Erin has grabbed this blog by the horns and while I enjoy writing, I’m not sure I’m ready for prime time. So I’m going to keep this short and sweet. Before you leave the country for 11 months, it’s important to make sure that you spend time with the people you love.

My dad and I went on our first father-son overnight last weekend. We explored central Oregon in the snow and rain, found the rumored flock of pine grosbeaks on the Pacific Crest Trail, watched a mink skulk along the Santiam River, and forgot to think about dinner until we found ourselves driving around Redmond on Sunday night realizing–there is no dinner in Redmond on a Sunday night. Most importantly, we spent time together.

Erin and I have worked so hard to make time for each other with this trip, I almost forgot to make time for the other important people in my life. Almost.