Growing up in Pennsylvania, getting a new coat each year was a necessity. Yes, we lived near Valley Forge, the same place that George Washington and his troops camped during that cold winter protecting the newly formed new nation.
One fun memory during elementary school, we missed many days of school because of a winter storm. We had 10 feet snow drifts , no electricity, but much fun camping out like pioneers and building ice castles, sledding, ice skating, and trying to figure out how to cook meals and keep warm. I loved every minute especially because I had a warm coat.
When I became more interested in style I remember getting my camels hair coast with fur on the collar. One year I got a white coat with green trim, it was the latest craze, My senior year I got my first ski parka, a baby blue white stag. When I went to college in Provo, again it was necessary to have the perfect coat, As anyone remembers, most of the time our friends only saw us walking across campus in our coat. Mine was a soft green coat with soft leather capizio shoes, I soon learned that I needed something warmer. Next I got my Dr, Zhivago, a long black coat with a thick belt and wide collar. Yes, I can remember all my coats. But, then I moved to California and really didnt need a warm coat.
Since serving missions in Switzerland and Philadelphia, I again need to find the perfect coat. Now, living in Utah, I have found that coats are again an important part of my wardrobe. It is most fun searching in consignment stores in better off communities. Last week we went to Aspen Colorado and had a fun time looking for hidden treasures. Jim found a London Fog to replace the one that was stolen at church in Philadelphia. I found many treasures. Now I need to get clean up and give away things I dont want.
When we returned from Aspen, I went down to the food storage room to clean out some of my old winter coats and discovered a leak. Lucky for us ! We had a pipe burst while we were travelling and had to remove and cleanup all of our stored food. Luck for us that I had stored coats in there and felt the need to give the extras away.
Too cold
The beaches were not crowded, we found many fun souvenirs
Jim stays covered 
Me, I love the sun!
Sometimes it was windy and we still dont know how to take selfies
We stayed two blocks from the round a bout that leads one way to the beach and the other to the Laie Temple. great location ! We walked everywhere.
On Sunday Bev drove us further North to all the famous North Shore beaches..
One day we took the local bus and found some great hikes
Our last ride was in this Tow Truck! long story, but our new friend, a student offered to take us to the airport and 5:20am but it seems that his car// van/ rolling home couldnt make it out of the tunnel so we coasted down the road into Honolulu toward the airport. but not quite. We tried making many other arrangements before our departure and it is only a miracle that we made it with minutes to spare. Lucky for us !
It is also lucky and we each had great books to read.
So we say, Aloha ! and Thanks for the memories
