Richmond, China

TOP: Laraine in high-speed pose

2nd: A beginner skater. Luckily for him, Laraine was able to get out there and correct his form before the Olympic Trials began

BOTTOM: Laraine and Kathy relaxing after a hard day on the ice.

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We returned from Whistler last night, got a good night's sleep, and went for a long walkabout in Richmond today, a suburb of Vancouver. Richmond is famous for its ChinaTown, and they didn't underestimate it. Very densely packed, there were a ton of shops. One of our favorites only had dress for a size 0 AND UNDER!!! Of course, Tom was the only one that fit into those, wimpy little person that he is.

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We went over to the Olympic Oval, where speed skating will be contested in January, and it was a very cool place. Literally. They had a bunch of Olympic contenders training there, and it was incredible to see just how fast they were able to go...I'd estimate at least 30-40mph. The building had been designed to become a community resource after the games, with babysitting services, weight rooms, etc. Very, very nicely done.

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We tooled around the area for most of the day, went down to one of the little seaport villages for dinner, and called it a night. Tomorrow, we set sail (well, motor anyways) for Alaska!

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"General Tsang" Lumpy out