After the party it's the after-party

and after the party it's the cruise ship lobby...

--DATELINE--INTERNATIONAL WATERS (OFF OF CUBA)

Hard to imagine that alot of you will be checking this wedsite anymore, since the wed was two days ago (can that be?) and you were all there. But just in case, while April is working out her muscles, I am here in the internet cafe working out my head muscle (noticing that Feingold called for a Bush censure,) so I wanted to post a brief note of thanks to everyone.

April and I had a wonderful time being together with all of you, and we are so happy to have such a big mostly happy group family and friends. Most of our discussion on the way to the airport was about how easy it was to 'feel the love' of the group. So thank you all very much, for ensuring that a day that had to be special and memorable could also be pleasurable.

We are happy to report that the food on Celebrity cruises is really good. We are also happy to note that our dinner table mates are Dallas-area veterinarians and former listeners to the KVIL morning show, which is to say fans of MarkO, whom you may remember as the wedding photographer, or also as the father of the groom, i.e. me.

We are also very pleased to report that the Males are kicking butt in the week-long cumulative trivia contest battle of the sexes.

From international waters, this is K Robert, signing off.

Project Runway (Dress Codes)

Check our local weather here.

The most important aspect of our dress code is comfort. Even with expected highs in the low 60s it will be chilly on the early evening beach. A jacket or wrap at a minimum are well advised. Kelly notes that he will be wearing suit jackets but no ties at the BFD(*) and the Ceremony, and all gentlemen are invited to follow that lead and leave the noose at home. No one's ties will be cut off, however, should anyone choose to wear one. April invites you to consider sandals or no shoes for the beach, we will be on the sand, no phoney-baloney astroturf between us and the earth.

(*) The BFD (Big Family Dinner) on Friday night is nice-casual. Khakis, jeans, skirts all welcome. Shoes required (we think.)

Spot The Loonies (A&K's Fri-Sat Schedule)

(This is an evolving post, meant to help our readers plan their activities and stay apprised of the latest updates.)

FRIDAY:

0000h-1030h: A&K sleep in and attempt to repress memories of their Bachelor/ette shindigs

1100h: Picking up rental items

1200h: A: Mani/Pedi
K: Back at 1930 Koopmans, prepping for:

1245h-1630h: Semi-open house. Meaning that all are welcome to stop by and see the place and chat and meet up with other guests, etc., but probably also meaning that no one should expect to stay that whole time, or we'll end up with an uncomfortably full house.

1630h: Rehearsal with wedding party, photog, moms, and pastor

1730h: Big Family Dinner (BFD) at Ristorante Italiano (Families only, as the title of the event more than implies.)

2030h-2300h: Drinks and Dessert for the younger crowd (For the younger crowd only, as the name indicates,) Location Top Secret

2301h (or whenever,): A and K say goodnight, not to see each other again until the following 1700h

(note: These last two events, which together encompass 90% of our guests, are by special invitation only. If you did not receive an invite by email last week, it probably means you're not invited. It does not mean we don't love you. Most of those people will only be coming to town on Saturday, as we understand it.)

SATURDAY:

1000h: Waking, final packing, etc.

1300h: Dueling hair appointments

1500h: A & Co. begin primping

1600h: K & Co. arrive Natural Bridges to receive chairs, setup ceremony

1645h-1700h: Guests arrive

1705h: Ceremony

1730h: April's name changes

1735-1820: Guests transit to FCC for reception, sign guest book, make fun of how corny/brief/cold/wet ceremony was, etc. Wedding party remain for pictures

1835h: A&K arrive reception

2015h: Ideal Cake Cutting Time

2100h: A&K quick-change and depart for OAK (Latest departure time: 2130h)

2200: You don't have to go home, but you can't stay at FCC

The Player's Club (Activities)

(Where to Play in Santa Cruz)
Welcome to the Central Coast. There are lots of free-time activities within minutes and some other Northern California highlights close by.
Monterey is 40 miles south
Carmel 50 miles south
San Francisco 75 miles north

Visit the Redwoods!
on Highway 9, just outside of Santa Cruz!
Cowell State Park, Felton CA (short hikes)
http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=546
Big Basin, Boulder Creek, CA (short and LONG hikes)http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=540

Wineries
www.scmwa.com
www.atlasofwineries.com/santacruz.html
Most located in the Santa Cruz Mountains off of Highways 9 & 35. There are also many tasting rooms in the city of Santa Cruz.

Historic Downtown Santa Cruz/Pedestrian Mall
Pacific Avenue (Map)
Shopping, restaurants, nightlife, movie theaters, Longs Drugs, Trader Joe’s(grocery), free trade coffee.

Bike Rentals
Bicycle Rental Center 131 Center Street
(831) 426.8687

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz
www.beachboardwalk.com
Open Sat and Sun 11-6pm (Amusement park rides)
Huge Arcade, bowling, mini-golf, laser tag. All open everyday at 10:00am.(admission is free, games are $5.00)

In the Monterey Bay
Charter a Boat! Sail Santa Cruz!
Small groups, about $40/person, includes wine and sailing and lots of fun.
www.lighthallcharters.com (831) 429.1970
www.chardonnay.com (831) 423.1213

The Kayak Connection
www.kayakconnection.com (831)479.1121

Surfing Lessons
Cowell Beach n Bikini Surf Shop 109 Beach Street
(831) 427.2355

Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery Row
Monterey, CA 93940
24-Hr. Info: (831) 648-4888
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Daily
www.mbayaq.org

Live West Coast Feed (Restaurants)

(Alternate title: "Food Box: Go or No Go")
(Places to eat in Santa Cruz. Shoes and shirt required at almost all locations.)
Mobo Sushi $$ 105 S. River (831) 425-1700
Oh it's just so good. Open for lunch until 2:00pm and reopens at 5:30.
Royal Taj Indian Cuisine $$ 270 Soquel 427-2400
Great lunch buffet until 2:00pm, ala carte dinner.
Santa Cruz Diner $ 909 Ocean Street (831) 426-7151
Open 24 hours, they've got everything.
Charlie Hong Kong $ 1141 Soquel 426-5664
Excellent noodle joint and good people watching.
Cole's BBQ $ 2590 Portola 476-4424
A short walk to the beach after your lunch.
Crepe Place $$ 1134 Soquel 429-6994
Creative and delicious menu, full bar and fun atmosphere.
Dharma's Natural Foods $$ 4250 Capitola Road 462-1717
Good for you and good for the world, this is the quintessential Santa Cruz dining experience. All vegetarian or vegan.

You can find good Mexican food on every block (or every other).

Sunday Brunch:

Chaminade $$$ 1 Chaminade Lane 475-5600
Sunday Champagne Brunch, buffet style, pricey but yummy
Harbor Cafe $ 535 7th Avenue 475-4948
breakfast and lunch only
Zachary's $$ 819 Pacific Avenue 427-0646
breakfast and lunch only

$ 0-7 $$ 8-15 $$$ 16-25+

Under Construction

Welcome to our website. Make yourself at home. Take off your shoes.

You're a little early, but over the next two weeks, this site will become the place to go for all the info about our wedding. Maps, lists, schedules, places to stay, things to do, contact information, all your questions will be answered. (Seriously, all of them.) Please use the site's comment function to alert us to questions that remain unanswered. We do not have a good answer on the question of free will.

So keep checking back. We look forward to seeing you in March.