This is what brought us home to Washington State, at the end of our military career. This is the amazing view of the Olympic Mountain range we enjoy from our back door. Despite living most of my life in California, and having resided in nearly every region of the U.S. (not to mention several overseas locales) . . . this is what has always come to mind whenever someone said “God’s country.”

Lush green forests and abundant wildlife. Rushing rivers and magnificent mountain peaks. (In the center of our view, in fact, is a double peak called “The Brothers.”)

As C.S. Lewis wrote in The Horse and His Boy: “Onward and Upward! To Narnia and the North!”

Even if I don’t receive a single Christmas present this year, living here is more than enough to make me a happy man.

Addendum:

In truth, Robert, it was proximity to your family that brought you home to the Pacific Northwest. You would have chosen to live by our children and grandchildren even if it were back there in the Mojave Desert. But, I know you are not complaining that, in God’s grace, all of your children live in lovely Washington!