Lois It sounds like you are having the trip of a lifetime!! I am so envious. I am keeping my girls up on what you're doing. (Becky was disappointed that you didn't do the bungee jump.) I hope you're planning a picture night........I'll bring the vino. Have a good visit with Lauren. Lois

heysue Keep the updates coming Patti, they are quite interesting and it sounds like you are travelling with a fun bunch! The ice climb with wet feet though sounded like a pass. Can you not buy a novelty postcard of yourself in a cave without actually going in one?????? We swam in the river Friday and today with a pseudo Master's group. GArry arranged which was nice of him as he and several others paddled for us. Today a few of us went well over half way across then turned back. It was quite a swim, my shoulders are stiff! The rest of them decided to go all the way across and then swam back. They of course are nuts!!! Lee-Anne didn't make it today so will have to get her out on Wednesday. NOt too much too exciting here. Leaving for Haliburton on the weekend so will miss the triathlon. When you get back we all have to do a Tuesday night at the Wilno Tavern!! I'm counting on it! Take care and Stay Safe Sue

leek HEY!!! I am enjoying your travel tales and pics - and am so glad you are having such a wonderrful adventure!I love the shot in the caves of you and Lauren - WOW! Glad it was you - I get short of breath just thinking about being in such a tight space!! Life around here is great - summer has finally arrived and the weather is nice. I have been biking quite a bit - yesterday did 3 hors with the janzens. I ran the first time since you left this am - 30 minutes to the ski hill and back - and it felt fine. I am always so amazed that weeks off doesn't do too much damage!! Heysue has been out biking with me as well...:-) I have decided to not enter the tri - and enjoy my week-end. Altthough you never know - someone might be desperate for a biker at the last minute. Can't wait till your back - I miss you!! BTW - you know the spot we were wondering about - for Patti's Pentagon....a mere 3/4 of a you know what. Go figure!!!! Take care - be safe - and I'll keep checking your journal. xo leek

Rowley Hi Rowley, I am not doing well with e-mail - I can't seem to pick them up. Please send me one to this site and I will be able to reply. I miss you and wish you were here! Love, Patti

Nancy Hi Patti OMG I was laughing out loud. Pics are hilarious and yes, you are right, I admire your ability to travel with the younguns, however, I would miss my obusform mattress (perhaps in a way you are now). GO GIRL !!! Good thinking on the nix of the drinking games. The scenery looks fab. Enjoy the natural beauty. Thanks for the updates. Lots of love, Nan and the Price boys.

Lauren W. Hi Patti - I'm enjoying your blog. Keep up the good work! I'm so glad that you're enjoying NZ and the group you're with. I am now in Victoria Beach, Manitoba visiting with family and enjoying some gorgeous summer weather. Hi to "your" Lauren, Lauren W.

heysue Patti, I thought you might enjoy this funny.....:) Subject: SCHOOL ANSWERING MACHINE This is the message that the Pacific Palisades High School staffvoted unanimously to record on their school telephone answeringmachine. This is the actual answering machine message for the school.This came about because they implemented a policy requiring studentsand parents to be responsible for their children's absences and missinghomework. The school and teachers are being sued by parents who wanttheir children's failing grades changed to passing grades - even thoughthose children were absent 15-30 times during the semester and did notcomplete enough schoolwork to pass their classes The outgoing message: "Hello! You have reached the automated answering service of yourschool. In order to assist you in connecting to the right staff member,please listen to all the options before making a selection: * To lie about why your child is absent - Press 1 * To make excuses for why your child did not do his work - Press 2 * To complain about what we do - Press 3 * To swear at staff members - Press 4 * To ask why you didn't get information that was already enclosed in your newsletter and several flyers mailed to you - Press 5 * If you want us to raise your child - Press 6 * If you want to reach out and touch, slap or hit someone - Press 7 * To request another teacher, for the third time this year - Press 8 * To complain about bus transportation - Press 9 * To complain about school lunches - Press 0 * If you realize this is the real world and your child must be accountable and responsible for his/her own behavior, class work, homework and that it's not the teachers' fault for your child's lack of effort: Hang up and have a nice day!

heysue Hey Patti, cool web site!! Glad you made it to New Zealand before next Wednesday. Shame about the luggage but.... I hear there are lots of nice shops!!! Besides if you don't exercise your visa card they may cancel it! My new name was christened by Lee Anne who kept yelling back at me in the dust behind her speedy red bike. (Not sure I like the role of her temporary training partner. I'm still recovering from our long ride today (never done 3 loops before). Just make sure you come back to relieve me of the pressure of getting in good shape!!!). OUt at the Bear's Den last night with Off Road, pretty good for a country band. Take good care and enjoy your next adventure!

Leek Whew!! ....and the adventure begins. Business class I guess!! They should give it to you on the way back too!! Luggage is highly overrated anyways - you don'r really know what you need till you get there....:-) happy $hopping! Sue and I did 3 around today - last loop on the reverse. We decided the reverse loop should be first or second!!! Am just doing a touch of work - but will have to leave soon - it's thundering - again! Shees - summer you say? Might as well be winter...like in NZ! Hi to Lauren, have fun and take lots of pics!! xoxo leek

carolyn Hey Patti, This is WAY cool kiddo!! Too bad about the luggage but in that heat maybe semi-naked would work. OMG, maybe you'll have to BUY some new duds. Too bad. Suffer through. Please send some of the dry, hot weather our way!!! I've had about enough of wet days and nights and so has my garden! Are you going to look up Janet while you're in the same hemisphere? Bye for now. Carolyn

Craig Hey Mom, Hope you've found your way to NZ. Dad said he lost you on your way so my fingers are crossed you are in too many airports. Have a great time. Tyler and I wish we were there too. Love you Craig

WRK Here's a note from Laur: Hey Daddy, I haven't heard anything....if she calls you can you tell her my mobile is 0273432870 or to ring 0800spaceships and tell them to transfer her to me! They'll put her through to my mobile. But hopefully if she gets to the airport she'll call you and you can give her my mobile. If she somehow gets herself into the city hopefuly she'll go to ACB cuz they know me and can ring me and I can come down and get her from there. I'm gona get a ride out to the airport to pick her up. Keep in touch. Love you XXOLOXX

WRK Hi there Haven't heard from you for several hours now- hopefully you are in the air somewhere exotic winging your way to NZ. Your Cheapoair responded and I quote: Dear Patrricia Kinghorn,Your Customer Care Enquiry with incidence # 192078 has been reviewed by our Customer Care Representatives. Please see the response below.Message: Dear Patrricia, We have forwarded the detail to the concerned department and we will take care of it. For any further query please email or call us at 212-478-0335. Regards cheapOair.com The above was a direct copy and paste - hope they can arrange things better than they can spell...... If you get a chance - e-mail, text or call. L. - R

Nancy Hi Pattikins Have an excellent adventure and give our love and hugs and kisses to Lauren. We can't waitt o hear your tales. be well and travel safely. Nan

Leek Well - you are probably at the airport in Ottawa now! Hope your seatmates are pleasant - all crying yung'uns are at the opposite end of the plane - and the movie(s) are good. Am thinking of you - and miss you already. I came up with an effective (albeit weak) excuse not to get out and do it this am!!! xoxo me