Travels with 'Roo

November 14, 2007

G’day Mates,

All of us roos are home this week, so Mrs. Salek thought it would be a good time to tell you what’s been going on with us. As you know this year we’re trying to beat last years 213,000 miles. We’re kind of off to a slow start. We’re behind over 25,000 miles from last year, but we’re sure we can catch up. All you moms and dads who travel frequently, remember we make great traveling companions: we don’t talk too much or eat too much, and we take up very little space. You know what they say, “A man that doesn’t feel threatened by carrying a kangaroo in a pouch with them to a business meeting can do anything!” Well, maybe that isn’t a famous saying, but just imagine what an icebreaker one of us would be sitting next to you on the plane.

It’s me, Ozzie . I started his year with a trip to Purdue University in Indiana with the Kinn Family to visit Michelle’s sister. After meeting up with their family at the Olive Garden, we returned to our hotel and rented a video game. I gotta tell you; I was awesome! I beat everyone! The next day we went to visit Miches sister at her dorm. Talk about busy places. We had a bit of a late night, but you know how sheilas are. They wanted to do some shopping the next day, a little swimming and another late night and we almost forgot to get up. We had to hurry home to get Michelle to her volleyball game. Now that’s what I call a game. Any sport that has high jumpers is a game after my own heart. I think I’d like to try it some day. It was a great weekend. By the way, I still haven’t figured out what a Boilermaker is!! My next trip was to Orlando, FL with Katie Gelwicks, her mom, aun, and cousin, Eddie. This was my first trip to Universal Studios. Orlando is a great place. It was nice and hot and even though my traveling companions weren’t keen on the temps I loved them. I have to admit that the Hulk and Dueling Dragons roller coasters were a bit scary for my taste, but when we got stuck on the Hulk that was pretty much it for me! I did get a chance to have my picture taken by the Universal Globe and in the jaws of a VERY LARGE shark. Fortunately, it wasn’t real, but it still takes your breath away to see those teeth! We ate lunch at NBA City. I’m telling you, if all the players are as big as the one I had my picture taken with, I don’t think they even have to jump to make a basket. Thanks, Katie, for taking me along.

Say, Cobbers, it’s JoJo here. So far I’ve gone on the most trips, but haven’t put on the most miles. My first trip was with Sydney Huggins and her friend Nicole Zolman. We went to Wisconsin Dells for the weekend and it was great. We stayed at Glacier Lodge and ate at some great spots, but the most fun was riding with Nicole on a horse named Willie. Niki carried me safe and sound in my pouch on her back. I made sure I had a great view by sticking my head out the top of my pouch. The ride was a little bumpy until Willie got into a gallop. At that point I just closed my eyes and hoped for the best! When we slowed down, we really enjoyed looking at the beautiful forest. Autumn is a great time for sightseeing! Next, I was off with the Kranz family to sunny San Diego. There was really a lot to do and see there. Emily’s brother Matthew played tour guide and surfing teacher. I bet you wouldn’t think that kangaroos are good at surfing, but it’s a very big sport Down Under where I’m from and having a tail for balance is a really good thing! After some time at the beach we took in the sights at Torrey Pines State Park. Fabulous views and not one snake or mountain lion in sight. WHEW! My favorite outing was to the famous San Diego Zoo. Got to see a few friends from home: some koalas and kangaroos. I really liked the panda bears. They’re so cute. I worry about animals like them who are endangered because their food supply is threatened. The Komodo dragon was a bit scary, but no worries, he was behind a glass wall. We saw some cool Spanish designed buildings, a huge aircraft carrier, the Midway, and made a visit to Sea World. If you like penguins, dolphins, polar bears, and whales, this is the place to go. Did you know flamingos are pink because they eat shrimp? Good thing roos aren’t the same color as the things they eat. I might be green!!The Kranzes are great fun! Thanks for the trip. My last trip was with Victoria Cannici and her family to Saugatuck, Michigan. Got to do a little of my favorite activity – SHOPPING. I’m going to give you the short version of our trip. Mrs. Salek timed me and I’ve got it down to less than 10 seconds: strolled through art galleries, climbed some sand dunes, (NOT easy with feet like mine), enjoyed the beautiful colors of the changing leaves, visited an apple orchard, went through a corn maze, ate apple goodies (loved a frozen apple cider pop), climbed a tree and visited a winery (Victoria and I had a sample of a very fine white grape juice). What a nice place to visit! Thanks, mates.

Hi, All. It’s your mate, Aussie. I just got back from Switzerland with the Hartes and I’ll tell you about that trip next time. Right now I’d like to tell you about my trip with the Spinosas. We went to Hawaii. Yes, the land of warm breezes, beautiful beaches, abundant sea life, and historic sights. The family was going to Hawaii to celebrate their Uncle Ron’s wedding. Gabrielle and Annelise were the flower girls. Take it from me they did a really good job and they were just adorable in their fancy dresses and curled hair. Mr. Spinosa rented a convertible – it was too cool. The wind in your fur feels really good! We went to the beach to go snorkeling. The girls and I stayed on the beach and built sand castles. The girls knew I’d have a rough time swimming under water. My big feet might have worked like flippers, but my tail sure would get in the way ! Mr. S went out really far and saw a huge sea turtle. He’s a really brave guy!Then it was time for us to keep out appointment to swim with the dolphins. We were able to spend some time with a dolphin named Laca and her one year old baby. It took a little a while to believe we were actually touching these beautiful animals, but before long we were playing, and dancing with them. We even managed a little smooch. We were also able to touch a sea urchin, sea stars, and sea cucumbers (they’re not the kind you eat!) We visited a beach called Holona Cove where they filmed some old movie “From Here to Eternity”. I never heard of it, but Mrs. Spinosa said “older” people would remember it. Who knew? Besides a history lesson at Pearl Harbor, a trip to the International Marketplace where the girls held real parrots( I didn’t because I was a little skeptical that they were friendly. Their beaks a really strong!), we climbed to the top of a volcano named Diamond Head for a look see. It didn’t erupt while we were there, but we did see a rainbow. Gotta love a trip like this. Thanks!

Wow, I didn’t think they’d every get through talking. I’m Sydney and I have the last trip to report on. I went with the Provenzale family to Disney World. We did it all the Magic Kingdom, MGM, Epcot Center, and Animal Kingdom. Talk about scary! Have you ever ridden the Mount Everest ride at Animal Kingdom? We went down the coaster BACKWARD in the DARK! On the milder side, the Provenzales showed me the Tree of Life which included pictures of Australian kangaroos. At the Magic Kingdom, Lucy and I drove a racecar at Tomorrowland Speedway, sped down Space Mountain, joined the Pirates of the Caribbean, got wet on Splash Mountain and scared at the Haunted Mansion. The Tower of Terror at MGM was exactly that TERRIFYING. Mr. Provenzale said that if kangaroos could scream you would have heard me a mile away! The Sci Fi Dine In was a nice break from all the rides. Lucy, Olivia, John, and I sat in a car and ate some bonzer food: burgers, fries and yummy milkshakes. At Epcot we learned about the environment in many different countries, went flying over California, and made it to Mars in our rocketship. Provenzales, I’ll travel anywhere with you! Thanks for the memories.

Give Mrs. Salek a holler if you have any future plans to travel. We’ll be waiting to hear from you.

Luv,
JoJo, Sydney, Aussie and Ozzie

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Travels with 'Roo