Sitka, Alaska

Tuesday, July 21st must mean we were in Sitka, Alaska. This is the year that Alaska celebrates their 50th year as a state in the United States. Before that purchase, Russia owned this beautiful land. Sitka was the capital of Alaska under Russian rule.

Downtown is the small, but beautiful Russian Orthodox Church, wonderful shops, a Russian Cemetery, a wonderful overlook to the harbour area called Castle Hill and on the outskirts of town the incredible Raptor Center to rehab injured eagles.

Our cloudy morning started off early with a photographic tour excursion This particular excursion isn't designed to teach you how to use your camera equipment. It is not especially designed for the first-time visitor to Sitka.




This excursion takes you out of the city to the north to explore areas around Sitka that you normally wouldn't see. We visited several forest areas, noting different trees, plants, eagles, and yes, bear droppings.

During one of the forest hiking trails, our guide told us about the skunk cabbage plant. Black bears don' hibernate the entire winter period. When they do wake up, they are in need of unblocking their intestinal track. Well, the skunk cabbage handles that need extremely well. In fact, the guide continued, the "event" usually works within fifteen to twenty feet from the plant.

It was at this point that we noticed one of the skunk cabbage plants had missing leaves. Up ahead about fifteen feet was the "deposit". One of our traveling members on the cruise works for the 4-H Club in Mississippi. An avid hunter, he told us that deposit happened within the past two hours.









The image I included at this point is Dianne's foot NEXT to the dropping! From the camera angle it looks like her shoe is in the dropping, but actually it is CLOSE to it to show the size. (Granted, Dianne's shoe size is 5 1/2, but still gives you some perspective.)

During our hike his wife made the comment that she thought she could smell the bear near the bridge area. That coincided with the guide telling us it was time to head back to he van to leave the area. Maybe what he was really telling us was he had spotted the bear and it would serve us best to leave.

Our arrival back in downtown Sitka brought us to the lunch hour. A bowl of clam chowder, and other food products. The group decided to trek up the steps to Castle Hill. After seeing the harbour area and the location of our ship, you could then look out over the downtown area.















Our next stop, shopping, shopping and more shopping. Well, at least we looked in the stores. I had been looking on the internet for several months to find a long-sleeved casual shirt that had an animal print. Found it in Sitka! Well, really my 4-H Club buddy found it, but that's what I had been searching high and low.

In one of the fur stores, Dianne asked me if I wanted to purchase this full length fur coat that was on sale. On sale, my eye. The price tag did say it was on sale, but the sale price was over $25,000. Hard to choose, spend the money on a fur coat or a new car. Since I wasn't in the car buyer mode, let's just pass on this decision totally!

We rode one of the tenders back to our ship in the harbour and relaxed before our daily evening food feast and entertainment in the theatre.

Another night to see what towel animal waited on our bed in the stateroom, another good night's sleep and preparation to experience Ketchikan!

Glacier Bay Cruising

Monday, July 21st, was a peaceful day of cruising outside of Juneau in Glacier Bay. As you would expect, surrounded by icebergs and a glacier, the weather was the coolest since Dianne and I had be to Sawyer Glacier in Tracy Arm Fjord.

The weather was overcast, but didn't stop any of us onboard from taking numerous digital images and enjoying this beauty of nature.

If there was any disappointment at this glacier it was we didn't see any "calving" of the glacier wall. Calving is the term used when a piece or section of the glacier wall breaks off and falls into the icy waters.

On other cruises to the glaciers, we experienced different calving episodes. The process begin with a cracking sound similar to thunder. You draw your eyes toward that sound and within a few moments, you witness the calving event.

Some calving will be small slithers of frozen ice that has made it way to the front wall of the glacier. If you are fortunate, there can be large pieces of glacier ice that breaks off. On our previous cruise to Alaska, we witnessed a large, Christmas tree shaped size break off and fall into the waters. An incredible experience that looses much in writing about it versus seeing for yourself.

While the ship sat motionless in the icy waters, you had the option of drinking hot coffee, hot chocolate and even a bowl of pea soup! Now that's what I call roughing it!

We now begin our short cruise to the former capital of Alaska when Russia owned the country--Sitka.

As you would expect, we had time now to shop on the ship, relax on one of the decks, continue our eating process, relaxing in the room, taking a short nap, or all of the above!

College Football at Lubbock, Texas

The college football season moved into it's second week and once again you could find me on the sidelines shooting digital images.

However, this weekend was different. Dianne and I left Jackson, Friday morning, Sept. 11th to travel to west Texas. This was my one game that wasn't in the SEC. Dinner found us in Ft. Worth to eat with my parents and youngest sister. Great time, just not long enough.

We ended the day in Abilene, Texas, after ten hours of drive time. Our "motel" for the weekend was with Dianne's sister, Kitty and her husband, Gene.

One of the discussion topics with the four of us was Kitty mentioning where she would like to take a future vacation trip. You guessed it--Alaska. Before, my mouth could open, Dianne said, "We'll go with you." Way to go Dianne. In two or three years, it could be trip number five to Alaska. Had I known we would make several trips to Alaska, I should have purchased a punch ticket and have it punched for each trip. Then after, say, five trips, you get a free trip!

Saturday, it was cloudy and high chance of rain. With Lubbock a good two and one-hours away, I could only hope the weather might be different. Following breakfast and additional visiting time, I left Abilene at 11:00 AM to journey to Lubbock, Texas, and the campus of Texas Tech University.

I experienced some rain during the drive. But, once in Lubbock, not a drop fell until I left the city limits at 11:00PM. (For those of you counting, I made it back to Abilene at 1:45AM Sunday morning.)

Texas Tech University has been know in the past as an excellent School of Architecture. Now add Law School to the list.

Since it had been several years since I had been on the campus and a game, it was important to brush up on the ground rules. The athletic dressing rooms are adjacent to the south end of the stadium. Both teams enter the playing field via tunnels. The visitors from the southwest tunnel and Texas Tech from the southeast tunnel. Since the Texas Tech team runs onto the field with an immediate left turn down the sidelines, standing a few feet from the tunnel would result in instant death.

So, I asked one of the staff members if it I could stand approximately twenty feet away in the end zone. Not good. You see, Texas Tech's mascot is The Red Raider. In this case, a female was saddled on a beautiful black stallion. She and the stallion used this area to make their initial run to the other end zone to raise the excitement in the stadium. That choice to take digital images would also mean instant death.

Third choice, was a few feet before the goal posts. Finally, an area where I didn't risk damage and embarrassment to my body. The team arrival and stallion racing events occurred in the proper order and exactly where the staff person predicted. You'd think they had done this a few times before.

Well, having captured both events on my camera, I thought all was well and safe. Not a chance! Behind me was the drum corp for the marching band. They began their cadence and I think I jumped right thru the goal posts! I had company jumping, the back judge official!

The stadium's press box side exterior was obviously designed by architects. Great aesthetic viewing before the gladiator's match. The astro-type surface is much easier on the feet and joints than a grass field. But, the lighting of the stadium was interesting to say the least. The press box side had a continuous band of lights. The visitors side had one light pole in the northeast corner and another one in the southeast corner. Nothing in the middle. Shooting toward the press box side lighting was acceptable. However, shooting toward the east, lighting was more difficult.

The quarterback for Texas Tech is a junior from Abilene, Texas. All-State in high school, Taylor Potts, also excelled in basketball and baseball. Taylor is an unusual and special athlete. He studies, goes to classes, makes high grades and the tutors for the football team don't know what to do with him. I say, LEAVE HIM ALONE. He obviously knows what he's doing. Taylor's major is Physical Therapy. So, you know there are brains in his head!

Taylor has a rifle for an arm. At 6' 5" tall and 218 pounds, people have observed him throwing eighty yard passes in practice. This particular night I witnessed him rolling to his right and throwing a forty yard bullet to his receiver. Incredible pass, thrown dead on to the receiver, receiver caught the ball and a new first down much further down the field. You can't draw that play on the board any better.

For the second straight week, Taylor threw for over four hundred yards. Yes, Texas Tech beat Rice University 55-10. The perfect season continues.

But wait. The next game is at the University of Texas, who is ranked #2 in the country and still smarting from a last second win by Texas Tech last year in Lubbock. That was UT's only loss and probably cost them the chance to play Florida for the National Championship.

After the game, while waiting to get with Taylor Potts, the Sports Information Director came up to me and introduced himself. I thanked him for the sidelines pass and he responded it was great to have me taking digital images for the university. I mentioned that I would love to shoot for him at the UT game the following week, but that was one of only two weekends I'm not shooting a game. His response, "I could make that sidelines pass appear for you!" What a dilemma! I graciously declined since I knew Dianne and I had plans for Friday night, would have been a long day flying to Austin, Texas, and I needed to have this break. But, next year UT travels to Lubbock and we're working on being there for that game on the sidelines.

While waiting for Taylor to appear outside the facilities, his mother told me Taylor doesn't like to have pictures taken of him. He would rather sign autographs for the youngsters. Sounds like he continues to have his head on his shoulders--thinking of others first. Off the field he blends into the background and is very quiet. But, once on the field, he is the general , directing traffic and has the respect of his coaches, team mates, parents, relatives, fans, including the youngsters.

It is wonderful to meet young people who have their heads on straight, know what they want to do with their lives, and serve others first. Congratulations Taylor Potts, you are impressive both on and off the field!

Juneau, Alaska July 19th

Following our in-room breakfast routine and workout in the health club, we learned that we would be passing the entrance to Tracy Arm Fjord approximately 8:30am before arriving in Juneau at noon. Since Dianne and had taken that excursion two Fridays previous, iceberg entrance was very familiar.

A nice, semi-clear afternoon welcomed us in Juneau. Once we were allowed to debark the ship, our group of eight had some time to pre-shop before our whale excursion. Since the location of our excursion company was conveniently downtown, directions were easy to follow and meet at the appropriate time.

In 2006 was Dianne and my first experience with whale watching in Juneau. What we saw were several humpback whales backs and tails. A few people saw a whale breach, but I wasn't in that group.

Using a group our Juneau friends recommended from their 2008 experience was a totally different story. The phrase "being at the right place at the right time" was significant to remember.

Leaving Auke Bay, just north of Juneau, we maneuvered into the open water by our main guide and owner, Captain Larry. He had a knowledgeable naturalist that kept pouring information into our heads about the area, the animals and hopefully, what we might see on this excursion.

Here's the routine from Captain Larry. When he found a group of sea gulls circling overhead it was time to cut the engines and wait for the incredible event. The humpback whales do not have any teeth, so they swallow water and fish, straining the water out of their system. They can hold in the billow-type bottom portion of their mouths up to 15,000 gallons of water.

Now for the fun part to this scene. Once the whales locate the herring, the dive below the fish, and in a clock-wise direction begin blowing bubbles thru their blowhole. Since the herring are afraid of the bubbles, they continue moving toward the surface. Once the herring are close to the surface, the seagulls drop water level and grab a few of the herring.

Here's the point where you better have your field glasses or cameras on ready. The next event is difficult to describe, but I'll give it a shot. The circling whales break the surface with their mouths open to the maximum, gulping in water and fish. The process of surfacing and completing their eating routine lasts maybe three minutes.

The whales now look to locate another school of herring and repeat the process. We had the good fortune to be between two "pods" of bubble net fishing whales. When one pod finished, the other group were close to surfacing. We probably watched this hunt and fish routine for over forty-five minutes.

My job was to capture as much of the bubble net fishing as possible. My professional digital camera can record seven frames per minute. So, I began firing when the whales surfaced and stopped when it seemed to be finished. One couple standing nearby during one of these events asked how many images I was taking per feed. Their eyes got big when they heard the answer.

Morris told me once we returned to Auke Bay, "I was hoping to see some whale tales" during this excursion. I never thought for a moment that we would see something like this." You can safely say we were extremely impressed, satisfied with booking this excursion group and awed by the beauty of whale bubble net fishing.

Once on shore, we rode a school bus to Gold Creek for a buffet dinner of salmon, chicken, cooked on open grilles, various salads, vegetables, desert and drinks. Dianne and I had enjoyed this same group in 2006 and our band of eight wanted to book this excursion for this trip.

Gold Creek runs along the western edge of the eating area. So, it was off to see if we could spot salmon, and take husband/wife pictures in front of the small water fall.

Our Juneau friends met us here and six of our group and they sped off in a rental van. Our next stop a short ride from Gold Creek was Mendenhall Glacier. There was a light mist in the air, so the group decided not to walk to the waterfall area to be closer to the glacier itself. After some picture taking and looking around the immediate area, we boarded our van and journeyed to downtown Juneau.

Here is where we planned some serious shopping time and having a soft drink in the famous Red Dog Saloon. Riding the tram halfway up Mtn. Rogers was cut from our list due to fog conditions. If you went to the top of the tram, you would be looking down onto the fog, not downtown Juneau and Gastineau Channel. That money was saved for other shopping opportunities.

Since we had the salmon dinner experience, eating in the formal dining room on the ship wasn't required. And boarding the ship at 9:30pm, we missed the entertainment in the theatre based on a water theme.

Time, once we disembarked, was spent relaxing on deck and then to the room to be greeted by another towel animal, mark our in-room breakfast card, and preparations to sleep. Monday would be another day at sea and several activities on board the ship.

Dianne Celebrates a Birthday!

Ah, birthdays. They have the tendency to come around every year. It's just a question as to whether we acknowledge or celebrate them.

Birthdays are like Christmas. The younger you are the slower they seem to come up on the calendar. The older you become, the quicker they arrive.

There is really only one area where I am ahead of Dianne. It isn't Bible knowledge, beauty, overall intelligence, common sense, low-key approach to potential disasters, exercise. Nope, not me in comparison to Dianne. The only area I can think of that I am ahead of Dianne is my birthday falls two and one-half months before hers! For those months, I can tell people I rocked the cradle when I married Dianne. The remaining nine and one-half months we share the same age.

I tend to be the one who purchases the different cards we need for weddings, funerals, birthdays, and other special events. (Not that Dianne doesn't like selecting cards.) The card purchasing for Dianne is a special treat, whether it's for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, birthday, or Christmas. Those are the times I enjoy pushing my way through the other shoppers to get that special card for my special lady. And, often, it's the first card that catches my eye that ends up being purchased. How does that work?

This year September 19th falls on a Saturday. Great time to have a birthday celebration. You aren't bothered with the normal work week routine. You can focus a longer period of time on the birthday, take her to dinner at one of your favorite establishments, talk about fun and interesting events that have happened in the past to the two of you. And then, the grand finale, present her with the special card you picked out just for her and this moment.


When Dianne either has a grand smile on her face, or moist eyes, I know the words from the card have relayed to her how much she means to me and my daily life.

Come to think of it, it's too bad birthdays only come around once each year!!

At Sea Sailing Toward Juneau

Saturday the cruise schedule stated "At Sea". Our cruise began in Seattle, but we were now well on our way to Juneau, the northernmost post of our cruise. This leisure day at sea gave us the opportunity to check out the shops on board, continue our orientation of the ship and enjoy the peaceful journey.


Dianne and I on each of our past cruises opted to have our breakfast meal in the stateroom. No extra charge for this service and it made the day start off on the right foot. Once we had finished breakfast and dressed, we opted to make our way the eight deck to use the health club to get in weights and aerobic workouts. The treadmill area faced the front of the ship. With glass to protect you from weather and wind, it was a unique view to travel on the treadmill.









The weather had cleared since the early evening fog on Friday's deportation day. That was a blessing. While the coast was several miles away, it provided a comfortable, picturesque day to travel.


The newsletter on our bed Friday night noted several activities to consider for Saturday. Two caught our eye quickly. First, there was bridge playing available in the afternoon. Second, was the cooking classes. While Dianne and I love to play bridge, Dianne's choice was the cooking classes.


I traveled up two floors from our stateroom and visited the bridge room. Only problem, there was only one seat not occupied at the last table. And one of the ladies' son was to show up soon. So, my bridge playing consisted of one hand of bridge. But, I'm happy to report our opponents didn't make the score they intended. Not with my skillful defensive play.











Now to the cooking classes. I had noticed before our cruise on HAL's website, you could take a panoramic view of several areas of the ship. One of those areas was the cooking room. And what a room it was. It doubled as a movie theatre at night. While I didn't count the seats, the capacity was probably fifty to seventy-five.



Wine and Cooking Magazine outfitted the "kitchen" area that was kept out of sight during movie time with a curtain. But, when the curtain was raised, there was all you ever wanted to use in cooking wonderful dishes.


Dianne, Myrion, and Morris were in cooking heaven! What they didn't know before the class was they would be eating what they had cooked. That doesn't mean the food was a disaster. Just the opposite, the food was tremendous. However, eating that much food mid-afternoon provide new challenges at dinner time.


I had noticed on the itinerary there would be computer classes. This was a class that hadn't been offered on any of our previous cruises. So, my focus in the afternoon moved to sit in on a beginner's class on how to take your digital images and move them to your computer and the hard drive for saving.


Trisha was the facilitator for all of the computer classes. She was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay in education. An avid photographer, like myself, she contracted with HAL thru Microsoft to offer these classes as a prototype activity. Since HAL caters to an older aged crowd, the thinking was some of these people would probably like to have these classes to become more comfortable with their computers at home. I believe it was receiving a very positive response when I walked into the beginner's class. A full room at the twenty something notebook computers and others sitting along the perimeter of the room.


While the class wasn't of particular interest to my skills level, it gave me some insight as to the teaching skills of Trisha. It became apparent very soon in that class that she is an excellent teacher and communicator. No question was silly or stupid, just not answered at that point.


Of course, the software that Trisha used was provided by Microsoft and available free of charge to PC owners. The software was very user friendly for these first time students and as the one hour class finished, you could tell the participants were more relaxed and comfortable with the process.


Since I use Adobe Photoshop CS2, an advance software with many more options, this class didn't have a particular interest on my part. What did interest me in these classes was two sessions on creating a blog page.

We had a full house for the first session to begin our orientation to the software and how to maneuver through the menus. Once again it was software from Microsoft which seemed more than what I would ever use.


The second session of the class ended up a one-on-one with Trisha. I don't know if the others in the first session decided it wasn't for them, or had enough information and didn't need the second session, or there were other activities that were more important to them. I didn't mind, since when I had a question, it could be answered quickly by Trisha.
















While the information was well worth my time, I opted to use the same software our daughter uses for her blog page. My thinking was, if I hit a snag in producing or changing something on my blog, my daughter can probably rescue me.

When dinner time arrived, it was much easier remembering to travel two decks up and at the back of the ship, travel one set of stairs down to the main dining room level. The food selections once again were so tempting it was difficult to make the final selection.



The entertainment this night had a western music theme. All of us were thoroughly entertained by this small band of singers and dancers. During the "intermission" to give the singers/dancers a break, they had three cute audience participation segments. First, was the wife placing fake food on the plate position on a football helmet strapped on her husbands head. His job, walk quickly to the trashcan and dump the food inside. The second game was golfers using blow-up golf clubs to see who could hit the simulated golf ball farther into the audience. The final segment was husband and wives teaming together to make up a bed and create a towel animal. The results of all three games provided numerous opportunities to laugh and relief you weren't part of the stage entertainment.


Back to the room to see which towel animal was waiting for us and getting a good night's rest before our time in Juneau on Sunday

Alaska Cruise Begins!

Friday, July 17th, began the third part of our trip to Alaska and Victoria. The first part was spending five days with our dear friends in Juneau, Alaska. Part two was Sooke Island and Victoria for four days. Now comes the seven-days cruise with Holland America Lines.

Before we left Jackson for this long-awaited trip, I mentioned to Dianne, I don't know what may be more exciting, the Tracy Arm Fjord excursion outside of Juneau, whale watching in Juneau, the photographic excursion in Sitka or seeing our friends enjoying and absorbing the beauty of Alaska for their first time (this was our fourth cruise to Alaska). The answer really became all of the above.

The eight of us that had completed the three day visit of Sooke Island and Victoria finished our late morning breakfast, casually packed our bags and left the motel to arrive at our ship's location.

The remainder of this Friday was to orientate ourselves with the ship's different levels, where our room were located and visually find the main dining room and the cafe area.

Holland America Lines caters to an older group of guests. This isn't to say that only gray haired, wheel-chair bound guests were allowed. We saw several teens and children on the ship. Holland America Lines has been in business for over one hundred years. You better have your act together or you wouldn't last this long in this highly competitive cruise business!

Holland America Lines, or HAL, is noted for having mid-sized ships. This reduces the crew-to-passenger ratio, which translates into better and quicker service. Our particular ship's name was the ms Zaandam. Each of HAL's ships names end with "dam", due to their Dutch ownership. Yes, jokes abound about "those" ships.

Watching the ship leave port was something to witness. Not only do these large water-bound motels have engines at the rear, or aft, they have jets on the port (left side) and starboard (right side) of the ship. All of these engines were placed into motion to slowly maneuver us away from the dock area.

As we made our departure in a northwesterly direction, you realized downtown Seattle was behind you and Mt. Ranier off the port side of the ship. Great photo opportunities to begin our Alaskan cruise.

Since we had secured early dining on the ship, we began the food feast approximately five-thirty in the evening. The food options and service were tremendous. But, looking out the port windows in the formal dining area, fog was settling along the coast line area.

Following dinner, there was one show in the theatre for all guests. The four singers and dancers performed a show with a general theme. One female singer, from the UK, became obvious to all of us that she was the strongest singer of the group. One black female dancer was the strongest dancer of the group.

Following the show, it was time to finish up any unpacking duties in the room, relaxing in a chair on one of the outside decks, and finally calling it a night. Saturday, we all anticipated to be a day of becoming more familiar with locations on the ship, experiencing being at sea, more food choices, entertainment and our first opportunity to shop on board the ms Zaandam!

Ole Miss at University of Memphis

September has finally arrived and that can mean only one thing, college football! Sunday was my first game of the 2009-10 season. Dianne, Emily and I traveled to Memphis on Saturday to be with our oldest daughter, Jennifer, her husband, Joel, and our twin grandchildren, Sterling and Mary Presley. The best of all world's, spoiling the grandchildren, visiting their parents and taking sideline pictures of an NCAA football game.
The University of Memphis plays its home games at the Liberty Bowl, which sponsors a post-season bowl game. The forecast earlier in the week was high of 79 degrees, with a 30% chance of rain. Wrong again weather man on The Weather Channel! The temperature outside the stadium was hovering around 88 degrees. Once inside the concrete laden stadium it cruised on up into the 90's.

Before the game I visited with the referee and head linesman to review their number one task for this game--provide a continuous cloud cover over the sun to reduce the temperature!










Pre-game included taking digital images of the Rebellettes, the spirit squad for Ole Miss and their cheerleader group. Such a tough job, but someone has to do it.

When the referee signaled for the game to began, it was all professional business for me. My mission, looking for those special moments to capture an image none of the other photographers on the sidelines noticed. It is difficult to accomplish when you consider there are over thirty photographers with the same mission.
Typically, this type of photography requires three things, being in the right place at the right time, using professional equipment and taking the image.

As you can see from a few select images with this blog, I had some success. One case was the Memphis runner being upended, landing head-first on the artificial turf. My photographic timing caught him before landing with his legs at a ninety degree angle forming an "L" with his body!










With less than six minutes left in the fourth quarter, Ole Miss was driving toward another touchdown. When there was a timeout on the field, the head linesman came toward the sidelines for a water break. Seeing me near the water person, he came over and said, "I think I did ok on the cloud cover for the second half." He was right. After halftime the clouds moved in from the west, the temperature dropped a few precious degrees and before the game ended rain fell.

Once again, I didn't suffer any injuries from the action. But, when I arrived at our daughter's home, I noticed a stone bruise type symptom under my right heal. When did it happen, I couldn't tell you. Just a part of life, I guess.

Sunday's game featured Jevan Snead, quarterback for Ole Miss, former high school quarterback from Texas. He's the quarterback in the images with this blog. This week's Texas Tech game will feature another former Texas all-star quarterback that is a strong candidate this year and the next two years for the Heisman Trophy. His name is Taylor Potts from Abilene, Texas.

This Saturday, it's off to West Texas and Lubbock, Texas, to shoot digital images of the Rice vs. Texas Tech game. Yes, I anticipate the same 90-plus degree weather with no rain in sight before you touch the shores of the Pacific Ocean!

July 15, 2009 Victoria, B.C.

Located off the coast of Vancouver, British Columbia, is a wonderful place called Victoria. We drove approximately forty-five minutes south of Sooke Island to experience this beautiful place.

The first location to visit is The Empress Hotel. Located at the intersection of the harbour and The Parliament Building, one quickly realizes this old, historic hotel could tell some great stories if it could talk.

Kept in pristine condition this hotel exemplifies the 1800's culture, but feels like home. Undoubtedly expensive per night's lodging, but worth the cost if it weren't for the length of time we were on this trip.

The food is what you would expect in a multi-cultural city. One lunch meal was seafood at the harbour with an evening meal of Italian cuisine.

One excursion we decided to take at the last minute was a city tour of Victoria. The bus driver was extremely knowledgeable about the history and buildings, both commercial

and residential. There were several stops where you could exit the bus, visit the immediate area and then board a later bus to continue the "circle" of the city.

One such stop was at Craigdarroch Castle. Completed in 1890, the fortune amassed by coal baron Robert Dunsmuir is reflected int he Castle's four floors of exquisite stained glass, intricate woodwork and lavish Victorian-era furnishings. The original estate extended over 28 acres overlooking the city. Following our self-guided tour within the castle itself, it was time to re board our tour bus to return to The Empress Hotel, our starting point.

Following our dinner meal, the sun was setting in its usual western direction on the horizon. A beautiful ending to a beautiful, clear sky and moderate temperatures. The adjacent picture at the harbour portrays that relaxed atmosphere.

The evening in Victoria concluded with watching the Christmas type lights that outlined the Parliament Building being turned on. Victoria is a part of British Columbia in Canada and is the "county seat" of this area.

It was now time to travel back to Sooke Island and our last night at Ocean Wilderness B & B.

Forty Years and Counting!

I remember many years ago attending one of my mom's high school reunions at Northside High School in Ft. Worth, Texas. As a young teen, most of these people looked old! Or maybe it was ancient! Oh, no. I'm in that age bracket now.

Saturday night, August 22nd, the Class of 1969 at Castleberry High School in Ft. Worth, Texas, held our fortieth graduation reunion. Could it be that those years have passed entirely too fast.

During our school years there, we witnessed seeing President John F. Kennedy, his wife and the Governor of Texas thirty minutes before the assassination of our president. Our high school choir was in Los Angeles on our way to Hawaii for tour when Bobby Kennedy was assassinated. We watched intently on black and white televisions man landing and walking on the moon. These and other events were witnessed throughout the world.

Here is some background information about our high school. Castleberry High School is located in Ft. Worth, TX. C.H.S. is an independent school in the bedroom community of River Oaks, TX. During the years we attended that high school, it was known throughout the city, state, country and many places around the world for its high quality choir and band programs.

The band was the first Texas representatives to the Rose Bowl in 1965. The choir was the Texas representatives to the World's fair in Montreal. Choir tours included Hawaii, Mexico, Israel and Europe. Our senior year our choir had the privilege of meeting Maria Von Trapp, on whom the movie "The Sound of Music" was based. And the list goes on. You might say we were the toast of Ft. Worth, Texas and the United States!

Several of my class attended elementary school thru high school together. That is more difficult in today's world due to job relocation and job changes.

On this particular Saturday, our class, and a few others met at Angelo's BBQ north of downtown Ft. Worth. The food was great (what true Texan wouldn't like BBQ), visiting with some of our former teachers, and of course, visiting with our classmates.

Our class regrouped outside to take our historical 40th Reunion Picture.

While the hair may have turned gray, or left the building entirely, or we added some unwanted pounds in areas we wouldn't have chosen, or we may have slightly forgotten a name or two, or an event long, long ago, the time together was much too short for any of us gathered.

There is word going around that we might gather more often that every five years. I don't know if that is due to wanting to increase our visiting time, getting more of our class members to consider coming, or at our age, we'd better get together more often! Doesn't make me any difference what the reason is to get together as a group--I'll make the trip from Jackson, MS, to Ft. Worth, TX, to be a part of that happening!

Grandchildren Meet Great Grandparents

August 22nd and 23rd were special days in our family's history. Those were the days the great grandparents and some aunts and uncles meet the twin grandchildren.

Driving from Memphis, TN, and Jackson, MS, we converged at the new second home of Kitty (Dianne's sister) and Gene Wasemiller at Lake Granbury, TX. Sitting adjacent to the tenth hole of one of two golf courses, the location was outstanding. A family-friendly home was our base for two days and three nights.

Kitty and Gene brought Robert and Ruth from Abilene, TX, for the grand introductions of Sterling and Mary Presley. Stuart (Dianne's brother) and family made it to the house later Saturday afternoon from Grapevine, TX. The grand children didn't disappoint anyone.

Kitty and Gene's house is in a gated community called Pecan Plantation. For obvious reasons you gaze at hundreds of planned, planted pecan trees in great rows. The surprise of the trip was the number of deer that frolic in the area. Since there isn't any hunting allowed in the community, the deer are not afraid of humans, nor the strange sized steel vehicles they drive! You'll see groups or individual deer any time of day to early evening.

Sunday following lunch we visited in Ft. Worth with my side of the family. Once again, Sterling and Mary Presley made great impressions in meeting other family members. That evening Dianne and I ate in the downtown area of Lake Granbury and enjoyed the country drive back to the house.

Monday was traveling day back to Memphis and Jackson. I had several images of Ft. Worth I needed to include with the high school class reunion images (more on that subject in a future blog).

As Dianne and drew close to Jackson, MS, she remarked, "I miss seeing the deer." I don't know how I can correct that situation!

Two words come to mind about this trip---Mission Accomplished!