May you all have a wonderful year in 2005 with at least as much paddling as I get to do. Ok, you can paddle more than me BUT I want trip reports. Please!

'nuff begging.

Nick, thanks so much for enduring my verbosity. I keep thinking that one day I'm going to try to post a message and somehow I'll get redirected to eBay or somewhere. Oh yeah, I bug the guys at CLC already so that site won't be an option. They keep asking me to check for messages at Guillemot. If you think I write too much now, just wait 'till I finish my professional writing degree, hee, hee, hee!

I start my days at work sipping coffee and wandering the halls of Guillemot. It feels like an old friend who always has something either relevant and useful to say or just wants to utter inanities to get a laugh. It's better than reading the paper. More so because I even learn things from time to time, things that I somehow remember and can use when I need them most. This site is occupied by wonderful folks who share a wonderful mutual interest that has literally made me a better person than I was when I first began participating three years ago. Heck, I'll even leave the bears alone in 2005, give 'em a chance to live without fearing my presence.

From my family to all of yours, Happy New Year!

Robert N Pruden

Oh yeah, Shawn B., I have a little surprise for you later on this winter.

Heh! Heh! (remember, I can't paddle so I have a lot of thinkin' time up here)