great trip What a fantastic adventure we've had. The eclipse in Texas was really only the precipitating event which saw Mary and me, Larry and LyNette, and David travel the back-roads of the American Southwest through numerous national parks and national monuments. The miles slid by pleasantly as we swapped out the people in our two cars every few hundred miles. It was a great opportunity to visit while spectacular scenery rolled by. There's so much one could say about every place we stopped at, but for now I'll just put up a few photos on my pics page. Many thanks in particular to Larry and LyNette who hosted us for several nights with spectacular meals and wines. wish me luck I've started my stint as President Elect for the Museum of Anthropology Volunteer Association. I think it's going to keep me busy. I don't mind being busy, but I'm a bit intimidated by how much some of the volunteers know, some of them have been at MOA for decades. It's a complex organization undergoing a lot of change at the moment. This weekend I'm in the BC Provincial Masters Swim Meet. I'm sure I've said before that there is absolutely no reason for me to be nervous about this. By masters rules, I now compete as a 70 year old even though my birthday isn't until the end of 2024. So I'm hoping to make a good showing this season. And, honestly, I wonder if this might not be my last year of "competition." I'm not keen on being one of those masters swimmers who takes 10 minutes to swim 400 meters. I've also joined the executive of the Delta Photo Club. It's hard to say no when you're retired! The DPC has been really good for me; I've learned a ton about photography. buds, bugs and birds The rhythm of spring is ever the same: first come the buds and flowers, then the bugs, then the birds. I've had a few great days already birding the local hot spots. Pictures next week!