Decorated boats on the Columbia & San Juans, too

Like a lot of you, I have been shopping and addressing Christmas cards to people far distant or sending special e-mails. I love Christmas lights and programs and having people for dinner during this season. My family is so large and scattered all over the West (mostly) that we don't try for all-family celebrations but "some of us" are with "some of us" at dinners or events frequently during the holidays. Around Portland and some of the other river cities, decorated boats are wonderful to watch from restaurants or just parking places on the Columbia River. Not on the Columbia but on Puget Sound a decorated Christmas ship sponsored by the Bellingham Central Lions Club (WA) and crewed by volunteers calls on the more remote San Juan Islands to bring  Santa Claus, presents, and good cheer to adults on a December weekend.