Buckley blog: Gone Fishin'...and skiing and sledding and golfing...
7:11 AM April 4, 2008
The vacation continues with the "mancation" portion of things now after an incredible few days of "famcation" in Canada with my wife and sons.
We went up to stay with our friends, the Sterns at their home about an hour north of Whistler. (For those of you who know the area, it's between Mt. Currie and D'Arcy--yeah, way up there near Michaela's hometown ...100 Mule Club?). It couldn't have been more beautiful.
As with all good travel adventures, ours had many memorable moments. It began with the absolute pain of checking in at LAX where Old Man Buckley's issues with computers resulted in a "Please See An Agent" or something to that effect as we tried to check in. The only problem--the airline we used has apparently replaced many of its agents with...computers so I had to struggle to get a human being to help. There was ONE supervisor on duty to deal with the dozens of check-in kiosks. Great. (Is it just me or has the management of the major airlines decided people just don't matter anymore--whether it's their own employees or the flying public? But that's a rant for another day).
With the check-in issue eventually resolved, we headed to the security line (good times again) and I noticed the LA Galaxy was checking in for a flight. As we craned our necks to look for David Beckham, guess who suddenly appeared right in front of my English wife and my sons? Elena was face-to-face with one of the most famous faces in the world as we rode up the escalator. She blurted out the first thing that popped in to her mind: "Oh, hello! Welcome to Los Angeles. I'm British too!" Beckham smiled politely, Elena was was slightly embarrassed about her star-struck moment, and the boys and I had something to kid her about for the rest of the trip.
Once in Canada, we really started to enjoy our vacation. We can't say enough about the beauty of that part of the world. The drive from Vancouver to Whistler was breathtaking. The mountains and rivers and meadows are something to see. We enjoyed the skiing and snowboarding and sledding. The boys and I joined Jay Stern (an expert fisherman--just ask him) for a couple of hours on a river trying to land a trout or a salmon (unsuccessfully but still had a blast), we spent hours of quality time together as a family. We ended the vacation running through Vancouver's airport to make our flight home. Even that made us laugh.
In short, the famcation was too short. As they say, a good time was had by all and I highly recommend a trip to that part of Canada. I recommend a few days with your family on the road anywhere even more.
Now, I'm on the mancation. I'm near a town called Duck on the Outer Banks of North Carolina where I've met up with my old friend Vince Scanlon and a motley crew of six other dudes. Vince and I worked together as reporters in Winston-Salem, North Carolina nearly 20 years ago and we've remained pals ever since.
Back then, we were both still single and less-responsible, just starting out in our careers, barely making enough money to cover the bills. Today, we're both married dads with kids and mortgages and lots of responsibilities to people other than ourselves. But this is the one trip every year when we revert to our 20s and behave accordingly.
In about an hour, I'll be teeing off on a golf course after twelve hours of traveling and four hours of sleep. Later, our host Jim Robey will fire up the grill, barley and hops will flow. We'll lie to each other about the women we've loved, we'll tell the same stories we've told each other for years and we'll laugh for hours. And again, a good time will be had by all.
Meanwhile, I didn't intend to spend this much time writing about my vacation while on my vacation so that's it for now. Hope you have a great weekend. See you next Tuesday.
Posted by Frank Buckley | Permalink | Comments (23) | TrackBack (0)
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Frank, it was very nice to hear from you and that you cared enough to time to submit your blog :) Very cool.
I have to admit, the Kiosks are nice…when they work but it’s not just the airline management that is starting not to care about people…you don’t have to leave your place of business to see that.
You truly picked an awesome place to vacation in Canada. With my Mom, (or as we pronounce it…Mum) being from there, I think I have seen more of Canada then I have of my own country, (something my husband is trying to correct).
Anyways, be good while you are with the “boys”. See you on Monday!! You have been truly missed although it has been really nice to have Eric sitting in for you!!
Posted by: Laura in Palmdale | April 04, 2008 at 07:37 AM
FRANK, IT WAS GREAT TO SEE YOUR BLOG, EVEN THOUGH YOU
ARE ON VACATION.
I HOPE THAT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HAVE A GREAT AND SAFE TRIP.
SEE YOU REAL SOON AT 7:00AM.
BOB PALMER
Posted by: BOB PALMER | April 04, 2008 at 08:41 AM
Frank enjoy your vacation.
Question? Why is channel 11, 7,and 4, covering real news, while channel 5 is at a "Water Cooler"? WHAT HAPPENED TO REAL NEWS COVERAGE. Is this a news show or what? While everyone else is showing coverage of a fallen firefighter...you show...what is going on there?
Posted by: Carol | April 04, 2008 at 09:07 AM
Thank you Frank for taking time from your much deserved famcation to report about it to your fans. I miss you, but know you're having a great time..and great blog BTW. Your description of all that beauty you've experienced was awesome. Take care Mr. Buckley and catch ya on Tuesday.
Posted by: Laura | April 04, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Frank,
Very enjoyable reading. I love that you all are doing these blogs. Others have already said it, even though we viewers already felt you all to be a part of our own family, I love getting to know you all in your roles outside of TV.
Play safely!!
Pat
Posted by: Pat | April 04, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Frank? What are you doing here when you're supposed to be on vacation? What dedication.
Good to hear you're having such a good time off.
Poor Carol didn't watch this morning's 9am news or she'd know KTLA did cover the complete funeral of firefighter, Brent Lovrien. Hope she was able to watch the moving tribute somewhere.
Enjoy the next few days. See you on Tuesday.
Posted by: jozielee | April 04, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Carol, was busy watching the wrong channel, than comes in here and writes nonsense.
Frank, glad your having a great time...Eric did a great job while you were gone.
Carmen Gw
Posted by: Carmen G W | April 04, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Frank,
Great blog...thanks for maintaining it, you big hunk.
Vince Scanlon...is that the portly guy who used to do the news in Myrtle Beach? I ALWAYS LOVED HIM! Tell him we need him back in television.
Have a great time with your buddies and come back to KTLA soon.
Georgie
Posted by: George Jahogovich | April 04, 2008 at 02:11 PM
Your blogs are always uplifting and bring a smile to my face. Have a great time while you're gone. (it's too bad that someone has to write something negative to you about the station while you're on vacation....sour puss)
Posted by: Danielle | April 04, 2008 at 02:48 PM
Frank, when do we get to see a picture of the Buckley family? Or at least the lovely Mrs. B.?
Posted by: Cubby | April 04, 2008 at 04:41 PM
While it's nice to hear from you, I'd rather you not take your computer and have to put up with airline problems. Just enjoy yourself. Your famication sounds a lot like my penis. A lot of fun but too short!
Posted by: George the Rat | April 04, 2008 at 04:47 PM
way to write a blog while on vacation :) glad you had fun
Posted by: no longer watching | April 04, 2008 at 05:49 PM
Frank - that is the best blog of all! I really enjoy the way you write. What dedication too, to send in your blog while on your mancation! I, as a viewer will be so glad to see you back behind the anchor desk ASAP. You are truly missed my man! Have a good rest of your mancation - have a cigar for me and get back to the anchor desk real soon!
Posted by: Dan | April 04, 2008 at 07:15 PM
Frank, it was great to read your blog but I really need a "momcation", time to get together with the girls, watch "chick flicks" and sob during the girly scenes, eat choclate and with a little wine. Maybe if I can get my hubby to take a "mancation" my dream will come true. Now the big question is.....why are you even posting a blog let alone being on a computer? hmmm maybe you need more time off. No! Never mind, we need you back at home where you belong.
Posted by: Sondra from Yorba Linda | April 04, 2008 at 11:04 PM
Sounds like you are having fun. Are you secretly smiling because UCLA didn't make it to the finals? Thanks for writing EVEN while on vacation. Gold Star from CookieGirl
Posted by: cookiegirl | April 06, 2008 at 12:30 AM
I just finished seeing the entire show of the parade of kilts. You looked fabulous and bless you for taking part in it on video while you were on famcation. Your participation made it possible for an extra $1,000 to go to charity. The show was hilarious. Your boss coming out topless was funny..poor Michaela was awestruck and had to fan herself! Hope this will become a tradition at KTLA.
Posted by: Laura in Los Angeles | April 06, 2008 at 01:07 PM
Frank, thanks for your blog about your famcation. Amazing isn't it when you think of the old adage that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder."
We faithfully turn South in October to go to Southern California and we too love the sights. It's too bad that we take our own beauties in our own backyard for granted but getting away for the two weeks that we do, gives us that greater appreciation of what we have here in BC.
Thanks for your blog and we faithfully watch KTLA (morning and evening) news to stay abreast of all that is happening in what we consider our second home.
Posted by: Francis Frank | April 07, 2008 at 09:51 AM
The WALK MS is coming up Saturday April 12 at UC Irvine!
You might even want to check my blog at www.msintheoc.blogspot.com
You guys and girls really rock the morning news! It certainly makes the morning a bit more entertaining and enlightening for this MSer.
Frank
Posted by: Frank Austin | April 07, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Dear Frank:
Thank you for mentioning my husband, Jay Stern, in your recent blog. However, I noticed two important things you left out: One, while fishing, you fell into the river and two, even though you have "War Zone" training, you still fell into the river.
Posted by: Vicki Stern | April 08, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Frank - Loved hearing about your trip, especially the part about going to Duck. I go to Duck every year to get together with some good friends of mine for a week to enjoy friendship, the beach, and some games of poker! Didn't know there was anyone else that knew about that city!
Posted by: Sally | April 11, 2008 at 08:29 AM
Frank - Loved hearing about your trip, especially the part about going to Duck. I go to Duck every year to get together with some good friends of mine for a week to enjoy friendship, the beach, and some games of poker! Didn't know there was anyone else that knew about that city!
Posted by: Sally | April 11, 2008 at 08:30 AM
Good to see you back. I absolutely love watching you guys in the morning as I get ready for work. Glad to hear you had a great famcation!
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Posted by: Marti | October 02, 2008 at 08:41 PM