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 Backpacking Trip to Yosemite. In September, Danielle, Colin, and I went backpacking for 3 days into the southeast corner of Yosemite National Forest. We hiked into an area known as Chain Lakes - a series of 3 beautiful lakes ranging in elevation from 8900' to 9300'. We found a nice, secluded campsite near Lower Chain Lake. Very beautiful and quiet. In the evenings we took turns reading aloud to each other from a novel Colin had picked up, "Seventh Son" by Orson Scott Card.

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Panama Canal Cruise. On September 28, Rita and Jordan joined Danielle and I aboard Holland America's "Veendam" cruise ship in Vancouver, BC for a 21-day cruise to Tampa, Florida via the Panama Canal. We had several ports of call along the Pacific coast of Mexico. We also visited Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, the Panama Canal, Colombia, Jamaica, and Grand Cayman, arriving in Tampa the morning of Danielle's sister's wedding. The trip got off to an awkward start when Danielle's garment bag did not make it aboard! All of her formal wear and nicer clothes (that she had spent months assembling) were missing - and the next port of call was not until Los Angeles, 3 days away. With no assurances it would be there either! Then, at dinner that evening, the maitre de came to our table and asked if we would like to join
with 4 other passengers to dine with the ship's captain the next evening - a formal affair!!! Danielle ended up borrowing a lovely, new dress that Rita had brought along. She looked fabulous sitting next to the captain at dinner that night! At the stop in Los Angeles we met Rita's brother, John, and his family, and Danielle's son Colin (who is now living in Los Angeles) for lunch ashore. It wasn't until moments before the ship was to leave that Danielle's garment bag at last appeared!
Our first port-of-call in Mexico was in Cabo San Lucas. Our planned excursion was a scuba diving trip off the southern-most point of Baja California. In the picture at left, Jordan and Rita prepare to descend. We saw huge schools of fish; sometimes so thick we would lose sight of each other - and everything else around us! We also encountered a sea lion, a blowfish that our dive guide caught and passed around to us (with its 'spines' protruded!), and several large, toothy eels.
Our next stop was in Acapulco. I was little impressed by the city itself (population over 1 million); it appeared worn and faded. We did take a city tour - but only because it included a stop at the famous site where young divers jump from 110' cliffs into 15' of surging ocean (if they time the swell right!) As we walked back to our ship, along one of the beaches, Danielle said she had always dreamed of sitting on the beach at Acapulco. This is my favorite picture of our entire trip. Click images to see larger pictures.
Our last Mexico port-of-call was at Santa Cruz Huatulco, Oaxaca. It was Jordan's birthday, so he elected that we take the bicycle excursion - a total bust (someday we'll learn!). We still had several hours before departure, so I suggested we rent mopeds and do some exploring on our own. Even though Jordan had never driven one, he 'mastered' it right away. We followed the road south along the coast, the Bahias de Huatulco, and even headed a short distance into the inland jungle before returning to the enclave of La Bocana de Copalita for a seafood lunch at a small seaside restaurant. On our way back to the ship we paused for some souvenir shopping in the quaint town of La Crucecita. Rita bought a carved giraffe that is nearly as tall as she is! That night, the dining room staff sang "Happy Birthday" to Jordan in Filipino :-)

Our next port was San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, the "Land of Lakes and Volcanoes". We saw street musicians and museums in Grenada, the oldest colonial city in the New World. We bought craftwork from artisans in the town of Masaya and peered into the cauldron of an active volcano. A fascinating 1-day peek at a country re-emerging from civil war.The next day we docked in Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Our excursion was a (mild) white water rafting trip on the Corobici River. Pura Vida!
At left, cruising the Golfo Dolce -- aaah, sea days! Right: transiting the Panama Canal. What impressed me most is how it looks like a giant Disneyland ride, as we cruise through in 5-star luxury - but an astonishing 30,000 lives were lost in building it!
We loved the "Old City" of Cartagena, Colombia. Andrea, our future sister-in-law (who is from Colombia and was afraid something bad might happen to us) did not want us to get off the boat. We nevertheless took a guided tour - before leaving on our own to have lunch and do some more exploring. Beautiful architecture; fascinating history. At right: just before re-boarding our cruise ship, the Veendam.
Our next port-of-call was Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Not much to say except that now we've been there.
Our final foreign port was Georgetown, Grand Cayman. As this is a popular scuba-diving destination, we booked a 2-dive excursion. I probably should have skipped it since I was still recovering from a nasty cold/bronchitis! The most interesting aspect of the dives were the underwater coral / rock formations which formed deep ravines, canyons, caves, and tunnels. We were with an experienced guide, which helped a lot - many of the places we ventured into I would never have gone on my own! It was disappointing that there was so little marine life... Click to enlarge picture.
Then, finally, it was time to sail for Tampa, our final destination. Which meant another "sea" day, which means MORE FOOD! The picture below shows the "spread" for the seafood buffet -- just one of the dining options for lunch aboard ship! On the final evening, at 11PM (!) they presented a "Dessert Extravaganza" - a mile long (or so it seemed) array of delicious, meticulously prepared desserts. I'm still not sure how it is that neither Danielle or I gained any weight after 3 weeks of this!
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Work. The software company where I work, Altura International, is still alive and, by some measures, healthy. Recently, Lee Lorenzen, the company president announced that last year (2003) was the company's first-ever profitable year. Of course this was achieved in no small part through the imposition of a severe reduction in salaries. Lee uses the analogy of a "demolition derby" race: no matter how beat up looking it is, the last car running is the winner. We hope that checkered flag drops soon!
Other News. Danielle has been active with the League of Women Voters for a few years now. Recently she was appointed to the Monterey Chapter Board of Directors and attended the state convention.
Colin moved to Los Angeles at the end of summer to pursue a career in cinema acting. Before moving he was involved in a couple of plays in Carmel, one as the lead actor ("Side Man"). He was fortunate to work with Ralph Senensky who directed several episodes of Star Trek as well as a number of movies.
Jeanne's son, Charles, ended up moving to Arizona in April to be with his father - too much trouble from Mom and he wasn't doing well in school. Chelsea is staying in Sonora, living with family friends, to completer her last 2 years of high school. I was named as executor of Jeanne's estate and the courts later named me as property guardian for Chelsea and Charles.
Mom eventually sold the house in Sonora and my sister Laura also sold hers. They then went together and bought a house in Las Palmas Ranch, between Salinas and Monterey. So, lots of Smith family now living in the area!