Maria,

A hot 90 here today. Alan and I will be right over! Please have a pitcher of Sangria ready!

It was 109 here yesterday afternoon when I had to run errands. Although it's a dry heat, it's still hot. Like sticking your head in an oven!

We've had a very hot summer with strong monsoons. It helps to get out of here every couple of weeks. We're off for the Oregon Coast where it's supposed to rain next week. Not good for Alan's photography class but the cool temps will feel great.

Donna,

Whose class is Alan taking? Landscape? I'm going down to San Diego for a Wedding Workshop in two weeks. There are four of us in the class so it will be very special. We actually will be shooting a real wedding.

He's taking a one on one with Marc Adamus.

Editing to add:
Kathy, check out my travelblog (last 3 or 4 entries). We recently returned from Ouray where I took some great shots. Hanging around Alan is helping my photo skills. I'm learning through osmosis!

Donna,

You took some fantastic shots! I really enjoy reading your blog and seeing your great photos! You have a terrific way with the camera!

Enjoy the Oregon Coast. We've been up there twice. It's beautiful and hopefully, significantly cooler!

Great photos, Donna! Viewing them and reading your blog made me smile. Some years back John and I did the Engineers Pass journey, and I definitely understand why you were holding onto the overhead strap tightly. It's a long way looking down from some of the overlooks! Such beautiful country.

Two months from today!!! Whoohooo!

I know, I know!!! Can you believe it, almost scary how the time has flown. Now getting down to the serious preparations. Gotta figure out just how to pack now to avoid weight excess. Some friends got back from Alaska a oouple weeks ago and had to end up paying $50.00 in fines. I know I'm going to have to do some paring down. What? Not a pair of shoes for each outfit? Alas, guess I will have to "make do". :ohmy:

check out www.onesole.com, might help solve your problem. I'll have mine along, bet Sue will too.

My OneSoles are ready and waiting for CROSS! ;)

JoAnn & Sue, thanks for the info, have never heard of OneSoles. I have looked at the website and am really amazed, what a fabulous concept. Do either of you recommend one sole over another? I am interested in comfort but also want something stylish. I love some of the tops, they are way cool. Thanks again.

JoAnn,

That sounds so interesting, but I'm getting an error message when I click on the link

Never mind, I googled it and found it.They have a store near me. Maybe I'll check them out.

I like when I have travel scheduled before a big trip. Pack once - travel twice. Come home and refill the little bottles of must haves. Put aside the things I only use for certain climates. I leave in 10 days for a workshop and will come home and be mostly packed with casual stuff that will work for Cross. I can't pack everything since I will have to buy stuff. Most of the clothes I have don't fit anymore and are even beyond having taken in. My poor alterations lady. She hates when I travel and come in with a suitcase full of pants that need to be hemmed in less then two weeks.

Maria - the stores that sell onesoles are great, but they tend to have limited tops. I first bought mine at a place in Fairhope AL last summer. Came home and went on the website, and bought another sole and tons of tops, so check the website just for more tops. They will even customize your own design or pictures.

I checked out their website. What a great selection. I may need to purchase a pair. How great that they will customize a design!

You are going to have fun comparing your onesole tops!!! It is a great idea -

Greystuff; I have 2 pair of these soles: Q.C. LEISURE SOFT STEP 1 1/2" Heel - one in brown and one in black. I am not a high heel type gal, so to me these are plenty high for dress, yet also can be used as casual.

I bought the tops that are like the postage stamps with Georgia on it and had them on today out shopping. My sons girl friend commented on how cute they were. I really love being able to change the tops and still know I am wearing a shoe that is so comfy! :)

I like having shoes for the holidays and bought a couple Christmas type tops.

I really like the ones with the beads and crystals. Fun and a bit more dressy. Anyone bringing them on CROSS?

My OneSoles will be with me on CROSS - you can bet on that! ;)

My favs are the cork soles with whatever tops I can find. Love the strappy tops, my favortie with the cork soles. But they are probably not good for long term touring, so I have another sole, but don't have any idea what it was that I ordered, but they are pretty comfy.

Eager to see yours before I order, Sue. You can be CROSS' Onesole model.

Not sure I would want to do any significant touring in that type of shoe, JoAnn. Personally speaking, I prefer good walking shoes with special Super Feet insoles for good support and comfort.

Denise - the point is that my favorites, the cork soles may not be best for touring, but some of the others are - and I do have a better sole for that, although I have yet to try them out. They have several differnt type soles, even a new one that has a heel on it for a more dressy look. No matter what, they are all very comfortable.

All that matters is that we're all comfortable regardless of shoe type when we're on the go ;) Those shoes are so cute. Wish it would work for me, as they do for you, but I tore ligaments in my right ankle several years ago and still need some additional support for that area when doing all day walking/touring. If I could, I'd gladly opt for cute and comfortable vs. support.

Good walking shoes soooo important - the onesoles are great for ship though....

Oh my OneSoles are NOT for any amount of walking...a trip to the grocery store or a few shops like today are fine. If I would be on the touring part of CROSS I would have on some ugly, but comfy walking shoes, too! ;)

I had tendon surgery on both my big toes a few years ago and I still have problems wearing "shoes" not sandals, so when I need to wear shoes I make sure my feet are comfy and well supported.

Hi,

I am looking at them in the website and wondering, how do you affix the tops on. Don't even try to explain it, just a rethorical question, LOL! Hope they come with instructions. The only reason I would like to try them at the store is for size. They are very cute!

Maria -

There are 4 big snap type things which attach the top to the side of the sole - very easy. They had them at a vendor booth, at a dog show no less, with hand painted designs on the tops. The vendor was selling the tops and soles separate and they were out of my size. She said she couldn't keep them in stock.

In checking the website, it seems there are 3 retailers in Redondo Beach that carry the OneSoles. Since I am going to be up there in a couple weeks, I'm going to go and try them on. I usually just wear a good athletic shoe when walking around sightseeing but, how fun they would be for on ship.

Hi Kathy,

Thanks. They must do a good job on disguising them, I can't tell where those snaps are in the pictures!

Editing to add: Less than 2 months for CROSS!!

Maria - the snaps are on the sides, two on each side.

From the PUBS Thread, it's possible that we could have Lorraine Barron as Cruise Director if Not Jamie or John Barron - Joann and Frank, and Frank and I, saliled with her when we did New England and Canada on the Navigator. She is really terrific - very lively and hands on. She's back with Regent full time again.

Joann - remember how much fun we had with her? Or just remember how much fun we had period on that cruise. Oh my - I still think about us having Table 66 every night and our group laughed so hard one night our sides hurt. We had the every one in CR laughing too.

We had John Barron as Cruise Director on the Mariner last year for Alaska. At least I presume it's the same John Barron. He was great and also has a very nice singing voice. He performed regularly in the lounge. If I remember correctly, his wife's name was Lynsay (both from England) and she was the social hostess. We had a number of nice chats with them.

If baby of John Barron is not due for 3 weeks, sort of doubt it, Kathy!

Somehow, doesn't matter to me who the staff is when I get on! Do others fee that way? In 20 cruises, I really haven't been able to tell the difference, but perhaps my priorities are different!

I do agree, Olivia, Of course, there are some of the staff that we particularly enjoy, but most of them are so good, at what they do, that it doesn't matter very much.

They are ALL soooo nice - we just don't hang out with the M's and S's, so to speak, BUT I think if you are on WC 100 plus days a big difference then you are family!! - John and wife were soooo special - BUT I would not expect them to remember US from cruise to cruise - I guess it is their job to try and remember us all or pretend they do with enthusiasm... poor souls they must have to schmooze with so many :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

There are several crew members whom Alan and I have cruised with more than once. It's always so refreshing when they warmly greet us and remember us by name. Elda has cruised with us 3 times. When we see her, it's like visiting with family. We're hoping she's on CROSS.

Overall, Regent staff is first-rate!

Olivia, I always have enjoyed ALL the cruise staff even if just for a 1 or 2 week cruise. They ALL do a fantastic job!! Joanna, I guarantee John & Lynsay remember you real well....you & Tony are most memorable!

I think Joanna hit the nail on the head....when you're on with them for 3 or 4 months (or as often as Ngaire & Ken), you get to know them well and consider them friends and family which continues both on or off the ship. I know we do. I feel honored to have been asked to be "honorary" Godmother of a baby due in a few months, all the way in Manila, by a special crewmember.

Many of us are hoping that John Barron will be the CD on the Mariner World Cruise in '09. He has certainly proven his talents and abilities. He was assistant CD under Jamie Logan so he learned from a master!

Lorraine Barron is not related to John. Same last name but a pretty blonde lady from North Carolina. She was an entertainer at one point and her husband was a Chiropractor. She's currently on the Voyager, according to Ngaire, and was filling in when the Raabs left RSSC in 2004. Joann and Frank and Frank and I sailed with her on the New England Cruise 3 years ago. We spent a lot of time with her on board ship when we did that cruise.

And I do think there is a huge difference in the atmosphere of a ship based on the cruise director's personality - the more sedate they are in personality, the less activites, or so it seems to me.

John and Lyndsay were on Mush with all of us as well as Sand last year. They are top notch.

We sailed with Lorraine on part of WINE too Kathy, it was so fun to see her again. She is a delight. We loved Jamie and Dana, as well as John and Lyndsey too.

If Lorraine is on CROSS it will be fun to see her againfor sure.

es, Kathy, I do remember that table 66 on Canada/New England, it was so fun and we did laugh a lot.

Hopefully there will be plenty of laughing a lot on CROSS.

Does anyone know if Paul (don't recall his last name)who was Ass't Cruise Director on Mariner last year is still around? He's also from England. He was such a neat guy. Sandy and I met him immediatly upon embarking and struck up a friendship - had dinner a couple times with him and so enjoyed his beautiful piano playing in the lounges.