Out of the Rain Forest, Still Living Rural

Four months since my last post is too long, especially considering all that has changed in our lives.  Here is a quick update:

We sold our house in San Diego, very successfully, thanks to our Realtor.  We sold it for $32k more than his initial estimate, and $52k more than the average home sold for in our zip code in the same month.  Wow, talk about exceeding expectations!

On April 24th, Kathy packed up the few remaining items still with her in Alaska, including the dogs, took a three hour ferry to Ketchikan, spent the night, then caught an Alaska Marine Highway ferry the next evening, and spent 36 hours sailing to Bellingham WA.  She then drove to Sea-Tac Airport, where Brady had arrived that morning, picked him up, and they drove across the US, ending in Boston.  They drove 3,051 miles in five days, without incident, not counting the one speeding ticket.

I took a bus from Augusta with Jared, and we met Kathy and Brady at the very cool, pet-friendly Liberty Hotel in Boston.  Jared was there on business.  The next day, we said goodbye to Brady, then stayed on for the weekend, to celebrate our getting back together after three looooong months, her birthday, and our 37th anniversary, phew!  We had a great time in Boston.  We even found the church steps where we spent a night, 38 years ago.

Kathy and I then drove to Pittsfield ME, where Henry was very glad to see his Nona!  We stayed the month of May in a bed and breakfast, which was located just steps away from the MCI campus where Jared and Kelli live and work.

Last but not least, we found a place to rent, and moved into a brand new place right on a Big Indian Pond, out in the boonies, but only 25 minutes from Kelli and Jared and Henry.  It's a beautiful place, lots of wood trim inside, fully furnished, too.  We have an amazing view, the birds are singing nearly from dawn to dusk, including loons!  We are still adjusting to rural life, even more rural than our home in Alaska, but with so much more urban amenities within driving distance.

Now, we are searching for jobs, besides enjoying Henry, and Kelli and Jared.  Henry has already stayed overnight with us twice, which is lots of fun.