DAY AT SEA

A "day at sea" means that from sunrise to sunset
we can be as active or laid back as we want to be.
Each evening we find the ship's newsletter
"Cruise Compass" on our bed, (usually beside
an animal shaped from towels). It outlines
the next day's schedule of activities. It predicted
for today..."one thing is guaranteed.
It will be another unforgettable day."

Upside: It was a great day!
Downside: I can't recall much about it that
stands out from any of the other memorable
"unforgettable" days at sea.

Night.
Love, Mom & Dad
Carolyn & Lane

PANAMA CANAL CRUISE

November 1-16, 2009

Royal Carribbean - Serenade of the Seas

...inside the big boat...

Sunday. We meet our cruise guides at the San
Diego airport and shuttle to the ship dock where
we pass through security and go on to check in.
Lane and I are stopped for a medical screening
because Lane had a sore throat on Friday
...permitted to proceed. Lucky!

After grabbing a quick snack at a dockside cafe
and waiting through security a second time we
stand in line to board. It moves quickly and we
step foot on the "Serenade of the Seas", a
fabulous luxurious cruise ship that will be
our home away from home for the next
14 days.

The lobby is astounding - also known as the
Centrum - with a view from deck four on
up through the ships center to deck 13! Our
compact room is on deck 3 and is considered
large (170 sq ft). It has all we could ever need
and it's even bigger than our Canadian
Rockies camping tent and larger than our motor
home we toured in for seven weeks in 2006.

This should be fun!
Mom & Dad
Carolyn & Lane

October Summary

October 2009

In addition to visiting China we...

...went to our first mission reunion (Pleasant Grove) - how nice to be there.

...attended G. Conference for the very first time - amazing!

...enjoyed Sam's inaugural BBQ at his new house - with added grape-picking.

...sat in awe to see G'ma Creek learning to play the cello - at age 75!

...took a roadtrip to surprise Anissa & Justin in Disneyland - thnx for the invite Cam & Kim.

...offered our apartment as a gathering place for Ava's birthday party - super cute 3 year old.

...appreciated G'pa Creeks puppet theater - looking forward to next year.

...decided Halloween wasn't worthy of celebrating anymore - except for hanging "the witch is in" sign.

It's already time for another trip to Disneyland.

Then again, who needs Disneyland? Wherever Lane is IS the happiest place on earth.

Love, Mom & Dad
Carolyn & Lane

China Trip October 7-22 continued

Our trip was spectacular! China is exciting, exotic, and entertaining. Our timing placed us there immediately following the 60th Anniversary of the People's Republic of China - a National Day Celebration. Wherever we went we saw evidence of the party that China threw itself the first week of October. Banners, flowers, street streamers, and special exhibits.

The weather also cooperated with clear skies and pleasant temperatures.

Lisa, was our tour guide who shepherded 21 tourists around to four different regions of her homeland. She referred to us as her "happy family" and urged us to be like "sticky rice". Our diverse, yet all-American group made it all the more enjoyable as we laughed and practiced our daily Chinese lessons on each other.

All for now. As always we are glad to have gone and happy to return.

"Do you recognize our place in the great drama of human history? This is the focal point of all that has gone before. This is the season of restitution. These are the days of restoration." Pres. Hinckley

Much love and gratitude for you,
Dad & Mom
---Lane & Carolyn---

China Trip October 7-22

"Nin hao"
A few highlights of our recent trip to China...

"wo ai ni"
Love, Mom and Dad

More Banff

After tent camping for 7 nights we opted to stay in the Banff Springs Hotel/Castle.
We appreciated:

• running water
• hot running water
• restroom within 6 feet
• lights
• ice machine
• a bed
• carpet
• etc, etc, etc...
  

Our final trail followed a series of strenuous switchbacks to the summit ridge and upper terminal of the Sulphur Mountain Gondola, just over 5 miles.

Bear warnings were every where, along with instructions on fighting back if stalked/attacked, or playing dead if the bear felt threatened. We found it incredulous that if we surprised a bear we were to speak to it calmly then play dead for 2 minutes. If the bear was still harassing us we could then begin to fight back.

• We attended the Banff Branch (satellite broadcast of Stake Conference in Calgary
• Gorged ourselves on chocolaty, caramel, cashew bear claws
• Headed for home via Radium Hot Springs
• Regrettably camped near Whitefish, Montana (10 trains overnight)

And hurried home without stopping for gas. That was a mistake. Our prayers were heard and when we did find "fuel" we pumped 20 gallons into our 18 gallon gas tank.

The Lord is mindful of us. He is watching over us and will continue if we will let Him, trust Him and follow Him. We show our love to Him be loving you, our family and friends.

You gotta see Banff for yourselves.
Lane & Carolyn
Dad and Mom

Camping Trip to Banff

Tonight we arrived home from a spectacular road trip into the Canadian Rockies. Particularly, BANFF National Park in Alberta Canada.

• tent camping a total of 7 nights
• cooking our meals over fires

Enroute to Banff we:

• stopped at Glacier National Park in Montana
• drove the famous "going to the sun road"

• camped at Waterton National Park in Alberta Canada
• visited the Cardston LDS Temple

A highlight of Banff is Lake Louise. We canoed on it for an hour before treating ourselves to lunch at the Chateau on the lake (our first purchased meal in 6 days). Unforgettable service, view and food. Other highlights are pictured here...

to be continued...