Last night at about 9 (EDT) I said my goodbyes to Bill as I left him at Dulles airport (just outside of Washington, D.C.) When last seen he was lighting up one final cigarette to enjoy before entering the perpetual no-smoke zone which he would have to endure from the moment he entered the terminal until he made his brief stop-over in Paris some nine hours later (counting the time spent checking in, etc. at Dulles).

On the way to the airport we talked about the trip. Nobody can imagine how amazed we are that we were actually able to do it. Nor can anyone imagine how surprised we are at how profoundly we have been affected by our meetings with fellow Mudcatters. But perhaps you can imagine how wonderful it feels to have looked at the threads in the forum a few days ago and to have seen that there were as many as FIVE "gatherings" threads posted! (I whole-heartedly agree with dwditty that it was Annap who broke through the barriers and showed us all that such a thing could be done - bless her generous, loving heart!) I don't know if our trip had anything to do with the instigation of any of these gatherings (I know at least one was already in the works before we started); but whether or not it did in some small way, we are certainly happy to see so many 'Catters getting together.

I am sure Bill's email and Personal Message listings are as filled as mine with wonderful notes from folks we have met. I am just starting to get a grasp of how much these people have inspired me to explore new songs and perhaps even new instruments. I know that Bill feels the same way and will feel even more so when he checks his messages.

What a great trip it has been!! I thank each of you from the depth of my soul. I thank Bill from the bottom of my heart.

Allan