Day 1…..how quickly it came!!

Day one sees us saying goodbye to Saranac Lake, NY – our home for the last four years. As we say goodbye, we reminisce about our time here. Saranac Lake during the winter is a true winter wonderland, home of the oldest Winter Carnival. The annual First Night provides a variety of entertainment to welcome in the New Year, with all venues within walking distance. Snowshoeing on lakes is a truly unique experience. World-class Olympic athletes come here to practice their winter sports rounding out a perfect place to play and work in the winter.

Summer is a time for hiking some of the most beautiful high peaks in the country. Living inside a 6-million-acre park and calling it home is truly one of the most amazing experiences we have ever had. The combination of mountains and lakes is unmatched anywhere. With wildlife abounding in our yard, coyotes in our backyard, a fox loping across our driveway, bountiful deer that come to eat our birdseed, moose and bears just down the road, eagles and loons flying overhead, wildlife viewing is outstanding.

Lastly, the people of Saranac Lake who warmly welcomed us will be what we miss the most. The teams we worked with at the hospital, the friendships established, the memories gathered from colleagues and friends are cherished moments. We look forward to seeing you in 10 months!
As we leave Saranac Lake and explore the world we are reminded of the poem by William Yeats, “There are no strangers here; only friends that you have not met.” We hope to meet a lot of friends on our journey!!!

Dave’s comments: An inauspicious start! Within 24 hours of beginning our trip: 1) We received an email that one of our flights was cancelled (Hong Kong to Mumbai). They could only offer us a flight out the next day. So much for hotel reservations. 2) We received another email that the airport in Samoa which we were to use to fly to American Samoa and back, has closed…forever! So much for our plans to pick up the rental car there. 3) The US inches closer to war. So much for hoping to find goodwill and peace among the countries where we will be heading. 4) Kathy’s visa to Madagascar inadvertently has her listed as “male”. So much for her having long hair, makeup and a skirt.