a wonderful night!

After passing her shake down cruise, we pointed Trust Me north, but were intercepted by a speed boat! Colin and Stephanie heard us on the radio, and tracked us down on the west side of Lummi island, heading past Clarke Island. They used their cell phone to take the picture of Trust Me, above. We LOVE that picure! Matia Island was very nearby, so we anchored in her southeast bay and rafted up with Stephanie and Colin to catch up, after a year, over some beer and wine.

After a reluctant goodbye and a night in a new anchorage all to ourselves, we head further north, with a few toys in tow...

We cross the the border into our favorite sailing waters in British Columbia and our stay at a brand new anchorage on Matia has reminded us to mix some new anchorages in with some old favorites. Straight away, we take our own advice as we are coasting up the west side of Pender Island and find tiny little Spinnaker Bay, as evening falls.

With just enough room to anchor amid a few local yachts, we head out in the kayaks to explore the sandstone rocks north of the entrance to this quaint little harbor.

The next morning finds us timing our arrival in Ganges, on Salt Spring Island, where we plan to meet Hannah and Trevor at noon. While we have been traveling for days in our sailboat, they make it from Bellinghan to Ganges in just a few hours in their powerboat. Togerther we explore the arts festival, the gelato shop, and art galleries. Dinner time finds us at our all-time favorite Ganges restaurant, The Treehouse. The dinner and live music was wonderful, as always.

The next morning, we meet again for coffee and then breakfast at Salt Spring Inn, across the street from the park.

It is always fun to share Ganges with people who appreciate what it offers, like Hannah and Trevor, but, now it's Sunday and they have to head home.

We motor against a south wind, out of Ganges and then the sails are up, Trust Me flies north and, in no time, we find ourselves at Wallace Island. We love this island... quiet anchorages, lots of hiking, all kinds of different ecosystems, all on one little island. We always check to see if our boat name (in beach glass) is still there at the little hut...

And it is still there! Although, a little worse for wear after more than ten years! One thing that never wears out at Wallace, though, is the sunset...

After a couple of days at Wallace, we round the north tip of Salt Spring and then head south, down the island's west side, to our old stomping grounds at Maple Bay. It's always fun to see what's new there. Only this time, a visiting yacht club found out what was new when some of the members found us checking our navigation charts on the iPad. They really liked that and we thought Jim might have to hold a seminar. After escaping their questions, we dinghy back to Trust Me and head south through Sansun Narrows to Sydney, where we plan to meet our dear friends, Bob and Wendy, teachers extraordinaire.

Mother nature gives us another fabulous ride through the Narrows, Cowichan Bay, past the dangerous Schwartz Bay (really big ferries!) and into Tsehumn Harbor, a place where we often spend the night to avoid overnight fees at nearby Sydney Marina. Early morning finds us gliding out of the Harbor, hailing the marina, and getting into day slip before 9 am!

It is well that we arrive early. We are meeting Bob and Wendy around noonish, but Kelly doesn't like the fact that our UV cover on the genoa is coming off. She insists that it be repaired. Doesn't she know that this is an invitation to highway robbery at the hands of some desperate sailmaker? But the contact we made the evening before at West Marine pays off. And before 10am, we have the sail off and it is whisked away to Sharon McBride, a local at UK/Halsey Sailmakers, who is going to fix it up for us, this morning!!! Wow! Go Sharon.

Meanwhile, Kelly and I scramble to wash the boat, clean below, and take on fresh water. By noon, Trust Me is ready, but no sail and no Bob and Wendy. Finally we get a call from Bob & Wendy and we go to meet them at the prominent city center...still no Bob or Wendy. Turns out that they are in a different town! Not to worry, they are nearby and soon we are happily met, buying the last few refrigerated provisions (beer!) and stowing them away. The repaired sail arrives (it looks great), and we are off to Portland Island.

A freshening north wind makes for a fun ride as it shifts westnorthwest at just the right time allowing us to race northward to the island on a single port tack, and suddenly finding a quiet calm in beautiful and secluded Royal Cove. We are soon ashore for some hiking and exploring, circumnavigating half the island before dark.

The morning finds half the crew mutineed and the kayaks missing! Bob and Jim follow the smell of coffee, though, and soon discover Kelly and Wendy have beached the kayaks on some lovely warm sand just around the spit and are soaking up the sun while looking for beach glass.

After a lazy morning of coffee, sun, and surf we reluctantly prepare to head back to Sydney. At least we have solved the mystery of the cormorant digital recording, hiding in the trees. A south wind is blowing, that shifts toward the east, once again allowing us an exciting beat back to Sydney on just one tack. We are there in no time, which is nice as it is dinner time and Bob and Wendy take us out for a great dinner in Sidney at Sabbai Thai.

How do we top this? Wonderful wind, wonderful people, wonderful places and and wonderful food. Maybe exploring some new places will add to our summer...so, we head off toward Canoe Cove. It is so close to Schwartz Bay, that we never stop there because we assume it is noisy and busy. We leave Sydney and go just a little north and discover quiet little Canoe Cove. Going ashore, we discover their little secret...the cutest pub ever, Stonehouse Pub.

And another surprise... the kayaking turned out to be great, too!

Wow, OK! How about another new place. We haven't heard from Greg and Kim, yet, so it should be OK to head north. We dodge the ferries, sail past lovely Portland Island and discover another new place on the west side of Pender Island, called Otter Bay.

We anchored near this beach and spent a lazy, sunny afternoon at anchor. Later, we visited the lovely marina. The showers were fantastic, as were both pools! Nice place. You can buy a lovely condo, here, too, if you want. Kelly was wanting to visit Winter Cove, again on Saturna Island, so we navigate around the north end of Pender and head south through Navy Channel toward the entrance of Winter Cove.

But wait. We're looking for new places on the way, just to the north of the entrance to Winter Cove, is a new place we haven't been, Horton Bay. And look, it is almost impossible to get into and out of. Perfect detour! As Kelly groans, we sail all the way in, anchor and dinghy all over the bay. The public dock is nice and we even get to go ashore an explore a new island.

But, this is just a detour. So, we are off the next morning, wending our way through impossible currents, almost going aground (it turns we had kelp wrapped around our prop and no go power in the current), until at last, we arrive at...Winter Cove! No wonder Kelly wanted to come back here.

Of course, the first thing we do is get the kayaks into the water and play in the tide rip at the narrow, far east entrance. Yahoo!

The park was nice and we walked/hitch-hiked to the island store for some fresh veggies and cell phone service to reach Greg and Kim. Found out that while the US housing market has tanked, the gentleman who picked us up can't find enough workers for his construction company, here, in BC!

Speaking of Greg and Kim, they are going to be in Garrison Bay, San Juan Island... tomorrow! Impossible, we thought. Darn. But, we check the charts, the tides and the weather and there is a favorable window in the morning, through the pass between Stuart Island and John's Island. So, we go for it! We are up at 5:30, depart at 5:00, make the tides between Saturna and Pender heading south, cross Boundary Pass with a favorable current, through John's Pass at slack, and arrive at customs in Roche Harbor, San Juan Island at 9:00am! It is so slow at customs, that we chat with the inspector about buying a sailboat. Easy.

With the docks as quiet as a mouse at Roche, we now had an easy morning buying groceries, taking showers, and cleaning up the boat... All at the wonderful facilities of Roche Harbor. But, we could tell we were back in the US, because when we came back to the boat one time, we found that someone had crashed into it, scraped the hull, and then ran. This has never happened in BC. Darn. After high noon, we headed south through Mosquito Pass, and then west into Garrison Bay to meet Greg and Kim. Plenty of time to kayak over to shore, though, and visit British Camp and hike up to the lookout above British Camp.

As we get into our kayaks to paddle back to Trust Me, we see a sailboat anchor in the bay, it is Greg and Kim... perfect timing. Drinks aboard their boat, meeting their fellow shipmates/sailing students and captain/instructor and then dinner aboard Trust Me. A lovely time of dinner and story telling!

The class heads for Bellingham the next day while we stay in Garrison Bay, trying to fix the usually reliable dinghy engine. Greg and Kim get this shot as we say goodbye...

Finally, the dinghy engine is repaired working and the wind is really up from the south. We head north back through Mosquito Pass, Roche Harbor, and east through Speiden Channel

(morefrom BC)

Our time in BC must come to an end, however with guests arriving at home, soon. So, we look for Mt Baker on the horizon and head straight to her on a southeast course. Arriving in our home waters of Belligham Bay, what do we find? Our bay is infested with pirates!

Oh, no! They have spotted us and turn to pursue...

We sheet in for maximum speed, and second ship bears down upon us...

Fortunately, we are faster than them and we are soon out of range of their guns...

Gee, I hope we're faster. Our sailing technology is just a few hundred years newer than theirs! Actually, those "tall ships" are visiting Bellingham as part of an annual living history program for the Puget Sound area. Aren't we lucky to live here? And speaking of visiting, we are back home just in time to meet Aja, Caleb, and Isaiah, visiting from eastern Washington.

Thailand

2010-03-12T21:20:00.000-08:00

Anna and Chris joined us on an adventure into Thailand! In particular the SW coast of Thailand...see the red oval below:

As you can see, we explored the northern part of the Andaman Sea, between Phuket and Krabi, see inset below. Now, the careful reader may ask, "Isn't that close to Kuala Lampur and Penang, Malaysia, where you have already been?"

We would have to answer that careful reader with, "Yes, but Penang is not Phang Nga Bay, and Malaysia is not Thailand! We chartered a gorgeous catamaran to explore a few of the hundreds of islands!

And here's a chart (below) of some of the islands (more than 300) in Phang Nga Bay and beyond. But, the choices of stops and anchorages in this area are truly, endless. How did we choose?

For an interactive preview of some of our possible beach stops, lunch stops, and anchorages, click on the map below. After the new window loads, click on some of the possible destinations (pale blue circles) we have to choose from. Where would you go? Try it:

After flying from Ulaanbaatar into Beijing and filling up on Starbuck's coffee, we flew into Bangkok, and gorged on delightful mixed fruit drinks and barbeque at the airport. The last leg of flying put us into the Phuket airport late at night, but not too late to take a refreshing dip in our little resort pool. Lit up at night, the Palm Garden Resort seemed nice...by day, it was breathtaking!
Those aren't sharks in the pool, those are divers. This cute little resort caters to people who want to get certified in scuba diving. What a classroom! Outside of the "classroom" you have a few choices of fresh local foods!

All of this was available just across the street. There were so many other vendors everywhere you turned. You would think that shopping for supplies would have been easy, but it is hard to shop or carry anything when you are too busy eating!

The Palm Garden was almost too good to leave, but after provisioning our catamaran by dinghy from this beach below (you see our boat "Charro" behind the shrine, right?) we couldn't wait to start our cruise!

Here's a better view. Here, Chris welcomes you (and us) aboard Charro, our floating home for the next week! She was bobbing at anchor, just a few hundred yards off the beach, waiting for us.

2010-03-11T10:25:00.000-08:00

Once the boat was made ready and the daggerboards lowered...

We were off!

Enjoying the "fruits" of our labor in the markets!

Islands everywhere!

Ahh! Who needs air conditionaing!

A 35 foot cat, making an easy 12 knots of speed, under sail, will put a smile on any skipper's face!

We arrive at Phi Phi island...

Main street...

Lunch on the beach while we watch the "action" on the central pier...

Kenya!

2010-01-02T11:09:00.000-08:00

Here is the the temperature in Mongolia...
And here is the temperature in Kenya...
I don't think we are in Kansas, anymore (near Lake Naivasha, just one hour outside of Nairobi)...

Definitely, not Kansas (John, click the pictures for close ups of one of Jim's two!!!)...
More like fishing the west coast of Kenya, in the Indian Ocean, after visiting the zebras, antelopes, gazelles, wilderbeasts and hippos (a couple of pictures above), near Lake Naivasha, where we sailed a lake in the crater of an extinct volcano...

But, traveling is risky because your partner might try out new relationships...

This relationship is healthier than you might think. This and several more pictures to come were taken at the elephant orphanage just outside Nairobi. The picture above was taken at the giraffe orphanage.

While Kelly fell for those little orphans, she Kelly didn't like this next "cute" little fella. He is sitting about three feet from the open front door to our beach hut on the Indian Ocean, hoping we don't see him sneaking inside. He isn't so cute when he spends most of his time trying to steal stuff from us...

Our hosts in Kenya are Anna and Chris, our compatriots in crime, back in UB. Anna and Chris are on Kelly's right in this picture. Anna's mom, Ines, is on Kelly's left and next to Anna is her Dad, Tomasz. Anna's brother, Yanic, is next to his Dad and across from him is another teacher from UB who joined us, Maike (from the Netherlands) and Yanic's friend, Zach (visiting from the US). We owe many thanks to the Sudras for opening their home to us and making us a part of their family holidays.

After the coast, we went west to Lake Victoria and the Masai Mara National Reserve. The goal of many reserve visits, in Kenya, is the game drive and shooting animals with cameras instead of guns.

On a game drive, you don't get out of your car! What can you see from you car? How about hundreds of elephants. Here is part of a small group...
We saw this lioness sitting on a hilltop...
We were so busy taking pictures, that we did not see these two friends of hers, hiding under a bush behind us, only a few feet away! Did I mention the rule about NOT getting out of your car?
Being so close (thanks to Macie's excellent driving) is simply awe inspiring...
While you are driving around, you see lots of things hanging from the trees. This leads us to another rule of game drives...don't pull on things dangling from trees!

Trust us, you don't want to wake this guy up...especially when you are sitting under the tree with the sunroof wide open!

These pictures are the result of hours and hours of patience, being vigilant, combining many sources of information, and guts. Most of the people we met in the reserve did not get these kind of pictures. More from Lake Naivasha, Lake Victoria and the Masai Mara (rhinos, hippos, flamingos, and more), soon...

Holidays

2009-12-19T22:00:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note before we head to our Christmas in Kenya. We are going with our friends Anna and Chris. If you have been following along, you will easily recognize Anna with Jim in this picture taken on our short walk to school. It was only -35 F degrees, so you can have skin exposed for a whole four minutes before it freezes...not quite as cold as some other days, recently. We will have quite different weather in Kenya!

We had our annual International School of Ulaanbaatar (ISU) staff party at a local restaurant downtown. Wow! Not at all like the boring staff parties we are used to in the states. Big dance floor with special effects, big sound sound system, great dj's, and vodka, dancing, more vodka, more dancing, and lots more vodka and dancing. Jim was a reluctant competitor for Mr ISU and didn't win, but his table partner in the contest ( a local TA) won Miss ISU. Did we mention that there was some vodka involved and lots of dancing? There were many incriminating pictures taken as the night grew later and later. Here is one of the few shots we can share without risking some kind of lawsuit!

Who needs to be named Mr ISU, when you have friends in high places? Nothing like being on the Prime Minister's personal Christmas card list! (Bobby, maybe this will convince Zella to visit!)
Your Christmas cards are coming, but they are taking longer than usual to mail. Not because the mail system is slow, here (although that is true). But, because the stamps are so beautiful, it is hard to choose which ones to use! We have met some local artists and we love this style... traditional Mongolia script is combined with calligraphy, with spectacular results. It is wonderful to see their talents recognized by the government in these stamps. Maybe they, too, will find their way onto the prime minister's Christmas card list!
On our way to Kenya, during the Christmas break, we will visit Tiananmen Square and a couple of palaces in Beijing. We'll see airports (and more?) in India, and Ethiopia on our way to Kenya. We'll hook up with Chris in Ethiopia, on his way from London and then Anna will be waiting for us in Nairobi. Christmas will be at Anna's house in Nairobi. Then we head east, to a week at the beach on the Indian Ocean, followed by a trek west, and a week around Lake Victoria. On the way back to UB, we'll spend a whole day on the Great Wall!

Hmmm, Jim opened a fortune cookie in Bellingham, last summer. Maybe there is something to them. Here it is...

Happy Holidays!!!

School Holiday Party

2009-12-17T22:43:00.000-08:00

All these pictures were approved by the legal department! They were taken early enough in the night so that they show NO vodka-related, incriminating behavior... whew!

Some of our staff: Gemma, Wendy, Maaike, SouCheng, Tuul, Margriet, Jan, and Badamkhand...

Mr & Mrs ISU (International School of Ulaanbaatar)

Kelly and her TA, Denzee...

Chris and Anna, our dear friends and our soon-to-be guides in Kenya!

Warming up!

2009-12-12T00:42:00.000-08:00

Nothing like the sun to warm up your day in Mongolia...

How about that? A twenty-five temperature rise, and we almost got up to zero degrees!

Maybe tomorrow will be warmer!

Oh, no...wait. Weather service says the low will be -36 F!! We'll need a lot more than a 25 degree temperature gain to get above zero. No worries, we are already packing for our trip to Kenya!

Maybe a few shamanic prayers at the local Ovoos will warm things up...

We hope the spirits don't mind, but it was too cold for the customary vodka flinging!

Musical Break

2009-11-14T12:40:00.000-08:00

School closed for H1N1, everyone is wiped from the sudden transition to distance learning tools. Time for a break...

And 'tis the season...

Tough job, but...

2009-10-17T01:35:00.000-07:00

...someone has to do it. Jim is in Singapore for training, "suffering" the heat and humidity. Here's the view out of his hotel window. He can see real, green, plants!

He is really feeling sorry for his colleagues back in Bellingham (where?) and Ulaanbaatar. It is snowing and below freezing in UB, so I'm sure he wishes he were back there instead of the tropical paradise of Singapore. Hello to all our friends who chose to go to the nice, cool Gobi this week! Hello, also, to Chris and Anna. They didn't go to the Gobi or Singapore. They snubbed us all, just for a little grass shack in Hawaii, and a shiny, new marriage certificate!!!!

Kelly is in Beijing and will soon be in Singapore, as well. We will explore the country/city/island of Singapore, then head north into Malaysia. The current plan is to, at least, visit Kuala Lumpur and Penang and...?

As the helpful Korean AirLines display shows at the end of the flight from Seoul to Sing, it is an easy overland journey north to Kuala Lumpur from Singapore (if travelling through an equatorial jungle is easy.) You can't see the island of Penang, which is further north on the west coast of the Malaysia, right there in the Straits of Malacca.

Yes, that is Indonesia, specifically, the island of Sumatra, just to the west...across the Straits. The Straits of Malacca are nothing much, just the main body of water connecting the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean. And just one of the most strategically important shipping lanes in the world. (which reminds me of the naval theory of strategic choke points--which reminds me of the space warfare concept of strategic choke points...oh, my...wait...that was another life!)

Isn't life just down right exciting? Do you ever really know what's down that road? Oh, and isn't the food in Asia indescribably delicious? Isn't this writing rather random? Don't you think we need more training?!!!!

So, we head outside the hotel, leaving behind the dining room with waterfalls crashing into fourteen foot tall picture windows and discover that is is Deepavali, the Hindu festival of lights. Little India, right outside our door is dressed for the occasion....

But, there is also Chinatown, Arab Town, and La Pau Sat...world cuisine available to you at the corner hawker centers for pennies...

After a little of Singapore, we are off to Kuala Lumpur, via train. The Lonely Planet has it wrong, here. Do not take the train...well, go ahead! Spend fifty dollars and seven hours to get to KL, all the while knowing you have paid for the priviledge of viewing a million acres after million acres of palm oil plantations. You can also watch the single train employee scurry to fix the power so that some doors will open and so that the air conditioning can at least pretend to work. Take our word for it...fly to KL from Singapore. You get there in less than two hours and the tickets only cost $15. There is way too much to see in Malaysia to spend seven hours lumbering through palm oil trees. We thought it would be jungle.

KL is magical. There are well known tourist traps, of course, but they are fun. For example, you must take the obligatory picture of the Petronas towers, the tallest twin towers in the world. They will soon be the tallest building in the world when they add more length to the antennas on top. They are trying to beat out Taipei. But keep on exploring. There is a beautiful garden nearby and more...

Then we flew on to Penang, an island on the northwest shore of Malaysia, in the Straits of Malacca...and fell in love...

Nothing could stop us from loving Penang, not even the pit viper that tried to join us for lunch! A picture of him and more...to come. Meanwhile, you can enjoy the same jungle sounds we enjoyed, one night, from the top of Penang hill. Just play the video...

Statues

2009-09-29T07:30:00.000-07:00

This giant statue of Chingiss (correct spelling, you gringos) Khan is famous in Mongolia. It stands just east, outside of Ulaanbaatar, on the way to Terelj National Park. How gigantic is it?

Well, here's how gigantic it is. See the horse's mane? If you look real close, you'll see that the little bits that look like hair...are really people. Does that give you a sense of size?

Mongolia

2009-08-28T04:39:00.000-07:00

So, we are in Mongolia...

Ulaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar is the capital of Mongolia and where we are living and working. Just to the south of the city is the Zaisan Memorial, a memorial to the "Red Heroes" that kept invading Japanese out of Mongolia in World War Two. We are teaching at the International School of Ulaanbataar with about 12 other new teachers. Here is some of our crew...

(Clicking on pictures makes them bigger)

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Heroes

A visage of heroes...you pick the heroes...the soldiers captured in stone or SouChen, Maike, Anna & Kelly!

Ulannbaatar sits on a high plain at 4500 feet. After a few steps toward the far-away top, you really begin to notice the altitude. No matter, our spirits are high as Maike and Anna point the way...

Despite the 4500 foot elevation of Ulaanbaatar, we made it to the top. Behind the memorial's crest, we find a perennial Ovoo, special piles of rocks with blue silk scarves interwined to offer peace and memories of Chenghis Kahn. That's right westerners, it's Chenghis, not Genghis. Ulaanbaater stretches out on the plain behind...

Saturday, August 14, 2009

Shopping

Our teacher apartments are large and basically furnished. A few days after moving in, we decide to try our hand at shopping at the infamous Ulaanbaatar Black Market. This trip was focused on "ger" furniture buying to add some functionality to our living spaces as well as a touch of local color!

As fast as we buy, the craftsmen bring in new ger gear...

It is said that they have everything at the black market, the trick is finding it! Of course, you would put sewing machines with the furniture items, right? Of course, right next to the solar panels and women's blouses. Check out these current models...

Speaking of ger furniture, you may ask, "What's a ger?" You may know them as yurts, but in Mongolia they are called gers...a semi-portable circular house. Over half of the city of Ulaanbaatar is composed of ger communities, like this...

Gers come in many flavors. Here, a farm ger...

And a ger we stayed in...

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Terelj National Park

No, that's not a picture of Kelly and Anna in Montana. That's us in one of the many beautiful national parks. We are riding some of the famous ponies that the steppes of Mongolia are famous for...reputed to be tougher than any other breed of horse. Jim's horse stepped in a gopher hole and simply took the stumble in stride, stayed on his feet and both rider and horse were uninjured. Kelly was not so lucky a couple of weeks later. While the horse was okay after rolling on top of Kelly's leg, Kelly was not feeling so good at first. But, she is better now.

Riding is a tough job, but someone has to do it. You did bring your fly fishing gear, right?

Where are we?

And one doesn't need to bring a trusty rifle when one rides out here and has a yen for deer or wolf. In Mongolia, they just use their trusty, trained, killer eagles! Here, one of Jim's students holds a hooded eagle. They are heavy and truly powerful birds...

Some of the biggest single finds of dinosaurs have been made in Mongolia. This site, on the way to Terelj, celebrates those discoveries. Although, this site has been closed for some time and is a bit of a dinosaur itself...

Of course, wherever you travel, one must learn to share the road...

2009-08-27T11:09:00.000-07:00

September 4, 2009

Camp

Camp at ISU starts out like most any school's camp...

But the setting is a little different...

Preparing for the evening's skit...

Hiking to the top of one (of an infinite number) of the nearby hills. Can you see our camp?

Glad to have made it to the top! Click to zoom in and see our camp in the background...

An intimidating climb and then, bragging rights?

Keeping warm in a ger...

Very interesting and exciting music...

more to come...

Just Another Day in Paradise

2009-04-26T19:28:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, we left for a day sail in our own backyard, Bellingham Bay. Somehow that turned into an overnight...
Perhaps it was the weather...

or the beauty of our own backyard...
or the freedom...

or the challenge...

I guess it really was the beauty...

and the fun of exploring...

and the hiking...

and all of those things. We really live in the most beautiful place on earth.

It really was just another day in paradise. Can we really leave it?

Spring Has Come!

2009-04-01T18:46:00.000-07:00

Fun Night in Vancouver

2009-03-01T16:58:00.000-08:00

We went to Vancouver for dinner and to see Coraline in 3D at the Tinseltown Theater, downtown. We had a fabulous time!

We had dinner at Kitanoya Guu. What a trip! It was only a few blocks away from Tinseltown, but a world away from Bellingham. We felt like the drive across the border had transported us thousands of miles instead of just a few miles. The atmosphere was wild and fun, and the food was fantastic, as well as inexpensive. We recommend it if you are downtown!

Kitanoya Guu
375 Water Street #105
Vancouver, BC
Tel: 604 685-8682

Our cell phone camera doesn't do the artistry of their presentation justice, but take our word for it...the food looked as wonderful as it tasted!

Then we saw Coraline in 3D. What a lush film. The images are lush, with or without 3D, along with the soundtrack. The theater was a great venue, as well. The whole evening was just a treat!

No Ski Poles...

2009-02-23T00:37:00.000-08:00

OK, you drive all the way to Salmon Ridge SnoPark and you discover that you have your cross-country skis, boots, water, and food....

...but no poles! Do you turn around and give up on the day?

No! You simply rely on mother nature to make the day a memorable one, complete with a riverbank lunch on Salmon Creek!

San Diego

2008-12-27T11:44:00.000-08:00

Ahhhhhhhh! Just another day at the beach, for Christmas. After making it to the beach, we discover neither of us brought a camera! We'll make do with a cell phone camera.

Check out the view from our balcony... just click on any picture to zoom in!

You can check out more of our beach and our big beach toys, like the wave machine below. Click on the picture below and point a live camera up and down the beach or at the wave machine, where big kids (and little kids) can practice surfing!!!

If the wave machine isn't being used or it's dark outside, check out the action below...

More pix from Mission Beach!

Kids love a carousel...

Even big kids...

And bumper cars...
And whatever floats your boat...

Of course, what's a beach without a few rules...

On our way to Coronado Bay and the big kids get hungry...

Coronado Bay has a lot to offer, like boats...old boats and new boats...

aircraft carriers...and kisses...

and more kisses...

Friends to hang out with...

Nightlife at landmark hotels (here, the historic Hotel Coronado)...

And plenty of marinas, that include home bases for sport fishing trips...

Tired, yet? Then, go home to your condo on the beach and play Pitch! (fyi, this is NOT a good hand...well, maybe a three bid for Jim & Kelly!)

It's the holidays and freeway traffic is light, so we're off to Disneyland...

the Magic Kingdom's castle, at night...

a parading Christmas tree...

a riverboat glides by, filled with generations of Disney characters...

reminding us that it is a small world...
and this is STILL a sad hand in Pitch...

(more to come )

Chicago Live in Seattle, Aug. 24, 2008

2008-08-25T12:28:00.001-07:00

What a birthday present! These guys really put on a show, and the Chateau Ste. Michelle security staff took pity on us and let us go up and dance at the foot of the stage...the band members played right to us!

(Clicking on pictures makes them bigger)

Songs we heard...

Introductions
Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?
Questions 67 & 68
25 or 6 to 4
Saturday in the Park
Dialogue (Part I & II)
Make Me Smile
Beginnings
Colour My World
Wishing You Were Here
If You Leave Me Now
Baby, What A Big Surprise
Hard to Say I'm Sorry
You're the Inspiration
Free
Another Rainy Day in New York City
Just You 'N' Me
I've Been Searchin' So Long
Old Days
Feelin' Stronger Every Day
Make Me Smile
Just You 'N' Me
and many more...old and new!

Band Members:
Robert Lamm: piano, Wurlitzer, Hammond organ, vocals
Lee Loughnane: trumpet, flugelhorn, piccolo trumpet
James Pankow: trombone
Larry Klimas: (for Walt Parazaider) saxophones, flutes
Bill Champlin: organ, piano, Fender Rhodes, vocals
Jason Scheff: bass, vocals
Tris Imboden: drums
Keith Howland: guitar

.
.
.
.

Mountain Moon Farm - July 2008

2008-07-11T04:34:00.000-07:00

(Clicking on pictures makes them bigger)

Ninja Caleb greets us! Isaiah backs him up...

Engage time machine!

Return to present...
Cookie? Did someone say cookie?

Give me all of your cookies, and no one gets hurt.
Who needs cookies!

Hey, how come none of the adults are running?
Muscleman Isaiah says, "Now, Caleb...here's what we're gonna do..."

You're not listening to me!

I'll teach you...

Is this really quiet time, at last?

Alas, perhaps not!

Thank you Dave and Aja, for a fun visit!

Cruising!

2008-06-20T15:47:00.000-07:00

We Begin...

Eagles

School's out and so are we. Waking up in Inati Bay, we thought we had it all to ourselves. But, these two eagles soon let us know that we were trespassing in their territory!

(Clicking on pictures makes them bigger)

Inati Bay is only seven miles, SW of Bellingham, on Lummi Island.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Islands

Headed out of Inati Bay, we pass Vendovi, Cypress, Eliza and Sinclair Islands. We are making for Obstruction Pass (north side of Obstruction Island, between Orcas and Blakely Islands) under the watchful eye of Mt Baker.

Blind Bay

Safely through Obstruction Pass, we make our way to Blind Bay, Shaw Island.

We pass a tee pee...

we pass a Washignton State ferry...

and glide into Blind Bay, another anchorage all to ourselves. With fuel at over $5 per gallon, we are beginning to notice a distinct lack of power boats at anchorages and under way! Ah, too bad. Without them around we have safe, quiet passages, a cleaner environment and anchorages to ourselves. We will miss them!

Sunday, June 22, 2008

From the San Juan Islands to the Gulf Islands

We pick up Kristin around noon, at Orcas, across Harney Channel from Blind Bay, and then have a rare but beautiful sail (you usually have to motor here, due to fluky winds) across the top of Shaw Island, and through the Wasp Islands. Turning north, we dodge west around Jones Island and let the current and south wind take us north, past the east ends of Speiden and Stuart Islands and across Boundary Pass, leaving the USA's San Juan Islands and heading into Canada's Gulf Islands.

Now, we could check in at Canadian customs anywhere, but for some reason we always wind up clearing at Bedwell Harbor, South Pender Island and home of Poet's Cove resort. Hmmm, I wonder why we would want to go here?
After clearing customs, a swim, and shower for Kelly and I, we see that the winds and current are still favorable and these long summer days promise plenty of light. So, back aboard Trust Me, we head north again, and make Annette Bay on Prevost Island a little after sunset, but with plenty of daylight to anchor.

Monday, June 23, 2008

Annette Bay to Ganges

After a lazy morning of breakfast and dinghying in Annette Bay, watching sea otters, osprey and eagles fish all around us, we decide that it's time to slide on over to Ganges, just a few miles north. Again, it is a gentleman's sail downwind, and we make our dramatic entrance, wing on wing.

Our usual anchorage is here, way up by Moby's Pub. It's a great anchorage as the water is shallow and it's close to everything. The only problem with it is that our anchor never holds here...a minor issue.
After exploring ashore with Kristin, sampling gelato, tea shops, pubs and art galleries, and some gift shopping, it was time for dinner at our favorite restaurant, the Tree House Cafe. Yes, it's actually built around a live tree.
As we enjoyed our delicious meals and evening fell,Trust Me swung faithfully at anchor, and music filled the air. We had the best seats in the house as a true Irishman joined with two local musicians (percussion and bass) to perform original Irish folk music and a few covers of our favorite Irish folk musician, Van Morrison. The Tree House Cafe has excellent live music every evening in the summer!

After the concert, we dinghy back to Trust Me...a perfect evening. Little did we know that the wind would turn, right in the middle of a midnight game of Rummy. And once again our anchor would fail to reset on a wind change, in Ganges. Nothing like a little excitement and exercise at 1:00 am to help you sleep in the next day.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Goodbye Ganges, Mornin' Montague

In the morning, we do our traditional fuel top off (three quarters of a gallon!) and beat upwind the the mile or two to Captain Pass, and fall off onto a gorgeous reach, east, toward Montague Harbor, on Galiano Island. Once again, there are hardly any boats in this huge anchorage. If this if due to fuel prices, we hope they will go even higher!
We go ashore and try a new hike to Active Pass on the south end of the island and are rewarded with spectacular views from the top of the bluffs. Giant BC ferries (dwarfed by the heights) pass within yards of each other through the narrow gap.
Jim finds a lucky pirate sword and successfully defends Kelly and Kristin from the many dangers found on Galliano! Don't the powerboaters and the seagull, below, look dangerous?

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Montague to Wallace

We just can't believe how lucky we have been with weather, so far. Every sunrise and sunset is just beautiful. We depart Montague in this direction, headed north again, with current and wind from the south helpfully pushing us along through Trincomali Channel...

to our destination a few miles north, Conover Cove, on Wallace Island. Sometimes, this tiny cove can be crowded. Does this look crowded to you?

Looking out the entrance to Conover Cove. Don't try this at home..it's shallow! In fact, don't try this, at all, unless it's high tide!

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Wallace Island

Kelly and I discovered Wallace Island when we lived nearby in Maple Bay. It's one of our all time favorite places in the Gulf Islands. Why do we like Wallace Island so much? Well, there is quiet, long hikes, and a story about a resort here, decades ago, involving Marilyn Monroe and this building. Can you can imagine this used as a shelter by well-heeled "campers?" Today, tradition requires cruisers who are passing through to leave a momento...
Kelly and I left one here years ago, and somehow, we found it amongst the thousands that are there...
there is fabulous hiking...

plenty of wildlife, like this woodpecker caught in silhouette...

the usual bizarre sandstone formations created by the water...
and the Canadian military, trying to look as busy as the US ships patrolling their side of the border!

Friday, June 27, 2008

Wallace to Maple Bay

We reluctantly weigh anchor, this time headed south down the west side of Salt Spring Island (after cruising up the east side) and toward Maple Bay, where Kelly and I once lived on a float home (or what we, in the US, call a houseboat).

Maple Bay is kind of pretty...
especially the float homes where we used to live...

Europeans we met there often remarked that Maple Bay reminded them of little Swiss towns in the Alps...

the Alps or not, there is a picture, here, nearly everywhere you turn...
even if you look up!
Hopefully, those buzzards, above, are not interested in Kristin relaxing on the well-kept grounds of the marina.

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Maple Bay to Sidney

Kristin needs to catch the Washington State ferry from Sidney, BC. That means we need to head south, but the wind has been blowing from the south every day. What we need is a north wind... and that is just what we get! For the first time ever, we sail all the way through the twisty Sansum Narrows. We cross Cowichan Bay into Satellite Channel.

The next little stretch approaching Sidney is intriguing. Even though you are getting closer to a big city and giant ferry terminals, as you go behind island after protected island, the city is blocked from view and you feel as if you are drifting through a time warp of ancient lands...and then suddenly you are in Sidney!

We arrive at the Sidney marina and see that some things are the same...

And some things are different...like the marina's plush, remodeled lounge with three (three!) flat panel tv's! Nicer than any airport lounge and just for sailors.
We hurry Kristin past the tv's and onto the beautiful new boardwalk, heading south for the three blocks to the ferry. Just like the city of Nanaimo further north, government has done a fabulous job making the waterfront beautiful, open, and accessible. Now, if only Bellingham could learn from these sister cities on the water.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Sidney

After seeing Kristin safely onto the ferry, we stroll around Sidney in the hot summer sun, exploring bookstores and discovering our Starbucks gift card is good here, too. We find some shade and sip our refreshingly cold frappacinos. Suddenly, this guy starts trying to get Kelly's attention...
Hey, wait a minute, me too?
It's getting late. We say goodbye to this hustler in expensive Sidney and slide over to nearby Tsehum Harbor to anchor for the night. But, even at 11:00 pm, it is hard to go to bed with such beautiful evening light shining on all of the quaint boats nearby.

Plush lounges, beautiful boardwalks, every amenity, and gorgeous anchorages... Sidney has something for every boater.

Monday, June 30, 2008

Sidney to Roche Harbor

Today we need a north wind again, to help us head south back into the US and the San Juan Islands. The wind gods take note of our needs, the moon aligns correctly for favorable tides and, viola! We have north winds and south flowing current in the morning.
We experience another first...crossing Haro Strait under sail the entire way, without running into overwhelming adverse current, or overwhelming wind, and without running out of wind! A couple days before, we also sailed (SAILED!) all the way through Sansum Narrows! We are liking this. We sailed right into Roche Harbor and up to the empty customs dock. No power boats, no pollution, no noise, no rudeness, no waiting! It's a miracle! (or is it the price of fuel, again?)

We clear customs and go ashore to visit this delightful marina, once again. The folks at Roche are rightfully proud of their facilities. Each evening they retire the colors on this green and play the national anthem...
We begin our usual wandering through the gardens...
Past the hotel...

and the church...

But, wait! Here's something new at Roche...

Yes, Segways, have come to the islands. Kelly relents and we rent a pair for some off-road adventure. It's been years since we have been to the Mausoleum, so off we go with David and Bianca, who live in one of the sparkly, new condos, nearby.

At the mausoleum, we learn that the missing chair, at the center table, and the broken column symbolize an unfortunate family issue.
We contemplate what the issue might have been.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Roche Harbor to Fisherman Bay, Lopez Island

Gee, we have to be in Addy, Wa, on the 4th of July, so we better get going. We bypass busy and touristy Friday Harbor and head for Fisherman Bay on Lopez Island.
We time our arrival perfectly to enter the narrow and shallow passage leading to Fisherman Bay. Another gorgeous sunset closes our day.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Fisherman Bay, Lopez Island to Lummi

Darn, it's morning but the tide is too low for us to leave. I guess we'll just have to head into Lopez Village and see if there is anything we need. We'll go nice and early...about the time that Holly B's Bakery opens and puts out the fresh cinnamon rolls!
As we enjoy the cinnamon rolls, Holly tells us that she is celebrating her 25th anniversary of being in business and that we are invited later in the afternoon for cake! We check the tides, again. What a coincidence, the tide won't be high enough to leave until after the party. So, we get our grocery shopping done across the street, bring that back to the boat, take in some sun at the resort pool, check out what's new at the library, and then head back to Holly B's to help celebrate.

As the tide comes up, so does the wind. And the wind is, again, from the south, just how we need it. We have a ways to go today...
A fantastic sail! We make Peavine Pass (south side of Obstruction Island) right at the appointed slack time (even if we don't find slack!) and the wind just gets stronger from the south. We click off the miles and then, as we turn toward home, east across the north side of Sinclair Island, we click off these pictures...

We can't help but wonder if this is one of the pair of eagles we saw on our first morning, back in Inati Bay. Do they know we're coming back? Are they leading us home?

Our path is plotted below. Not a bad two week's cruise, using only five gallons of fuel in 150 miles for the windless moments and dinghy. Tides and wind took us into twelve beautiful anchorages scattered through the heart of the San Juan and Gulf Islands, looping around Salt Spring Island via Sidney, BC and back.
The last leg turned out to be a quick, early morning sail from Inati Bay back to Squalicum Harbor, seven miles in one hour. We threw all our stuff into the washing machine, dried it, packed it all into the car and headed for Aja and Dave's, clear across the state, in Addy, WA.

Ah, summer!

Pictures from Hawaii

2008-04-04T01:37:00.000-07:00

So, as it snows here, our "friend" Kristin phones and sends us this picture from the beach she is calling from, in Hawaii. We think she was trying to rub it in...and not just the suntan lotion!!!

Ouch!!

2007-12-09T11:51:00.000-08:00

From the Bellingham Daily Police Report:

Reported: Dec 4 2007 12:30AM
Location: 2500 BLK ELDRIDGE AV
Offense: DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
Case #: 07B50512

Officers responded to a one vehicle crash. An SUV had crashed into a residence. The driver of the SUV was treated for minor injuries at St Joseph's Hospital, and was charged with Driving Under the Influence (2nd offense), Failure to Control Vehicle, and Driving Without Insurance.

Arrested: KELLEY, SHAUN THOMAS Age: 21 (DOB: Oct 14 1986)

The police asked if this container was there before the crash....uh, no. Then they told us that, as they approached the scene, the driver was crouched on the front lawn, still drinking!!!!

Sailing with Hans and Todd

2007-05-30T16:31:00.000-07:00

2007-05-25T00:29:00.001-07:00

The Adventuress

2007-05-04T10:07:00.000-07:00

Permission to come aboard, Ma'am!

2006-11-30T06:39:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays!

2006-11-30T02:16:00.000-08:00

Kelly picks up a couple of $3 sleds for us. They look an awful lot like big sheets of slippery plastic...Zoom!

2006-11-30T02:11:00.000-08:00

Look out below!

2006-11-30T01:45:00.000-08:00

Notice, that at 1:30 pm, in full afternoon sun, there is not a single drip of melt. Why? How about 18 degrees with a windchill factor making it -2!

2006-11-30T01:42:00.000-08:00

2006-11-30T01:41:00.000-08:00

The wind has left strange packages of brittle, aerated, snowblocks in the tress.

2006-11-30T01:38:00.000-08:00

Day four brings clear skys and warmer skiing! And it looks like Dr. Seuss has been by.

2006-11-30T01:20:00.000-08:00

We are beginning to think that this is the "Blob" coming to eat our house!

2006-11-30T01:16:00.000-08:00

Toward the end of day three, a break in the weather brings hope.

2006-11-30T01:12:00.000-08:00

Yikes!

2006-11-30T01:11:00.000-08:00

Bringing 'em home!

2006-11-30T01:10:00.000-08:00

In search of DVD's...

2006-11-30T00:40:00.000-08:00

More and more...the snow keeps coming!

2006-11-29T09:56:00.000-08:00

Half way through the storm...the snow will soon be even deeper! For three days we couldn't see the water beyond, just like in this picture.

2006-11-27T22:26:00.000-08:00

2006-11-27T15:23:00.000-08:00

Jim's sister, Cyndi, supervises the dining room...

2006-11-27T02:24:00.000-08:00

One of Mindy's delicious contributions...

2006-10-26T04:23:00.000-07:00

A little fall hike...