2026 Holiday Letter

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Hi All!

A Year of Nonstop Adventure

This year started off at a leisurely pace, but by May, our travel calendar jumped into high gear with an incredible whirlwind of destinations! We experienced stretches where we were home for barely a week before packing our bags for the next grand adventure.

Month	Destination	Month	Destination
Dec, 2025	Hilo, HI	July	Hickory, NC
March	Nashville, TN	August	Truckee, CA (Trip 1)
May	Tokyo, Japan	August	San Diego, CA
June	Sapporo, Japan	September	Truckee, CA (Trip 2)
June	Alaska Cruise	September	Truckee, CA (Trip 3)

Tropical Paradise in Hilo, Hawaii

In December of last year, we spent two wonderful weeks in Hawaii. The first week was dedicated to a JEDEC meeting, followed by a relaxing vacation week in Hilo. Having never stayed in Hilo before, we completely fell in love with its charm and lush beauty!

Our Organic Farm Retreat

We stayed in a fantastic two-bedroom rental on the upper floor of a house situated on a gorgeous organic fruit farm. Our wonderful hosts, Sam and Milar, made us feel right at home. While family changes mean this exact rental is no longer available, the memories and flavors of the farm will stay with us forever.

Here are a few highlights from the farm's bounty:

Achiote, also known as the lipstick plant due to its brilliant red fruit color.

Milar treating Charles to some fresh fruit tasting.

Witnessing Kilauea's Fiery Eruption

Bucket list item checked! On our previous two visits to the Big Island, we narrowly missed active eruptions by mere weeks. This time, Kilauea cooperated perfectly by bursting into action the very day after we arrived!

Spotting the massive ash cloud as we drove up to Kilauea.

Red-hot lava spewing from Kilauea—bucket list officially checked!

Oh no! Charles's hair is on fire—someone got a little too close to the heat!

Now Helen's hair is on fire too! What absolute daredevils!

Nothing between us but an active volcano.

Our good friend Steve joined in on the volcanic adventure.

An unforgettable day watching nature's raw power in action!

Honky Tonks and History in Nashville

In March, we headed to Tennessee for our first-ever visit to the vibrant "Home of Country Music." We spent a whirlwind day exploring downtown, walking past famous historic spots like Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, and taking in the lively rhythm of Music City.

A mobile bar pulled by a tractor, alongside pedal-powered bicycle-stool bars cruising down the street!

Wandering down the historic and atmospheric Printers Alley.

Magical Return to Japan

In May, we embarked on an incredible three-week journey across Japan, blending professional commitments in Sapporo with an unforgettable vacation in Tokyo, Hakone, and Yokohama. Returning after 27 years brought back wonderful memories, and exploring familiar sights alongside fresh adventures made it truly special.

Note: For a deeper dive into our Japanese adventures, check out our dedicated Japan travel page!

Hakone's Alpine Wonders

Our scenic day trip through the Hakone resort area was an absolute masterpiece of public transit: traveling by bus, pirate ship, ropeway, incline railway, and mountain railway zig-zagging down the slopes. We visited Owakudani ("The Great Boiling Valley"), marveled at sulfur vents from a 3,000-year-old volcano, and enjoyed crystal-clear views of Mount Fuji.

By bus, pirate ship, ropeway, incline railway and mountain railway, we made our tour of the Hakone.

Monument dedicated to the famous black eggs (kuro-tamago). Folklore says eating a black hard boiled egg will add 7 years to your life.

A beautiful view of Mount Fuji. We were lucky the sky was this clear on the day we were there.

Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo

After a year of planning and a nail-biting online ticket scramble, we successfully secured seats for the Tokyo Grand Sumo Tournament! Watching the matches live, exploring the stadium, picking up wrestler cheer banners, and enjoying authentic high-protein chankonabe soup in the basement dining hall made this a massive highlight of our trip.

Charles thrilled to collect our tickets from 7-Eleven.

Cheer banner for our favorite dynamic underdog, Fujinokawa.

Ura, known for his joyful smile and creative techniques.

The famous stadium chankonabe dining hall.

A steaming, hearty bowl of delicious chankonabe.

Helen comparing heights with a sumo wrestler cutout.

Enjoying a mid-afternoon snack before the main matches.

A completely packed stadium for the top-division showdowns.

Kappabashi Kitchen Town

We explored Tokyo's famous Kappabashi culinary district, marveling at the incredible artistry of Japanese plastic food display models, commercial kitchenware, and specialty cookware shops.

The giant chef landmark overlooking Kitchen Town.

Reuniting with Dear Friends in Yokohama

A true highlight of the trip was reuniting with Charles's dear friends from his 1997-1999 years in Japan, Masaki and Miwa. They treated us to a wonderful homemade okonomiyaki lunch and guided us on a brilliant historical tour around Yokohama waterfront.

From left: Charles, Helen, Masaki, and Miwa.

Shibuya and Harajuku

We immersed ourselves in the high-energy pulse of Tokyo, navigating the legendary Shibuya Scramble Crossing, paying respects at the Hachiko statue, and exploring the quirky youth fashion culture along Harajuku's Takeshita Street.

The world-famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing.

Statue of Hachiko, the endlessly loyal Akita.

Experiencing the famous pedestrian scramble in person!

The vibrant, bustling Takeshita Street in Harajuku.

Sapporo

After Tokyo, we traveled north to Sapporo for JEDEC committee meetings, enjoying local ramen and city park strolls between work sessions.

20-Day Epic Alaska Cruise

Just a week after returning from Japan, we embarked on one of the standout travel experiences of our entire year: a rare 20-day round-trip Alaska cruise aboard the Ruby Princess out of San Francisco! Cruising deep into America's last frontier allowed us to explore incredible ports, glaciers, and wildlife.

Note: Visit our dedicated Alaska Cruise page for the full photo gallery and detailed daily logs!

DAY	DATE	Port or Activity	ARRIVE	DEPART
Fri	Jun 12	San Francisco, CA		5:00pm
Sat	Jun 13	At Sea
Sun	Jun 14	At Sea
Mon	Jun 15	Ketchikan, AK	Noon	8:00pm
Tue	Jun 16	Wrangell, AK	8:00am	5:00pm
Wed	Jun 17	Endicott Arm, AK (Cruising)
Thu	Jun 18	Juneau, AK	7:00am	7:00pm
Fri	Jun 19	Skagway, AK	6:00am	7:00pm
Sat	Jun 20	Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, AK (Cruising)
Sun	Jun 21	Hubbard Glacier, AK (Cruising)
Mon	Jun 22	Valdez, AK	8:00am	6:00pm
Tue	Jun 23	Anchorage (Seward), AK	9:00am	7:00pm
Wed	Jun 24	College Fjord, AK (Cruising)
Thu	Jun 25	At Sea
Fri	Jun 26	Sitka, AK	7:00am	5:00pm
Sat	Jun 27	Icy Strait Point, AK	7:00am	8:00pm
Sun	Jun 28	At Sea
Mon	Jun 29	Prince Rupert, BC, Canada	7:00am	2:00pm
Tue	Jun 30	At Sea
Wed	Jul 1	At Sea
Thu	Jul 2	San Francisco, CA	6:00am

Workshop where authentic totem poles are crafted and restored.

Where Dawes Glacier meets the icy Endicott Arm fjord waters.

Skagway, AK (Jun 19)

Steeped in 1898 Klondike Gold Rush history, Skagway's preserved wooden boardwalks and rustic saloons made it one of our favorite stops.

Margerie Glacier in Glacier Bay National Park.

We spent a wonderful afternoon exploring the Alaska SeaLife Center before returning to the ship.

Spot the flounder hiding in this exhibit at the Alaska Sealife Center!

Yet another glacier. This one was in the College Fjord.

An eagle guarding its freshly caught fish from younger rivals overhead.

Charles and Helen enjoying a peaceful rainforest stroll.

Shipboard Life & Celebrations

Our wonderful nightly dining group of eight.

Surprise birthday cake celebration for Charles during a relaxing sea day.

Family Fun in North Carolina

Two weeks after returning from Alaska, we traveled east to visit Helen's family in Hickory and Stokes, North Carolina, enjoying wonderful multi-generational gatherings and adventures.

Hickory

Helen's granddaughters: Emma, Shelbea, Helena, and Reghan.

Emma with her son, Elijah (Helen's great-grandson).

Grandma Helen getting her hair styled by Helena.

Greenville and Stokes

A major highlight for Helena was meeting cousin Ann Marie and driving golf carts around the family property!

The historic Nobles family home built in 1920.

Reghan and Ann Marie cruising fast on the golf cart.

Helena taking driving lessons from Cousin Rae.

Taking Uncle Robert for a wild ride after graduation!

Helen enjoying a beginner golf cart ride with Helena.

Reghan enjoying the country air.

Sweet Gum Grove Freewill Baptist Church

Helena getting piano coaching from Cousin Ginger.

Proud moment at the piano with Uncle Harold and Janet.

Visiting Karen's Parents

Grandpa Dave, Grandma Janet, and Helena.

Wrapping Up North Carolina

Family gathering at Cousin John and Ginger's place.

San Diego Waterfront & JEDEC Meeting

A quick business trip for JEDEC allowed us a free Saturday to explore San Diego's stunning waterfront, touring the aircraft carrier USS Midway and visiting the historic Star of India.

Historic merchant vessel from the 1800s.

Plaque detailing the 'Star of India', launched in 1863 and making two stops in San Francisco in 1863 and 1873.

Enjoying the warm afternoon sun on the waterfront.

Setting up the 180-person JEDEC meeting room.

Cabin Projects in Truckee with Vic & Doris

We made three separate trips up to Vic and Doris's family cabin in Truckee near Lake Tahoe to help with home improvement projects, pick up a new water heater in Reno with our Ford Expedition EL, and tour nearby historic gold mining sites like the Empire Mine.

Approaching the Truckee cabin neighborhood.

Hiking along the Truckee River with Jeff, Dee Dee, and Jenny.

Vic, Doris, and Charles with 'Big Blue' (our 2008 Ford Expedition EL).

We hope your year was as eventful and as exciting as ours and...

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Love,

Charles & Helen