International Flavor

How our lives have expanded from Brad's travels!   The international flavor of our visitors, our friends, our family has enriched us in more ways than we ever imagined possible. 

Brad met Yessi in New Zealand after hiking the TeAraroa Trail.  Yessi, from Xiamen, China, was touring NZ when they met.   Brad returned to the U.S. and Yessi to China, but their friendship continued.  They stayed connected and we now have a wonderful daughter-in-law.

Brad and Yessi, 4/20/14

Flore and Ludo, a delightful couple from France, became TeAraroa Trail hiking buddies with Brad.  Last week they visited Whidbey Island having just finished hiking the Pacific Crest Trail.  

Flore and Ludo, Whidbey Island

Presently, the four of them are hiking on Mt. Rainier, following a camping outing at the Ice Water Creek Camp Ground.  Ed and I, on a second Thistle shakedown, joined them at Ice Water before they departed for Mt. Rainier hiking and climbing.

Brad, Yessi, Fran, Ed, Flore & Ludo

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"I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I just lived the length of it.  I want to have lived the width of it as well." 

~ Diane Ackerman