Preparing to go to. Australia and New Zealand - October 2025

Getting Ready to Go!

It was a busy week or two before leaving the island on October 11.

For one, the Clarity was off island at the auto body shop and we didn't know until a few days beforehand, that it would be ready. But, that turned out to be great as we were able to walk on a fast ferry and pick up the car. That was fortunate as there was a nor-easter and we risked being stuck on the island for several days.

We managed to get both the flu shot and a Covid booster before we left. Mark also managed one day of scalloping with Jim S. on a lovely day.

On the 9th, Alec, JuliAnn, Cam (2 1/2) and Letty (dog) arrived. That definitely kept us busy and distracted as we got ready to go. 

Both of us had been packing/unpacking for days and I think we are as lightly packed as we've ever been with travel pants, light clothes etc.

We stayed 3 nights in Concord; Jecca and Willy had joined Tyler to hike the long weekend on the Long Trail in Vermont. Tyler had been hiking for 3 weeks by then and was super fit. They all seemed to have a good time. It was Jec and Willy's 28th wedding anniversary. 

We flew from Boston to San Diego on October 14. The plane was delayed more than once and we had a long wait in Concord and then at the airport which was heaving with crowds due to the many cancelled flights - weather and the government shutdown were mostly responsible. We even had to wait 20 minutes to get into the Sky Lounge which was to its capacity. Our 5:15 flight took off around 9:00. We got into San Diego after midnight and were lucky that we were able to get the rental car that late. We drove to White Sands in La Jolla and got to bed at 2:30 a.m. which was 5:30 a.m. to us.

We spent two nights at White Sands as guests of Linda and Frank Morral and had a lovely time with them. We never left the complex. We ate and chatted and chatted and ate. It was wonderful to be with them.