For those living in the LA area, coming soon to your fair city is the new Plumma Espresso Cafe and Conference Center, a new business that my son in law, the Plumma and my daughter have been working on for some time. Knowing his love of the plumbing industry as well as his taste for good coffee, it is only natural that it would be just a matter of time before they developed a marketing plan that could combine both features. I wish them success in their new venture.

Their strategy is well thought out and cost of construction will be reduced due to the fact that the Plumma can do all of the required plumbing and has been collecting fixtures for several years. At first you might consider this concept as ridiculous, just as I did when they first approached me with their marketing concepts. However, I am now convinced that the concept is very good and in the future I foresee franchises being offered on the market.

Before you consider it ridiculous, consider a few basic facts: (1) How many times have you been sitting in a "cafe" enjoying a cup of coffee, visiting with friends or just contemplating life when mother nature calls. You have to get out of your seat, walk across the room and wait in line to gain access to the appropriate restroom. By the time you have returned to your table, your espresso that you are paying $4.50 for, is now cold. (2) How many boring, long conferences have you attended that the speaker has forgotten to take a break, you pay very little attention while squirming in your seat hoping that they will take a break soon so you can make a dash for the "john". (3) Most businesses conduct some type of conference at varied times of the year, a lot of company money is lost during these conferences due to the decline in production and salary costs for employees attending conferences. With the new conference room at the the "Plumma Espresso" a full day conference can be reduced to less than four hours due to the fact that no "potty breaks" or lunch breaks will be required. The comfortable seating arrangements are full service toilets, when the need arises you will not even need to leave your seat and your coffee will not chill, you can even continue to eat your lunch is you so desire.

With the Plumma and the Screamer working the kitchen and their three daughters hustling drinks and acting as hostesses, I can foresee a great future for them on their path to success.

It is a big chore preparing a Thanksgiving Dinner, I have watched my wife do it for years! The planning usually starts about two weeks before the big dinner: who is coming to dinner, menu, seating, why is Stan making so much candy, why are all my roasting pans full of fudge, how do I make mince meat, should we have turkey and ham or just turkey or just ham, how many pies, and above all how many cans of black olives are going to be required and the day after the big dinner, how many egg noodles do I need to make, what do you mean we need a jello salad, we already have three other salads, I don't care how your mother did it, I am doing it this way - it is always so much fun to watch the stress factor as I sit back and sip a hot egg nog. Stuffin the old bird and popping him into the oven is no big deal, especially when you consider the planning to prepare this dinner:

I really do not care if you are Male, Female, a White Saxton Protestant, Catholic, Black, American Indian, Messican, Jewish Faith, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or any other religion or race, this is my friend. He has been my friend for the past 62 Years, 6 Months and 1 Day, I will be the first in line to defend him, his reputation and the good will that he spreads each year when the world really needs a dose of good will.

For just an instant, stop and think of the millions of people from infants to seniors that he has made happy through the years. Consider the "good will" that he has spread between those who cannot tolerate anyone in their family or workplace, except at Christmas. Bringing happiness and hope to millions of people, but he asks nothing in return, not even the Nobel Peace Prize! Why hasn't he been considered for this coveted award? He has done so much more for mankind than Al Gore!

As I pointed out last year, I still believe in this man! I have seen the good that he does and have seen the eyes of the children light up when they catch sight of him. For those in the United States that are mounting the drive to force businesses into insuring that those Santa's that visit their store are slim, fit, and skinny in order to "set the example" as being healthy. They do not want to see any Santa's with a big tummy! To those that are concerned about a overweight little man driving a sled pulled by reindeer, get a life and visit your local McDonald's and "super size" your Happy Meal.

To those that reside "Down Under" that are suffering from "Imus In The Morning Syndrome" and want to prohibit Santa from saying "HO - HO - HO" so as to not offend any woman of the black race! I am sure these same ladies, being Black also enjoy the good will of Santa Claus and find no offense at his belly laugh. Although, I do not know the origin of the word "Ho" but I am sure Santa was using this term long before it become degrading to the black woman.

To all who want to down play the presence of Santa in our lives and the meaning of Christmas, including our school system, I hope all you get for Christmas is a big "fat" piece of black coal in your stocking and all you hear is the tinkling of little bells in the dark of night and a hearty, HO-HO-HO-HO-HO as he drives out of sight.

HO - HO - HO

In just the few short weeks that I was absent from the community, everything went to hell. Upon my return, I discovered that the Texas Hold'em Tournament was on the verge of going broke. Although, I did get to play and win the first round of the tournament prior to my departure, upon my return I discovered that I was still leading. A strong indicator that either not a lot of action was taking place, poor record keeping, failure to post results, or someone was assuming my identity. I am back into the position of tournament organizer. Kicked off the 1st Round of the Snow Rondi Tournament last night. The Championship Round will be played during the Snow Rondi weekend. When I made an inquiry to the local Chamber of Commerce to determine when the Snow Rondi would be held so I could make up a schedule, the response was it would be the last week of February, perhaps in March but no later than April!

"Cease and Desist" Needing a snail mail stamp, I stopped by the local Post Office, stamps are now forty one (.41) cents each now a days! Just the few short years ago that I was a kid they were only seven cents and those letters went by "Airmail". I am surely glad that I only have to buy one or two stamps a year! However, upon entering the Post Office, I could not help but notice a very large legal form posted on the front door. I had never seen a "Cease and Desist" order before, issued by the State of Alaska, Department of Fish and Game pertaining to the camping area at Whiskey gulch. Do not know the story behind it, but all structures both permanent and temporary must be removed within 30 days of the dated posting. Guess I had best wander down and take a look to see what is going on.

"Political Correctness" has reared it's ugly head in Anchor Point. I understand that the annual "Halloween Carnival" could not be held this year at the school. The carnival has been a community activity since my little brother went to school (he is pushing 60) in Anchor Point! The project is supported by local businesses and private individuals with no funding coming from the school district, except the use of the gym. Whatever happened to the concept that the school was the center of the community, used for public meetings, social gatherings as well as education. If the kids cannot have a Halloween Carnival, then I guess we had better forget the concept of having anything that resembles Thanksgiving, (I bet they serve taco's for lunch on the last day of school before Thanksgiving) and forget anything that even suggests CHRISTmas, that was abolished several years ago. I refuse to sit on the hard bleaches to hear "Snow Flakes Drifting Down", "Bring In The Winter Clowns" and "Fun In the Snow". Now I will endure the pain of splinters in my butt to hear, "Silent Night", "Little Drummer Boy" or any one of the other thousands of Christmas Classics but don't try to appease me with a program called "Winter Concert". I want to see a little fat man, dressed as Santa passing out candy, a little toothless boy singing "All I want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth" and everyone wishing one another a hardy "Merry Christmas".

In my absence, we have obtained a medical clinic, dentist office, an approval for a Golf Club House which is suppose to serve meals and libations in time. Several separations, a divorce or two and a bunch of DWI's or DUI's.

Have to cut it short, I need to do a little research on "Winter Vacation" plans - I ain't sticking around here!

Having recently made a round trip on the Alcan Highway after a good number of years, I was surprised at several things. I made my first trip over the Alcan Highway in the back of a one ton jeep stock truck. The rack of the truck was covered with a tarp and in the back where my brothers and I rode from Colorado to Homer, Alaska my father had built a set of bunk beds, three high. Two hundred miles per day was a good day on the highway, but come nightfall, all it took was to pull off in the barrow ditch and camp out.


Today, the highway is paved all the way and easily driven at 60 to 80 mph when the roads permit. My biggest disappointment was that though the years, the original highway has been re-aligned to permit faster driving and shorter distance. Throughout the trip, you can see the road bed of the old highway, slowly being overtaken by grass, bushes, and trees. You will not see a single sign commemorating the "old highway" or given the opportunity to drive the original route. It seems our neighbors to the south have forgotten the cost and number of Americans it took to build this historic roadway in order to defend their country and our country to the north of them. The "old" lodges and road houses that I remember as a kid are now gone or reduced to deserted, weathered, wood skeletons.

In those years of long ago, when a "potty break" was required, all one had to do was bang on the truck window, grab a couple pages out of the Sears, Roebuck, and Company catalog and head for the nearest bush.

For the first time in our history, the Canadian dollar is stronger than the American dollar. However, with this modest landfall of unexpected income, the Canadians have utilized the extra cash flow to upgrade their rest areas so potty breaks in the bushes are no longer required.

Always on the outlook for tasty morsels, I have not been back in Alaska long enough to look, however, much to my surprise while cruising the isles of one of a thousand "Wally Worlds" that we saw, I came across an unfamiliar box of "Whoppers". One of my favorites when held tightly in the mouth and then a sip of hot coffee to dissolve it in your mouth. Chocolate, Malt, and coffee, the balance of delicate flavors is overwhelming. What I discovered, and I will be very disappointed if you already know about them but they now come in Strawberry Flavor. It took six boxes of them to establish a "fair and balanced" comparison with and without coffee. The new flavor is good but when taken with coffee, the old fashion Chocolate flavor is far superior. However, the Strawberry is very satisfying!

Today, while shopping for "bird feed" to assist our little feathered friends during this "global warming" period, I came across a second tasty morsel. This one is hot!!!!! Last year in December, I spent a lot of writing skills to fully introduce everyone to the proper methods of enjoying chocolate covered cherries. Again, you may already know but if not, rush to the store and grab a bag today. Hershey, the master of chocolate has developed the "Hershey Kiss Cherry Cordial"! In appearance it looks like the familiar chocolate kiss, but as it melts in your mouth or you bite into it, you are treated to a liquid Cherry Cordial creme. The particular bag I purchased is a 2 pound 6.5 ounce bag, enough to fill both of my candy jars. By this time tomorrow, they will not be available in the Homer area. If you like Chocolate Covered Cherries, there is no way that you will not savor these. You will thank me!

Our trip was completed today at about 2:30 pm., I do have to admit that it was good to see the Old Anchor River Bridge once again, after crossing several hundred bridges on our trip. Arrived in Anchorage yesterday afternoon, shared some good hours with the family and I had a great slumber party with my two oldest granddaughters. Their giggling kept me awake for almost 5 minutes. Slushy snow as we left Anchorage, Turnagain Pass had a little snow but overall the road conditions into Anchor Point was good. As for a review of the trip, It Was Great! We had the opportunity top see some beautiful country, see family and friends that we have not seen in years, and enjoyed some great opportunities to see and do new things. One of my personal highlights was to see where my parents lived as a young couple and visit the resting sites of both sets of my grandparents, two of which I never had the opportunity to meet. Solving the mystery of my Grandfather Henry Philo "Ten" Harrington made the trip well worth the time and effort.

Pulled out of Fort Nelson, B.C. this morning at first light and under light snow flurry weather conditions. Pulled into Whitehorse this evening at 7:15 and 584 miles north of Fort Nelson. Staying in the same motel that we stayed in on our trip south. Total road miles accumulated to date, 11,195.3 miles. After leaving Ft Nelson, about fifty miles up the highway, it had snowed during the night and we drove most of he day on snow packed roads. Seventy miles south of Whitehorse, we finally hit dry pavement again and picked up some lost time.

ELK

This was taken at Toad River, the entire herd was bedded down in the horse pasture, it was then I wished I had a better telephoto lens. It was quite a distance, but I could make out some antlers so there had to be some large bulls.

BUFFALO

We saw so many buffalo again today, this years calves, yearlings, heifers, cows, small bulls and some big bulls. Buffalo everywhere!

MOOSE

We finally saw our first moose on the trip, same area as all the other game. This young bull was skittish, but got a decent shot of him. Quite dark haired compared to the Alaskan Moose.

STONE SHEEP

We saw several bands,herds, flocks, or whatever you want to call them, but this particular group caught my eye because of one big ram, there was perhaps fifteen in this band, mostly ewes with several lambs. I was concentrating on getting a shot of the big Ram, which I did and in my haste to scout out the herd, I had missed seeing the largest ram since he stayed by himself, feeding in a little thicket.

He went behind the ridge one way and I went the opposite, when he came around the corner of the ridge, I was waiting for him, he did not seem to concerned that I had sneaked up on him, he stopped, looked me over and walked away, these shots were taken without a telephoto lens and within 25 feet of each other.

Getting these shots was so exciting, the way he looked at me, those big yellow eyes and he never bolted, just wandered off to gather up his band and then went up the mountain. Terry also captured this on video, the two of us playing tag so I am anxious to see if she caught the entire episode.

Tomorrow, we will have a leisurely drive into Tok Junction for the evening. If all goes as planned with no major hitches, we should pull into Anchorage on Friday afternoon. I believe it is someones birthday, now you know why Grandma has been pushing me to make more miles each day, I think she has become just a touch of homesick!

Moved out of Williams Lake at first light this morning and have been behind the wheel most of the day, at least 11.5 hours for a total of 641.7 miles for the day which boosted our trip total to 10,610.9 miles. The good news, where we sit tonight, we are 1,503.4 miles from the intersection of the Old Sterling and New Sterling Highway in Anchor Point. Keeping that in mind, Suzie has projected that we can reach that destination in 27 Hours and 1 minute. I think not!

We are now on our repeat trip, been on this route just a few weeks ago, however, we got onto the Alcan Highway without having to go through Mile "O" at Dawson Creek. Took a neat little short cut from the Hart Highway that meets up with the Alcan Highway just north of Ft. Saint John. I was warned to take a look at this route before I took it, however, it was as good as the Hart Highway, if you are not driving an 18 wheeler. The highway follows the Peace River, beautiful river and scenery. Would like to drive it in the fall when the leaves are turning, a lot of Aspen and Cottonwood trees in the area.

Started the drive this morning with a light rain and by the time we gained a little altitude it had snowed during the night. By the time we reached it, the snow was off the road with just slush alongside. About 100 miles south of Fort Nelson, ran into clear weather and dry roads. No sign of snow in this area. Moving toward Whitehorse tomorrow, they are calling for sun for the next three days. Why did I buy studded tires? But I know, I will get to appreciate them before I reach home, it is just a matter of time. Tomorrow should be a good day for sheep, buffalo, and possibly caribou. Going to have my Kodak ready!

After seeing all the game that we have seen this trip,I have decided to take up hunting again! Except with a camera! So all of you semi-professional shutterbugs, help me pick out a good camera with good telephoto capabilities. However, my concept is to get up as close to my shots without having to use a telephoto lens. I want to concentrate on animals and old buildings. A new hobby!

Moving out again at first light, see all of you in a few days unless we decide to take the Fairbanks route and possibly the Haul Road.

Made the trek north a few more miles today, don't know how many! I have not done my book work for the night, I guess now I know I am going to live, I can do it in the morning. Woke up this morning not feeling the best and during the course of the day it got worse. I finally had to pull over and let Terry drive (first time this trip) for about sixty miles while I took a nap. Had turkey breast for dinner last night, I think that was the cause because even now, it turns my stomach thinking about it. I want to thank Safeway for trying to poison me! It was bad enough I did not want any coffee until late this evening, you know I am sick when I do not drink at least two pots of coffee before the morning news!

Got into Elam and checked into a very nice motel, wish we would have heard of this chain earlier in the trip. They are called Microtel Inn and their attention to detail is awesome. Everything is quality, including the special dog run that they have developed in the outside recreational area. Right now, I am sitting in their lobby using their hard wired computers as mine kept dropping the signal. It is great, a non ending supply of coffee, juices and even popcorn.

How ill was I, we cancelled our get together with Al and Patti for the casino night, we will see them in the morning. Likely we will pull out of here tomorrow, although exploring a casino is awful tempting to spend another night.

From here, we will head to Port Townsend, grab a ferry to Whidbey Island to spend a night and visit with Roger and Mary Johansson, been a few years since we saw them. Following that, we need to get four studded tires on the truck and find a vet to check out Dutch one more time. I cannot believe that a health certificate is good for only 30 days when all the shots are good for three years! Maybe it because of 911 and they may consider him a terrorist and want to make sure he is not going to spread a disease. I understand that is happening in Alaska with a wolf that had rabies - now, who is against Wolf control by aerial hunters? You thought Dutch was spoiled before, hey this guy is smart and has developed even further into spoiledhood! Hey, John, like my new word!

Did cross the big bridge at the mouth of the Columbia River today from Astoria. Oregon to Washington state, 6.2 miles across the river. It was great, how wide is it across Turnagain Arm?

Considering it is now 0130 Pacific Time, I had best pack up and "get ready to pull out at first light, keep you gun handy, Blue Duck may come riding in at anytime." Spend the winter watching the movie so you will know what in the hell I am talking about!