Elizabeth Parker

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Quote of the Month

"You can't build a reputation on what you're going to do."
Henry Ford, 1863-1947

(July 12, 2010)
Yes this update is long over due. But I have been so busy. After my last post I had my grandson down on his own for three weeks, he was so much fun! See 1.5 hours with Lerato on facebook. What a busy little guy. I was phoned by work in Canada to come up for two weeks and fill in at the office, so I actually only had him down south for 2 weeks, when I headed north with him for June. I had 4 more weeks with him up north and he knows me well now. I'm the lady that makes him food and wins his heart that way. He loves his food.

Well just before having my grandson for 3 weeks, I was off to Whistler, BC to join my brother and his friend for a 4 day weekend, then spent a week at his place in Victoria, BC. What a great vacation. Robin managed to join us for the ski weekend, but he wasn't there to enjoy the high light of my week, whale watching. Don't miss all the whale watching photos in the photo album, here.There will be a full update on the news page this week on whale watching and skiing at Whistler.

Whistler was long over due for a place for me to ski. I had never gone while my kids were growing up, just because the resort being so large and crowded, wasn't going to jive with Leonard's penchant for taking off on his own down ski runs when we were away on ski trips from the time he was 7. Finally, since my brother moved west last year, I had the opportunity I'd been waiting for to go ski it and enjoy it. Enjoy it I did. Myself, my brother (Ronnie), Robin and Pete (Ron's buddy) all went for a 4 day weekend. I do not have a sole picture that I could put up here to give the feeling of the vastness of terrain available to ski at Whistler, so you'll have to read the full write up of our four days at Whistler Blackcomb in the news for more pictures and details. The Whistler Photo Album is uploaded now. Definitely a new favorite ski destination and lives up to all the hype. The freak early April snow storm with 6 to 8 inches of fresh snow, along with full snow coverage at the resort in April is not the normal, and went a long way to my enjoyment of this resort. The gods were smiling at me, click to see the large picture, every run is checked open!

(April 21, 2009)
This is a small update to at least catch up a little. In the past month, since the last post (which you may have noticed never did get the pictures and news done for), I have had visitors and done two more trips. On the right here, is my 1 year old grandson, Lerato, and his mom Jenny. They both came to visit for a week and a half in March, and headed home March 31. We made it to the Columbia Riverbanks Zoo, Charleston, and lots of shopping while they were here. Mom wanted to do the Charleston, in Charleston, SC so we had to get there and she did the Charleston in the waterfront park. We also did the historic carriage ride about town. There's no better way to get an introduction to Charleston's special place in history.

The only way to take a proper picture of Charleston is to have the famous Arthur Ravenal Jr. Bridge in the background. This bridge was completed in 2005, is 8 lanes wide and a popular site on it's own. It replaced the antique bridges crossing the Cooper River and is a site all it's own today. All the information you'll ever need is in the link.

I can't wait to have the little guy back for more fun, he was such a pleasure. I'm getting him for 3 weeks this month!. There's tons of pictures of Jenny and Lerato's visit already added to the Photo Album. I still haven't managed to upload the bike week or Savannah pictures from last update, but I've got the priority photos done. I will get the rest done soon enough.

There will be another update very soon to cover off my trip to Victoria, BC, whale watching and Whistler, BC, for a final turn at skiing in April. What a great way to end a fabulous ski season! More to come soon, along with tons of photos from the mountains and whale watching, and a little on what to see and expect at Whistler; food, accommodation and getting there.

(March 16, 2010)
Well the month has taken us many places, but by far the most enjoyable was to Blue Knob, PA Ski Resort, pictured above. I just love the criss crossing shared chair life poles. This was chosen as the Epic Ski Eastern Gathering point for season 2009/2010. When Robin turned up with time and a full weekend off for February 20 to 22, we headed to meet up with the eastern ski bears from Epic Ski. If you ski and haven't signed up at Epic Ski yet, what are you waiting for? It's the best ski site on the internet, for novices to experts. I'll add pictures from the Eastern Gathering to the Photo album and combine them with the Utah gathering pictures, just as few photos as my camera was being repaired by Canon and I only had a little point shoot Samsung along. Record East coast snowfalls, 1000 feet of vertical and more varied terrain then typical East Coast ski hills, made this little known or skied, rustic ski hill, the perfect gem in the rough. May then never change a thing. To find about more about Blue Knob, read The News; I'll put in a full review and write up.

Ski season being almost done, the first sign of spring happened last weekend with the completion of Daytona Bike Week, February 26 to March 7, 2010. Robin and I had planned to go down for the weekend of March 6th and 7th on the bike, and turn in the 150 tickets we purchased in December from BADD (Biker's Against Drunk Driving), but his work had other plans for him on the 7th, so we gave our tickets to our neighbour and good friend, Steve, who was heading down to the Daytona Speedway track to peddle his Motor cross wares. We then arranged to Ski at Sugar, NC, on March 6th, and wrote off our weekend in Daytona. Luck would be with us this week. Last minute Robin's work called and asked if he would mind traveling to the Orlando, FL office on Sunday (double time), and do a training day on Monday so he could be back for a job on Wednesday in the Carolina's. Wow, that never happens. We were able to ski Saturday, set off really early on Sunday, March 7, 2010, (4am), arrive in Daytona by noon, see the draw (we didn't win), and get all the last day of Bike Week bargains from the vendors, along with see the beach and check out the cool stuff! More on Bike Week 2010 in The News, and of course, as I finally received my camera back from Canon on the 27th of February, so I have Bike Week photos. So good to have my camera back, thanks Canon. On the way home from Bike Week, we stopped in Savannah, GA. I have some great pictures of there too. I must go see more of it!

(February 15, 2010)
It was annual ski trip time! Robin and I headed off to Salt Lake City, Utah for our vacation this year. First time in Utah we were looking forward to the Big Mountain ski time the ski lore talks of and I certainly had some good ski times and fun, but alas, it wasn't to be the best snow year and we didn't get any face deep powder shots. I did get a little powder and someone got a nice shot of it (click the little thumb nail) giving me a great new profile picture; he also caught the picture above as I head down, obviously out of control but certainly having fun. Day 1 and Day 4 we did have a some fresh (about 8 inches day 1, Solitude and a couple inches day 4, Alta) but not the stuff of Utah lore. Though it has not snowed any where near their averages (which are huge), there was tons of snow to find in the trees and off the beaten path, with full coverage. A very warm week, made skiing pleasant and comfortable, but more spring like conditions then champagne powder.

All in all, a GREAT spot to go. More ski hills then you can count on your fingers within an hour of Salt Lake City, means you get from air port to accommodation and then to ski hills in the morning with in a very short drive. We chose to stay at the Homewood Suites in Midvale, Utah and travel to the hills every day so we could hit the 4 resorts on our itinerary from the Ski Bears. We met up with 42 people we belong to a Ski Forum with, Epic Ski, followed their Annual Gathering Itinerary and had a fabulous time. Being a Bear also got us an exclusive viewing of The Edge of Never by Bill Kerig, the book bought straight from the author and signed, and a day skiing with the Big Mountain Man himself. The movie has been picked up by SHOe this month with numerous view times; definitely see it. Great forum if you're a skier, sign up. Meet up with people from all over the world, including your local mountain. Robin and I meet up with peeps from North Carolina and Virginia all the time.

Don't miss the news, for all the details.The picture album is posted and I have full reviews of "The Edge of Never", Snowbird Ski Resort, and Snow Basin. The hills were all terrific but these two really went all out. Snow Bird gave the bears, at no cost, the Summit room to meet and view the movie with Bill Kerig and Snow Basin is just a place not to be missed if you're out that way. I'll review the Book, The Edge of Never, when I get through reading it. You can purchase The Edge of Never here.

(January 12, 2010)
Well as mentioned in my last post Robin and I have been very busy back and fourth to Midland since his mother passed and had no time to strap on the skis. Finally this past week we managed to get out to the hill a couple times, and Robin was finally able to alleviate his worries that his ankle, injured this year in the motor cycle accident would not hold up to a day's skiing. The weather has been frigid for the Carolina's but that has brought far more snow then the usual. As seen here he heads off to the beginner slope to try out a few turns at Sugar Mountain in NC.

After he discovered he could ski still we went off to Wintergreen, VA for night and a full day of getting in some turns. We had a terrific mini vacation. We had on slope accommodation, nice meals right on site, a spa, pool and hot tubs you can enjoy all for a $69.00/night, skiing included, mid week. This small resort offers some nice terrain and makes a great spot for a mini vacation. For a little more information find some pictures and details in the NEWS.

Over all Robin was just happy he can still ski and wasn't in agony anywhere from his bike accident. Below Robin bounces down the hill with his skis, happy in the knowledge, though a little tired and weak, he can still make his skis turn.

(January 12, 2010)
Nothing like the 2010 Torch Run passing through your town to get you in the spirit. Robin and I have had to be back and fourth to Midland a few times over the holiday, though we spent a very quiet Christmas in between trips South Carolina. The month since our first trip to Midland for Robin's mom passing has flown past and I've had a request from Len to bring all the details of his good friend, Carrie Rawlins, carrying the Torch through a portion of Midland, ON, on the Olympic Torch Run.The torch came through Midland on December 29, 2009 and this was Carrie's day of a lifetime.

Carrie (shown above with Len on the left) won the spot to carry the torch for Canada's Vancouver Olympics through the submission of an essay in an icoke contest. I have a full set of the day's photos, supplied by Carrie and another friend of Len's in the photo album. I'll also be high lighting the photos on Simply Photos when I revamp it with all new pictures later this month. Len will be submitting a story a for the NEWS later this month also with all the day's details, and hopefully a little more about the winning essay.

(December 21, 2009)

Joy passed away on December 17, 2009 about 6:30 am. In February 2006, Joy brought Natalie and JP down to our place for a trip to Disney Land. This picture was taken on the way to Disney at a Cracker Barrel where Joy thought she would try Biscuits and gravy. Joy enjoyed each moment of her life to it's fullest and never worried what others might think of what she did. She lived her life honest and true to herself. She loved fun and feeling young.

This picture and the one below of Joy on the carrousel at Disney are the last I have of her. It is with my deepest sympathy to my husband, his brothers, and all the grandchildren and great grand children that are left behind by Joy that I post this and let all know that she has passed. May she rest in peace.

(December 16, 2009)
Well I have to say, my mind about the ugly on cruises, has been changed. My fifth cruise aboard, Royal Caribbean's, Majesty of the Seas, has this down to a science of fun and relaxation. This was by far, my nicest cruising experience yet. If you follow my little mag here you may remember one of my cruising articles, "The Good, The Bad, and They Down Right Ugly". Well this cruise addressed most of the bad and ugly from that article. We had a fabulous time and I have the usual bundle of pictures posted on the Photos page, new album. Read the news to see how much better it can be.

If you are cruising, definitely look into traveling with Royal Caribbean, even is it's a tad more money. We did get this mini cruise on a last minute super saver so keep your eyes open, they are not always more money to travel by. The boarding procedure and the over the top courteous staff made the cruise experience stand out for both Robin and I. We arrived 5 hours early and instead of a two hour wait to board, they were ready for us. We were whisked on board, given lunch, had access to the bar, swimming pool, hot tubs and our room (usually all not available until much later or when we sailed with our past cruise lines). We were able to wheel our baggage on with us and our cruise started at 12:30 after arriving at the ship at noon. In 30 minutes we were through customs, dropped our baggage in our room, and sitting up on deck for lunch before going to check out the ship and see what toys and luxuries were aboard the Majesty of the Seas. There's lots to tell so read more in THE NEWS. I have all the goodies there. Check out this picture from Iguana Lagoon, see what else we did.

This Month

Updates - July 12/10

Photos Whale Watching - Complete pictures from my whale watching excursion in Victoria, BC.

Photos Blackcomb Whistler - Late spring ski trip photos.

Photo Album - Len and Jenny's Wedding Day in photos.

Features:

Warning, HHGregg Return? - Read and be wary; features update.

PAST NEWS

7 Days 4 Resorts, Utah, Big Mountain Fun - Salt Lake city Utah, a great place for skiers. Check it out.

It's Better in the Bahamas - 4 day, 3 night mini cruise to the Bahamas; get all the details.

A Wedding! November 7, 2009, Leonard and Jenny Parker - The big day.

What about the Norfolk Area-Favorite places to eat in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake area and what to see.

Atlantic City, Long Weekend -Why we keep going back. Where to eat, sleep and play

Washington with Grant and Donna - Great time. So awesome to meet up with old friends, and Shelby, you're not 2 any more!

4 Days in New Orleans - What a great get away. We escaped for 4 days and 3 nights to New Orleans.

Atlantic City Weekend - Caesar's invited me for the weekend, free flight for two, free rooms and most meals free. Well it's never really free, but it was nice.

March Break, 2009 - Katrina and the family come to Myrtle Beach.

Wintergreen, VA , Closing Day, 2009 - A day at Wintergreen Ski hill, and we thought ski season was over.

Summer 2007, wow - Catch all the up to date news on who did what, and the latest pics.

New York City New Year - Happy New Year 2007!

Wow Vegas, A Modern Wonder - What a birthday.

Richmond & Portsmouth, VA - What a weekend it turned out to be.

Len and Jo-anne Graduate- Definitely the highlight of my year was these two making it to graduation!

S.N.A.R.T. Group of Racers - Fun weekend, details in the news.

Natalie and Jay at Disney - A surprise visit to Florida for my niece and nephew, details here.

Holiday July 2005 - Rockford and Chicago highlights from 2005,click to go right to the story.

Skiing In North Carolina - Yes, there really is skiing here! See pictures, links to hill sites and more. Click to read.

Cruising the Caribbean - Nice cruise pictures and details.

Fit and Forty - How I did it!