Blogs from Middleton, Wisconsin, United States, North America

This is just a test as I re-learn how to write off line, and publish on the Blog later. Cindy... read more

This should be my last entry from the USA! Next entry will come from China. We are packed and ready to go. G is very excited, she has gathered her favorite stuffed animals for the trip and has counted her money multiple times. B, as he does so well, has obsessed over the details and I have been trying to just get things done and cross them off my list. Tomorrow I clean the house because we do not want to come home to a messy house after many days of travel. G and I both got our hair cut today and I went shorter than I usually do (I'm at chin level) and G went about shoulder length with her hair. I also will finish the pre-trip work on our journals, some questions for G ... read more

We are getting ready for the big trip. There are many tasks to complete before we leave. We have discussed suitcases, carry-ons, books and other entertainment for the long plan rides, and gifts, gifts, gifts! It seems that we will be taking plenty of gifts along with us such as candies, lotion, and other fun things to share with the people we meet in China. We think we have everything we need purchased for the trip and now our attention turns to packing. How do you pack for a long trip and keep every suitcase under 45 pounds? We are trying to pack only what is needed and hoping that we can wash clothes on our trip. I just keep thinking that I will pack as best I can and well whatever I forget, I guess ... read more

Here we go again! We've decided to take another long cruise. This time we'll go through the Panama Canal,around South America to Antartica, then, after Rio, down the Amazon River to Manaus before returning to Ft. Lauderdale. We leave January 13th on the Prinsendam from Ft. Lauderdale. Because Wisconsin weather is rather unpredictable this time of year, we're leaving Madison on Jan. 10 for Ft. L.. In our two days in Florida we look forward to visiting with friends we haven't seen for some time. We're doing the first part to Buenos Aires alone, but our friiends Kathy and Mike schwaegerl will join us there for the Amazon part. It's exciting to think about the places and sites we'll see on this trip and I hope to write about our observations as we go. Maybe this ... read more