Tuesday, December 28, 2010

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!!

18 comments:

A Lewis said...

Keep on enjoying our West Coast World! Happy New Year.

Birdie said...

You always have the best pictures. That sunset shot of Serge is great. So glad to see you having a good time, and THANK YOU for not sharing the details of your brother's winning feat.

rox said...

Would you be willing to email the brothers' gross-out story of 2010? =)

I'm glad you are having a great time! The Island is so nice but I seriously couldn't live somewhere where it rained so much. The frizzy hair alone would drive me insane.

Happy New Year!

Rebekah said...

Okay, I am so excited to see you next week, but am so NOT excited to hear the baby bro's story. I know you will feel the need to tell it to me.

Merry Christmas my friend!

anne marie in philly said...

"We feel so smug watching the East coast people digging out from that blizzard." - yeah, I just bet you do! neener neener

have a great new year celebration!

Blobby said...

Man - the first pic is amazing. All of them are, but mostly the first one.

Glad you're having a good time.

Anonymous said...

"the hallmark of having a good experience is the inability to judge the passing of time."

That would make a great Snippet, TW.

Glad you checked in and to read you're having a good time! Merry Xmas.

Mark in DE said...

Glad your time with your family is better than most of ours! ;-) Loved the dog curbing sign. Safe travels.

Jim said...

Oh the West Coast! Fond memories.....looks like you guys are having a good time.
Jim

Rick Bettencourt said...

As you enjoy the warm sun think of me back here in 30 degrees buried in 18 inches of snow.

Happy New Year!

fromsophiesview said...

Take a deep breath and exhale...now aren't you glad you are there!!! Happy New Year!

Tony, the Restless Foodie said...

Happy Holidays to you boys! I'm glad you're able to enjoy the warm sunshine of California!

laura k said...

Happy New Year! The trip sounds really nice.

I'm stopping by to say congratulations. Sticky Crows won 3rd place in the LGBTQ category of the 2010 Canadian Weblog Awards.

Frank B Smith said...

Great shot of Serge

Greg said...

Happy New Year! Glad you dodged the Boxing Day blizzard, too. Beautiful pics...enjoy your travels!

GerriNickle@gmail.com said...

OK, this is a crary request, but a while back, you posted a message on the midnight garden blog that said:

Oh great, now I’m going to have “The Three Billy Goats Gruff” in my head all day, baa baa I smell something sweet sweet, there upon the hill hill, lovely grass to eat……..

I have been searching for the LP that contains that version of the 3 billy goats gruff story for years and I can't remember enough about the album to find it. Do you have any recollection at all about what the album looked like or who may have produced it?

See..., I told you this was a crazy request!! :-)

Any help would be appreciated, since I haven't been able to get that song out of MY head!!

Gerri
gerrinickle@gmail.com

Patricia said...

That photo could be a postcard. It's perfect!

I agree about picking up the poo, but I do like the phrase, "Your dog, your doodie" and I'm pretty sure I'm going to steal it.

Happy New Year and safe travels.

Java said...

Serge is amazingly handsome.

If you happen upon some, I dunno, fox doodie or something, would you be expected to pick that up? I appreciate the idea of cleaning up after your dog, but in the woods?