Book Review - King Solomon's Mines by H. Rider Haggard

I've started taking the bus to work which gives me time to actually sit down and read and not just listen. I figured that I would review those books as well as my Audible.com books. I picked up King Solomon's Mines by H. Rider Haggard (later Sir Haggard) from the library. Considered a classic work of literature and the start of the adventure genre I first heard about it after watching League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Allan Quartermain was played by Sean Connery, but I must say that after reading the book, I don't picture Quartermain as an old, bearded James Bond. I did enjoy the book and the style it was written in.

Plot: Allan Quartermain is an English game hunter, trader, and general outdoors-man who makes his life out in the bush and between the cities. While traveling, he is approached by two Englishmen, Sir Henry Curtis and Captain Good (ret.), to help find Sir Henry's brother, lost while attempting to find the fabled diamond mines of King Solomon. Quartermain has not only heard of the mines but knew a man who tried to find them. He is hesitant to lead the men, fearing that as none have returned that his death will impact his son's ability to study medicine in England. Sir Henry provides means to placate Quartermain's fears and they set off. Over the course of their adventure they face angry elephants, deserts, frozen peaks and caves, savage native kings, cruel witches, treachery, forbidden love, and outright war. In the end the escape and are able to accomplish their respective goals to varying degrees. The ending was quite satisfactory and the read was enjoyable.

Personal Favorites: I enjoyed the action and the situations the characters found themselves in. While not the most surprising read, there were elements of suspense that kept me interested. The action was uncomplicated but enjoyable and the pacing wasn't bad. The book is framed as a memoir with Quartermain narrating it so he'll skip over bits that he thinks are boring, enabling the story to flow rather well. I liked the diverse characters from the warrior Sir Henry, to the properly attired Good, to stalwart and clever Quartermain. As I mentioned, Quartermain is very different then how he is portrayed in League of Extaordinary Gentlemen, but he is still an engaging and very human character. He has realistic fears, desires, considerations, and sensibilities. He is not perfect, but he is capable and likable. Call me a delinquent but one of my favorite scenes is when the three Englishman "cast a spell" before a tribe of natives (who don't speak English) and while Sir Henry and Quartermain quickly run out of nonsense words Good, being a seaman, is able to sustain his cursing and swearing for a long time "with very little repetition."

Considerations: It is an older book and so older sensibilities and opinions are expressed. Some may find their relationship, opinion, and treatment of the natives as undesirable, although they are considerate to all they meet and are not harsh to others. It is expressed that whites and blacks cannot intermarry and are quite separate from each other, but beyond this their relations seem equal in many respects. Our heroes are hunters and are not opposed to killing elephants for the ivory and other things. While the book was not particularly graphic, it did have violent parts. It is not a complex story so if you're looking for something really cerebral I wouldn't recommend it. I saw all of these considerations as minor inconveniences to the story and none of them were of grievous offense. I mention them simply because some may be sensitive to such things.

Overall I enjoy the book very much and am glad to have read it. It's overall length was a little under 300 pages.

Thoughts before a funeral

My family and I celebrated Father's day by visiting my grandmother. I'm glad we did as she died two days ago. She slipped quickly from life to death with little discomfort. When I talked to my father he said, "It's all over." Both of his parents died of old age and the process was a hard one for him. It was for all of us. In the end, neither one of them lingered very long at the gate for which we were all very glad.

Grandmother in particular always seemed one of those "spry old ladies." She rode horses, biked across Europe, and was an avid golfer when she was younger. She was a dedicated bird watcher and is the only person I know who had a birdbath that actually attracted birds. My father bought her a heater for it one year so it wouldn't freeze.

She was a vivacious reader and introduced our family to many different books, including Harry Potter. She also enjoyed puzzles and playing the piano. Grandfather bought her a baby grand piano many year ago and it always had music on the stand. I was always amazed at her ability to participate in these activities as she had glaucoma and had to put eye drops multiple times a day to combat it. As I got older she got a desk-mounted, lit magnifying glass for reading. I know she enjoyed a lot of books, but that there were others she didn't like. After reading Dracula by Bram Stoker for a college course I called her, proud to tell her that I had read a classic. She sounded less then trilled at the title. "But Grandma," I said, "It's a classic!" "Just because it's a classic doesn't mean it's any good." I've remembered that and it still makes me smile.

Some of my favorite memories of Grandmother were of playing games. She loved card games, but would play any game that I would bring her. This included trivia, strategy, or even nonsensical games. She would explain the rules and then play a whole game. I don't ever remember quitting in the middle of a game. Granted, I don't remember winning much (or really ever), but that never damped the experience.

Grandmother also loved readying syndicated comics: Calvin and Hobbs, Zits, For better or for worse, and Foxtrot. It was not uncommon for my siblings and I to be curled up in the various chairs with our own volume of laughter. We would often switch with each other when we finished.

As I got older, married, and built my family visits with Grandmother and Grandfather became more about sitting and talking then anything else. While both of my grandparents were educated, informed and highly articulate individuals, Grandmother did much of the talking as Grandfather's hearing wasn't as good. If you ever called the house and Grandfather answered, he would quickly get you in touch with Grandmother, who could hear better and who knew what was going on. Many afternoons were spent visiting with my grandparents and listening to their thoughts. Grandmother was never afraid to share her thoughts, regardless of what you may think of her opinion. This was never done in a crass or belligerent way, but rather in a tactful, matter-of-fact kind of way. She was quick to laugh and always had an easy smile.

She will be missed. We are pleased she went quietly and quickly for as my father said, "She had places to be and people to see." We know who one of those people is. We always suspected that she and my grandfather would not be parted for long. I rejoice in my family and am glad that I will see them again and be able to introduce my children and grandchildren to those who have done so much for me. I love my grandmother. Her name was Barbara Hall Allred.

My sister posted a tribute to Grandmother as well. You can find it here. 

You have to be pretty silly...

Yesterday I had an opportunity to go and play airsoft. For those not familiar with airsoft, think paintball with plastic bbs. Unlike paintball it is possible to stabilize the projectile a little more. They only weigh about a quarter of a gram so the force behind the hit may not be as potent as a paintball but it can still leaves a mark. I got into it about six months ago, joining my brother-in-law and playing with the groups he's introduced me to. I've got a decent set of equipment and enjoy getting out and enjoying a challenge.

As I was bringing all of my stuff out of the bedroom and getting ready to take it down to the car, Tigger asked me, "Daddy, what are you doing?" "I'm going to play airsoft." "I want to come!" "No, Tigger. You're not silly enough." I wanted to say "You're not stupid enough" but a 3 year-old doesn't need to know that word. At that point Kanga spoke up and asked, "Why do you need to be silly?" "Because," I replied, "People shoot you with little balls and it hurts. That's why you have to be silly to play this game."

The game was a lot of fun, although I got home much later than I planned. But yes, you have to be a little silly (or stupid) to play airsoft. I could barely move my legs last night and this morning. Even driving home, it was a little trying to drive a stick shift as it made my legs feel sensitive. Today at various points I walked with a limp. I don't know how visible it was, but I knew I was limping. And that was just from the running, jumping, crouching, and crawling. I've got a number of welts on my arms and inner thigh as well as getting hit in the face and head on a number of occasions. I wear a steel face guard and impact goggles for just that reason. People have lost teeth to airsoft, but I am not among those.

It was a fun time and I look forward to the next game I can make it to. However, until then, I'll be recovering from my wounds and trying to build up my endurance so I don't hurt for days afterwards. 

Audible Book Review - Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Yesterday I finished listening to Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs, the same man who wrote John Carter of Mars. Considered one of the first adventure novels it was published in 1912 Tarzan is a character known by many across the world and was even one of the inspirations for Jane Goodall. My mother (and I want to say older sister as well) read it a few years ago and mentioned how much they enjoyed it. I wasn't sure what to expect going into it but found myself enjoy it immensely. The only version of the Tarzan story that I was familiar with prior to reading the book was the Disney movie which came in in 1999 and enjoyed finding the small things Disney paid tribute to in their version. Although, I thought it was funny that the name of Tarzan's father in the book is the name of the villain in the film. Here is the link to Audible's page for the book. The book was narrated by David Ian Davies and while there were some technical oddities, it was enjoyable to listen to.

Plot: John Clayton (Lord Greystoke) and his pregnant wife, Lady Alice, are marooned on the west coast of Africa after a horrible mutiny. They live there for the space of a year and a half before are killed by the wild apes - Alice from mental trauma after an attack early on, and John at the hands of Kerchak the morning after Alice's death. Kala, an ape in Kerchak's tribe who had lost her own child to Kerchak's rage the same morning he kills John, see's the "young Lord Greystoke" and leaving her own dead infant in the cradle takes Tarzan for her own. Tarzan grows and as he gets older returns to the cabin build by his father, discovering his hunting knife and the books they had brought to teach him. Over the course of many years he teaches himself to read and write English, rope, maintain his knife, shoot a bow and arrow, and starts his path to becoming Lord of the Jungle, and his own tribe of apes. Eventually another party of people are marooned on the same beach as his parents. The party includes a young American, Jane Porter, her father, his secretary, her maid servant, and William Cecil Clayton, Tarzan's own cousin and the current heir to the Greystoke estate and wealth. Tarzan, seeing them as fellow "men" strives to help them survive all the while falling in love with Jane. When the party is rescued by a french navy ship things go wrong as they are attacked by cannibals and Tarzan leaves to rescue one of their officers, D'Arnot. As Tarzan cares for the man's wounds in the midst of the jungle the ship sets sail without them. After reading a note left by Jane, who by now feels something for him, Tarzan decides to search her out in America. But first he and D'Arnot has to get out of Africa. And to complicate things that blasted D'Arnot had to teach Tarzan to speak French instead of English.

My personal favorites: Growing up on stories of Mowgli of India, I loved watching another character become a superhuman, supernatural force. Able to communicate and overcome the wild. Tarzan is not a perfect person, is very human. He likes to play pranks on the local cannibal tribe. Throwing the bodies of those he ambushes into the midst of the village from the trees, or leaving the body to peer around the side of the gate when they flee the at his antics. The action was fun and the other characters entertaining. Particularly the interactions between Jane's father and his secretary. There's something inherently funny about an academic being so wrapped up in his thoughts that when his companion tells him that there is a lion approaching them he objects to the interruption and then complains about the use of use "slang" as the term "lion." The ending was satisfying, if unexpected, and the extent of the adventure was gratifying. One other thing I like was the language used to describe everything. It was full of terms that are uncommon today (anthropoid, rapidity, etc.) that reminded me of Kipling, and other writers of the time and added a flavor that was a lot of fun.

Considerations: Some might take some offense at the constant references to Tarzan's superior heredity, race, reasoning, etc. While the vast majority of this language is used to compare him to the apes it almost sounds like racial and royal supremacy. While I found it mildly over the top, because it was excessive in its expression (not necessarily it's frequency) it was also humorous. I mention it only because some have strong feelings about such language. Also, I mentioned the technical oddities in the recording - sometimes the volume would change slightly, or a voice would be different, or there was a hint of static. In many ways it reminded me of an old radio story. It added a fun air to it and was a decent recording, albeit not the best.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story and am now torn about going right the the second book, or listening to the one I planned on prior to finishing. I could go either way and be completely satisfied. The total length was 7 and a half hours.

My father, the sly dog.

Today is Fathers' Day. My kids and wife disappeared this morning and then reappeared with candy, assorted nuts, and some very nice cards. I was very pleased. My wife also told me to pick up the $4 Audible version of Tarzan of the Apes, (my choice) so you can probably tell what my next book review will be. After church we had a chance to meet with my family and visit with my grandparents and relatives from Santa Rosa who we haven't seen in a while. Dinner was steak, potatoes, biscuits, and juan canary melon. I wrapped it up with toasted marshmallows between two chocolate-chip cookies. I would have taken a picture of that beautiful culinary masterpiece but I was too busy eating it. All in all a very good day.

I thought I would take some time to talk about my father. Anybody who has met me can say that they have met at least a portion of my father. We really are very similar. I often find myself standing, talking, laughing, explaining, etc. just like him. Once when speaking to my grandparents I commented how all of the men in our family are similar. "We talk the same, we walk the same..." "and you all make the same stupid comments," my grandmother interjected. It is very true. we are very similar.

My father is a man of service, teaching, and love. He has been active in church and community services projects, ranging from working with youth programs to helping build a community playground. He's been involved in the Boy Scouts of America for as long as I can remember which is over half his life. Much like his father he loves to teach, even if his degree was in business (the only member of the family not to have a degree in education). He once told me that when he retires from public finance (his profession for the last 20 years) he would enjoy teaching economics or business at a local college. He's taught numerous church classes for youth and adults as well as scout trainings. He taught all of his children many lessons including how to get along, how to tie knots, camp, survive in the wild, first aid, business and finances, and all kinds of other life skills.

He is also a man of great love. Our friends were always welcome, even the one that he really, really didn't like (but that was my fault). He has even adopted many of them. My sisters' roommates were particular targets. One even ended up marrying into the family. (We love you Bluey!) He was never afraid to show his emotions and we have always known of his love for us. To this day, there are few things as comforting as my father kissing my forehead.

My father is also a sly dog. He acknowledges that there are two sayings he lives by (in addition to his many standards and values). One is, "If you're going through hell, keep going." While I was in Russia on a religious service mission he was diagnosed with cancer. He underwent treatment and was declared cancer free. Three years later, the year my wife and I got married, it returned and he underwent radiation treatments. He is again cancer free, but it has been hard on his body. He is still very fit, but some things just won't be the same. The other saying he likes is, "Old age and treachery will always overcome youth and horsepower." He is very good at this one too. The month before he underwent his treatments he and I went on a three day backpacking trip with friends. Our ages were 18, 23, 25, 30 and my father at 51. We were between Escalate and Boulder Utah on what is called the Boulder Mail trail. A portion of the trail drops into an area known as Box Hollow. 

The trail descended about 900 feet from the rim to the canyon floor. We camped the 2nd night down in the canyon. The next morning we climbed out of the hollow, back up that 900 feet, the trail pretty steep with rocky footing. As we stammered out of the canyon back on the flats of the rim we were all blowing hard and ready for a rest..... except Dad. "You guys ready to go or not?" he calming asked, no hint of fatigue or strain in his voice. He stood there calm and cool and just looked at us like were a bunch of 12 year-old scouts (all of us had been his scouts at one time or another). We found out later that for about two months prior to our trip Dad had been taking regular walks around his neighborhood with a 20 lb. pack of canned food. My parents live on the side of a mountain with enough of an incline to scare most drivers with a manual transmission. He had prepared for this trip just so he could walk us into the ground. And he did.

I love you, Dad. 

Audible Book Review - The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

Last night I struggled to stay awake during the last 20 minutes of my latest Audible book - The Way of Kings (Book 1 in the Storm Light Archives) by Brandon Sanderson. The last epic fantasy series I read was Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time, but I only made it to book 7 which came out about 15 years ago. Now the the series is finished I might give it a try, but we'll see. Anyway, Sanderson, who incidentally finished Wheel of Time after Jordan's death, is starting his own epic fantasy series with The Way of Kings. This was a very involved book with lots of characters, a massive plot and is just the beginning of the ride. And I loved it!! Here is the link to Audible's page for the book. The book is narrated by Kate Reading and Michael Kramer who do a wonderful job of bringing the characters to life.

The Plot: On a world very different from ours, where violent, deadly storms (High storms) strike with regularity A king has been assassinated. The world is in political turmoil and the kingdom of Alethkar seeks vengance on those who claim responsibility, the Parshendi, while the inhuman assassin disappears. Six years after the assassination of king Gavilar events conspire to bring Kaladin, an young man trained as a surgeon who became a warrior and then a slave, to the Shattered Plains where the high princes of Alethkar strive to destroy the Parshendi. Kaladin with his slave's brand is put to work as a bridgeman, someone who carries the bridges used by the army of High Prince Sadeas to cross the multitude of chasms that run through the Shattered Plains (giving them their names) as the army of seeks to fight. Bridgemen don't last long as Sadeas uses them as bait and decoys for the enemy. Yet Kaladin not only survives, but unites the men under his bridge and begins to plan an escape.... Also at the Shattered Plains, High Prince Dalinar Kholin, the brother of the assassinated King Gavilar, sees visions during the times of high storms. He seeks to protect the young King, but he is seen as old fashion and some are claiming that he is no longer the warrior he once was. And now rumors spread about his fits during high storm and he is under investigation of attempting to kill the king. To boot, his own son and heir thinks he might be mad..... Far away Shallan Davar is on the trail of Jasnah Kholin, the niece of Dalinar and sister to the current king. Shallan's intends to petition to be Jasnah's ward, her apprentice, as Jasnah is one of the most renown scholars in the world. Jasnah's reputation is that of a heretic and a very direct and outspoken woman. While Shallan is anxious to become Jasnah's ward it is not just because she seeks knowledge, it is also so she can steal Jasnah's most prized possession so Shallan can use it to pay her family's debt before they are called in. However, Shallan doesn't know that her's isn't the only plot happening in the city.... And how does a man named Wit get by speaking in riddles and insulting everyone?

My personal favorites: The world is completely foreign, yet Sanderson paints it so well that it draws you in with little difficulty. Whether it's the giant crab-like creatures that are the main kind of fauna, the Shardblades and Shardplate which turn men into superhuman soldiers, or spren, spirit like creatures that bring a visual element to emotions and other things you are able to take them in stride and can see how they play into the world. It becomes clear that this story is going to be very large - the reason why it's called epic fantasy, but the characters are very real and personable. Even Szeth-son-son-Vallano, the assassin of King Gavliar, is a character I felt for. Like Red Storm Rising I could feel the weight of the world conflict, but cared about the individuals. I literally cheered out loud as Kaladin sought to save his men. Sanderson paints both the conversations and the action with tension. I struggled with Galinar as he sought to keep propriety with Navani, Gavilar's widow who he lost to his brother's affections. The pacing of the book was very good. While I knew it was long, it was easy to listen to as it did not feel boring or rushed. Things happened at the right time and it was relatively easy to put things in a chronological sense, despite multiple flash backs. I think the things I liked most were the heroic moments. Just about every character had at least one stand up and cheer moment. And they differed. some were in battle, some where in conversation, and some were just perfect. I am looking forward to the other books in the series and the world that Sanderson has presented.

Considerations: This is the first book in a series so questions are asked that there may not be answers to for quite a while. It sets up what needs to happen on the grand scale without providing much detail on how that is going to happen. However, Sanderson is very good at scripting his books so that questions raised at the beginning of a book are answered by the end, and that any continuing questions are asked later into the book, so you can feel satisfied by the ending and still excited for the next book. There is also a lot of world building and Sanderson practices a lot of "show don't tell" so some may be a little confused at what spren, chasm fiends, whitespines, gylphs, fabrials, ardents, etc. are, but the importance of these becomes clear. Also, the series will be an investment. I understand book 2 comes out this November and that Sanderson has promised either a book a year or book every year and a half. But keep in mind that this series will be around 10 to 13 books long, each one of epic size. I am really looking forward to the next, but it is going to be awhile before this story is done.

I loved the book and am waiting anxiously for the next.  The total length was 45 and a half hours.

Games

My family has always been big into playing games. And I mean all kinds of games. I have fond memories of watching my mother play volleyball, sometimes holding one of my younger siblings on one arm while hitting with the other. My parents, my older sister, and I often played pinochle when we were older. We still enjoy board and card games like Flux, Settlers of Cataan, Ticket to Ride, Munchkins, and Five Crowns. Occasionally I get a hankering to play Global Pursuit (a geographic version of Trivial Pursuit) but nobody else wants to play. Not to mention that it was made in the 1980s so most of the questions and even the maps are wrong. I can't complain though. My mother loves Scrabble but nobody (and I mean NOBODY) will play with her.

While we were growing up the closest thing to a game console we got was my siblings' Game Boys (I never bought one as I just stole theirs). However, I can't remember live without a computer. Even from our first Commodore 64, my siblings and I would play games, classic epics like Bruce Lee (the video game), Rebel Assault, Betrayal at Krondor, Lode Runner, Dark Forces (And the rest of the series), and Civilization I and II. My father bought the first joystick in our family and usually brought a game when he got a new computer. Once we got more than one computer that could run games, we started playing games across the network. Even now, their are only my parents and my youngest sister at home and their are an equal number of computers, all equipped with a selection of games that can be sent across the LAN. My wife will tell you that I still enjoy playing video games, but generally only a selective collection of them.

While my family does not watch a lot of sports, we still enjoy playing games and sports. Growing up, most of us played soccer. We all love volleyball, having watched Mom play it every week for the last 30 years. I would play two-hand touch football with friends, basketball and softball with church groups, and racquetball and ultimate Frisbee with roommates. Many camping trips have featured Foxtails - the professionally done equivalent of a tube sock with a tennis ball in it. Spin it around and lob it towards others. Depending on where you catch it scores you points. So all in all, I like to think I can say that we my family plays a lot of games.

I mention this because my father and I supported a kickstarter campaign for the game "Ogre version 6" and we now have a release date. Dad introduced me to Ogre when I was quite young. It originally came out when he was young and we were cleaning out the garage when we came across them. He would take it backpacking because it was very light weight and packed easily. The rules are relatively simple, the board straight-forward and the play both quick and stimulating. We've played a variety of games that use the same basic ideas for almost 30 years, both board and computer versions. Ogre was one of the first and is still considered by many one of the best. We are both very excited about the game and looking forward to matching wits with and against each other. However, we need to find a table big enough to play the game. Below is a picture of everything that comes in the massive 1 cubic foot box. While we obviously won't need everything spread out like it is, but those big green (and one red) pieces with the hexagons on them are the boards and they look pretty big. I don't think we'll be taking this game backpacking any time soon.

Current rate for baby teeth

This morning we woke up to the kids as usual and I stumbled into the kitchen and poor them breakfast. Making my way back to bed I was fully intent on cuddling up to Angel and get a few more minutes rest when we both heard Kanga screaming bloody murder. As she doesn't know what bloody murder is, we figured it was something else. It was, her first tooth had fallen out into her hand, and she had know idea how to handle it. She came running in with the tooth in hand and some blood leaking from the hole, tears leaking from her eyes.

We quickly calmed her down and explained that just like those books we had read (Arthur's Loose Tooth, Arthur tricks the Tooth Fairy, and One morning in Maine) she had simply lost her first tooth and she was going to get a visit from the tooth fairy. That's when I learned that inflation has impacted the current rates for baby teeth. I used to just get 25 cents. Kanga got a whole dollar (but in 4 quarters as the local tooth fairy didn't have a bill). We quickly sent pictures around (and contrived to write a blog post) and soon heard back from her grandmothers congratulating her.

When I mentioned the inflation of the going price of teeth my mother mentioned that when my older sister lost her last tooth, she wrote a letter to the tooth fairy basically that "since this is my last tooth, don't you think I should get a little more than a quarter?" I wish I had thought of that, but that's Muscles (my older sister's middle name) for you. She tended to think of things like that.

So now everyone at church knows that Kanga has lost a tooth. This is because she was walking around church with her bottom lips pealed back and grinning. Bless the souls of some of our more elderly parishioners. They couldn't see the hole, but acted suitably impressed when we told them why she was making faces at them.

Camping up North Fork

As I mentioned last week, my family and I went camping over Memorial Day weekend. We went with my wife's family and were in a campsite that they've used for years. In fact my mother-in-law mentioned how they camped in that spot when she was pregnant with my wife. The view is quite nice.

The weather was a little chilly in the evenings but was pleasant during the day. The first night we had a really bright moon. This picture doesn't do it justice. 

It's not often you can see clouds in an evening pictures taken on an iPod. It was bright enough that I only carried a flashlight to make sure that cars could see me as I as walking around. The first night was a little rough. Tigger was having problems with the cold air. It started agitating his lungs and as a result he throw up a couple of time. He just couldn't stop coughing. Angel pulled him into bed with us (after I got him cleaned up) and he did a lot better. He spent the other two nights in the trailer with his grandparents and did just fine. 

Kanga, Tigger, and I took a couple of little hikes and enjoyed both the scenery and the wildlife. 

I posted a little bit about this young moose that we saw on my other blog. Moose generally worry me and I was glad when it took a look at us and then moved on without trampling us into oblivion. The kids enjoyed playing around camp and spending time with their uncles and aunts and grandparents. Angel and I read books between fielding kids. I finished The Beyonders series by Brandon Mull and she read Feedback (sequel to Variant) by Robson Wells. It was good to just some time away and enjoy the outdoors. 

I think the best parts of camping is enjoying family and good food. My parents and my in-laws both believe in eating well when camping. This trip was one of the few times that I've ever had well cooked tinfoil dinners. We also did dutch oven chicken and cobbler. The other picture I have here is Tigger wearing his grandfather's fleece jacket. He was a little chilly and we hadn't brought over his coat yet that morning. All in all it was a very nice trip.