yum Yum is being a bit sarcastic, not sure that I could stomach all of the new critters you have eaten. You are brave! I would love to experience the music though, to see the history.... Once again I am envious of your adventures. Take care of yourselves. Carla
More awesomeness! Hey there dudes! Again, another awesome blog post! I love the way you're trying all the local foods and picking up local jargon. We've had the pee can / pecawn conversations either. A pee can goes under your bed. You eat a pecawn. lol
Good job collecting more people and LOTS of stories. It's interesting hearing a different perspective of the disasters we've just heard about on the news. They make it sound like that oil slick is all cleaned up. NOT?!
Keep up the good work!
Right on! You certainly have your priorities straight. This trip and the experiences and memories - all wonderful - but truly the trip we all take through this world at the end is ALL about the people in our lives and how blessed we are by all of them. I also truly feel blessed by this blog!! I absolutely LOVE it!! Oh and by the way, Mercy Me is one of my very favorite groups. I am sure you enjoyed them!
I think your friend Andrew is right. I really do believe you two are a "collector of friends".
Both of you have an amazing way of meeting new people and making them feel special and welcomed.
I am blessed to be part of your "collection"
love Ya
Thanks for the updates. We are in Soctland working for Nov and Dec before moving again. The locals are reserved here so we truly are grateful for all the friends we met in Canada.
With Love
The traveling Aussies Jem & Luke
INTERESTING BLOG Hi Chrystal,
Your travels sound very very interesting. I always look forward to your next entry. Just wondering, did you guys take in alligator alley while you were in Florida? Ken's brother and his wife spend their winters in Florida and they always mention this road.
Keep up the interesting articles. I feel like I'm seeing all these places through your eyes.
hey Yup, Mike and Devin are peeling and I'm just....beige.
We stopped at Costco on the way home from the airport and printed some pictures for Devin's photo book. He took them to church and shows everyone who will give him a minute to look.
We had SUCH a good time with you guys and I'm SO jealous that you get to continue traveling. I SO did not want to come home and am anxious to leave again. "Sigh" I might even consider riding a motorbike.....maybe not.
Mike says to tell Rene thank you (NOT!) for the miserable cold. I guess they got too close to each other cuz he's really sick with it. YOu and I must have awesome immune systems or something. lol
Miss us yet??? Hey there!
I finally got a chance to look at the pictures. Loved the sign by the stone pool at Dea and Heather's. LOL. Jack is quite thrilled with the photos of the aligators.
It was great spending time with you guys. It was a very short, but FUN vacation! Devn's still talking about how "cool" Rene is.
I posted a LOT of photos on facebook so if you get a chance, check them out.
Take care!
What a trip! Hey Crystal & Rene! We've really been enjoying your blog! Lots of places we want to go now that we've experienced it through your eyes! We were in the Smokey Mountains last year - absolutely gorgeous there! Elaine
wow! So beautiful and so much fun...I am afraid you will never come back!
Love reading about the sun and the beach 'cause it's getting cold and a bit snowy here.
My parent's best friends moved to Florida from Ontario 20 years ago...we should retire there!!!!!!!
Love you, miss you.
T
xoxo
Sunshine Looks like you are having fun, its amazing what a little sun does for your soul. The alligators are too cool, I can't imagine just seeing them sunning. It looks like you are in the tropics somewhere and I guess that makes sense seeing how close you actually are to Cuba. We're heading to Vegas next week. I expect I will enjoy that. I need a vacation!! I look forward to your blogs.....- Carla
Paradise is right! I am not sure you could ever get me to leave somewhere so beautiful! It sounds very relaxing and truly wonderful! Keep on enjoying! Love ya.
luckyu What fun. I spent some time down south a long time ago. I seem to remember more bugs! You really do seem to be traveling in Grace. Never made it to the keys. It's one of my "one day trips" Along with New England. Just a reminder, we met in Robert Service Campground in Whitehorse. Have fun folks. Fried Oysters! Now I'm hungry!
Carolinas Rene & Crystal: We are so glad you came to our home and enjoyed your time in Western North Carolina! Joy and I truly feel we have made new friends for life!
I was getting somewhat worried that a problem had occured since it had been so long since you posted an update. Don't wait so long!
Regarding an earlier blog from Michigan, would you believe I used to live less than 3 miles from Joe's Gizzard City restaurant in Potterville? And no, I've never eaten there. ;(
Gary
familiar Great to read your blog on Carolina's. Having been there I could picture where you were. We stayed at the Market Pavillion on East Bay and Market. The downtown was lots of fun. Great to hear from you through your blog. You're missed at SPAC! Graham
twistees! That twistees riding sounds scary! You must have been holding on for dear life!
I agree, grits are disgusting. You'd have to put a LOT of cheese on it to make it palatable. We have Americans asking for that and biscuits and gravy which also sounds disgusting.
The thunderstorm in a tent sounds awesome!
It's really informative hearing a different perspective on things like slavery, isn't it? We saw the African perspective in Zanzibar.... very sad. You should read "The Book of Negroes".
I love that about traveling. Talking to people from other cultures (even Americans with whom we have so much in common) can be so enlightening. We've had chats about gun laws too. Both sides see the other as kind of bizarre. It just goes to show that a lot of our opinions are based on where and how we're raised. We've never really experienced the racism that's out there and have a really hard time understanding it.
We're looking forward to seeing you in Florida and hope to hear lots more stories. Good thing you're keeping this blog. You'll never remember it all!
See you in a few days!
Jodi
FINALLY a new blog!! Glad to hear you had a nice birthday Miss Crystal. I was thinking about you lots on Saturday! 2 weeks with no blog was hard to survive so I am sure glad to get this one! Say, did you go to Walton's Mountain while you were in Virginia? I am sure that would be a priority for you!! I have been to South Carolina - spent a week in Myrtle Beach. It is facinating and I love the pictures you have here. Renee, I think about you every time I get up to a cold morning with frost on the car windows. I am sure you are missing the cold weather - though we have not had much so far. Stay safe my friends and keep on enjoying!! No matter how far away you are you are never far from our thoughts. I look forward to seeing you in December! Love, Jenn - Emily said to say Hi too!
One of the reason for this trip was to find some volunteer oppourtunities. Sounds like now is the time. Just a thought.
Love you both
Grace
Thanks for the blog I love it
Enjoyed skypeing Hi guys, We so enjoyed skypeing with you on Tuesday evening. Hope we do it again on very small group night in two weeks. we're going to see Vinny and Veneeta this saturday, bet you wish you could come, Yummy. actually at a restaurant not their home. I just want you to know that I miss you at church on sundays more than any other time (wierd hey) and your in my prayers every week. I pray that your having a great time but mostly for your safe journey. Love Steve. xx
The colours are amazing! That is one of the biggest things that I miss about Ontario. So, if I had to make a choice between autumn in Ontario and a plain, yellow autumn in Alberta with my amazing friends...I would choose you every time!!!
Love Ya,
T
John Denver? This post makes me feel like singing a John Denver song....or maybe more than one. ARen't you glad there's no sound? You might have to hear me sing. hehe
We are Rene and Crystal Hoekstra. We are a middle aged couple who instead of having extra-martial affairs for our midlife crisis decided to ride a Kawi for a year and explore some of this wonderful world that we live in. O.K so all kidding aside, we are blessed to be able to fullfill a long time dream and take a year off work and travel.... full info
carla
non-member comment
yum
Yum is being a bit sarcastic, not sure that I could stomach all of the new critters you have eaten. You are brave! I would love to experience the music though, to see the history.... Once again I am envious of your adventures. Take care of yourselves. Carla