We try to avoid watching the news but we are well aware of the enormous tragedy that occurred on Boxing Day as a result of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami in the Indian Ocean. The survivors are riddled with so many emotions; grief, guilt, fear and relief and our hearts are with them. Like so many Canadians, we are feeling helpless but needing to do something, we have made a donation to the Red Cross and encourage others to do the same. It is during events like these that make one realize just how precious life really is and how quickly it can be taken away.

.....

 It is dropping down below the zero mark here at night lately so Rick went out today and purchased some "heat tape" to wrap the hose with so we can continue to be hooked up. It works very well and prevents the incoming water from freezing. The storage or "basement" area under the coach is heated and the furnace does a great job so we remain nice and warm but there are some campers here that don't appear to be so fortunate. It seems in Vancouver, with clear blue skies come freezing temperatures and once it becomes overcast and rainy the mercury rises. We sacrifice sunny days for warmer temperatures but still don't deal with freezing rain so it is a lesser of two evils. We have been following the weather in Ontario and see that it has gone from snowy and frigid to downright balmy and there is milder weather on the way. It just goes to show, there is no perfect place to live in this world and we consider ourselves lucky to be here.

.....

Rick's construction pal, Paul, and his wife Brenda are leaving here tomorrow for California, then eastward across the states. They arrived here from Ontario on the same day we did in September and Paul was instrumental in getting the bathroom completed quickly at Karley and Ian's. Their son Jason lives at Whistler and they had planned to spend Christmas with him and now it is time to hit the road. They are the last of the friendly faces to leave this park and from here on; we will be on our own with the "grumpies" so tonight we went out for a farewell dinner with them. We will miss our friends but hope to see them again in Ontario this summer when we return.