Panama Day 3

On our third day, we left our hotel before dawn at 6 am to catch the Sea Las Perlas out to Isla Contadora, one of the Pearl Islands on the Pacific side. The boat departed from a marina overlooking the Bridge of the Americas.



We received our safety training and then enjoyed a 90 minute ride out to the island along lots of big cargo ships waiting to enter the Panama Canal. When we arrived at the island, we took another smaller boat to the island.



On the island, we rented a golf cart and headed to Playa Cacique, where we swam and snorkeled in the ocean and enjoyed a relaxing day in the sun. At the end of our day, Trisha also visited a Playa Larga, a long beautiful beach along side an abandoned resort and an abandoned boat.

Panama Day 2

Each of our mornings started with coffee on our deck overlooking the city. We also made sure we were protected from the mosquitos with our mosquito bracelets. We never did see a mosquito on our trip (in the city or in the jungle). Is that the case for February or were we just well protected? We will never know....




We started our second day in Panama with a trip to Casco Viejo, the historic Panama City neighborhood that is filled with cute plazas, colonial churches, and museums. Our taxi driver dropped us off at Plaza de Francia, which is dedicated to the French effort to build the Panama Canal and the thousands of people from around the world who died during the process. The plaza is flanked by Paseo Esteban which runs along the top of the sea wall and has vendors selling local products. This is where we all bought our first Panama souvenirs.



We then explored the rest of Casco Viejo, including the Palacio de las Garzas (Presidential Palace which was well guarded),



The Catedral Metropolitana (one of the largest in Central America),


And Santo Domingo, a church and convent which was never rebuilt after a fire that destroyed it.

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We also took time to visit the Museo del Canal Interoceanico (Canal Museum) and have ice cream at Granclement before heading to Mercado del Mariscos, the city's fresh fish market where we got awesome ceviche. After our ceviche, we enjoyed a nice long stroll along Cinta Costera (the walkway along the coastline).




On this second night, Grammie and Trisha also enjoyed a nice sunset back in Casco Viejo before heading to dinner with Kimmy. A very great full day in Panama.

120 Year Birthday Celebration in Panama

Aunty Kimmy turned 50 this year and Grammie Maggie is turning 70 this year. To celebrate these milestones, we decided to have a vacation adventure in Panama City this year because none of us had been there. Kim got us organized and booked a flight and hotel, Trisha researched things to do while we were there, and Maggie was along for the ride. We arrived the afternoon of February 16th and stayed at the Plaza Paitilla Inn on the east side of the city. Our celebration would last 4 nights and 5 days. These are a couple of pictures from our first day in Panama.

We left Chicago at 8 am on Copa Airlines and then arrived at our hotel, Plaza Paitilla Inn.



We then took our first of many crazy taxi rides through the city and arrived at the Amador Causeway for a celebratory toast with our first Panamanian beer and some patacones (fried plantains) at the restaurant, Cuyaco. The causeway connects Panama City to four small islands by the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal. The causeway is made from rock extracted during the excavations from the Panama Canal and was meant to serve as a breakwater for the entrance.



We ended our first night with a beautiful view of the city from our hotel deck.

Aunt Kimmy's 50th Birthday

Aunt Kimmy celebrated her 50th birthday this January. Mom traveled to Chicago to help her celebrate her this big milestone. Kim had a party with about 30 of her closest friends. Trisha was the official photographer. It was a fun night! Cheers to Aunt Kimmy!

Pergandes Head to Duluth for More Hockey

The bitter cold came to MN the weekend of January 15th to the tune of -20 degrees. Brrr! We were up in Duluth for a tournament for Presley's team and more games for Canyon's team. Canyon's team was supposed to have an outdoor hockey game but that one got cancelled because of the frigid temps. A busy but fun weekend filled with lots of fun activities.

The frigid temps did ot stop Presley's team took some great photos outside by the lake.



The 12UA team planned a great service project. Presley and her teammates purchased items for the local humane society. The girls enjoyed a nice tour and playing with all the pets!


Canyon and his teammates enjoyed going to watch the UMD bulldogs play hockey!



And Mom and Dad enjoyed a couple of excursions to some great local spots, including Bent Paddle Brewery and the Vikre Distillery. Always fun to support the local economy!

Bantams AA Take Roseau by Storm

Canyon's hockey team traveled to Roseau, MN January 7-10th. The boys won the championship and had a great weekend of hockey, ice fishing, and spaghetti dinner at the legion. Ron dressed up as Elvis to celebrate the King's birthday and the boys got a pep talk from the locals! A great weekend for all!







While Dad and Canyon were in Roseau, Mom and Presley had a nice girls' weekend. We started with a night out at the Wild Game. We also got some ice skating in at the park, where Presley is trying to teaching Mom how to lift the puck when she shoots! And ended our weekend with a trip to Red Wing to take Great Granny out the movies and dinner. We then had a slumber party at Granny's before coming back home. A very special visit!

Christmas Season 2015

We had a wonderful holiday season with this year filled with family, holiday fun, sports, and relaxation. Grandma Harriet came into town for two weeks. And then Grammie and Aunt Kimmy joined us for Christmas Eve weekend.

Grandma Harriet attends Canyon's winter band concert...


Canyon joins the working world as a referee for mite hockey...


Grandma Harriet takes some photos for our holiday card (but never got sent out)...


Grandma Harriet and Presley continue with their holiday gingerbread baking tradition...


Grammie arrives Christmas Eve in time for a nice service at. St. Andrews Lutheran Church...


We celebrated Christmas Eve with the Abbey Family and Aunt Barbara. This year chocolate fondue and Left-Right-Center were a hit...


Santa continues to spoil the Pergande crew with many presents under the tree...


The holiday crew family picture before Kimmy leaves town...


We also enjoyed a nice day in St. Paul with the Snow Queen at Park Square Theater and happy hour at the St. Paul Hotel...


Grandma Harriet ends her trip watching Presley's U12 C1+ team winning the Holiday Blast soccer tournament.


And we finally got some snow to get some sledding in!


Great holiday season! Here's to 2016!