Up until now

Just to catch you up on our Saskatoon to New Zealand adventure: We're spending a relaxing evening at the Sheraton with a view of LAX. We (Rick, Karin & Jim) have got a late checkout so we don't head to the airport until 7 p.m. Monday. We've been on the road since December 17; Jim was already in San Diego. We drove, had great weather and spent the first night in Great Falls, Montana, then made it to Spokane, Washington. We had an overnight at the

Innsbrucker Inn, Leavenworth, a Bavarian-themed town in eastern Washington. We booked a room in advance; good thing because it was the last of the annual town Christmas lighting celebration. The next morning dawned with a heavy, thick snowfall with travel alerts and we were worried that Steven's Pass might call for chains, but we crossed without a problem. We stopped at Karin's old farm in Startup. No one was home, but we left a card and since have had quite a correspondence with the couple who live there today.

On to Nels and Gwen's in Newberg on Dec. 20th just in time for a family gathering and an introduction to all the farm animals. Had a great visit there for a few days, including an afternoon/evening in Portland before heading out and south. We made it to Stockton, California and late on Christmas Day, we pulled in at Erin and Michael's house in San Diego armed with gifts and the old gumball machine that we've had since the kids were little. Xan seemed impressed! We filled it with 'treasures' instead of candy. Benjamin was there and Julia came down the next day so on our 24th anniversary, we were able to have almost all the kids out for dinner. Michael and Xander were at home and Jim was at his mom's.

Can't quite believe what a little worker man Xander is and he reminds us that he's 4. He put in a lot of kms on his new two wheeler on a run or two down at Lake Murray, and kept up with weeding the garden, always a good skill for a man to have. Good to see old Nickels, now 7 1/2. A little slower, a little grayer, aren't we all.

We were able to help spruce up Erin's new office at St. Augustine University (well, we had a tour while Michael hung pictures and her degrees.) We were very proud to see Assistant Professor Schwier's new office and her brand new facility. Her labs are way cooler than Rick's! Don't ask what a wet lab is...

After a great visit, including poppers for an early New Year's Eve celebration, we packed up, picked up Jim and hopped (or as much as you can hop with big backpacks and carry-ons) on the noon Amtrack to Los Angeles. We are now spending a quiet evening at the Sheraton in LA and about this time tomorrow night, well make our way to check in at Air New Zealand! On Wednesday we'll be bright and shiny, trying to remember the combination to the lock at our new house: 47 Russell Street in Dunedin. Land of hobbits, orcs, wizards, sheep. We'll fill you in as we go!

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