My folks are off tomorrow

[Mel]

On their great big trip. They are going to Canada and Alaska. Flying into Seattle, then they will get an RV and with another 21 Aussie couples, drive up (each couple in their own RV) through the Rockies and into Alaska. Then they cruise back down from Anchorage to Seattle. After all that, they are flying to Vegas for a few days and then stopping in Hawaii for a week on the way home. Seven weeks all up.

I'm so excited for them. Dad has only ever been on South Pacific cruises as his taste of international travel. Mum went to Disneyland with me ten years ago, and along with the cruises that's it for her too. This is their first international trip where I haven't organised everything for them I couldn't convince dad that they needed to stop in at Disneyland on the way I have no idea how he's going to cope on the 14 hour flight either. I've told mum to spike his drink if he gets too antsy The man can't sit still for five seconds so it sure will be an interesting flight for them both. I also don't know how mum is going to survive seven whole weeks without seeing her grandchildren

[churros]

I predict there will be some great pressies for the kids when they return.

[KeithS]

The man can't sit still for five seconds so it sure will be an interesting flight for them both.

My Dad is pretty good once he's on the plane. It is the hours and days beforehand where he is terrible. He gets all panicky about...well, everything!
"Where's my passport"

"Where's your passport"

"What if the hotel doesn't have our booking"

"What do I need to take"
blah blah blah - it is endless...! Whereas I'm just sitting back and saying don't worry about anything!

[Mel]

Beth, there probably won't be! There are 8 grand kids and dad's a bit... umm, careful with his money We all almost died when he booked this trip since it was in the tens of thousands of dollars price range.

Keith, my dad was funny in the lead-up since it was his first overseas trip (well apart from a couple of cruises). He was full of "did you know..?"'s and "apparentley..."'s. I tried so hard not to giggle at all this

[Mel]

Oh and I got an SMS from them a few hours ago saying that the grizzlies are out and people are being warned not to let their dogs out and take extra care, especially with food. They're at Whistler at the moment - I bet it's gorgeous!

[KeithS]

Oh and I got an SMS from them a few hours ago saying that the grizzlies are out and people are being warned not to let their dogs out and take extra care, especially with food. They're at Whistler at the moment - I bet it's gorgeous!

Wow! Now that's a warning you don't hear very often around Penrith

Whistler would be amazing - another place on my must do list! Glad they are having a good time.

[Mel]

Wow! Now that's a warning you don't hear very often around Penrith

Didn't you guys have your own real panther or cougar or something? Or was that all a hoax?

[KeithS]

Didn't you guys have your own real panther or cougar or something? Or was that all a hoax?

Yeah - but doesn't every town in Australia have a big cat story? Or a Yowie?

The big cat story pops up every few years, along with very grainy photos - just like bigfoot and UFOs!

[Mel]

Well they're back! Seven of the quickest weeks I've lived through.

I'm SO glad to have them back, I missed my mum so, so much - and my dad too of course. We're all catching up tonight to hear some of their stories (dad cliff diving in Hawaii in his speedos ) and see some of the 7000 pics mum took (hopefully none of dad cliff diving in his speedos!).

Ben (4) told me that he hasn't missed them because he remembers them really well