Cherokee,
Wow, that was pretty spritual and heart felt. I appreciate that. It IS a darn special time and place and one of the things that provides me with a major passion in life.

If it is THAT precious to you, then you might consider going to New Zealand and doing your "guide thing" during the spring/summer and then return here for fall/winter and get in twice as many "soul times" in one lifetime, since you only get one go around before you head for the "great divide".

Next, for what it is worth, a quote from my grandfather, born in the 1890, "The only good thing about the "good old days" is that they will NEVER come back!

That may or may not strike a cord; however, in 1810 you may have never survived childhood (measles, mumps, diptheria, whooping cough, small pox, polio, etc, etc, etc) and into adulthood to ever even begin the trek west. Just a thought for what IS good about today's world for you and your kids.

Good Luck and Good Hunting,
EKM