After four months of shuttling between Lincoln and Olathe, we began making final preparations for the next leg of our journey. We had planned all along on a major family get-together for Thanksgiving, and Marilyn's early home-going did not interrupt it. Andrea, Rod, Reagan and Ryan came to Lincoln on the day before, and settled into the AmericInn motel in south Lincoln. (They loved it and we highly recommend it.) We spent Thanksgiving Day with Randy, Kayleigh, Shanna and kids at their home. Great food, games and football! The next day the Huskers closed out their season with the annual "war" with Colorado. Rod and Roger were present as they defeated the Buffs in the closing minutes with an NU record 57-yard field goal and a Suh interception-touchdown that sealed the deal. Fantastic finish!!
We had a very rewarding stay in Lincoln during a trying family time. Many thanks to our good friends Janet and Fred, who once again allowed us to stay on their property for a prolonged period.
On Saturday the 29th we started our journey. We traveled diagonally across Kansas, through Liberal to the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles. We visited the Petroglyph National Monument in New Mexico, and the Petrified Forest National Park in northern Arizona. We arrived in Mesa, AZ on Thursday, to begin teaching at the Arizona School of Health Sciences. For the second year the staff has invited me to return and instruct physician assistant students in the art and science of medicine, with particular emphasis on genitourinary and neurological disease. I arrived in time for the Christmas party (any excuse for a kilt!)
Just a few of my phenomenal PA's-in-training! They'll be great medical providers in the future!
Just a few of my phenomenal PA's-in-training! They'll be great medical providers in the future!
Meg's parents made the flight to Mesa and stayed for the same two weeks, giving her great opportunities to spend some personal time with them while I was in class. There wasn't much time for us to play while there, but we took time on the one weekend to search out some geocaches and to show Roger's colleague Laura and her husband Alden the basics and get them started on this fun hobby. They helped us reach our #800 milestone cache.
We said our goodbye's to Mesa on Saturday the 20th and headed west. An easy drive put us at Joshua Tree National Park. We parked outside in BLM land (free); there had been a lot of snow and the campgrounds inside were not totally cleared.
Our home-on-wheels! The next morning we finished the drive to LA. This is the view
of the California mountains from the highway. We are parked at the Sea Breeze Naval RV campground at Seal Beach. We plan to be in this area for the next two months. It's beautiful here; we are so blessed! We wish you were here, but wherever you are may you have the most wonderful Christmas ever!
Our home-on-wheels! The next morning we finished the drive to LA. This is the view
of the California mountains from the highway. We are parked at the Sea Breeze Naval RV campground at Seal Beach. We plan to be in this area for the next two months. It's beautiful here; we are so blessed! We wish you were here, but wherever you are may you have the most wonderful Christmas ever!
