Our trip was a huge success. Traveling 5,900 miles through 11 states in 20 days we enjoyed the Rockies, the PNW, the Columbia Gorge, Portland, Puget Sound, the redwoods, the Pacific coast, the California Coastal Mountains, Mohave Desert, Las Vegas, the Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon and numerous, beautiful, empty highways. We saw wild elk, bald eagles, a California Condor, chipmunks and a fox.

Deb flew up to meet us in Idaho and we spent a couple of days in the gorgeous town of Coeur d'Alene before driving to Vancouver, WA. The 7 days she was with us passed by so quickly but, one highlight from that part of the trip was seeing our old friend (and former neighbor) Erika and two of her three boys. They just happened to be on vacation in Washington State (from Norway) and we spent the day with them in Tacoma. Christian was thrilled to see his oldest friend Jonah for the first time in 7 years.

Most important to our trip was the help we received from our friends. Pat in Coeur d'Alene, Betty, Eric & Ben in Vancouver and the Eckerts in Tacoma made us feel at ease in their homes. Jamie was a key piece of the puzzle giving us weather updates. She probably saved our lives in Wichita Falls, TX by keeping us posted on the severe thunder storms in the area. Of course Deb kept me sain with several phone conversations through out each day. She also helped with directions and reservations. Thanks to you all.

2 nights in motels, 5 nights in a tent, 5 nights in cabins, 7 nights in friend's homes seemed to be just enough to make us miss home enough to come back. :)

And, we did make it back in time to spend another awesome 4th of July with my parents and sister.

Click here for a bunch of pics.