Cooper.  It's very exciting having the trip come up in just over a month! We had a set of shots last Monday, and were going to get another set of shots this Monday (May 11). After all of our shots are done, we will be able to set off whenever! Our first stop is Inuvik, where we will see the midnight sun. I really hope that it's not going to be cloudy!!! I am most looking forward to Antarctica, where we (my Dad and I) will be able to see the penguins! My Mom also reminds me that we will see some penguins in the Galapagos. Someone in my class has asked me to bring a penguin back for them, so I'll see what I can do. ;)

Looking forward to June 30!!!

Let the purging begin...

Vern.  How is it that we accumulate so much STUFF??!  In spite of holding garage sales, selling things on Kijiji, making donations of furniture and clothes to various agencies and recycling books, papers, and electronics, we still have STUFF.

Today I purged old electronics manuals from my office.  I came across the docs for my precious first laser printer, the NEC Silentwriter 2, circa 1990.  A sexy piece of equipment back in the day, let me tell you.  I am still convinced that Carolyn started dating me because she'd have rare access to a laser printer to put the final touches on her resumes.

We only need to shed a few more thousand pounds of infrequently used items and we'll be in good shape for the trip.   But I'm keeping my current laser printer, any which way.

Shots!

Vern.  We all got our first set of shots at the travel clinic the weekend before last.  Sore arms all around.  More to come.  Apparently, rabies is still a very fatal disease if not treated in time and we'll often be a long way from facilities.  Nothing like a travel nurse to put the fear of disease in you!  Forgot how expensive shots could be.  This qualifies as a big investment in the trip!

Vern.  We bought a very large, laminated world map outline last week.  Plotting our route will soon begin!  Carolyn has traded e-mails with the tourism folks at the Government of Peru re hiking the Inca Trail.  Todo esta bien! 5 months and counting.

Happy Holidays!

After many years of having a world trip loosely "on the back burner", it's hard to fathom that we are now only six months out.  Lots to do, and we'll do our best to keep this blog up to date.  From our good friend Anne in Toronto:  "I am going to live vicariously through your blog. Vern, don't screw this up for me."  [Vern]