Friday, December 30, 2011
By TAMMY MALGESINI
East Oregonian
Here’s a tip — American Express is widely accepted across Canada. This is important because I enjoy using my American Express, specifically to earn Sky Miles.
Vacations and weekend trips always seem to be the highlight of the year. And this year was no different. I’m glad to report I didn’t require any medical treatment while visiting places afar. However, I did end up taking my husband to the emergency room in Invermere, British Columbia.
After spending several leisurely days in the quaint village of Radium Hot Springs, my husband and I decided to scout out activities in the area. We headed up to Panorama Mountain Village so John could tear up the trails on his mountain bike.
It was a great day. “Was” is the key word. After meeting for lunch, John headed back to the trails and I found a comfortable spot to people watch and read my book. Then I received some garbled text message from John. Then another, “massive pain.”
I headed to the truck to find John writhing in pain. He did an endo on the trail and landed on his shoulder. He said he needed to see a doctor — this coming from the man who never meets his insurance deductible.
We got some ice and headed down the mountain. As I drove the 13 twisting and turning miles to the hospital in Invermere, John and I pondered how they would deal with United States citizens seeking medical care in Canada. Canadians are enrolled under a socialized medical plan and our friends to the north guard their Provincial Health Insurance cards like I guard my American Express.
We soon found out the answer to our ponderings — point of service. We were required to pay before leaving. More than $800 later, I tried to look at the bright side.
“At least I get some Sky Miles out of the deal,” I said with a laugh.
With a complicated sling shoulder-stabilizer thingie, our vacation plans changed drastically. John wouldn’t be riding his bike and I would be driving the truck.
Coming highly recommended by the ER doctor, John and I headed toward Canal Flats to Lussier Hot Springs, some primitive springs located in a remote location.
To get there we had to drive on forestry roads near the western boundary of Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park. The brochures said nothing about the road being treacherous, much less the fact it narrows so much on the last stretch that it allows only one-way traffic. Oh, and the little turnouts leave you virtually hanging on the edge of the Lussier Gorge — with nowhere to go but down. Way down.
By the time we reached the hot springs, I needed to pry my hands off the steering wheel. Ah, but my tension was soaked away — that is until I had to drive back to civilization. Next stop, a massage therapist.
Good thing I had my American Express — I never leave home without it.
———
Tammy Malgesini is the EO community editor. Her column, Inside my shoes, include general musings about life. You can reach her at tmalgesini@eastoregonian.com or 541-564-4539.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Holiday season brings happiness, good cheer
Thursday, December 15, 2011
I love the holiday season. However, I’m always intrigued at how people respond to the the hustle and bustle — some attack shopping with vigor, while others put aside differences and offer words of good cheer.
A recent example of the latter occurred during the East Oregonian Christmas party. After having to miss last year’s gala event, I was looking forward to kicking back with some of my Pendleton colleagues during our Dec. 6 gathering at Hamley Slickfork Saloon.
I donned my festive New York Yankees Santa hat and climbed aboard fellow reporter Anna Willard’s red GMC Canyon pickup — not exactly Santa’s sleigh, but we flew there just in time for tasty treats, the EO’s version of Family Feud (Picture it: Managing Editor Skip Nichols in the role of Richard Dawson) and a silly White Elephant game.
When we arrived, EO Publisher Tom Brown greeted me with a hello and a handshake.
“I like your hat,” he said with a smile.
“No you don’t,” I responded. “You’re a Red Sox fan.”
Silent for but a moment, he said I was right. In fact, he said, he probably had a hat somewhere in his possession that said, “Yankees Suck.” We shared a laugh and talked about the historic rivalry between Boston and New York. And by the way, just for the record, regardless of holiday cheer, I will never use the words like in any way, shape or form connected with the Red Sox.
Anyway, throughout the month I’ve had the opportunity to renew acquaintances and attend a variety of holiday functions. The thing I enjoy most is seeing the joy and wonderment on children’s faces as they excitedly talk about the anticipated arrival of Santa Claus.
Just for fun, I like to ask if they’ve been naughty or nice. Most children instantly blurt out they’ve been nice, some hesitantly say they’ve been good, but look to their parents for reassurance. In one instance, I had a young boy, with tears starting to puddle in his eyes, tell me that he’d been really good and was hoping to visit his grammy.
Hearing that young boy express a desire to spend time with family was music to my ears. That’s what the holiday season is all about.
Sure, I remember some particularly cool gifts I’ve received over the years, but the fondest memory I treasure is a family tradition we had growing up. With my mom, pops and brotherman, we’d sit around the kitchen table on Christmas Eve playing board games. As competitive as I’ve always been, it didn’t really matter who won — we were all together as a family.
——
Tammy Malgesini is the EO community editor. Her column, Inside my shoes, includes general musings about life. You can reach her at tmalgesini@eastoregonian.com or 541-564-4539.
I love the holiday season. However, I’m always intrigued at how people respond to the the hustle and bustle — some attack shopping with vigor, while others put aside differences and offer words of good cheer.
A recent example of the latter occurred during the East Oregonian Christmas party. After having to miss last year’s gala event, I was looking forward to kicking back with some of my Pendleton colleagues during our Dec. 6 gathering at Hamley Slickfork Saloon.
I donned my festive New York Yankees Santa hat and climbed aboard fellow reporter Anna Willard’s red GMC Canyon pickup — not exactly Santa’s sleigh, but we flew there just in time for tasty treats, the EO’s version of Family Feud (Picture it: Managing Editor Skip Nichols in the role of Richard Dawson) and a silly White Elephant game.
When we arrived, EO Publisher Tom Brown greeted me with a hello and a handshake.
“I like your hat,” he said with a smile.
“No you don’t,” I responded. “You’re a Red Sox fan.”
Silent for but a moment, he said I was right. In fact, he said, he probably had a hat somewhere in his possession that said, “Yankees Suck.” We shared a laugh and talked about the historic rivalry between Boston and New York. And by the way, just for the record, regardless of holiday cheer, I will never use the words like in any way, shape or form connected with the Red Sox.
Anyway, throughout the month I’ve had the opportunity to renew acquaintances and attend a variety of holiday functions. The thing I enjoy most is seeing the joy and wonderment on children’s faces as they excitedly talk about the anticipated arrival of Santa Claus.
Just for fun, I like to ask if they’ve been naughty or nice. Most children instantly blurt out they’ve been nice, some hesitantly say they’ve been good, but look to their parents for reassurance. In one instance, I had a young boy, with tears starting to puddle in his eyes, tell me that he’d been really good and was hoping to visit his grammy.
Hearing that young boy express a desire to spend time with family was music to my ears. That’s what the holiday season is all about.
Sure, I remember some particularly cool gifts I’ve received over the years, but the fondest memory I treasure is a family tradition we had growing up. With my mom, pops and brotherman, we’d sit around the kitchen table on Christmas Eve playing board games. As competitive as I’ve always been, it didn’t really matter who won — we were all together as a family.
——
Tammy Malgesini is the EO community editor. Her column, Inside my shoes, includes general musings about life. You can reach her at tmalgesini@eastoregonian.com or 541-564-4539.
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