This past year, I’ve traveled to the four corners of our nation and Hawaii chasing
after our kids
and grand kids, 
visiting our brothers and sisters,
and keeping Alan company while he chases additional medical expertise.
Yesterday I was making plans to meet my neighbor Sue for coffee, and she mentioned that she and Bob are heading to San Diego to visit their son on a train
since Bob hates flying. I smiled as if I understood, but of course…I didn’t! 
I even think airports are fascinating, and I am always filled with awe when I fly.
How could anyone close their window shade and sleep while the sun shines?
I keep my nose pressed to the window, because I don’t want to miss anything!
It occurred to me, that just in case you haven’t had the privilege of flying lately, you might enjoy a bird’s eye view of America from the air. When we went to 
Washington State to meet our new granddaughter, Amelie, we saw vistas of the 
west unlike any view you ever see from the road. On the trip from WA to CA, we 
flew right past Mt. Rainier, the highest mountain in our contiguous 48 states.
California and the west are dry and hilly… very different from Michigan!
My flight to Hawaii to meet Mike and Grace’s new son, Judah
took me over the breath-taking Rocky Mountains 
& close to where the Colorado River begins its descent toward the Grand Canyon.
You’ll never be able to see Hawaii’s Diamond Head this way except from the air!
You’ll never see New York City this way on a train or in a car! In July, Alan and
went to visit with Aaron and Carleen and meet their newest addition, Giles.
We flew into JFK Airport just as the sun was gleaming across the Hudson River.
In October, we left our home in the Midwest and flew into
Boston for a medical meeting at Harvard,
and in December, we attended another meeting in Florida. 
Truly, America is beautiful from the mountains to the valleys,
from her rivers and plains and forests…
and from sea to shining sea!
“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God” (Psalm 90:2).
Gorgeous pictures as always! I love flying out west and seeing all the mountains from the air.
And now, for a while, with all your little ones, you may take more intimate-with-nature trips back home via your wonderful RV. We did that for a solid 30 years, and I still love road trips!! Once Uncle Alan retires, I suspect we’ll do more driving excursions again. At least, I hope so!
Thank you sharing the beauty of this country. A welcome distraction.
Glad to hear from you! How are you? Sounds like you had a big holiday season…and maybe not too easy?
I hate flying and much prefer to look at your wonderful pictures.
Alan’s mama used to say, “If I want to know what Japan (or any other country) looks like, I’ll buy a picture book!”