We keep this site up for nostalgic and modest historical reasons. The main message of our adventure is that taking calculated risks in life can bring amazing rewards. And, that creative thinking and seizing opportunities are part of the American spirit. We epitomized that spirit in 1996-97 while utilizing the technology of our day and in some ways breaking new ground.

The Web site is left pretty much as it was developed during the course of our trip. Most of it was built by Donald, who was 14 at the time. We all helped with content during an exciting and ever-changing time.  For those reasons it is out of date but also rich.

A quick update:

The family moved to California in early 1998. After returning to our home in Boyne City in June of 1997, we spent long hours researching some of the places we had discovered along the way. Five locations in the country stood out so we put together a plan to visit them again and hopefully choose a new home.

The last place on the list was California. We found our current Southern California home in February 1998 and have stayed here since.

Betsy went to work fairly soon. She is now editor in chief at a book publishing company. It took Mark longer but he went to work for a technology reseller. Donald recently graduated from Berkeley and spent his senior year in Spain. Kelly and Stacy had a stellar high school experience and became competitive swimmers. They attend Harvard College. Buddy is growing old gracefully but is still very much the same puppy.

We hope you enjoy the story.

Mark and Betsy Blondin

back to: Blondins' Assignment America