Denyse and Joel sure love their bikes

The following note from loyal readers in Victoria, British Columbia is one of many special greetings from expatriate Saultbies that SooToday.com is publishing over the holidays.

****************************** Hello and happy 2010 to all our family and friends in the Soo!

We have been living here on the beautiful West Coast of Canada since 1983, but our hearts are still firmly rooted in our home town.

Joel will be retiring from the post office in just over a year from now.

I am still working in the accounting department of a local construction firm.

Our son David has another year to go in his electrical apprenticeship.

His girlfriend Erika is working at our local hospital as an RN.

Our daughter Crystal is working as a pharmacist here in Victoria.

We count ourselves very fortunate to have them all close by.

While we are technically “empty nesters,” we still have three cats (all of which actually belong to our kids!) that remind us that we do need to come home from time to time…

The highlight of the year for us is heading out on the open road on our bikes.

Two years ago we rode down the Oregon coast to northern California.

This year we rode thru Banff and Jasper National Parks on our way to visit family in Calgary.

We’re looking forward to this year’s adventure, wherever that may take us!

Attached is a photo taken at Crystal’s graduation from UBC this past May - a very proud parental experience, indeed!

The last time I contributed to this “homesick Saultbies” entry request, I was thrilled to have long lost friends touch base with me – it’s been great to reconnect and I hope this will be viewed by others from my early days in the Soo.

I am on Facebook (of course J) as “Denyse Brisson Ratcliff” - please drop me a line - I’d love to hear from you!

One day we hope to head back to the Sault for a visit.

Until then, you all take care!

Denyse and Joel Ratcliff

****************************** Look who else has written to us this year

Two Meghans travel home from James Bay (3 photos) Holiday greetings from the southwest Pacific Mischa's first Christmas away from the Sault Brianna dons a sombrero. In Germany. It kind of sucks! Christmas in a tank Saultbies in Sarnia Bayview holds a special place in this Winnipegger's heart They don't miss our snow in Panama City Beach Homesick Saultites complain of cold weather. In Kuwait Merry Christmas from Sylvan Lake, Alberta Saultbies in Barrie miss gramma, nonna and nonno Sioux Lookout snowmobilers say hello In South Korea, Niki dreams of Mrs. B's Greetings from Robin Westlake in the Land of Snot Icicles! Awww - CJ hasn't been home in nine years! Kathy and Jeff hope next year will be different The Halls send greetings from the Guelph area Laura's Christmas dinner was McCain Rising Crust Pizza At New Year's, Duncan recalls last summer's Fremlin bash Holidays on the beach Shauna's gotta have her Muio's! In Taipei, Marion misses her mom's turkey Picture of Luke Evans with a very cool truck Denyse and Joel sure love their bikes

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