A visit with our friends the Gary and Barbara Young and Gene and Meg Euwer.

Kauai, Hawaii – April 24, 1994

We check into the hotel and are told that a helicopter tour has been arranged for us. Simply breath-taking! Ernesto vows to never have a disposable camera again for such wonderful adventures. We take a Zodiac boat tour of the Napali Coastline where we run into a large storm. The skipper and first mate begin emergency protocols to get us home safe. We are challenged by 15 to 20 foot swells. All passengers are miserable except for us who ride in the front, laughing and singing Amazing Grace to the theme of Gilligan’s Island. We drive directly to the camera store upon landing in Ontario and buy a camera.

Reno and Lake Tahoe, Nevada– July 4, 1994

We take Ernesto’s parents on a short trip. Ernesto’s mom takes her first plane trip. We visit the film set of the TV series Bonanza.

Washington D.C. – October 1995

This was a family trip to our nation’s capital. Both kids plan activities to see and do. Eric memorizes the Preamble of the Constitution. We see a million dollars.

New York City, NY – Winter 1995

We arrive in the New York City area and experience our first Blizzard. This was a very special trip for us since it was where Susan sees her father for the first time since she was 8 years old.

Cancun, Cozumel, et. al. - June 21, 1996

We enjoy great tacos in Cancun. Take boat to Isla Murjedes and enjoy it so much that we stay an extra night. Drive to visit the pyramids of Chichen Itza, Coba and Tulum. During the drive, Eric and Elizabeth count 1000’s of butterflies. Elizabeth learns to snorkel and is set free in among many fish in Cancun.

The Holy Land – January 4, 1997

This was a pilgrimage trip with Ernesto and his father. We stay in Nazareth and Jerusalem (with an overnight stay in London on our return). Ernesto dad’s artificial leg breaks and Ernesto fixes it with Duct Tape. Highlights: Mt. Tabor; eating St. Peter’s fish, Mount of Beatitudes; walking the Way of the Cross with my dad; entering the holy city.

The US and British Virgin Islands – Summer 1998

Our family travels to San Juan, Puerto Rico and enjoys a day at a resort. From here we travel to the Virgin Islands to enjoy lots of snorkeling. We charter a boat which took us to the British Virgin Islands and swam in wonderful spots filled with colorful fish.

Rochester, New York – April 26, 1998

Ernesto goes to visit his brother Victor who has been diagnosed with cancer. A great moment occurs when the doctor tells Victor that the cancer is gone. Victor expects to hear something different and Ernesto must tell him again that the cancer was really gone.

The Interior of Alaska – July 1, 1998

Ernesto’s first visit to this blessed place. Arrive in Anchorage and take the train through Denali to Fairbanks. He doesn’t see any animals! Out of Fairbanks, we travel to Kivalina where Ernesto experiences the ability of a community to discern gifts. He is called out for blessing and asked to bless the elder Clinton. We fly to Circle and Beaver and then spend time in Tanana where Ernesto learns about blessing homes. The last leg was to do Eucharist in Barrow. On the flight from Fairbanks to Anchorage, we circle Denali because it was a clear day.

Ireland - July 21, 1998

Susan makes pilgrimage to her holy space with a group of 21 women. The trip exceeded all expectations. Susan flies first class on an international flight. She learns to ride a bike in the rain. Very green. Very holy.

Vancouver, British Columbia and Mayne Island – August 29, 1998

Because Susan and Ernesto were apart for so long during this summer, this trip was a quick get away in order to enjoy each other’s company. Nice ferry ride to the Island. The Bed and Breakfast Inn offered a picture window to the Sound. We chartered a boat for the day.

Navasota, Texas – September 28, 1998

The National Children’s Ministry Conference where “Authority of Generations” became a national tool for the empowerment of people from all ages. The liturgical team lives the process of the Discernment of Gifts.

Montreal, Canada – December 30, 1998

A trip to visit Susan’s son Sean. He speaks French! We love the cold because we were ready for it. Great New Year’s Eve dinner!

Seoul, Korea and Hong Kong – May 18, 1999

Ernesto attends the Episcopal AsiaAmerican Ministry Consultation. A profound education in cultural issues. Highlights include: finding the adoption agency of our friends the Cunninghams; visiting the Cathedral in Hong Kong; seeing the Royal sites in Seoul; experiencing the lights of Hong Kong.

Tour of Italy and Portugal – June 24, 1999

Susan goes to sing with the Episcopal Chorale and Ernesto goes as chaplain. Susan sings in the Vatican! We fall in love with Italy and wonder why it wasn’t on our top 5 list. Highlights: The Tuscan light; seeing the Tower of Pisa on the fly from the train; a walled city; Rome and all its wonder; our time alone in the Vatican Museum, including lunch, train ride to Milan and pasta in the restaurant; The Duomo in Florence, including gelato. Our trip continued to Portugal where we saw our first bull fight.

Mexico, Pennsylvania – August 10, 1999

We go to visit our friends Julia and Richard. Ernesto will preside over the committal of Julia’s grandfather. Highlights: Experiencing Camp Revival; seeing our first “Amish” people; driving through Ohio; buying a cast iron skillet.

Belize City, Belize – October 19, 1999

Ernesto serves as a member of the Stewardship Training Team for the Diocese. Highlights: visiting a church where the people brings stones for their offering; the building of a new village; being sung “Las Mananitas” by the Bishop on my birthday.

Mexico City, Mexico – June 19, 2000

First part of Ernesto’s mini-sabbatical. Find the missing pieces of my “theological jigsaw puzzle.” Learn the other story of Anglican history. Visit the Basilica of Guadalupe. First visit to the pyramids of the sun and moon. Susan arrives and we experience Plaza Garibaldi.

Santa Fe, New Mexico – August 6, 2000

Ernesto attends Santa Fe Workshops – a one week course on photography.

Fairbanks and Anchorage, Alaska – August 21, 2000

Ernesto goes up to visit his friend Mark MacDonald as a reality check before beginning his job as the Provost of the Cathedral Center of Saint Paul. It is on this trip that Ernesto hears the story of watching the Sun dance along the horizon.

Kivalina, Alaska – February 9, 2001

Ernesto goes with friend Julia to work on Discernment of Gifts project. Profound visit with the elders. We sang and prayed. The people of the village welcomed us in Singspiration. Gifts are called out. We are shut in because of a blizzard and are able to get out the village because we charter a plane during a three hour window.

The Interior of Alaska - July 2001

We refer to this as our river cruise in Alaska. Our trip begins with a visit with our friends, Stacie and Steven Thorpe. We enjoy time exploring Denalei National Park. We drive to Circle from Fairbanks and then go down river to Fort Yukon, Beaver, Steven's Village and then "the bridge."

Ann Arbor, Michigan – January 11, 2002