PG Festival of Trees 2011

This weekend we went to the Festival of Trees, our 4th year in a row. It's a nice way to kick off the festive season. The Conservatory of Music usually gets a slot in the entertainment program and V played a solo on her violin this year.

November in-between

November is one of those funny transition months here when the seasons are changing. The snow has arrived but there isn't quite enough of it yet to ski on. The lakes are beginning to freeze over but the ice is not yet thick enough to walk on for ice fishing. Halloween has been and gone. The winter clothes are out and daytime temperatures are mostly below zero with the odd thaw day here and there. Outdoor Christmas lights are appearing across the neighbourhood. Bring on December!

Fall Cub Camp

The cubs recently had their Autumn camp at Camp Ispah 45 minutes out of town. There was snow on the ground and on the way in, the trail was blocked by a fallen tree but one resourceful parent-helper happened to bring along his chain saw so it was bucked up and removed pretty quickly. The camp is in a lovely spot by Lake Ispah and we had a clear weather. The photos above show cub leader Baloo and the fallen tree, the campfire area and some of the cubs practising their campfire lighting.

I hate LAX

The last word I have to say on my trip to California is how terrible Los Angeles International Airport is for flight transfers. I don't often whinge but my two and a half hour lay-over at LAX was almost completely used up by shuttle transfers between terminals and security checks. I can say with almost certainty that if I had checked luggage, it would not have made it to San Diego with me that evening. I have since discovered that LAX rates as the worst US airport for transfers in a recent US-wide passenger survey (Denver was top in case you wondered). To top it off, I didn't even see any movie stars while I was there.

In consolation, I have included a photo of a far more civilised mode of Californian transportation around town, the Coronado Cruiser.

SEALs and Sea Lions

Lectures finished early on the last day in Coronado so I took the opportunity to go sailing. We took out a 22ft Capri from Coronado Harbour. There is a large US Navy presence in San Diego with a large Navy SEAL training facility. While sailing we were continually "buzzed" by SEALs on their watercraft to and from exercises but also got to see pelicans, dolphins and sea lions around and about the harbour. The wind, at 18 gusting to 20 knots, made for quite spirited sailing (I think I broached to starboard at one point).

Slumming it at the Hotel del Coronado

The Hotel where I stayed was originally built in the Victorian era and at that time was the largest hotel in the world. It was famously used as the set and backdrop for the classic film "Some Like it Hot" starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemon.

Hola San Diego!

Just got back from a radiology course in Coronado, San Diego, Southern California. The course hotel and venue were right on the beach. It was warm and we had glorious weather, a far cry from cold and wintery Prince George.