"Charbonneau couple to "hit the road" for a year!" -- Travel for a year? It is either your fondest dream or your worst nightmare! And so started our series of articles way back in May of 2000.

Now with a month "off the road" under our belt, and a little perspective about the year - it was our fondest dream. Definitely the most difficult part was "the getaway" - putting our everyday lives into suspension for a year, with the hope of an easy "re-entry" at the end. For the most part, that has happened. A bit of delayed house maintenance to deal with, the Van to sell, taxes to file, and a year's worth of paperwork to file away, but we are now pretty much back to normal. We do still have a pile of nice packing boxes (including wardrobes!) in our garage that will go to the first person that wants them - just call!

In retrospect, the trip itself was actually quite Zen-like. A minimum of planning, and just allowing ourselves to go where the inspiration took us, really turned out to be the right way for us. The feeling of freedom and just doing what we wanted to do everyday was very liberating. Although we are "children of the 60's", we were never "hippies" - but now we have experienced some of their free flowing ways. As wonderful as that was, we are glad to be back to the "structure" of our lives here in Charbonneau-our friends, our grandchildren, golf, and this beautiful community.

I do have to comment on how many Charbonneau residents have stopped either Phil or I and talked about the articles. We have been both gratified and overwhelmed at how many people followed our series. We both want to say thanks for your kind words and support. We really had fun doing the articles, so we're glad you enjoyed reading them! Would anyone be interested in an "Around the Country in 50 minutes" presentation of our pictures? I've thought about doing that this fall. E-mail me (carol.white@att.net) or call me at 694 5502, and I'll do it, if there is some interest.

So after a year of travelling, writing these stories, and maintaining our website, what is the next logical thing? Write a book, of course! I am beginning to immerse myself in the mysterious world of publishers, literary agents, book proposals, and, I'm told, disappointment. A whole new career to tell the story of "The Great American Adventure --How to travel for a year for the cost of staying home". With 10,000 baby boomers turning 50 every day, I know from people we met on this trip, that there is a market to help people get organized and get on the road.

So maybe next year, with some luck, your local Charbonneau vagabonds will be published authors! Any advice, help or counsel from anyone who has traveled that road, so to speak, is encouraged!

It is going to feel strange not sending KC an e-mailed story and pictures by the 15th of every month - it has become part of my routine! But every good thing has an end, and this is ours. Thanks again for going on our trip with us, and we'll be seeing you around Charbonneau!