We left Johnson Creek Saturday morning in near-freezing temperatures and a cloudless sky. The quick hop over the mountains into McCall is always a shock: you think you're so far from civilization in the backcountry after an afternoon in Yellow Pine and a night around the campfire swapping stories with new friends. The long-awaited sourdough pancakes at the Pancake House were as advertised and Michael was swooning as he struggled to finish his portion, never mind Rob's leftovers.

We dropped Michael off in Boise to see his grandparents, and our last glimpse of him was on the other side of the fence, heading from the FBO to the terminal to catch a bus. But not before asking if we had any (and I quote) "stray money" we might be able to provide. Rob obliged: what are dads for? And off to Sunriver to meet our friends Jim and Susan. Jim sells Gulfstreams and his license plate is BYA JET. If you ever see him, make his day and buy one.

We were up early this morning in order to beat the TFRs for the Hillsboro Airshow today, and we were finally home at Twin Oaks by about 10 am. We put about 27 hours on the plane from Toronto to Portland and created a lifetime of memories. I want to thank everyone (and there were a lot of you) who provided advice about our route and even offers of hospitality on our XC adventure. And an extra big thanks to Eric who is trusting us with his baby -- nine-hundred bravo -- til he gets back from Africa!

I think I hear the washing machine calling me.