The Last Frontier, the Last State

The Last Frontier, the Last State
(or, “50 at 50”)

A bit exhausted and fighting coughs and sniffles, Janet and I returned last week from an awesome cruise to the Inside Passage of Alaska.

With all the years of family travels and Conference excursions, the “state countdown” was mounting. We’ve been known to make some side-trips to tack on another state to the list. As my 50th birthday came closer into view, I began to wonder if I could make all 50 states before hitting the half-century mark.

In early July, we drove a rental car to get to long-ignored North Dakota, checking off state number 49 for me. Fargo was “nice.” (Actually, I did like the Roger Maris museum.)

Come mid-September, Jan and I used some frequent-flier miles to get to Vancouver, British Columbia, and we climbed aboard our first-ever cruise ship. God blessed us as we sailed into Alaskan waters (my 50th state) on the night of my 50th birthday.

Even though it was cloudy, wet, and cold, we saw some fantastic scenery and lots of wildlife. Plus, the last cruise of the season caused most of the shops to offer their souvenirs at 75% off—a shopper’s dream!

Fifty at 50. (My sweetie still lacks Nevada and New Mexico—oh, so close!)

So what’s next? How about seven continents by 70? Only three more to go…