Postscript - There's no place like home

[February 15, 2015]

We spent Saturday night in Orlanda, at the Marriott hotel by the airport.  We were scheduled to fly out at 9 AM, but changed to the 6:20 AM flight instead. We knew we would be up early because of the time change difference between Florida and Morocco. A hotel porter came to our room at 5 AM to help us load our 4 suitcases, 2 packbacks, 2 NG black carry all bags and a purse.  With all the things we bought, our black duffle bag suitcase weighed the most at 47 pounds.  Not bad.

We arrived in Chicago at 8:30 AM to snow and 2 degrees above zero temperatures! Welcome back to winter.

We left for Middleton at 11 AM and made it back to see Charlie, Elizabeth and Matt and Sara, Aaron, Belle and Liam.  It was so good to see everyone -- all the kids grew in the month we were away.  Charlie is now saying "Hi" to everyone and everything he meets.

So, Captain Paul sent us some interesting information about the trip:  we flew 12 sectors, including the refueling at the Azores, for a total distance of more than 34,000 surface miles. Our total time on the jet was 80 hours - how fun to do "Around the World in 80 Hours,"  rather than 80 days. Our average speed was 480 MPH.  We used 86710 US gallons of fuel and 6 US quarts of engine oil. The crew served 1320 meals, 370 bottles of wine, 30 bottles of vodka, 60 bottles of champagne, and 1500 bread rolls.  The bags were put on or taken off the plane 4400 times.  Quite an amazing trip!

I look forward to the opportunity to reflect on the many rich and varied experiences from this trip:  the sights and sounds and smells.  Most of all the natural beauty of our planet and the amazing resilience of our fellow humans.  I am so thankful to be blessed with so many gifts, such has health and peace and security and love.  I hope I have gained additional wisdom through this journey. It was a dream come true.