Well here we are getting ready to start the adventure. We all came to Portland last night and stayed in a motel so we could get long term parking and a free shuttle ride to the airport. We got up at 2:45 so we could catch the shuttle at 3:45. The check in was fast and the excitement was tangible as we checked in. Now we are sitting in the waiting area and talking about all we want to see and do. Most of the people have faced challenges in the last week as they were preparing for the journey, but each of us have "won through". Thank you to all of you who prayed.

Todd and Letsy are waiting in San Diego for their flight since they will be meeting us in Chicago. They made it to San Diego by driving through rough roads bulldozed through the river bottoms with a culvert over the actual water flow. There were some washouts and single lane sections, but no real problems. Praise the Lord.