After all is said and done.......

We have arrived back home after being away for 10 weeks.....travelling a total of 8,928 miles (14,880 kms)..... We travelled from the Pacific Coast, through the northern United States to Toronto..... We worked at my older meaner sister's house for over three weeks, helping her with repairs and stuff-dispersal....We had Thanksgiving at my brother's home (the first time we have all been together in over 40 years)......We got to visit the islands of Georgian Bay....We got to tour the vineyards and charming town of Niagara on the Lake....We got to see the gorgeous fall foliage of New England....We toodled through charming towns in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine....and we got to walk along the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean and enjoy the delicious foods and sights of Oqunquit, Maine.....

And if that wasn't enough, we had a very nice visit with Miguel's children and grandchildren in Kansas and we had a few lovely days of warmth and sunshine in California before returning to the November rains of Vancouver.

The trip could not have been more perfect - well, except for me getting the swine flu while in Maine. But even with the swine flu (or at least that is what I think I had) it was the most marvellous of trips. The places we visited were so very interesting...but the main thing was having the time to reconnect with many friends. It really was a "homecoming" trip - Miguel got to visit with his brother and every member of his family. I got to spend time with old friends - really spend time with them. Miguel, who hasn't been back to Toronto as many times as I have over the years, got to really spend time with my friends. We felt useful (working at my sister's house)...we felt pampered (friends taking us to Maine, others to their cottage, others to vineyards!)....we felt loved (friends and family taking care of me when I was sick)... we felt very blessed to have made the trip and to have arrived home safely and soundly.......

Speaking of which.........after driving all those miles, today the car battery died....... we travelled all those miles with no car problems, and today the battery dies......I say file that under "we are lucky buggers"........

For all the wonderful times we had, the times we spent with friends and family..... to have travelled safe and soundly ......we ARE lucky buggers.........