Can you handle a little of the nitty-gritty detail of year end statistics?

In 2006 the Dinsmore household relocated 118 times. Total distance driven was 10,374 miles. We rode our bicycles 1, 884 miles, and walked an additional 126 miles where we walked far enough to record the distance. Grand total is 12,384 miles which averages 105 miles per move. We visited eleven states in 2006, Washington, Oregon and Idaho in the northwest. Nevada, California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas in the southwest. Then we caught Arkansas, Missouri and Illinois on our Christmas excursion. We fueled up 25 times for an average of 8.12 miles per gallon. Our highest priced fuel was in Burlington Washington at $3.12 per gallon. Our best fuel price was $2.44 in Texas. To put this in perspective, how much do you think it would cost to move your home 105 miles. This is a trick question, because some of our friends also live in RV’s.

We are just packing up our luggage and preparing to catch the train this afternoon in
Springfield Illinois in the land of Lincoln. We will go in a bit early and walk around for a while. The weather has been mild while we have been here with the Tice family, and we sincerely appreciate them arranging for this nice weather considering the mess they are having in Denver.

All kidding aside, we have thouroughly enjoyed becoming part of the Tice family for this week. This is certainly a loving and talented family, and their hospitality is unparalleled.
The whole family piled into the van this morning at 7:45 and headed for Chicago. They have a full day of getting Julie and Chris to their flight back to New York and Renee and Neil onto the Empire Builder headed for Portland. Judy and I took our last full measure of cuddling Georgia and reluctantly handed her off. They have only returned once so far to get the forgotten stroller.

We will hang around the Tice home for a couple more hours and then with a borrowed car we will head off to meet the Texas Eagle at 5:30 for the return trip to Austin Texas. I will get to follow our progress on my new Christmas present, a Garman 76, GPS. I takes a scheduled 26 hours for the trip, so we will ring in the new year on the train’s bell and whistle.

With that we will close with a wish for you to have a happy and prosperous new year.

Love Gary and Judy