Congratulations to you and Susette, Chance. I had the old countdown clock on my computer too. And Charmion, we do feel like we are back on the planet. Alaska is a great place, but it is so freaking far from everything. We are also very happy to no longer worry about ice and snow and darkness for those long winters.

To Mary in Maine, we plan to get a little travel trailer and roam around like gypsies once we get the house and yard set up.   So don't be too surprised if we roam around in your direction. I've got grandchildren and children in Florida, Michigan, Indiana, Boston and Colorado, plus all the really old relatives in Arizona. We drove 5,137 miles from Anchorage to Florida, so a thousand miles or so to visit friends is inconsequential.