Olympia!

Dear Friends,

We have been spending the last few days at Stevick Central in Olympia, WA on the verge of actually beginning the international portion of our travels. This has been a relaxing but moderately busy time of taking care of loose ends, gathering together the necessary belongings (thanks to the amazing customer service at REI to whom we might possibly be related), getting treated like a pincushion at the medical travel center, and also getting some time to explore the area (the picture is from Staircase Rapids, part of the Olympic National Park where we went hiking with good friend Steve Larsen).

Other highlights have included celebrating Carol's birthday (coming up on the 22nd!), attending church at GCCC with the family, wandering the Puget Sound shoreline with Cassidy, John, Autumn and Strider, sleeping in Casey and Megan's wonderful guest apartment, and of course watching a few movies.

For those who are interested in such things, both Carol and Joe and in good health, and have been doing a good job of catching up on sleep and eating moderately healthily in preparation for the impending travel!!!