Well, this must be the longest distance DBIS reunion.  I'm here in Western Australia with Kathryn and family.  Very beautiful land with "vistas that go on forever".  The farm is very close to some dramatic coastal landscape.  Kathryn has been a most gracious host, and it is wonderful meeting her at last and her husband and children.  Their "neighborhood" is very vast by American standards and towns are separated by many miles (kilometers) of gum tree forests and farmland.  I drove here from Perth and have never driven such long stretches of highway through wilderness anywhere in the US.  Last time I did that was Northern Canada.  Spectacular scenery.  I did manage to see one Kangaroo bounding across the road slowly, but I had plenty of time to slow down the car, open the window, and encourage him/her to "go home" and it jumped safely across.  The nearby town of Albany has a gorgeous old town area, and very amazing harbor area and beach.  All of the coast that I have seen here in WA is splendid, somewhat reminiscent of Northern California and Oregon.  I have reached the farthest point southwest in Australia at the Cape Leeuwin lighthouse, where the Southern Ocean meets the Indian Ocean.  I am so far from home that if I go any further west, I will actually be closer.  About 12,500 miles approximately from Maryland.

There are so many wineries here, it is mind-boggling.  One every mile or so.  There is an oversupply of wine in Australia at the moment.

Big Al gave us a phone call the other night, and it was interesting to finally hear his voice. 

Well, regards to all.  Will post pictures very soon. 

Gene