Oh, shoot! I thought I’d responded to your original post, but must have failed on the save. That’s an interesting thing to know of, and thanks for passing it on. We’ll keep it in mind, but we should know soon if we can just use our replacement passports. We can start trying to set up an appointment tomorrow.

You’re in Abbotsford! I remember looking across at it three years go when we were hiding out in Bellingham during the Covid year. We’ll drop you a line if we’re driving that way this summer and maybe we could meet up for a chat.

No, I’ve got an LX10 as my backup that I take along on tours in case it’s needed. It’s actually a better camera in some ways (better lens, and a bit more of a wide angle) but lacks the zoom so it’s less versatile.

The new camera is due to arrive today sometime, so I can start watching for the birds gain soon.

Thanks. I was pleasantly surprised myself. I’m sorry to have missed the matching one that got away though, of an osprey in front of Mount Adams. I remember framing the shot but must have failed to chilly snap it.

Nice, even without zoom.

What are you using? Your phone or ? Have you got a new camera on order? It is sooo frustrating when you are without the ability to take photos as you are accustomed.

Glad to see you have a plan within a reasonable time frame. Perhaps the passports will allow you up our way in July or early August. If so, you are always welcome to our place, we have a spare room. If after early August, you are always welcome to stay at our place, we have a spare room and the housesitter can let you in.

Hi Scott,

It's very good to hear of the medical care you are getting.

As for your summer plans, in case you missed it, I'm reposting this note about entering Canada that I also made on your "Front Street" post.

I had a hunch, and checked it out. You do not need a US passport to cross into Canada at a land crossing. (You do need one if flying.) I'm a dual citizen, live in Abbotsford, BC and go through the Sumas, WA / Abbotsford, BC border crossing several times each week, usually on a bike. I cycled south last Friday to pick up a package at the Sumas PO and stopped to speak to an officer on the Canadian side when going back home. (Many of the officers know me on sight, and this was one of them. She's been there for years, and I trust her experience and knowledge.)

She said, "Someone can bring proof of US citizenship, such as their birth certificate, plus photo ID, such as their drivers license, and they can be admitted. If they have documentation of their having sent their passport in for renewal, that would also be good. But, they do not need their actual passport at a land crossing." I cannot recall what, if any, documentation someone retains when renewing a US passport. It's been a while since we had to renew ours.

I asked the officer if she could give me a reference to a page with this info at the CBSA website (Canadian Border Services Agency) but she either did not know where to find one, or knew that the info is not actually posted, because all she did was just repeat her little explanation. (I have since found several website mentions of this option - too much to post here.)

If you wish, shoot me a note at mch2290 at gmail.com. I'm happy to ask more questions at the border. It's a quick six mile ride each way and for a variety of reasons I do it often. (e.g. I could doublecheck on the US side that they would let you back crossing south without your passport in hand, but with a photocopy of the photo page and the explanation that it is in for renewal, which is what I believe to be the case.)

The Diplomat is terrific! We watched the third episode last night and are already feeling regrets over the end of the season when it comes. Maybe the best series we’ve seen since Call My Agent.

Sounds like a great development on the health front. It must feel very encouraging to have a plan, especially one that will hopefully allow you to continue your active lifestyle. By the way, yes The Diplomat is a great series. I pretty much binge watched it awhile ago, something I don’t usually do.

Glad to see that you're moving forward, Scott. Good luck!!

Good plan, all the best! For Rachael, too!

Yes, just having a path forward is a real stress reliever. Here’s wishing you the absolute best outcome! We shall see you in Tucson.

Thanks for the encouragement, Tricia. And all the best this summer. You’ll be great, and I can’t wait to read about it.

It must be a real relief to actually have a plan and feel confident that you can continue with your usual lifestyle So wonderful to be able to feel that once more you should be able to do the Rocky Point ride. Ageing is a terrible affliction which must be fought at every opportunity and having said that with a total age of 170 we are setting of for Europe in about 10 days to test out our bodies

Yup. It arrives Sunday. The last one in stock. I’ll see if this one’s repairable, and if it is it will just go into storage until needed.