Day 22

At this very moment, as I write this final entry, Ian is diving onto his bed saying, "This is my bed!" We arrived back at 5904 Wellesley about 6:40 p.m. after having driven 6,300 miles in all. I think Ian's response says it all....We missed home and are very happy to be back in our own beds.  As we finished our journey today, traveling from Bay City, MI, each of us had time to reflect upon the sights that meant the most to us...the things that we don't want to forget.

For Emma it was the yellow rocks of Yellowstone's Grand Canyon and seeing the Pittsburgh Penguins win the Stanley Cup in a steakhouse in Christmas, MI.

For Gordon, meeting up with 2 black bears on the road and the high waterfall at Yellowstone's Grand Canyon are favorite memories.

For Ian, it was seeing Carley and Joel and the sight of our first glimpse of the snow covered Rockies.

For Amy, it was the sight of Avalanche Lake after a long hike and viewing Lake Louise for the first time with Mom and sisters.

For Andrew, the view from his hike with Joel in the Cascade Mts. and Crosby holding up the Stanley Cup were tops on his list.

For Cindy, it was the whole family standing outside looking up in amazement at the sky on a moonless Montana night and the sight of a family of moose grazing along a back road heading toward Yellowstone.

For Carl, the beauty of the Columbia River valley with its snow-capped peaks and the discovery of the Avalanche Lake waterfalls were favorites.

Each of us is very, very grateful for the times that we have had on this western adventure. We never broke down and the things that kind of fell apart, we were able to fix ourselves as we continued on our way.  We have felt the strength of your prayers and have seen the loving care of God in our lives...each day. Thanks for sticking with us as we blogged. For this last entry, we've included some of our favorite pictures.

Special thanks goes to Daniel, Kevin, and Kati for holding down the fort at home and to Gene for his kindness in selling us the motorhome.