Farewell to friends.

7/13/05. Today we received an e-mail from Ray and Wanda. I tried to get an edit in that told of the departure of our fellow caravaners, but the wifi connections in TOK were insufficient forthe edit. They were a couple that were really getting the most out of this trip. They wasted no time in enjoying every moment. They represented a major part of the spirit that made our caravan what the fun trip that it is. While in White horse, Ray and Wanda received a call regarding an illness in the family requiring an immediate return home. The matter is of a serious enough nature to force them to abandon the caravan and make haste homeward. I found this to be a terrifically saddening event as it represented two hardships for them. One was of course the family crises, in itself a heart rending episode. The other was to watch this couple have to abandon a dream they had planned for so long. In the email they had recounted their progress toward home, an update on the situation, and of course the things they had seen on their return trip. Our hearts go out to them as well as our prayers. We hope to see them again in the future, a great couple.