BEAUTIFUL BC

Sunny with a high of 14 C. Windows down and west-bound on Hwy. 1. Look out and see the rocky snow-capped twin peaks of Golden Ears; look up and take in the golden hawks and bald eagles cruising the airspace; look around and be mesmerized at big cedars and mighty firs. Stop and take a breath of crisp, fresh mountain air. Resist the temptation to follow the sign reading "Exit 8B- White Rock". Clear your throat and turn up the radio. You gotta love the Hip; Kokonut, I hardly knew you. Aaah yes, folks- Beautiful BC lives up to its name. Compared to PP, we're now Ahead by a Century- you feelin' me?

The family is great. Since coming home we've seen a lot of each other and it's been real. We've reconnected with 3 sets of grandparents and drank a lot of coffee. Life at the Wegenast Funny Farm has been loud, hectic, and on a whole, a lot of fun. Took the John Deere for a test drive yesterday and hit up 7-11 for some blue bubblegum slurpees.

Also visited with my (James) good old friend from high school Steve Klassen. He spent the last 4 months living and working all over South Africa so it was good to swap stories with a former expat. It was a great to hang out again: took a trip to Catan [Julie conquered (again)], ate some KD, and shared a pack of Popeye ciggies for old time's sake. In the evening Julie and the girls went to a bridal shower, while my brother and I went to my favorite place in town, the Vedder River, for a fire and some Rickards Honey Browns. So long, Angkor Beer.

On the way home from the river, we picked up Julie and head to Tim's for a midnight hot chocolate and a game of chess. While at Tim's we met a fella named Les who was "fresh out of the clink". Les was clad in head-to-toe denim and carrying half a cigarette. He had a red face and a loud crazy man's laugh. We shot the breeze for a while, and once he was checkmated, Les took off and we shortly followed. I guess no matter where you go, you never know who you'll run into. Good times.

So that was BC Day 1.

cheers, eh.