Kathy - Not to go back into all the postings we made on the life vs. work thread a while ago; but I certainly agree with you that we must live life while we can, while not recklessly mortgaging our possible future retirement. In the past month, I have lost one uncle to cancer in his early 60's, while another of the same age is likely in his final weeks of life. Further, two business colleagues have passed away in their mid-50's. Well, by God, if Pat and I have the misfortune to go that early, we will at least have racked up some major ship time before we check out!! As it is, when we were in Trondheim, Norway in July, I climbed up the 172 narrow stone steps of the cathedral tower there and felt like calling for the paramedics when I got to the top. A few years ago, I skipped up the several hundred steps inside the dome of St. Peter's in Rome and wondered why people complained about the climb! My Trondheim experience was a good reminder that we are all getting older and less able to do certain things. Therefore, we must indeed Seize the Day!! (Of course, I may also have to consider changing my regular breakfast on board Voyager from Eggs Benedict with a side of grilled baby lamb chops to something like non-fat yoghurt with a side of fresh melon. How very, very sad...)

In any event, we are eagerly looking forward to our first leg of the Grand Circle of South America (leaving Ft. L. on Dec. 27 and going on to Lima, Peru, with a few days on our own after that in Cusco and Macchu Picchu), PIP (B2B in May of 2005), and ROAR in April, 2006, in addition to whatever cruises or vacations we can manage in terms of finances and my vacation time from work in between. No one checks out of this life remembering fondly the time he or she spent at work; but we certainly treasure the memories of the time we spent exploring the world with delightful and simpatico comrades.

Cheers, Fred & Pat (spending this weekend celebrating our 30th anniversary - lots of Perrier Jouet and quality beach time with our three doggies).