Checking in from the West coast

We had a lovely Christmas holiday in the Pacific Northwest which afforded us the opportunity to make a day trip to Victoria BC. Even though people shots are inherently more interesting, I thought this was the best shot of that day. We were up there for a week and it basically rained the entire time except for one glorious sunny day which just happened to be the day that we had planned to take the ferry across from Port Angeles. We walked around the city and soaked in the British atmosphere, complete with double decker buses everywhere. A couple of other things reminded us that we were in Canada. One was that when I ordered iced tea, it came to the table sweetened. Yuck. I had already forgotten that it's nearly impossible to get plain unsweetened ice tea up there. Secondly, and I love this, the server at the restaurant that we went to for lunch asked how many checks we would like when she took our order. This doesn't happen in the states even though the technology makes it so easy now. Indeed, when we had lunch at Elliot's, arguably one of the finest seafood restaurants in America, we were told that that policy was one check per table. How's that for customer service? I'd call it a big fat fail.

Had a good time with the family. Baby bro and I, as usual, tried to gross each other out constantly. I believe he was the big winner this time. No need to go into details but suffice it to say if you know me, you know that is quite a feat. We spent a week with the folks in a rented house and I would have sworn that only three days had passed when it was time to go. I'd say the hallmark of having a good experience is the inability to judge the passing of time.

I though this was amusing. It was at the start of a trail near where we were staying. With a forest full of animals pooping everywhere, I didn't really see the necessity of picking up after your pooch. Not only that but with the constant rain, it would be washed away rather swiftly. I don't really think embarrassment is really a concern. If Georgie is any indication, it's more of a welcome addition to the buffet.

Now we are hanging out in our old stomping grounds, Long Beach, California. Yesterday was gloriously warm and sunny. Today is expected  to be as well. We feel so smug watching the East coast people digging out from that blizzard. Montreal was spared apparently, but not from the hideous cold. We will stay here until New Year's eve when we will start the next leg of our journey. More on that next week. I hope you all had a marvelous holiday and if I don't get a chance to get back here before then. Happy New Year!!