Crossland Tacoma Hosmer

... and we went to lunch. Christiana then came and picked me up and we went swimming. It felt AMAZING! It was not as hot as it was yesterday apparently, but it was still bloody hot. So we relaxed in the pool, ordered some food, (I will give ya three guesses what we had - FRENCH FRIES!) and enjoyed some refillable fountain drinks. It was great relaxing in and by the pool just the two of us. It was another perfect day, just lounging around. I really am lucky ...

... New York Times banner, come to think of it - and the stores, hotels and even the fast food joints had that Swiss chalet look, white stucco interspersed with dark wooden beams. Unfortunately it as still just as hot. I stopped at a gas station for some Gatorade, and also got this huge vanilla ice cream/chocolate chip cookie sandwich and as soon as I got back on the bike I knew I was doomed. I needed to nap. Luckily rivers were plentiful in these heights, and in ...

... for Life where people will be walking taking turns doing laps around the UW track in the stadium all night long (to represent the fact that cancer never sleeps). She is walking on the team for Abused Deaf Women's Advocacy Services. Please click here to visit her page and make a donation. Mark and I would have liked to participate, but unfortunately the event conflicts with another event that is dear to our ...

Thank god for Maggie Douglas and her travel expertise...I now know how to expertly fold my jacket- not only for size but for pillow usage...she is one tough packer!!! Check out the picture to see one of my items she forbade me to bring...I thought it would be good for the celebration party at base camp... Notice the 5 year ...

We arrived in Tacoma by the ever so reliable and 5 star travel (better known as the greyhound). In our prior conversation with Bob, our ever so friendly car salesman, he said it would be too far to walk to the car lot. Keeping in mind him saying "it'll take you 10 mins in a cab'', we thought sod the walking lark with our 30 kgs burden. The cab was on its way. The driver was called Keven and it WAS yellow, the cab I mean! We did all the usual '' has he been ...

... shower that moved through with sunshine behind it. The rain jacket and socks were safely tucked in the suitcase for the rest of the trip as we knew the heat was waiting for us in Italy and beyond. We survived (barely) the extreme heat and high humidity in Sorrento, Italy but we made it manageable by sitting at the beach. Attitudes: in general, the French and Italians showed some serious attitude and not sure if it was due to the heat or just the way ...

... responded with "Si", yes in Spanish. From that point on the official continued in Spanish thinking we spoke Spanish. In order to not look stupid, we just continued to nod and pretend we understood. It is taking a while to get out of our Spanish mode. Finally at around 3AM (after some delays due to bad weather in Chicago) we arrived at our home in Seattle. It was so nice to get a good night sleep in our own bed. This was a vacation we will never forget.

... there's AmTrak, want to go to Canada? Or Mexico? Or anywhere along the way? Matt and I wandered around in the shopping spot alongside the station and picked up souvenirs for everyone back home. Odd-meat jerkies (crocodile? buffalo?) and candies and even the makings for beer bread (pour the mixture into a bowl, add a can of beer, stir and bake). Let's check in to our hotel, and rest before dinnertime.

I am all packed! I have packed my life into a carry-on, One rolling suitcase, and one Camping Backpack. After weeks and weeks of preparation, procrastination, and anticipation the "big day" is here. After a summer of working at the moving company, a week on the Farm in Mt. Union, Pennsylvania, my fire dancing incident, being a football coach, laying sandstone, hanging out with friends and family, and my ...

... a quick stop back at the hotel before boarding the monorail (transportation of the future) to go to downtown. It was dinner time, we had so many food choices in the city area. After filling up, it was time to walk down to Pike Place Markets on the waterfront, before doing other exploration for future days in Seattle. We unfortunately had to be back on the monorail and at home before it closed at 7pm, finishing our first fun-filled day in Seattle. ADDED: 10/2/05 - 10:50 ...