Christmas

15 Comments

Christmas. What is there to say? Kids open presents. Kids play with new toys. Kids move on, and everyone begins talking about next Christmas.

We did  have a nice time. The kids gave Grammy their painted pottery gifts, and they got everything on their Santa Claus lists. The last minute ten dollar army guys set was a big hit as well, so much so that he began playing with it in the midst of the present openings. That’s how you know something is good.

They also got a pile of big ticket items that only came in picture form for now. The real gifts, two new bikes and a surf board are waiting for us back at the Airstream, and ready to be put into use back in Mexico.

A couple days after Christmas we headed north to Seattle. Amtrak—what could be better than riding the train? No baggage fees, no TSA “security”, huge seats, a table, free wifi, wide aisles, human-sized rest-rooms, dining cars—it’s easily the best mode of transport available in the U.S.

The extent of the security procedures. Heaven.

Once in Seattle, it’s hard for us to break with tradition. Lunch at Pike Place Market.

A visit to see how the gum wall is coming along. They stripped it bare right after we visited last time. Seems to be recovering nicely.

And why not stop by and say hi to the troll? This is my half-brother—I get to meet a new family member every time I visit Seattle, now.

|

15 Comments on “Christmas”

  1. That looked like a wonderful holiday, wishing all of you the very best in 2017. I’m hoping to get to Mexico myself, early in the year, though only for 2 or 3 months on the Yucatan peninsula. And I wish we had WAY more trains here in the States. I’m hoping to head back to Europe later in the year and travel ONLY by train once I get there. I love everything about train travel, the stations, the trains and the whole experience – especially getting to stop in little out of the way places that aren’t close to airports.

    1. That sounds great. Have fun. Certainly the best time in a long time to visit Europe (from a financial point of view, at least).

  2. Love it, toys toys toys, and where are the smiles? playing with the boxes, and what looks like a hand held vacuum. 🙂

  3. I once rode Amtrax from Albany to Martinez, Ca. on a full moon night. What a great night! But isn’t it expensive compared to flying? PS Happy New Year and all the best for 2017.

    1. $213 round trip, total for four people. More expensive than driving the four hours each way, but cheaper and more enjoyable than flying, by a long shot.

  4. Hi bums. I, ve been following you for a few years , I love adventure. We recently retired and headed south from canada looking for a place to spend our six month winter. Sounds like you are heading to mexico . We found this nice little village just north of Lazaro Cardenas called Playa Azul . It, s a long drive south but worth it .
    Cheers David and Manda

  5. Seattle is my home town…..It was till I retired…..Glad to not see any graffiti on the old Troll…..
    Happy New years to you all.
    Upriverdavid

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *